If you feel that your garage is a cluttered mess, it might be time for some decluttering. Garage storage renovation is a great way to get organized, and this article will walk you through the process of doing so with the help of some helpful DIY tips and tricks.
Getting Started
Are you looking to declutter your garage but don’t know where to start? Check out our DIY garage storage renovation guide! By following these simple steps, you can create a more organized and functional space in your garage.
- Decide what you want to store in your garage. Your options include tools, equipment, bikes, cars, etc.
- If you have a lot of items to store, start by sorting them into categories. For example, tools could be put in one section, bikes in another section, and so on.
- Once the categories are established, begin grouping items together according to their purpose. For example, tools that are used for car maintenance should all be grouped together. Toss any excess gear that isn’t necessary for each category.
- Store the most frequently used items near the door or entrance of the garage so they’re easy to grab when you need them. This will also minimize trips across the room.
- Place organizational elements like hooks and shelves near where they’ll be used most often. This will help keep your garage tidy and organized!
- Some garages have a hook-up to a sink so it can be used for cleaning cars or be a designated wash-off station after being in the garden. If you have this, make sure that all the pipes are connected and are up to standard, i.e. not rusted. Bring in a plumbing service Lynchburg, or a service closer to your location, to take a look and assess if you need to have any work done alongside your renovation.
Why a Garage Renovation is Necessary
If you have a garage that is cramped and not properly used, now is the time to renovate it. A garage renovation can make your space more organized, freeing up valuable storage space and making it easier to work in. Here are some reasons why you should do a renovation:
- Free up Storage Space: A renovated garage can free up valuable storage space that you can use for other things in your home. This space may be especially useful if you have a large collection of items that you don’t use often.
- Create More Organized Spaces: When your garage is more organized, it becomes easier to find what you’re looking for. This will help you save time and money by not having to search through piles of clutter every time you need something.
- Increase Efficiency: By increasing efficiency in your home, a renovated garage can help reduce your overall carbon footprint. Having an organized space will also make it easier to get things done since everything is at your fingertips.
- Enhance the Appearance: A comprehensive renovation of your garage can elevate the overall visual appeal of your home. This can be achieved through various steps, including applying a fresh layer of paint, changing the lighting fixtures, or the installation of a sleek and resilient door (such as the Sectional Garage Door by Bulldog Garage Doors).
How to Renovate Your Garage
This is a question that pops up in the mind of every homeowner who has a garage. Indeed, renovating a garage could be difficult if you do not know what to repair or revamp in this space. Plus, you would need to allocate funds to the project — ideally, you should have a budget set to avoid over-expenditure.
Anyway, we would suggest that you start by looking at the walls, flooring, and roofing of your garage. If you find signs of dampness and water spots on the walls of your garage, for example, then get it fixed as soon as possible. Walls with high-moisture content can be a breeding ground for mold. These tiny organisms can not only threaten the structural integrity of the space but also cause health issues such as allergies and respiratory problems. One way to go about this is to install waterproof drywall. When installed properly, drywalls can contribute to the prevention of water spots by creating a barrier and protecting the underlying surfaces.
Likewise, inspect your flooring and roofing. Perhaps you have cracks on the garage floor or holes in your roof. Both of these can cause harm to the vehicle that has been parked inside. Uneven surfaces can lead to misalignment of the car wheels, which can contribute to tire wear and tear. The holes in the roof can enable elements of nature, like rain and snow to get directly in contact with the vehicle, thereby damaging its engine, tires, and other parts.
In addition to these garage repairs, you may also need to look for signs of a pest infestation. Ants, cockroaches, and termites are some of the most common pests found in garages. By nibbling on cables, wood, and other materials, these critters can inflict significant damage. They also build nests in the walls and insulation of the garage, which can cause structural damage and create an unsafe environment. Therefore, it is critical to eliminate these pests as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the garage. To accomplish that, contacting a professional that specializes in ant, termite, and Cockroach Control would be highly beneficial.
Once these are taken care of, do an assessment of what needs to be stored in your garage. This will help you determine the size and layout of the storage area. Create a basic layout for your storage area using plastic bins or containers. Label each bin or container with its corresponding use, such as tools, bikes, blankets, etc. Store items that are used frequently in easily accessible areas near the door or windows. Items that are less frequently used can be stored in more central locations or in larger containers/bins. Clean and tidy up your garage space regularly using these simple tips: Remove old junk and debris; organize tools by type and function; wipe down surfaces with a clean cloth; empty bins once a month; get rid of clutter when you can (e.g., donate items to charity).
DIY Garage Storage Renovation: What You Will Need
To transform your garage into an organized space, you’ll need the following supplies:
- Plywood or corrugated cardboard boxes
- Tape measure
- Ruler or a straight edge
- Circular saw
- Hammer
- Nails or screws
- Pencil
- Stiles or railings to hold up your plywood (optional)
- Larger boxes to store tools and equipment on (optional)
DIY Garage Storage: Step-by-Step Guide
Once you have all of the materials needed, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Measure the perimeter of your garage. This will help you determine the size of your plywood or boards. Then, cut out your templates using a ruler and a 1-inch hole saw. Be sure to make them slightly smaller than the actual dimensions of your garage so that they will fit snugly.
- Step 2: Assemble your plywood or board panels by screwing them together along the edges with lumber screws and nails. Make sure to use washers between each panel in order to avoid water infiltration into the structure. Once everything is assembled, mark the location of the door threshold with a pencil so that you’ll know where to cut the openings for the door.
- Step 3: Cut out the door openings using the circular saw. Be sure to use a jigsaw or a wood-cutting guide if necessary in order to make the cuts cleanly and accurately. Once the door openings are complete, finish sanding them down to ensure that they’re ready for paint or stain.
- Step 4: If you’re planning on storing items inside your garage, now is the time to build your supports. To do this, cut two pieces of board approximately 36 inches long and 24 inches wide. Then, screw them together at one end with screws and nails. Make sure that the bottom of your support is level with the floor of your garage so that it won’t wobble.
- Step 5: Finally, hang your panels onto your supports and finish painting or staining them as desired. Enjoy your newly organized and tidy garage!