The garage is one of the most critical parts of the house. It has multifunctional use serving both as a place to park your car and storage space for tools and other whatnots. Chaos in the garage can lead to accidents and injury. It is crucial that a garage is neat and well organized so you can quickly see the things you need. Each item must have its own place or storage. If items are haphazardly bundled on the floor, it can cause you to trip over. Getting a garage makeover is easy, and if you plan well, it won’t break the bank. If you have basic carpentry skills, you can build smart storage projects. You can get a garage that is functional and efficient just by dedicating a few hours each weekend and knowing a few garage makeover ideas on a budget.
Garage makeover ideas on a budget—First step–Junk Removal
Garages are for cars, but people put a lot of random things in their garages as well. Large bulky home maintenance items are usually deposited in the garage, such as lawnmowers, sports equipment, and boxes of accumulated items. If the state of your garage overwhelms you, the first thing you should do is to simply empty it and remove the items to your yard or driveway. Except for the stuff hanging on the walls, everything should be cleared from your garage. This step is crucial in garage makeover ideas on a budget, because you want to free up the floor so you can prep it for fresh coatings.
This is also an opportunity for you to give away items you don’t need by selling or donating them. You can do this step with the help of a few friends and family. You can also get the help of professional services. There are groups that will pick up your item at your place and give them to charity. Get rid of unnecessary stuff as quickly as possible so you can move on with your project.
Roll-off dumpsters
If you have a sizeable garage and equally numerous items to get rid of, hiring a roll-off dumpster is a good idea. Simply put the item on the dumpster which is roomy enough to accommodate items of all sizes. This is part of the first step to garage makeover ideas on a budget
Some things to remember when removing junk:
- Do the junk removal yourself or with the help of some friends
- Put items temporarily in a safe place away from the garage
- Items that are still in good shape can be donated
- Items that are severely damaged or dirty must be thrown away
Garage makeover ideas on a budget –preparation
Once you’ve gotten rid of the junk, your garage will be ready garage makeover ideas on a budget. You can now go to the next step, which is putting your plan into action. The next steps will require you to be very hands-on and do small tasks. You will need to go on trips to the hardware store.
Replace any worn drain covers or floor plates
These metal pieces may show signs of wear and rust. It is vital to get them replaced with new ones. Do some general cleaning before putting on the new fixtures.
New garage door seals
Your seals must fit snugly and should be functioning properly. They must have a look you want. If they do not fulfill these criteria, you may have to get them replaced
Take off floor fixtures
It is vital to remove fixtures unless drilled to the wall or glued to the ground with cement. Cabinets, sinks, and appliances are just some of the items that need to go.
Postpone other home maintenance projects
Other home maintenance tasks or projects in your home should be put on hold. You want to focus your time and energy on your garage makeover ideas on a budget.
Preparing the garage
Prepare your garage so you can do any kind of makeover you want in it. If you want to have fresh floor coating or other improvements a well-prepared garage that is thoroughly cleaned first can help you do your tasks well.
Some makeover preparation guidelines to consider:
- Do the project yourself
- Finish small tasks
- Clean the garage
- Start planning your renovations
Garage makeover ideas on a budget—Top 12 projects
Magnetic storage panels for your tools
You can instantly put some order in your garage with a few items purchased in the hardware and some creativity. Think of safety first and make sure your tools are organized and easy to access. You should be able to grab your tools at once when you need them.
One of the projects you can build as garage makeover ideas on a budget is a magnetic storage panel for tools. This is an open display system that exhibits your tools on the wall. It is space-saving and keeps tools out of the way. This is an affordable project that helps you to retrieve your tools easily.
Magnetic storage panels can be used for storing your kitchen knives. It is easy to build these storage panels since magnetic steel panels are readily available in hardware stores. You can choose from a wide range of types from basic to something stronger. Once finished, hang the panel with a hook or bracket and store your essentials.
Fold-down workbenches for space-saving
Worktables can be bulky, and one option you can use in your garage is a foldaway workbench. This equipment is great because they provide you a surface to work. They even come with storage for tools plus, they are collapsible and can be tucked away in a corner when not in use. These foldaway benches can be purchased in a hardware store or can be your next DIY project.
Ceiling hooks for bikes
If you have a cramped garage finding a space for your bike can be a struggle. You often find yourself just leaning up the bike against the garage wall.
