How to Make Your Garage Artistic and Functional

A garage is a garage is a garage. Or is it? Some garages are artist’s studios. Some are musical practice spaces. Some garages are storage closets, and some are workshops. Some garages are gathering spaces. Most garages function in several different roles, and they can truly be multi-purpose rooms if organized and set up correctly.

Flooring

Begin from the ground up as the first step to making your garage more attractive and functional. One of the hardiest and best-looking options for your garage floor is laying down a polished concrete finish. Polishing concrete starts with the concrete that’s already in your garage and through a grinding and curing process, creates an ultra-durable, ultra-shiny look that is impressive enough to keep your garage door open with pride. Polished concrete is easy to clean and stands up to wear and tear for years. In addition, it can be tinted to create a look beyond “garage gray.”

Walls

Once your beautiful flooring is in place, it’s time to move on to the walls. Before hanging anything from them, consider painting the walls with a paint especially crafted to block mildew and mold. Any neutral color works well on garage walls but choose a brand that is hardy enough for a good cleaning because like in any high use room, touchable surfaces will get dingy. If your garage will be used for noisy activities like band practice, using power tools or watching the big game, easy-to-install sound insulating foam is a quick add that will bring peace and serenity to the rest of the house.

Storage

There are two storage types to focus on when organizing your garage space. The first is an overhead bin system to store items you need only once a year like holiday decorations and seasonal equipment. Although it will take a little effort to retrieve the items, they will be out of the way for most of the year when they are not needed. Label the bottom of the bins clearly to avoid hunting for what you need.

The second type of storage space you need is something attractive and organized around the perimeter of the garage. This type of storage can be chosen to suit the needs of how you use your garage. You might like a peg board to hold tools, or open shelving to display gardening implements. More expensive equipment can be secured in locked plastic or metal cabinets. Sensitive items can be placed in labeled bins with secure tops. A fold down table can double as a worktable or display table for chips and dip for a party. When the band practices, it can be folded out of the way.

Atmosphere

Nothing makes a space less appealing than being too hot or too cold. Keep your garage a comfortable temperature by installing a mini split heating and cooling system. Not only will the unit help dehumidify a damp space, but it will also increase your ability to make use of the garage as an entertainment area. Whatever project you have going on in the garage from painting to repotting to building, do it in comfort.

Doors

The best way to announce to the neighborhood that your garage is an enviable space is to install a new garage door that raises the home value and the look of your house. There are many custom options to enhance the design of your home including every style from contemporary to Spanish colonial and everything in between. Garage doors are utilitarian but that does not mean that they must look the part. Custom architectural doors offer beauty and security.

Redoing your garage may not be a high priority on your list of many things to do, but you will never regret taking the time to make that space more usable. In a way, upgrading your garage really gives you a bigger house. If it’s attractive and comfortable, everyone in the family will want to spend more time in it on their various projects.