When we moved into our home in 2017, there were so many other projects to tackle, that the garage was basically at the bottom of the list. Then, in spring of 2019, I started noticing I was always feeling anxious or stressed anytime I went in or out of the garage. The doors were in such rough shape, a part of me was worried that the springs would snap! The shelving installed by previous owners made organizing nearly impossible, so I could never find anything. And while we were beyond grateful to have a two car garage, it was just plain gross. So, we got going!
Quick Guide --
1. Remove all personal items.
We did this project in the spring so most items could be outside covered in tarps or stored in the basement.
2. Remove outdated/non-functioning storage.
While these makeshift shelves were probably very cost effective for the previous owners, we found them to not be very stable, and because of the depth, items would get lost in the back and it was not a great use of space. They also made the garage feel very crowded!
3. Patch + paint walls and ceiling.
Replace any rotted/cracking drywall. Don't think too hard about paint color - bright white is always a winner in garages! **BONUS - replace light fixtures to more modern garage lights. This made a big impact for us!
4. Determine if garage doors/motors, flooring, and storm doors need to be replaced.
Our garage doors and motors were nearing the end of their lives, so we were excited to replace those. The price point isn't as high as you might think. They're known for providing a great return on investment, and they were TOTALLY worth it for us! Especially since our previous doors didn't even have the safety features that automatically come on newer doors. Unfortunately, we also had to replace the concrete flooring, which was a much heftier price tag, and much less fun.
5. Purchase storage shelving and containers.
There are so many different types of shelving options, so it is important to measure what will fit your space best, and be particular when choosing what items to store. For us, a top priority was to have the kids' toys accessible for them and easy for THEM to put away :) We also purchased a storage system that locks in order to safely store chemicals and other cleaning supplies.
Our garage certainly isn't perfect (is anything ever?) but it is now an organized, clean space where we can easily find all of the things we need. It inevitably gets a bit messy and disheveled in winter, but since everything has a space, it's pretty manageable to get things back on track. And holy moly, new garage doors are a dream!
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