Most US houses come with a garage, but not all homeowners know how to make the most of this quite large space, ideal both for the car, as well as storage & even recreation. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place since, in this article, we will teach you several tips & tricks regarding this important area of your property. After reading, you’ll most certainly rethink the entire space and you might even get to work, starting to implement the changes one by one. Without further ado, here are our ideas for you:
1. The floor. First of all, the garage floor must be quite free since it will “host” the car, while you’re at home. The entry & exit maneuvers with the car must be carried out easily, without hitting certain objects. This is why we recommend storing bulky equipment, such as lawnmowers, in corners, where they won’t get bumped over, as well as frequently used items, such as bikes, close to the door. Furthermore, items used together, for example, gardening tools & lawn chemicals, must be put together, while the seasonal or rarely used products must be placed in the spots that are the hardest to reach;
2. Shelves, not cabinets. Secondly, we strongly recommend using open shelves instead of close cabinets, for a number of more or less obvious reasons: they are less expensive, more accessible (you don’t need additional space to open & close the doors), they allow you to quickly visualize where each thing is, and they won’t become messy (unlike cabinets, where you can hide everything behind closed doors;
3. Vertical space. Another crucial aspect has to do with the vertical space, which must be exploited to the maximum. Pegboards, track-based systems, and panelized systems are great options, each with its pros: they can be easily fixed, will support heavy weights, and can be customized to your liking;
4. Don’t forget the ceiling! Furthermore, even the overhead space can be used wisely in a garage. For example, you can hang ladders & seasonal sports gear up there, but make sure they don’t stand in the way of the door, both literally & figuratively;
5. No air transfer with the house. In order to enjoy the organization of the garage for a long time, but especially the good condition of your property, you must make sure that there are no air leaks between the dependence & the neighboring rooms (from the side or from above). Seal the small gaps with caulk and the larger ones with expandable spray foam;
6. Invest where needed. Last but not least, you should definitely invest in door & window locks (to prevent break-ins), as well as upgrade the lighting & electric systems, both from a functional point of view and to avoid minor or major incidents (accidents, fires, etc.). And, of course, don’t forget to keep the garage clean, in order to enjoy it at any time, without risk! All that’s left is to wish you good luck!