Many of us hear the word home improvement and think of bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, decks, and similar projects. But there’s another area of your home to consider improving with a DIY remodel—your garage.
Think about it… Most Minnesota homes come with a garage, yet it is a space that homeowners often overlook. It’s all too easy to use a garage for storage, letting the area get cluttered and dirty. Or we think of it only as a place to park a car, failing to maximize its use for our family’s needs. As a result, we miss out on much of our garage’s versatility and practicality.
However, with a little do-it-yourself ingenuity, it’s possible to transform that plain Jane garage into a fun, functional space, maybe even the coolest room in your whole house. Check out these 4 DIY ideas to remodel your garage into a functional space you’ll love to use.
Decide Its Purpose
You know how you’re currently using your garage — but what would you like to use it for? What do you dream of having more space for?
The fix:
Get a vision for ways to repurpose or remodel your garage. Remember, a garage can be many things beyond just a place to park a car:
-A workspace for DIY home projects
-A space to make art
-An added bedroom to rent out
-A play area for your children
-A man cave or woman cave
Once you have a vision for how you’d like to use the garage going forward, it’ll be much easier to choose how to remodel it into the home space of your dreams. Consider these options:
-Parking area — Make sure your parking space is clear and easy to pull in and out of.
-Work area — Decide where you will put your workbench and tools. Install good lighting and plenty of electrical outlets.
-Play area — Set apart an area for relaxing by adding a rug, comfortable seating, fun decorations, and a TV.
Do Spring Cleaning
Old boxes from Christmas presents… Folding chairs and card tables… That extra set of knives from Aunt Florence… The old, broken ottoman you keep saying you’re going to repair and reupholster…
Sound familiar? If you use the garage as an easy, no-planning storage space, it probably looks a lot like this — stuff you can’t use, don’t want, or haven’t packed up well, tossed on the sides of the garage because you plan to get to it later. Unfortunately, most of us never really do get to it later, and our garages get cluttered and less useful as a result.
The fix:
Do some spring cleaning when the weather begins to warm up.
Go through everything in your garage and ask yourself if you’ll really ever use it.
Make three piles:
-Stuff you won’t use, don’t need, or have duplicates of — these items can be donated or sold.
-Stuff you want to store permanently — pack it up neatly, label it, and place it in a designated storage area, like an attic or shed.
-Stuff you use frequently — this can be organized according to the tips below.
Get Organized
A one- or two-car garage offers a lot of room. But if it’s not well-organized, this space may largely be going to waste. And that’s a shame — because a well-organized garage is a simple DIY remodel project that can add great functionality, and even boost the value of your home.
The fix:
Use a well-planned approach to arranging items in your garage for both maximum ease in access, as well as neat, out-of-the-way storage when items are not in use.
Some simple do-it-yourself organization systems include:
Customizable wall racks — these can be sized to fit different tools easily
Overhead storage racks — great for items you don’t use often, like seasonal decorations
Ceiling mounts — great for bikes, kayaks, ladders and other large equipment
Pegboards and hooks — these come in a variety of styles and colors, and work well for small, lightweight tools
Garden tool racks — perfect for long-handled items like rakes and brooms
Cabinet sets — easy to find at home improvement stores, these sets are often modular and customizable with drawers, shelves and more
Built in storage — specialty features like built in cabinets and other creative storage options helps you make more use of existing space
Do an Upgrade
Sure, your garage gets a lot of foot traffic and wheel traffic. But that doesn’t mean it has to be the dullest, grimiest room in your home.
The fix:
There are several areas where homeowners can make simple, practical improvements. Some are DIY, while others might require hiring a specialist, but they all add value and functionality.
Consider upgrading:
-Flooring — Making the garage floor look neat and attractive goes a long way. Clear the floor and give it a power wash. Add a fresh coat of paint, or treat the floor with a special coating to resist wear and tear.
-Insulation — If the garage has exposed beams, it’s easy to install insulation and then cover it with sheetrock. But don’t worry if your garage is already finished, because you can always spray insulation into the walls.
-Windows and Doors — Add natural lighting and comfort by installing a new garage door or outside access door with windows.
-Plumbing — Most garages are built to be hooked up to running water. So, it may be easier than you think to install a utility sink.
-WiFi — Whether you want a great work space or a play area, Internet access in your garage comes in handy. Run wires to hook up TVs, or install a WiFi signal booster for wireless devices.
Have the Garage of Your Dreams
Your garage can and should be a part of a perfect home that makes you happy. And so can every other area of your home — from the porch to the back deck, and everything in between. We love serving homeowners in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area with detailed, beautiful interior and exterior remodeling that serves you and your home well for years to come. Contact us today to set up a free consultation and estimate on the remodel of your dreams.
