10 Tips for a Small Garage Makeover

10 Tips for a Small Garage Makeover

You probably park your car in your garage every day. Or you have a lot of stuff stored there. Can you honestly say you like the way it looks? Unfortunately, garages are one of those places that get overlooked when it’s time to declutter or spring clean, and yet they have so much potential. The good news is you can make a few small changes to your garage and transform it into a better space. Wondering which changes to make? Keep reading to discover 10 tips for a small garage makeover.

Start By Decluttering

Before you can truly get started with your small garage makeover, it’s probably best if you declutter first. By getting rid of the non-essential items, it becomes easier to organize your garage. The last thing you would want is to have junk getting in the way. As mentioned, most people have a lot of stuff stored in their garage that they haven’t used and don’t plan to use in the future. To enjoy your garage more, you can sell, donate, or get rid of the items, so you’re left with only the things you need.

When you’re decluttering your garage, you need to consider every footage and make the most of it, so remove any old furniture, broken items, or yard tools that you don’t plan to be using. After the decluttering process, you’ll find that the garage looks cleaner and more inviting. When you free space up in your garage, it’s easier for inspiration to strike. You’ll have more room to explore different arrangements that allow you to customize your garage according to your lifestyle. Plus, it’s nicer to park your car inside a garage that’s not surrounded by junk.

Add Cabinets and Create More Storage Space

If you have a small garage, you can probably agree that it doesn’t pack a lot of garage space. Fortunately, there are many clever ideas you can explore to add more storage space as part of your small garage makeover. For instance, did you know you could add a Slatwall to take advantage of your wall space? That way, you don’t have to pay for an expensive construction project to increase the square footage. The advantage of a Slatwall garage organizer is that it’s durable and easy to install. It comes with numerous hanging accessories that allow you to attach and store various items such as mountain bikes, garden tools, sports equipment, and miscellaneous objects.

If aesthetics are important to you, you’ll be pleased to know that Slatwall has a clean appearance and comes in different colors to suit your style. In addition to a Slatwall, you can also add cabinets if there’s room for them inside your small garage. Usually, cabinets should be stored at the back so that it doesn’t take up space along the walls. Make sure the storage cabinets are sturdy so they last. If you already don’t have a cabinet system in your garage, installing a small cabinet system will give you much-needed storage space, even if it’s a few drawers and a couple of cabinet doors. You’ll also appreciate the countertop space, which comes in handy if you need to place something down quickly.

Paint Anew and Improve the Lighting

If you peek inside most garages, they rarely look inviting. That’s probably because most people don’t spend a lot of time inside their garages, so they don’t mind if it looks drab and boring. However, if you’ve been neglecting your garage, upgrading the painting and lighting can go a long way towards brightening the room. A popular trend is to use bright and bold colors to get rid of the gloomy appearance. For instance, you can paint the walls a sunny yellow to add a welcoming splash of color. Or you can use more neutral colors. To make the brightening effect more pronounced, make sure the walls and ceiling are painted the same color. Also, make sure you buy glossy paint since it can reflect light better. When done right, repainting the garage can make the space seem so spacious. It’s such a big payoff for a small garage makeover.

Similarly, upgrading the lighting can make the room feel brighter and larger. It can simply lift your mood if you don’t always have to walk into a dim and dark space. Fortunately, upgrading the lighting doesn’t have to be expensive. All you have to do is add LED light fixtures or pot lights since these will do a good job of brightening up the place. When the garage is dimly lit, it’s easy for accidents to happen if you stumble about in the dark. Good lighting should illuminate every corner of the garage without creating suspicious-looking shadows.

Upgrade the Garage Floor

One of the ideas to implement for your small garage makeover is to upgrade the floor coating. Typically, the first thing you should decide is which color works best with the rest of the interior decor. As mentioned, painting your garage has a way of brightening up the place and making it seem larger if you use the right colors. Similarly, when you use the right garage floor coating, you can transform the room. This is especially noticeable because most garages tend to have ugly floors, so a beautifully done floor can do wonders for the aesthetics of the room.

There are several options to consider when upgrading the garage floor. For starters, you can use paint and epoxy, which are quite popular options. These are designed to adhere directly to the concrete garage floor. If a garage floor coating is not your thing, you can also consider tiles and mats which are simply thrown over the garage floor. However, this is only advisable if your garage doesn’t get a lot of traffic. Otherwise, it’s probably better to stick with a proper garage floor.

