Have you ever taken a look around your garage and thought there had to be a better way to use the space? Maybe you don’t use it for vehicles at all, and you have plenty of unused space, or you might use part of it to park a vehicle, but then the rest goes to waste. Your garage can be anything from fun to functional, and the following are some inspiration for how to use it more effectively, as well as organizational tips.
Creative Ways to Use Your Garage
Aside from using your garage for your cars, think about the following ideas:- Use it as a man or woman cave. You can turn your garage into a recreational area to give yourself a space that’s entirely your own.
- Turn your garage or a portion of it into a workspace. This might mean a tool shop or a craft studio—whatever works best for you.
- Tired of trekking to the neighborhood gym for a workout? What about adding a gym in your garage?
- Do you have a dancer or musician in the family? A garage makes a great practice area.
- If you have children, you may be looking for a place where you can sequester all their toys, so why not turn the garage into a playroom?
- Your garage can make a great lounge space if you frequently entertain.
- With more people working from home, they’re often looking for space to integrate a home office, and a garage may afford you that space.
- If you’ve ever wanted a mudroom, but you don’t have space inside, think about adding it in your garage.
Tips to Organize Your Garage
Before you can revamp your garage, the following can help you get it organized.- Clear everything out—you want to start with a blank canvas, so first, empty your garage and then get rid of everything you don’t use or don’t need.
- As you’re adding things back into the garage you need to keep, think vertically. Add storage along the walls of the garage rather than taking up valuable floor space.
- Depending on how you plan to use your garage, you may want to add new cabinetry. It’ll be a more streamlined way to store items and keep them out-of-sight.
- Be strategic when you’re organizing the garage. Think about the things you’ll most frequently need access to as you’re planning out how you’ll store items. The things you need to keep but you’ll hardly ever use can go higher up along the wall.
Transforming Your Garage into a Functional Space
Finally, once you’re organized, there are some things you’ll need to do to make your garage functional, regardless of exactly what you’re going to use it for.- Add insulation if you’re going to be using your garage for any type of entertaining, living, or recreational area. When you insulate your garage, not only will it make it more functional, but it will also lower your energy bills.
- Think about flooring—for example, if you’re going to use your garage for a playroom or a fitness studio, you want soft, padded flooring. If you’re going to be using it for something else, painting the floor can go a long way in changing the look of your garage.
- If you’re painting, use a moisture-blocking product. This will keep your garage from feeling damp and unappealing.
