If you have a garage you are very lucky because that means you can get started on some DIY garage projects. With a few simple upgrades, you can turn any garage space into the perfect space for DIY garage projects.
There are so many projects that can be done inside the garage out of the elements. Whether you are interested in managing your own auto repair service or you want to try your hand at refinishing furniture your garage is the perfect place to do it all.
Why Your Garage Is the Perfect Place for Projects
It does not take a lot to take your garage from a place where you park the cars and collect the overflow storage stuff to a great space that can handle all your DIY garage projects. Why is your garage the perfect space for DIY garage projects? Well that is easy, it is out of the elements, away from the flow of traffic in the household, can easily be ventilated by opening the doors with your garage door opener, and it offers a lot more space than you think it does.
Of course, clean up can be easier, and you do not have to worry about causing any accidental damage like you would if you worked in the house. You can have all your tools in a central location which will make it easier to manage any project. The garage is the perfect place to set up space for your DIY garage projects.
No matter what type of DIY you enjoy, your garage can accommodate your projects. Go ahead and buy that wrecked Corvette for sale that you have been itching to buy. You are a few simple steps away from creating a perfect space for all your DIY garage projects.
Let’s Start With the Infrastructure
Before you buy the pegboard to hang all your tools from, you want to make sure your “infrastructure” is where it needs to be. Your garages infrastructure is things like lighting, flooring, doors, heating, cooling, and windows. These are the basic foundational pieces in your garage. Before you get to the fun stuff of delegating space and hanging up equipment you want to make sure that your garage is going to be a comfortable space to work in.
For example, if your space does not have a heating or cooling professional HVAC system installation will be a welcome addition. Of course, if tying into your existing HVAC is not an option, a heating and cooling experts likely will have other solutions.
Portable heating and cooling units is always an option. Speaking with an HVAC specialist will help you to decide which option is right for your garage. It is important that you have climate control capabilities if you are going to be working on DIY garage projects and you want to be able to work in the garage year-round.
Being able to control your climate will open up the door to a wide range of projects. For example, some paint projects cannot be done if the temperature is too hot or too cold. Getting heating and cooling on board in your garage will ensure that you can get the most out of your garage workshop.
Another “must” is functional garage doors. Most garage door installation services also offer garage door repair services. If your garage door is not fully functional it can be a danger. You want to be sure that you are creating a safe workspace. Of course, you also want to be able to open and close the doors without worry to move equipment and supplies in and out.
Once you have climate control capabilities and your garage door is fully functional, you should move on to lighting. Most garages are not outfitted with great light sources. You do not have to get to fancy with your lighting choices but you do want to be sure that the space is well lit.
Adding a ceiling fixture is something that you can do on your own if you are handy when it comes to electrical wiring. It can be one of your first DIY garage projects. Of course, if you do not feel confident in managing this type of project it can be very affordable to have a professional come out and install a fixture for you.
Once you have the basics out of the way, you can move toward more customization to make the space more your own. This is where things get fun.
Is it a Workshop or Is It a Sanctuary, You Decide
Setting up your garage for your DIY garage projects can be an opportunity to really customize the space. For example, if the concrete flooring is not working for you, you can customize it to better meet your liking.
Custom garage floors can be designed to:
- Facilitate a safer environment.
- Provide more comfort.
- Make cleanup easier.
Connecting with a flooring company that offers garage floor services can give you a wide range of options for improving your garage floor and getting a custom look you will love. Epoxy coatings, rubberized liners, and more are all available to deliver a custom look and feel for your garage floor.
When you are choosing flooring consider what DIY garage projects you will be managing in the garage. For example, if you are interested in using your garage to restore vehicles, an epoxy floor would be a great option. Of course, you can always go super custom and use different flooring options to designate different work areas.
Other custom options for your DIY garage projects include:
- Custom storage options.
- Workspace options.
- Lighting and more.
Your DIY garage projects can be done in complete comfort. The beauty of working with a relatively blank slate is that you can add all the customizations that you want to make your time in the garage more comfortable.
Opening Things Up
If your garage is a little on the dreary side because it does not have any natural light, adding a window can be a great solution. Adding some windows and doors to make it feel more like a workshop and less like a garage can create the perfect setting to really focus on your DIY garage projects.