Give Your Garage Door a Makeover

Of course, you can’t do a small garage makeover without including the garage door. It’s the first thing you see when you want to access your garage from outside, and you probably use it a lot as you get in and out of your home. So, for starters, check the condition of your garage door. Is there a need to contact a garage door repair service? Perhaps your garage door is now on its last legs, and there’s a need for a garage door replacement. Whatever the issue, do the necessary work to ensure your garage door looks as nice as the rest of the place once the small garage makeover is complete.

If you want ideas about how to upgrade your garage door, consider giving it a new coat of paint, and garage doors can actually help increase the value of your home if they’re in good condition. Besides upgrading the garage door, you can also get a new garage door opener that’s more secure and reliable. The latest garage door openers are considerably smoother and quieter, and they even allow you to control your garage door via your smartphone.

Fire-Proof Your Garage

You should also take the time to fire-proof your garage during your small makeover. After all, it’s not uncommon for fire accidents to happen inside the garage, so there’s a need for a fire protection system. This can lead to a worst-case scenario if your home is attached to the garage since the fire can easily spread and cause more damage. The first step to getting your garage fireproof is to install fireproof features. You can start by installing a fire-rated garage door to slow down the spread of the fire to the main house. You should also make sure that the garage floor is fireproofed.

If there’s a high-risk fire in your garage, you should remove things like carpeting since it can collect debris and automotive fluids that help to fuel the fire. In addition, you should also ensure that the shared wall between your living space and garage is fire-rated. One other thing is, it’s normal to find electrical wires and cable in garages. These should be secured and sealed to prevent combustion. If your garage contains any flammable liquids, also make sure they’re safely stored.

Add More Insulation

When you’re performing a small garage makeover, you probably have some ideas about making your garage a more liveable space. This is where adding more insulation comes in. The majority of garages don’t have enough insulation, so they can be quite cold. Are you aware that this can raise your energy bill because your HVAC system has to work harder to keep the space comfortable? So adding insulation to your garage is one of those home improvement projects with a great ROI. Besides helping to keep your home warmer and saving you money in the long run, insulation also helps keep your vehicles in good condition.

Otherwise, an inadequately insulated garage exposes your vehicle to all kinds of harsh weather. So when completing this mini-project, make sure the walls, ceiling, and garage doors offer protection from extreme temperatures. You’ll certainly appreciate the comfort if you’re planning to spend some time inside your garage for prolonged periods of time. The added insulation will keep the temperature of the room nicely regulated. The space will retain warmth when it’s cold outside, and it will also not overheat on hot summer days. To insulate your garage, you can use different types of materials, such as fiberglass insulation, spray foam, cellulose, and rigid foam.

Create a Warm Living Space

Want to create a more livable space during your small garage makeover? It’s easy to create your own personal space you can occupy for your enjoyment. At the beginning of the makeover, you can section the garage space by outlining the space where your car occupies. You can also set aside space for your workshop if you need one. You can then transform the remaining space into your livable area. If you want your liveable area to be more private, you can even add a partition so that you don’t feel like you’re part of the tools and other items in your garage.

While at it, you should also contact a heating service to make sure your garage is properly heated in summer. As mentioned, most garages are not properly insulated, so the last thing you want is to feel like you’re freezing while trying to relax. Even after you have added insulation to your garage, you’ll still need additional heating to keep the garage comfortable.

Upgrade Your Garage’s Security

The security of your garage is one major concern you need to address during your small garage makeover. That’s because most burglars target the garage door since it usually provides easy access to people’s homes. If you have an attached garage, you should be rightly worried about the security of your garage. To help make your home safer from thieves, look around your garage and try to spot vulnerable areas that might attract thieves. For instance, are the locks on your garage door secure? If your garage door opens and closes manually, make sure that it’s locked securely at all times.

Alternatively, you can switch to using a garage door opener, which makes it harder for intruders to get past. If you’ve got the budget for it, you can even upgrade to a smart technology door opener that comes with an app to alert you if anything amiss happens. Similarly, a garage door screen can help deter thieves since they are usually interested in a quick and easy job. One last tip: If you have clear garage windows, switch to windows that are more obscure or install blinds so that thieves don’t have the opportunity to peek inside.

Hire the Right Professionals

In the beginning, starting your small garage makeover might seem like a lot of work. Fortunately, you can hire some professionals to help you. For instance, you can hire an electrical contractor or a plumbing professional to work on those tasks that need training and are difficult to DIY.

As you can see, giving your garage a brand new look doesn’t have to be labor-intensive. With these small garage makeover tips, you can improve the functionality and aesthetics of the room while still having plenty of storage space. Today, it’s common for garages to be multipurpose. For instance, you can park your car, store extra items in there, or have space for your hobbies or work out. Now it is time to get started with that small garage makeover!

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