What’s the vibe inside of your garage? Is it cheerful and welcoming, or is it the kind of space that you go through as quickly as you can because you don’t want to spend too much time there? Many homeowners feel stuck with garages that are dark, dingy, overcluttered, and somehow forbidding. Chances are that you’d never want your front porch or the area around your front door to feel similarly dreary, but if you’re like many homeowners, you use your garage as an entry point to the house as often or more often than your front door. So why put up with a garage that feels like a dungeon? Take a look at some tips that can help you turn your garage into a more welcoming space.
Start With Storage
It’s not uncommon for a garage to end up being the catch-all storage spot for the house. It’s more accessible than a basement or an attic, but far enough away from the main house that you don’t end up tripping over the items that you’re trying to store. The problem is that it’s easy for the garage to quickly become overly cluttered and disorganized, and this adds to the feeling that your garage is not a space that you want to spend time in. After all, that clutter may not leave too much room for you to enjoy the space in your garage.
Improving your garage’s storage space can make a huge difference. Add large, deep cabinets that are designed for garage conditions. This will give you a way to store the things that you don’t use often but may be saving, like holiday decorations or clothes and toys that your children have grown out of but that you’re not ready to give away. You should also have shelves or cabinets dedicated to tools and materials that you need for keeping up your house – things like power tools, paint cans, and cleaning supplies.
Add some pegboard to the walls for hand tools and other items that can be hung. You may also want to invest in a hanging bike rack or overhead storage bins. Once you have your items stored and garage organized, you’ll have room for garage improvements, like adding a mudroom, workspace, or laundry room.
Improve Your Lighting
If your garage still has just a bare bulb or two for lighting, it’s no wonder that you don’t see it as a potential space for entertainment or comfort. Improving your garage’s lighting can go a long way into making your garage over into a welcoming space.
You have several options for garage lighting. A common choice is to replace the bar bulbs with 8 foot long fluorescents, which will instantly brighten the space. If you plan to use your garage as a workspace, you may like using halogen or xenon bulbs to give you focused lighting for detailed work. LED lights can give your garage a modern feel while keeping your energy costs down.
Replace Your Flooring
Don’t underestimate the effect that a new floor can have on the aesthetics of your garage. Concrete floors can be cold and uninviting. A new epoxy floor is a great way to brighten your garage and improve its look. Epoxy flooring comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can easily match the floor to the garage’s interior.
You may be surprised by how drastically you can change your garage, turning it from a dull, dreary space into an important hub of your home. Contact us to schedule your free design consultation
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