by Liz Morrison
If you’re like many southern Californians, your car has never seen the inside of your garage. Because most of us don’t have attics or basements, that big space that’s either attached to your home or sits at the end of your driveway has likely become one giant storage closet. And don’t even think about trying to dig out those old golf clubs or the lawnmower you bought last year. Those things are held prisoner by all the clutter that seems to multiply on a weekly basis.
There’s good news for people like you. Garage makeovers are not only affordable, but they’re also much easier than you might think. Once you realize how much space you actually have in your garage, you can get creative with how to use it. And if you’re not a do-it-yourself type, then there are plenty of professional organizers out there who are happy to help you take that first step.
Tackling a garage that’s been the family dumping ground for several years can be daunting. The first step is finding out how you plan to use the garage and determining whether that’s a realistic expectation. Take a look at the physical space of your garage to see its attributes. For example, do you have finished walls and ceiling? What’s your lighting like? It’s a big bonus if you have off-site storage. And before actually purchasing anything, consider your goals for the project and determine what’s right for your budget.
Providing a parking space for your cars may be one reason to clear out your garage, but some people get a little more creative with all that space. Gone are the days of using the extra space in your garage for just a laundry room or a workbench area. From craft rooms to play areas for kids to a workout area to a place for your teenagers to hang out, your garage has the potential to be the spare room you’ve always wanted. One of the easiest ways to transform your garage into a more comfortable space is to upgrade the flooring.
Flooring: from NASCAR style tiles to soft and comfy
Most garage floors are just a simple concrete slab but you can make that area much more appealing by upgrading the flooring. Henning Jacobson is the owner of Perfect Garage, a company that specializes in garage flooring as well as storage solutions. Jacobson’s company offers Acritek epoxy flooring, a skid and stain resistant surface that has the look of granite or terrazzo tile, and RaceDeck, a modular flooring system made from copolymer.
“The Acritek coating will resist oil, dirt, water and grease,” said Henning. The installation process takes four to five days for a two-car garage.” Plus, with 29 color combinations to choose from, you can get really creative. Henning added that the Acritek coating is virtually maintenance free. Windex and a rag are all you need to clean this surface.
For garage floors that are not suitable for Acritek, the RaceDeck flooring system is a good alternative. RaceDeck comes in tiles that fit together easily. It’s water resistant, has an available self-draining system, is non-toxic and odorless, and is slip resistant when wet. To top it off, it can be installed in one day - and you can remove the RaceDeck tiles later for use elsewhere in your home.
Of course, if you’re not planning to park your car in the garage, you might look into more comfortable flooring choices, such as carpeting or a padded modular floor covering. If you plan to create a play area for your kids, padded flooring is an ideal option. It’s soft and cushioned, so if your little one falls he won’t be hitting a hard surface. Soft floors are also good if you plan to use the garage as a craft-making area or a workout room. And it’s very easy to install. The pieces fit together like a puzzle and can be removed and relocated with very little effort.
Storage systems: safe, accessible, and great looking
Now that you’ve chosen your flooring, it’s time to think about storage. Mike Taylor, owner of The Tidy Garage, explained that mounting storage racks around the perimeter of your ceiling and above the door is a great way to get things off the garage floor and keep your items safe and organized. “You can add storage to areas that are normally unused in the garage so you can free up the floor space to park your car,” he said.
Taylor recommends a product called TUFFRAX®, a shelving system made of powder-coated industrial strength steel that can be installed from the ceiling and along the walls. The shelves come in a variety of sizes to fit most garage configurations, are rust and corrosion-proof, and can withstand heavy items.
Professional organizer Jana Hartwell, has been a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) for over nine years and currently serves as both interim vice president and membership director. She’s also the owner of Sensible Organizing Solutions.
Hartwell suggests using well-marked plastic containers to store things that you need to access once or twice a year, such as holiday decorations or seasonal clothing. “People are using more clear plastic tubs for storage instead of cardboard boxes that attract rats and dust, and don’t hold up well in damp weather,” she said.
Hartwell also points out that, before investing in a new storage system, you should check to see if there are any old shelves or cabinets in your home that are not being used. For example, if you’ve remodeled your kitchen your old kitchen cabinets could be mounted on your garage wall and used for storage. Or maybe you have a few old bookshelves taking up space in the house, or even a few old filing cabinets in your office. But, if that’s not the case, there are several storage solutions to choose from.
One of the latest garage storage trends is armoire-style cabinetry with two long doors that open on each side and plenty of shelving inside. If you don’t want all the things you’re storing to be out in plain view, or you have a lot of athletic equipment that might roll off a shelf, cabinet doors make your garage not only more attractive, but also much safer. And here’s another tip: mount your shelving a few inches above the floor to protect your things from spills or flooding.
Roof space, the final frontier
Additionally, some garages have three to four feet of extra space above the ceiling and inside the roof. By adding an attic ladder, you can access this additional storage space, but be cautioned that this area should not be used for heavy items that would put stress on the ceiling. It’s also recommended that you create a separate storage solution for any dangerous chemicals, such as paint and cleaning fluids. This way, pets and children are unlikely to be able to access them. This also holds true for sharp objects like tools and gardening or grilling equipment.
Whatever you decide to do with your garage, planning is the key to a successful outcome. Take time to do the research and give yourself at least a week to complete the project. Remember, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. See if any of your friends or neighbors have organized their garages. They’ll probably have a few good tips for you. Plus, the Internet is a great place for ideas. And if you ever find that lawnmower, be sure to let us know.
RESOURCES
Perfect Garage
(858) 485-8500
www.perfectgarage.com
Sensible Organizing Solutions
(888) 300-5757
www.sensibleorganizing.com
The Tidy Garage
(866) 930-0601
www.tidyupgarage.com
National Association of Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
(619) 687-7207
www.naposandiego.com
|
