Beautify Your Garage

The garage is just as much a part of a person’s home as every other room in the house. Why shouldn’t it be just as attractive? The décor of an individual’s or family’s abode is a reflection of their personalities, preferences and lifestyle. The interior decorating is often well thought out, organized, comfortable, functional and attractive. The place where the family parks its vehicles can be just as welcoming. Here are some ideas for achieving this:

- Well thought out: When planning to build or buy a house in the first place, a family often plays close attention to the floor plan, the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, whether there is formal dining or an eat-in kitchen. The layout and size of the garage should be pondered closely, as well. How many vehicles will be stored now or in the future? Is there room for a work bench along with adequate storage? Some are attached to the main dwelling with adjoining walls while others are located adjacent or behind the main structure. There are pros and cons to each. Having a connected enclosure will keep family members out of inclement weather. Having one which is separate will cause the individuals to be more visible in their neighborhood while walking to and from the front door. This can be a way of building community.

- Organized: Sure, this is a place to work on dirty projects and park a machine that spills oil, but the room doesn’t have to be piled up with stacks of who-knows-what. Clean it out, hold a yard sale, buy storage containers and peg boards in order to hang up landscaping and building tools, build shelves and cabinetry. The results will be refreshing every time the car is parked or pulled out into the street.

- Comfortable: Messy disarray can make everyone uncomfortable. Squeezing too many vehicles into tight spaces is an invitation to scrapes and dents. Not being able to find what you’re looking for can cause friction between family members and stress for all inhabitants of the home. Straightening up, weeding out and putting all in its proper place can make life a lot more comfortable for everyone. Having a workbench installed at a proper height and ready for messy construction projects can be easier on the back, too.

- Functional: Garage door openers that function properly can make life run more smoothly. Regular maintenance which includes greasing moving parts, tightening up loosened screws and checking spring action will keep this heavy door functional.

- Attractive: There are many ways to make this space attractive. A coating of epoxy floor paint can add color and pizzazz to the area. Insulating and drywalling the room can make it become a weather tight man-cave or respite for those seeking solitude to tinker with projects or tending to the car. Cabinetry with closed doors or shelving that is neatly stacked can add a lovely look, as well. Lighting other than the lone bulb hanging from the ceiling can transform the space into a well lit workroom even during after-dark hours. Posters, vintage signage and memorabilia can create a personality statement to complete the look.