Skip to main content

The Functional Garage

Most garages are dumping grounds for gardening tools, garbage and recycling bins, sports equipment, holiday decorations and everything in between with just enough room to edge your vehicle in for the night. But functional garages with space for all of your supplies, workspaces for gardening and repairs and room for the car are possible with the right storage solutions and a bit of willpower to make it happen. 

Declutter

Like the attic, hallway closet and basement, garages are an easy place to let items sit in limbo – the outgrown toys and old appliances that you don’t use but aren’t quite ready to part with. If you want to make your garage functional, the first step is to declutter. Set aside a few days with your entire family to go through each and every box and part with the items you know you won’t use again. Be ruthless! You might need to rent a truck in order to cart away large and bulky items to the dump or a charity shop. While you’re decluttering, you’ve also got a great opportunity to paint walls or stain the concrete floor while all the contents are cleared. 

Zone 1: Parking

Set aside dedicated areas for the main purpose of your garage – parking, workspace and storage. Use sidewalk chalk to mark areas that need to be clear for parking vehicles. Remember to include enough clearance to open doors and the trunk. 

Zone 2: Workplace

If you or your parents uses the garage for gardening or home improvement projects, designate space for a workbench. You’ll want to have your gardening tools, craft supplies or whatever materials for your projects you’re working on nearby too, so make sure to leave storage space for these items. Peg boards are excellent for organizing and keeping frequently used tools at reach. 

Zone 3: Storage

Smart storage is what can make or break a functional garage. Incorporate a variety of storage solutions like hooks for mounting sporting equipment, solid wood or metal shelves and plastic storage bins. Consider how frequently you’ll use the item and store it accordingly. Clearly label all sides of a box so you can easily retrieve supplies when you need them. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

7 Ways to Make Your Home Cozier This Winter Without Spending

As the temperatures continue to drop, we'll all be spending more time indoors. There are countless ways to make your home feel cozier for the winter if you have extra money to spend, but if you're being mindful of your finances after the holidays, here are some ideas to help you do it without spending. Bring Out the Blankets As the temperatures drop, it’s time to bring out all of those extra throw blankets and quilts you have lying around in storage. Drape blankets over your couches, chairs, beds, and ottomans; fill a blanket ladder and display it in the corner of a room; or fold extra blankets and place them in the corner. Sticking to warm textures such as wool where possible will help to make the space feel cozy. Light Candles Lighting some candles around your home is one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cozy, and who doesn’t have a stash of candles sitting around somewhere in their home? Not only will the flickering light add a sense of warmth and charm, but your ...

Bathroom Upgrade Options

Whether you're looking for easy, affordable changes or a major renovation, there are many ways to enhance a bathroom environment. Beyond the basics like decorative colour-coordinated accessories to match curtains, mats and towels, enhanced upgrades like a spa-inspired showerhead and a touchless faucet will add personal comfort and convenience. Depending on your budget, a total makeover might include new tiling. If so, consider a few hand-painted accent tiles to make your bathroom truly unique. More spacious projects might include the addition of a two-sink vanity or a soaker tub.  Bidets are also becoming more popular as they become more affordable. If you don't have the room to add a luxurious stand-alone bidet, some newer toiles are dual purposed, while others can be accessorized with an add-on set attachment for a comparable hygienic experience. No matter what your bathroom makeover budget may be, you can achieve a fresh transformation simply by making a creative paint selec...

3 Reasons To Invest In Smart Technology

AI is becoming more and more a part of modern life. Whether you are for it, against it, or somewhere in between, embracing AI at home can have considerable benefits. Save $$$ - With smart technology, you can set usage modes based on time of day or set vacation mode with your thermostat, lights, and refrigerator. If you forget to turn down the heat before you leave, you can remotely control it with your phone from anywhere. Time  - saving alerts and reminders – Have you ever put a load of laundry in the washer only to forget about it until the next day? With smart technology, you can receive alerts when your laundry is complete. For the kitchen you can now buy smart fridges that track food inventory and expiration dates and notify you when items are running low. Security – Wouldn’t it give you peace of mind if you got a notification when the oven was left on or the front door was unlocked? Smart technology can do just that and rectify the situation – remotely. There are now also sm...