No other space in the home invites opinion like the garage. Not hyperbole, fact. Think about the language you use when you mention the garage. Opinion A: It’s a dusty place where I park my car. We’re guessing, for you, that it’s nothing more. Opinion B: It’s a tranquil hideaway where I can work on my projects in peace. See what we mean?
Despite this spectrum of responses, the garage is still somewhat overlooked as a space of value in the home. If you’ve never seen it as anything more than extra storage, keep reading. We’ll show that with an open mind and some practical application, you can make the garage your ultimate bonus room.
Rethinking the Space
Collectively, we’ve long thought of the garage as a carport with walls, a graveyard for all those hobbies we were deeply passionate about for a day. Today, we’re starting to see it as a premium space in our homes, a highly functional area that can accommodate almost anything, from a home office to a teenage band rehearsal space. The brilliant thing? A garage doesn’t need a full renovation to be reborn.
A Blank Canvas: Where to Start
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before you give up the reins to your creative impulses, there are a few things you must do to make the process smoother and avoid backtracking.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Nothing happens before this. Especially if you genuinely can’t recall when you last cleaned the garage. It’s a magnet for dust and household items deemed unworthy of living anywhere in your home; if you’ve let your garage hoard with impunity, you might be in for a shock at how much stuff is, well, stuffed in there.
There’s no hard and fast rule for decluttering your garage. If you have the surrounding space available, haul everything out and take stock. Make categories and piles: keeping, donating, throwing out. You get the idea.
Upgrade the Garage Floor
How you upgrade the floor will likely depend on what you plan to use it for. If it’s plain old concrete, consider sealing it. Even though your garage has a roof, sealing the concrete floor will protect it from moisture and stains. It also gives you a smoother, more stable base to work with, whether it’s a large Turkish rug to give your home office some coloured charm or rubber mats for your home gym.
Insulation is Key
We’re going to assume you want to use your garage year-round. Of course, why else would you go to all this trouble? Well, if you live somewhere like Melbourne, using it every week of the year means getting it insulated. Why? Temperature control makes all the difference, no matter what you plan to use the space for. A good place to start is getting a professional to insulate your garage door in Melbourne, as the door is where most of the warmth will escape. Also, an insulated garage is an energy-efficient garage, which means less strain on your bills. Win-win.
5 Ways to transform your garage
These are five popular options for transforming your garage. That said, many more options exist; it’s up to you (and your imagination) to find them.
1. The Home Gym
No fees. No queues. Already, there’s plenty to like about this option. Fill it with as much gear as you need, add some standing mirrors, and you’re good to go.
2. The Workshop or Craft Den
This is a tried and tested option, with good reason; garages make excellent spaces for creative pursuits. Tip: If you plan to make it your art space, ensure it’s ventilated, so the paints and solvents don’t go to your head.
3. The Kids’ Cubby
Remember your youth, when you had a designated space for creating worlds? Well, why not make that wonder and possibility available to the next generation? You could also soundproof the space, so the kids can make as much racket as possible.
4. The Home Office or Side Hustle Studio
There’s a chance you already use it this way. The garage is a brilliant spot for a home office or a base to run a small business. Another reason to soundproof: imagine Zoom calls without the background chaos?
5. The Chill Zone
I think we’ve all moved past the term man cave; this can be a space for anyone and everyone to enjoy. Think comfy couches, a wall-mounted TV, maybe a mini bar fridge. Again, let that imagination off the leash.
A Clever, Comfortable, and Safe Storage Solution
While we’re advocating for a garage reimagined, be careful not to reimagine it at the expense of its practicality. It can still be the ultimate home for all the odd, wonderful things that don’t suit or fit in your home. Make use of vertical space, embrace ceiling racks, and introduce multi-purpose furniture; anything that lets your garage wear as many hats as it needs.
Same goes for comfort. If you do insulate it, and we recommend you do, it’ll be a space that repels cloying summer or crippling winter. If you need extra help, add a portable air conditioner or heater, or both.
And if you plan to spend a lot of time in the garage, or decide to fill it with stuff that’s worth a bit, upgrade the security. Locks, smoke alarms, the lot. Transforming your garage is an investment, so you’d best protect it.
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Your garage is yours; don’t forget it. When you truly own its purpose, you can make it into anything you want, from a personal retreat to a hub of industry. The key is tailoring it to meet your demands, and yours only. Do that, and the ceiling of potential will be as high as you make it.