If storing your bike this way disconcerts you, look up the ceiling and voila! You’ve got extra space. Install bike racks from the ceiling, and you’ve got yourself a neat place to park your bike. Bike racks can be pricey though at two hundred to six hundred dollars. An option is to install ceiling hooks, which is much cheaper.
Make a DIY garden tool holder.
Is your garage also a gardening shed? If your garage is getting crowded from all the bulky gardening items from shovels to brooms, you may have to free up some space. Chances are they really don’t have their proper storage space and are just all tangled up in a corner in your garage. Just use your wall space to hang all these items and access them in a flash.
You can start organizing them with a hose. Cut the hose into small pieces. Make cuts on the front with a knife or scissors. Nail the hose vertically on the wall. The hoses are perfect for the handles of gardening tools to slip through. You can neatly align your gardening tools on the wall.
Overhead storage shelves
The ceiling should be used to maximize your garage’s storage capacity if you have numerous boxes and crates on the floor and use the ceiling by installing overhead shelves. These shelves can be used to store items that you do not frequently use like holiday decorations and camping equipment. Ceiling mounted storage can be expensive and cost hundreds of dollars, but the investment will be worth it because shelves that cost that much will be sturdy. If the items you will be putting on the overhead shelves are something you will frequently be using, you can install a pulley system to get what you need with only one pull of a rope.
Sporting equipment and arranging like items together
If you have kids, you will likely have accumulated tons of sports items. It is quite difficult to find good storage for them, and you may end up using a bin and just haphazardly thrown in the items. One way to put some order in your garage is to use bungee cords along with some nails and slabs of wood.
Saw three pieces of wood and arrange them in a U shape. Attach the wood to the wall at the desired height. Fasten five bungee cords on the wooden pieces to keep the balls in place. The bungee cords will be flexible, so you will easily access all the sports balls from football to basketball.
If you don’t want to DIY this, there is a metal version of this holder which you can get for twenty dollars
Renovate your garage floor to finish the space
You may want to upgrade your garage floor as a finishing touch. Use an epoxy floor coating on your garage. Epoxy has unique features that help minimize chipping and oil stans, which will frequently happen in your garage. Once the epoxy floor installed, it is easy to maintain just like a kitchen counter.
Garage doors
Old garage doors can be unattractive, but purchasing new ones can get you over budget. If you are an experienced DIYer, you can get a brand-new door by purchasing a few materials from hardware stores and applying some grit work. Using cedar boards and tongue and groove wood can help you create a customized door with safety features and aesthetics
Pallets as Garden equipment storage
Long-handled tools you use in the garden are usually put on the floor against the wall. These items re bulky, and they will have a tendency to fall and get tangled up. Organize them by using a pallet. The pallet can be attached to your garage wall or even on the fence in your yard. Drill some screws on the pallet and install it in a free space on your wall. The garden equipment should fit inside the pallet where you can easily access them
Light source for Garage Door Openers
Regular lightbulbs don’t have the durability to withstand the vibration in the garage. There are LED bulbs available specifically designed for garage doors. The bulb has electronic features that shield it from interferences as well as protect it from vibrations and cold temperatures. It can also function in damp locations, which separates it from the other LEDs. The company that produces these LEDs clams that it has a seventeen-year lifespan.
Sheet Metal Magnet Board
You can use metal sheeting magnet boards in your garage’s workshop. Level this material on the wall and use the metal screws to attach it to the studs. Use magnets on the metal sheet. The magnets can be used to hold lists and small metal tools that need to be easily accessed, such as scissors and can openers. You can place this magnet board over a work table or bench for better access to your essentials.
Seal the Holes
Your garage makeover may require you to drill holes on your garage through the top and bottom or even through a firewall. You must seal the holes with a fire-resistant caulking material to comply with fire safety protocols. Most building codes will not allow you to make large holes to get to hard to reach areas. You have to consult with local officials before beginning any major project that requires drilling large holes. Sealants that are fire resistant are available in hardware stores, and you may need them to comply with laws and to ensure a safe project.
Final thoughts
A well-organized garage can give you peace of mind and easy access to all the essential stuff you need. The garage is an all-around storage room and even workroom, so each space must be utilized to the max to keep everything orderly and efficient. If you are a DIYer, you will be saving a lot of bucks by doing simple projects that have an enormous impact on your garage’s workflow. Readily available items such as wood, metal, and magnets can be used creatively to organize your garage. Garage makeover ideas on a budget give you the chance to build a garage that is attractive and safe.