A commercial window and door dealer may have more options than a residential window and door dealer for your garage. You can do the work yourself to save on costs. Cutting out space for a window and a door is a relatively simple process that you can do in about half a day with some power tools and a little know-how.
Having a separate doorway and a window to let some light in will make the garage feel more like the workshop you are trying to turn it into. Of course, letting in some natural light without having to open the garage doors in the cooler months is also a benefit.
Another way to open up space can be as simple as painting the space. Go with a lighter color preferably in a semi-gloss for easier cleanup. Between the new window and the lighter colored walls, you will have a brighter space for all your DIY garage projects.
Let’s Talk Storage Solutions
Making your garage into the spot that you want it to be for your DIY garage projects may mean you have to get organized. Garages tend to be harbingers of everything that cannot fit in the house or other storage areas. A lot of people look around their garage and wonder (rightfully so) can I really keep all my stuff and make this into the workshop I have been dreaming of/
The answer is yes. If you are motivated to give everything a proper home in your garage, then you can keep your stuff and create the DIY garage projects space of your dreams. Of course, the next question is how?
The answer? Look up. There is a lot of vertical space that goes to waste in the garage. Most garages have ceiling heights that are relatively generous. You can use that generous amount of space to get things up and off the floor and free up some of the floor space in the garage to make room for your projects.
Here are some things you can use to create storage space that you ignored:
- Utility hooks can be great for hanging bicycles, tools, and equipment out of the way.
- Wall cabinets can be great for holding all those small supplies and even some power tools.
- A net hung in the corner can hold seasonal sporting equipment like baseballs, basketballs, baseball gloves, and more.
Getting creative with storage can mean having enough room for everything and making room for all your DIY garage projects. Categorizing like items together and storing them together can help with the organization.
For example, keep all your tools in one section of the garage and look for ways to take advantage of that vertical space. Getting things up and off the floor will help to make space feel bigger and of course, give you more room to move around.
Another great storage option is to invest in a garden tool utility holder. You can easily mount a utility holder out of the way and keep all your rakes, shovels, and more out of the way and off the floor.
Hanging ladders from the wall instead of keeping them propped up in the corner is another easy solution. Pegboards are a great way to get small hand tools out of the way and keep them conveniently available. If you are struggling for space use the wall space to open up more storage possibilities. There are plenty of ways that you can get your garage organized to create the DIY garage projects space that you need.
Waterproofing Your Garage
About 85% of homes were built before 1980 and unfortunately, not a lot of thought was put into the placement of the garage, and whether it was in the line of runoff. Leaky garages are very common in older homes. If you have a leaky garage foundation, you are not alone, and you can easily solve the problem. Waterproofing and sealing your garage can help to keep your projects safe during those downpours. Your first order of business is to determine the cause of the problem.
For example, if your garage lets water in through the bottom of the door, then you may have a twofold issue to deal with. Obviously, the seal on your door may need to be replaced, and you may need to find a way to divert the water that is running down the driveway. Of course, you may also have clogged gutters that are the culprit.
Before you start the waterproofing process, you do want to be sure that you get down to the root of the problem. Many times the solution is as simple as digging a trench around the foundation and lining it with some pea gravel. This will give the water direction and keep it away from the garage.
In other cases, the solution can be a little more complicated and you may have to get some expert support. In any case, before you pick up the roller to apply the waterproofing, you want to make sure that it does not continue to happen.Once you have the solution, you can get busy with the waterproofing to prevent any further mishaps. Invest in a good waterproofing paint, and paint the entire lower half of the garage. Replace the seal on the garage door if it is worn, and you should have a nice dry space to work in.
If you live in a naturally damp or humid climate you can invest in a dehumidifier for the space to keep the moisture level down. Adding some “driers” that are available at most home improvement stores can do the trick as well.
Enjoy Your New Space
Transforming your garage into the perfect DIY garage projects space is a worthy investment of your time. It will add value to your lifestyle and give you the perfect space to get away from it all and focus on your projects.
Of course, the added value of having a great DIY garage projects space is that you will be able to save money by taking on more DIY projects around the house now that you have an actual space to give your full attention to the projects.