Garages often hold untapped potential, serving as a space to park your car and an area for storage, work, or recreation. Whether you’re planning to build a new garage or rethinking the use of your existing one, there are several creative ways to maximise this often-underutilised space.
In this blog, we’ll cover practical tips for maximising garage storage, enhancing functionality, and even repurposing the space for other uses.
Let’s get straight to the point.
The right approach can transform garages into highly functional and versatile spaces. Start by creating a storage wall using shelves, racks, and smart solutions to declutter and organise. Ensure your garage is well-designed for flow, with adequate walking space and proper ventilation to prevent odours. Enhance curb appeal with stylish doors and landscaping.
To make your garage multifunctional, convert it into an outdoor living space, laundry room, or workshop. Maximise vertical space by adding lofts or overhead storage, and consider compact appliances to save room. Converting your garage into a guesthouse or studio can add value to your property, but plan for insulation, utilities, and structural integrity.
1. Create A Wall Of Storage
Garages are commonly associated with clutter, but you can turn them into organised and efficient spaces with a little planning. Creating a storage wall is one of the best strategies for maximising your garage’s storage potential. This approach keeps your garage tidy and makes essential items easier to find.
- Install Shelving and Racks: Use your vertical space by installing shelves, pegboards, and racks. Items like bicycles, surfboards, and cleaning tools can be hung up to free floor space. Shelving units can be installed to store smaller items, while larger racks are ideal for equipment like lawnmowers or sports gear.
- Customise Storage for Your Needs: Consider what you store in your garage. If you enjoy outdoor activities like skiing or surfing, install special racks to hold these items. Custom shelving solutions can also help keep your garage organised. Make sure to leave enough space to allow for easy access to all stored items.
- Declutter the Living Space: Moving items like cleaning supplies or seasonal tools into the garage can free up much-needed space inside your home. This is particularly helpful in homes with limited storage. When done tastefully, garages can even be designed to blend seamlessly with the overall design of your home, giving it a more cohesive look.
Consider Smart Storage Solutions
Using smart storage solutions is essential to make the most of your garage’s space. Some effective strategies include:
- Overhead storage racks: Great for bulky items like camping gear or seasonal decorations.
- Modular storage systems allow you to adapt the layout as your storage needs evolve.
- Magnetic tool holders: Perfect for keeping tools visible and accessible without cluttering drawers or workbenches.
2. Design For Functionality And Flow
A garage shouldn’t just be a place to store things; it should also be functional. When planning or redesigning your garage, it’s crucial to consider functionality and flow. This includes ensuring enough room to park your car and move around easily.
- Leave Adequate Walking Space: Ensure enough room to move freely within the garage after parking your car. This includes traffic lanes and walking areas. Proper planning will allow you to avoid the frustration of squeezing past vehicles or equipment every time you enter the garage.
- Garage Doors and Access Points: The design and placement of your garage doors and access points also impact the flow of the space. Whether you have one or two entrances, the door design should complement your home’s overall aesthetic. Panelled timber, barn, or modern sliding doors offer functionality and style.
- Ventilation is Key: Garages are notorious for accumulating dust and bad odours. Proper ventilation can solve this issue. Installing windows, ceiling fans, or air vents can help keep the garage smelling fresh and prevent mustiness. Remember the airflow direction so fumes from your car or cleaning supplies don’t drift into your home.
Enhance Kerb Appeal
A garage is one of the first things visitors see when they approach your home, so take notice of its impact. Investing in an attractive garage door, landscaping, or lighting can boost your home’s kerb appeal. Even if your garage has a single entrance, paying attention to these details can make a big difference in how your home is perceived.
3. Make It Multifunctional
Making it multifunctional is one of the best ways to get more value out of your garage. A garage can easily be repurposed to serve multiple roles, from a workspace to a recreation area or even additional living space.
- Outdoor Living Area: Many homes convert garages into outdoor living areas. Comfortable furniture and weather-resistant decor make your garage the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing by the pool.
- Laundry or Mudroom: If you need more indoor space, consider converting part of your garage into a laundry or mudroom. These spaces require little square footage but can significantly improve your home’s functionality.
