Take back your garage from clutter!
Is your garage full of old junk that you never use anymore? Are you always tripping over boxes and random stuff that never seems to find a home? Is the mess so bad that you can’t even park your car in the garage anymore?
If you’re thinking of those cold winter mornings and nights when you’ll want to pull your car inside instead of running back and forth in the driveway, you’re probably wondering how you can get this mess under control and get your space back. We have a few tips to help!
STEP #1: Clean It All Out!
On your next sunny weekend day, set aside some time to do some cleaning. Pull the car(s) out of the way, and get all the clutter out of your garage and onto the driveway in designated spaces for:
- Trash
- Recycling
- Donations
- Items for a garage sale or yard sale
- Stuff you want to keep and continue using.
Letting go of some of this stuff might be a little bit difficult, but think of all the space you’ll have and all the junk you’ll be rid of!
STEP #2: Does Your Garage Need New Insulation or a New Interior Finish?
With all that stuff out of your garage, you have a rare opportunity to do some upgrades. Does your garage need insulation? If you have some time and you’re good with tools, you could install insulation, a vapor barrier, and then hang drywall for a single‑car garage for about $1300. If you want to get a professional to do it, it’ll probably run about $2600.
After you get your insulation done, it’s time to figure out what kind of interior finish you want. Usually, drywall with a coat of quality paint will do, but you may want to add an extra layer of protection over the bottom four feet of each wall to protect against splashes and other damage. Instead of drywall, for this section, you may want to go with PVC exterior siding, which you can attach directly to the studs of your garage walls.
STEP #3: Plan Your New Garage Space
After your garage’s interior is refinished, you’ll want to have a solid plan for the space. Take measurements of the garage, and on a piece of graph paper sketch it out, along with any items or objects that can’t be moved (like a washer and dryer, any electrical appliances, etc.). Draw these as much to scale as possible so you’ll have an idea of what’s left and how you can use the space. If you have access to some design software, you may want to use it to get a more accurate plan.
Whether you’re creating your plan free‑hand or on a computer, be sure to measure out and draw in the space on either side of the garage door. This will show you whether or not you have enough room for shelves, hooks, a work bench, etc.
Be sure to note the height and width of your wall space. Then you can see how much space you have to build shelves or bring in taller toolboxes. You may even be able to use space over the garage door, as long as the storage shelves you build don’t extend past the door or its horizontal tracks.
Finally, look at your plan so far and decide how much space you’ll need for different items that you want to include, such as:
- Refrigerator and/or freezer
- Sports gear and equipment
- Gardening and lawn care tools
- Workbench
As you’re figuring out where each item will go and how much space it will need, remember that you may need electrical outlets for some items. And, while you’re thinking of it, consider how much lighting you’ll need, as well. Then, when you’re all done with the rest of the design work, determine if you want to add a new coat of paint to the floor or if you want to leave it as bare concrete.
STEP #4: Prioritize Your Projects
Okay, now you should have a finished plan – it’s time to set your priorities. Based on what’s most important and your budget, establish an ordered list of projects to complete to get the space redesigned and reorganized to fit your plan. Remember, you can’t do everything yourself, so be sure to contact qualified professionals for things like electrical work.
At this point, you should also decide what kinds of materials you’re going to use for shelving, your workbench, etc. If you’re trying to save money and you have some time to get it all done, you may want to do everything in wood and do your work yourself.
If, on the other hand, you prefer other materials, like plastic bins and metal storage solutions, you’ll be looking at a wider price range for materials and equipment. Depending on what you want to do with your new floor finish, your storage systems, and any other details, you could easily spend $15,000‑25,000 on renovations and upgrades.
Not sure what kind of layout you want to do? Do a quick Google Image search for “garage storage organization ideas”, and see what comes up. There are literally thousands of pictures online of different projects like this.
STEP #5: Upgrade Your Garage Door and Opener
While you’re completely revamping your garage, don't forget what a huge difference a new garage door and door opener can make, especially if you’re going to be spending more time in your garage, using it as a work or play space. Going with a weatherproof, insulated garage door is the way to go to stay cool in the summer and warm all winter. There are numerous models and styles to choose from that will help you stay comfortable in any season.
In the market for a new garage door, opener, or service today? Place a request for a service call online with us today or call us at 508-875-3508. We will happily help you choose the best model for the architectural style of your house that fits with your personality and your budget, too.
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