For many people, the garage is the area in their home that collects the garbage and becomes a storage area for many items. Taking the time to organize your garage often gets put on the back burner with all the other home remodeling tasks you are doing.

If your garage is too small, consider adding on to it to increase the square footage of your home. Many people with smaller homes have found that adding on to their garage is a great way to solve their home gym problems or recreation room problems. A lot of people add on to their garage to create an additional bedroom that can be useful for renting or for a home office.

If you would like to organize your garage or remodel your garage, start by emptying it. All the random piles need to be sorted into categories. Your sports equipment, tools, electric tools, holiday decorations, and other things all need to have their own pile. Once you have sorted everything into categories, it will be easier to decide how to organize your garage.

Install a rack to hang the lawn maintenance tools, tools, and sporting equipment. Anything that is seasonal should be stored where it can be swapped out depending upon the time of year it is. With the garage cleaned out, it’s a great time to install shelving or cabinets. The shelving can be built directly on to the wall or you can purchase shelving that stands alone. If you cannot built shelves or purchase shelving, you can always use plastic totes and drawers to hold all of your items.

Some garages are larger than others and allow for you to create a work space. The front part of your garage may be able to store an exercise bike, treadmill, or weight bench. You can also make this space into your work area as well. Install a workbench or table in this area and store all your tools in this area. Start by elevating the floor from the normal garage floor. Typically a 6 inch raise will protect your flooring from dirt and other things that tend to get on the normal garage floor. Frame out the space you would like to make your work area or gym. Now, sheetrock this area and give it a nice coat of paint. Because you are in a garage, consider tiling the floor instead of using carpet or cement. Tiling a floor will cost around $100. Most rooms in the garage will need about 50-100 pieces of tile. Start by cleaning the area where you would like to tile. Now, spread a thin set of adhesive mixed with a latex additive and spread it over the entire area, allowing it to dry for 2-3 days. Lay out the spacers and tile and mix the mortar, allowing it to dry for about 2 days. After this has dried, you can apply the grout. The grout needs to be applied with a rubber trowel and spread evenly to get into all the spaces. Allow the grout to dry for a couple hours and then you can wipe it off.

Create a recycling area in the garage using different bins. Section off an area in your garage that is near the entrance to your home and then place recycling bins for paper, plastic, and tin cans. You should also include a garbage can next to the recycling area to keep everything together.

Another easy way to organize your garage is to install a pegboard or a tool chest that will keep all of your tools in the same location and accessible.

If you cannot visualize this project, call a builder and they will be glad to help design and build out the plans you come up with. With just the cleaning and organization, you will be amazed at what you have to start with.

Information for this article was taken from homebuildingremodeling.com

For all your real estate and building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 or 713-818-6658, or send an email to debbie@vallone realestate.net.