(And Why You May Want to Hire an Interior Designer!)
Contemplating a garage makeover? All too often, the garage is a catchall space, housing everything except a vehicle. Sporting goods, bicycles, tools of all kinds, yard equipment and anything else that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else ends up living in the garage.
A garage makeover makes the most of this valuable real estate no matter its size. In fact, a case can be made that the smaller the space the more beneficial the makeover. The result increases the functionality, utility, and appearance. After all, nothing says a garage has to be an unattractive space.
Planning a Garage Makeover
Decluttering: Garage Edition
Have you ever come across something in the garage that you haven’t seen for years and thought, “why do I still have this?” Or does this sound familiar? You are in the middle of a project, and unable to find the correct tool, you buy another so you can complete the job. This step is the beginning of getting everything in order.
- Move out all large items. It’s helpful if you have a two-car garage or more. Leave vehicles outside and use that space temporarily to sort the contents. If you don’t have that luxury, take out what you can and clear a large space for sorting.
- Boxes and bins help with sorting. The goal is to get all like items together: hand tools, power tools, yard tools, sports equipment. Designate a spot for items you no longer need and duplicates. These can be sold or donated. Broken items should be collected for repair or disposed of.
- Make lists of categories and contents. This step is important for determining the kind of storage needed. Pictures are a great visual representation when you’re evaluating storage solutions.
- Make a list of all the ways you would like to use the garage along with parking the car: storage, workshop, working out, etc.
Now you’re ready to start designing the space.
The Benefit of an Interior Designer
A garage makeover may not be an obvious space to consider working with an interior designer. However, it is just a room with requirements similar to any other room. The right interior designer – specifically a design and renovation expert – has the expertise to work with your needs and budget to deliver a space that meets your expectations. They will also have strong relationships with contractors in the trades should your makeover require them.
A design and renovation expert will likely work with 3d design software. This enables developing the most efficient floorplan in your garage makeover, especially if the goal is to define zones for different activities. The ability to view the plan and make any edits prior to beginning saves time and money.
Interior designers excel at evaluating a space and applying creative, sometimes out-of-the-box thinking to find solutions. Storage principles are the same whether it’s a closet, a bathroom or kitchen. Engage a professional with basement remodeling experience. Unfinished basements share many of the same challenges as the unconditioned space of an unfinished garage.
Designing the Garage Makeover
Walls
You’re ahead of the game if you’re starting the garage makeover with walls that are already covered. If they are not, determining what to cover them with – drywall or another material – is the next step. There are several considerations here. One is building codes. Fire-rated drywall may be required on at least the walls shared with the house and the ceiling. There are several other options, which your design and renovation expert can help you with. The zones in your floorplan will factor into the decision. Insulation is another question that may need to be answered. How you finish the wall covering is aesthetic and functional. For example, not only is there the choice of color, there are considerations such as pegboard, or plywood or slat board for organizing tools.
Even if the walls remain unfinished, there are many opportunities to increase storage, functionality and appearance. For example, paint goes a long way to brightening up the garage to make it a more pleasant space. Many storage and organizational items can be attached directly to the studs.
Floors
It isn’t necessary to do anything with the floor for a garage makeover. However, there are many options available if that is a consideration. There is a wide variety of concrete finishes and a variety of mats suitable for a variety of activities.
Lighting
A garage needs ambient lighting and task lighting just like any other room in the home. Understanding their placement is an area an experienced interior designer will be most helpful. For example, avoiding dark corners and shadows cast on project work in a garage follows the same principles as avoiding those things in a kitchen.
Storage
Designing storage is where an interior designer excels. Maximizing storage opportunities in a garage is not unlike working with a closet, kitchen or basement. Your lists and photos will facilitate arriving at the perfect solutions.
Taking Your Garage Makeover to the Next Level
One of the advantages of working with an interior designer is their ability to see opportunities, especially a design and renovation specialist. For example, is there enough space in the garage to build out a mudroom to take the pressure off the room just inside the garage door? No room for a workbench? Is there a space to add a surface to fold down while in use and then out of way when unneeded? These are just two examples of how an interior designer can help maximize the results of a garage makeover.
Adding a Room
It is becoming more popular to convert garages into living space, especially in two-car or more garages. This option can be much less expensive than other additions. A design and renovation expert, especially one with general contracting experience, can make this a reality.
Garage makeovers range from quite simple to complex. They all begin with the same step – assess everything currently housed in the garage, remove unnecessary items, and sort and categorize everything that remains. List all the uses for the space. Evaluate storage needs. And consider making the project meet all your expectations by engaging the services of the right interior designer!
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