The after the Garage-Tex Installation
In 1950, 2-stall garages were very rare in the United States and 53% of homes didn’t even have a single garage. Among families who did possess one, garages were generally a husband’s domain. Today, nearly all new homes include a 2-stall garage and 25% of homebuyers want at least a 3-car garage. What’s more, women are taking an active role in planning and using garage space. There’s more to this increased interest than families owning more than one car. Front and center is the need for extra storage.As the before and after photos show, making the most of the space you have can increase your garage’s storage capacity while dramatically improving its appearance.
Before the remodel.
The owner of this 40-year-old home used the garage to store Christmas decorations, memorabilia, chemicals, bikes, sporting goods and lawn and gardening items. Longing for more efficiency and order, she contacted Todd Burns, a GarageTek franchisee based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Todd met the homeowner in her garage, and consulted with her regarding her family’s individual storage needs. They chose components from a catalog of 75 different accessories. Because the garage was tucked under the home, the 8′6″ ceiling was too low to accommodate GarageTek’s overhead storage rack, which is potential on each wall. Later that day, Todd emailed a computer-generated drawing to the homeowner – which was enthusiastically approved.
A major cleaning was slated before installation. Todd advised the homeowner to rent a U-haul and a dumpster. Things the family no longer needed went in the dumpster. Items that needed to come back into the garage were stored in the U-haul, which could be locked overnight.
Once the excess clutter was eliminated, Todd’s crew arrived. Because the garage’s walls were comprised of cinder blocks, they framed out the walls with 2 x 4’s before attaching the TekPanel®
At last, the family’s belongings were returned to the garage, now organized by zones: a Christmas zone; a memorabilia zone; a sports zone; a drop zone to plug in cell phones and hang keys; a safety area with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher; chemical storage; a spot for lawn chairs, a cooler and other picnic items; and an area for shovels, rakes, brooms and gardening equipment. A handy tool area includes a workbench on coasters, which easily wheels out to the driveway for car maintenance.
The homeowner could not be more thrilled with her bright, cheery, tidy garage! What organization remodeling projects have you completed that have helped you destress your life?
Click on comments below to post / send us your thoughts!
4 Comments
November 6, 2008 at 2:27 pm
My organization project was to create plenty of storage and a nice work area for scrapbooking. In my former space, I did not have enough work space. I had tools, paper, albums, stamps, and more all within easy reach, but is was always a mess. I couldn’t find what I needed when I needed it.
As part of finishing our basement, my husband designed a nice sized work area. It is an L-shaped area about 12 feet by 8 feet. I now have lots of good useable storage in upper and lower cabinets. Everything is within easy reach. I have two distinct work areas, one for me and one for my daughters.
The best thing for us is having easily reachable, useable storage. What a difference.
November 9, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I was looking for ideas and products to help solve some of my garage organizing problems. Then I stumbled on a website http://www.1stchoicegarage.com and was happy to see they have lots of solutions for your garage. Car lifts, overhead storage, wall organizing products, and the list goes on, and on. I recommend you take a look at this site, and see how they can help you.
Jonathan
November 13, 2008 at 2:13 am
I didn’t go all out in my garage like in this post. I did use open metal shelving like you would put in a closet. I bought it a Lowes. It was easy to intstall and really helped me get orgainized and get the garage cleaned up. It was cheap, it made my wife happy, so it made me happy!
February 17, 2009 at 2:08 am
Nice looking garage-before and after shots show what a difference a day makes when a project is done right.