Whether you are looking to upgrade your garage to add value to sell it or you are tired of looking at the mess that’s in there, you want to redesign your garage. Well, you’ve come to the right place for advice.
There is a ton of info out there but we narrowed it down to nine specific tips that everyone should consider when redesigning their garage.
#1 Know What You Want
Unless you are getting the garage ready for a home sale then it’s important to consider what you are planning on using the garage for.
You might laugh and think, “to store my ride”, which is the most obvious use for a carport. But, there are many other uses for a garage that one might not consider.
Artists use them as studios when they can’t rent a separate space for their work. People with big yards like to keep their gardening tools in there.
Woodworkers have an array of saws, tools, and benches. Some people build second kitchens and turn their garage into a party barn. The options are abundant.
So, before you jump into a redesign, you might want to consider where to store customized parts and mods of your vehicle if you are planning on making mechanics work the focus of this space.
When you know what you want to use the space for then you’ll have an easier time knowing where to go from there.
#2 What Look Are You Going For?
There’s no reason why your garage has to serve one purpose alone. I have a friend who uses hers for parties and to store her garage.
You can make a space for gardening and a little kitchen for times when you have friends hanging out.
So, if you plan on people seeing your garage on a regular basis then what do you want it to look like?
Design options are bountiful but classic looks are never a bad idea. Wood walls with sensible storage is a great place to start.
Where to go from there, that’s your personal preference, but it’s also another thing to have decided before beginning.
#3 Know What You Are Working With?
You may want to build a three-bedroom apartment above the garage to create an income property but will your current garage space hold that kind of living area?
Are you zoned for that? There are so many things to consider when redesigning but one of the most important ones is to know how much space you have available.
#4 Think About The Flooring
While you might want wood walls and flooring in the upstairs living area, the flooring you use on the bottom level of your garage is something you need to take seriously.
This is where you will pull in that car, with the dirty tires, when the weather is rough. It could be raining or snowing, that floor will take a beating over time so a good floor coating is vital.
The floor of your garage should look nice, even when it does not have such nice things happen to it. This is especially important if you are planning on entertaining in there.
Floor paint is an option but there are also epoxy garage flooring kits, which you can do yourself. The key is to seal it off from moisture and make it easy to clean.
#5 Look For Repurposed Materials
Many areas have people who deconstruct properties and sell the materials. If you find the right resale shop you can find cabinets, shelving units, wood, stoves, porches, and a bevy of other items you might be looking to include in your garage remodel job.
While used materials might seem an odd thing to look for you would be surprised at the stuff you’ll find for a steal.
Plus, like antique hats and vintage coats, there is something to second-hand storage units that bring a bit of time-honored style into your life and a greener approach to the world.
#6 Create a Plan
Now that you know what you are working with and what you are wanting to create with the space allowed it’s time to grab that pen and paper and begin creating a plan of action.
The best place to start is with the first step so what is that? For some, it may be attacking the junk that’s collected in the garage.
Others may be at the point where all they need to do is imagine how they want it all to be laid out. Is this going to serve as a workshop, a play area or a home gym you can escape to each day for exercise?
Whatever the case, start drawing. Make lists of materials you will need.
Get it all down on paper so, when it’s time to construct, you have most of your questions answered already. Others will arise, but there is no such thing as too much planning.
#7 Weather Projection
When creating a plan for your remodel you want to take the weather into consideration.
For those of you reading this that live in areas of the world where the weather is agreeable for this type of work the majority of the year, consider yourselves lucky.
For those who have to play with snow and rain make sure you are choosing the best time of year for you.
#8 Don’t Bite Off Too Much
We all want a coach house, but sometimes our abilities are not at the level of our dreams. And there is nothing wrong with that. For hobbyists, a project like this is a dream come true.
But, if your goal is to have a garage that looks good to visitors and gives you and your family optimal storage.
If you can’t achieve these goals successfully on your own it might be time to take a look at our last suggestion.
#9 Call A Professional
There is nothing wrong with knowing your limits. Electricians aren’t carpenters and vice versa. Sure, there are some people who can do it all and, if you are one of those people then you can skip this part.
For those reading this that know their limits, call a professional to do the hard work to ensure everything is done correctly.
Conclusion
These tips just touch on the surface of the planning and thinking that goes into something like redesigning a garage, but we hope we narrowed it down enough for everyone to get a good idea of where to start such an undertaking.