- Workshop or Studio: For those who enjoy woodworking, painting, or other hobbies, a garage can be the ideal space for a workshop or studio. Adding workbenches, task lighting, and storage for materials can turn your garage into a productive and inspiring space.
Install Multipurpose Furniture
Investing in multipurpose furniture is one of the simplest ways to make your garage multifunctional. For example, folding tables, stackable chairs, or modular couches can easily be rearranged depending on how you want to use the space.
4. Maximise Every Inch Of Space
Garages often have plenty of vertical space that needs to be more utilised. If your garage has high ceilings, you can maximise its potential by creating additional levels or installing overhead storage.
- Install a Loft or Platform: High ceilings allow a sleeping loft or storage platform above the main living area. This is particularly useful if you convert your garage into a guesthouse or a studio. By using the vertical space efficiently, you can free up valuable floor area for other uses.
- Wall-Hung Fixtures: Consider installing wall-hung fixtures like sinks, toilets, and vanities in bathrooms within or adjacent to the garage. This keeps the floor clear and allows for easy cleaning.
- Opt for Compact Appliances: Compact appliances can help maximise usable square footage in multifunctional spaces. For example, a single-drawer dishwasher, a small refrigerator, and a built-in oven can meet your kitchen needs without consuming too much space.
5. Convert Your Garage For Extra Living Space
Converting your garage into a living space is a popular trend, especially in homes with limited square footage. Garage conversions can add significant value to your property if you want to create a guesthouse, home office, or art studio.
- Plan for Insulation and Utilities: Ensure your garage is properly insulated before starting a conversion project. Poor insulation can lead to temperature extremes that make the space uncomfortable. Additionally, assess whether your garage has water, electricity, and plumbing access. If you still need to, you’ll need to factor in the cost of adding these utilities.
- Prevent Pests and Drafts: Pay attention to the garage’s existing structure. If there are gaps in the walls or doors, you may need to seal them to keep out pests and drafts. Proper sealing is crucial to maintaining a comfortable environment in your new living space.
Things To Consider Before Conversion
- Zoning Laws: Check with your local council to ensure your garage conversion complies with zoning regulations.
- Structural Integrity: Ensure the foundation and structure of your garage are sound before making major modifications.
- Lighting and Ventilation: Adding windows or skylights can enhance the appeal and comfort of your converted garage.
Conclusion
Making the most of your garage space requires careful planning and creativity. Whether you’re looking to optimise storage, improve functionality, or convert your garage into a multifunctional living area, there are endless possibilities to explore. With these tips in mind, you can transform your garage into a practical and stylish extension of your home.
FAQs About Storage
What Can Be Safely Stored In A Garage?
The garage is the ideal home for tools and appliances you only use outdoors. Think shovels, hoses, outdoor extension cords, lawnmowers, gardening tools, flower pots, and more. Bags of potting soil, buckets of ice melt, and other outdoor supplies that come in bulky packaging are also good candidates for garage storage.
Can Clothes Be Stored In A Garage?
Fluctuating temperatures and humidity are not ideal conditions for storing fabric. It can get mouldy, and rodents love to chew it. Stashing sleeping bags with other non-fabric camping supplies in the garage is tempting, but don’t do it! Store sleeping bags, clothes and other fabric items inside your house.
How Necessary Is A Garage?
How Important Is a Garage? For many homebuyers, a garage is a necessity. A garage offers safety, convenience, and extra storage space if you own a vehicle. Even if you don’t need a garage, you could decide to sell your home and have a hard time if it doesn’t have one.
How Do You Divide Garage Spaces?
Easily rearrange your garage, improve indoor security, and save space. You can use both accordion folding walls and doors as dividers. While using a flat, rigid wall would be a better solution for dividing your garage, the accordion folding walls still offer good performance while being ten times cheaper.
Can Shoes Be Stored In The Garage?
Heat damage. Intense heat can dry out and warp your shoes, making them brittle, misshapen, and unwearable. Heat can also melt glues that hold shoe parts together. Keep shoes out of the garage and attic, and use a climate-controlled storage option for long-term shoe storage.
