There are quite often a range of spaces around that you don’t always get around to working on.
And we’ve all been there. As much as you might like to get the entire home together all in one go, it just never happens. When you first move in, you can be so ready to get everything all sorted. You’ll start painting and organizing and hanging and dressing. But then, after a week or so, when life demands your attention once again, you may find it impossible to be able to work on the house and keep your life together all at once. So something has to give. And yes, you’ve guessed it, more often than not it’s your decorating time! But this then just means that you’re left with a house that feels unfinished, and rooms that aren’t living up to their potential.
One of which is the garage. Because this is one of those spaces that isn’t technically a room and it isn’t technically NOT a room. It’s that kind of in-between space that we all forget about. And are all OKAY forgetting about. So it then gets forgotten about! But it’s like the garden or the spare room. If these spaces are not finished, then your home doesn’t feel finished. And when we’re talking about the garage especially, you may find that you’re leaving a lot of potential on the table. So it really is time for you to do something with the space. And here’s how.
#1: Set A Budget
First of all, you’re going to want to set a budget for this. And yes, that will mean that you need to do some research so that you can know how much you need to work with. Creating a budget for any kind of renovation work can often be difficult. Because your options really are endless. However, you do need to make sure that you’re being as strict on yourself as you possible can be. So really think about how much you can afford, and what you can get done with that amount.
#2: Consider Converting It
When you know how much you can work with, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do with the space. And you do have options. One of which is to convert it. Garage conversions allow you to make more use of the space by turning it into a living area. So if you want more living space or an extra room, this could be your choice.
#3: Or Improving The Storage
Or maybe you are desperate for more storage around the house? When this is the case, you may find that turning your garage into a storage space is the best possible option. Here, you could look to add lots of shelving and cabinets to the outer areas. You could still look to use the middle area for storage or for the next point, but the cabinets will always come in handy.
#4: Or Using It To Keep Your Car In
But then also, it is important to remember that this is your garage first and foremost. So why not throw it back by using it as a space to keep your car in. Even if it’s a tight squeeze, by doing this work you should be able to give your car a safe home.
#5: Get A Quote
Next, when you have deciding which route you want to go down, the only thing left to do is to find out what it will cost. Or, you may find that you get a quote for a range of different options and then this helps you to decide on what you want to do to move forward. Try to get quotes from a range of professionals so that you can compare them and choose the right price.
#6: Look Into The Repairs
Then, from here, you’re going to want to make sure that you think about the repair work that may need doing. It’s important for you to be able to get the garage doors repairs that need doing if they are stopping you from using it. Or maybe you need to get the electrics looked at so that you can turn on the lights. No matter what you need to do, make sure that you’re working through it all to get the space functional.
#7: Do Some DIY
From here, you’re then going to want to see what kind of work you can do yourself. Sure, if you’re converting, then you will need professionals to help you in some ways. But if you’re confident in your own abilities, have a go yourself. And when it comes to things like garage storage, you should definitely be able to do a little DIY.
#8: Focus On Making It Functional
Now, during all of this, the one thing that you absolutely need to ensure that you’re doing, is making it functional. You need to be able to use the space for what you intend to. This means that you need to focus on the practical aspects of how the garage works, and not just how it looks.
#9: Give Yourself Options
From here, you’ve then got to make sure that you have options. It’s no use really making the most of the space and then ensuring its impossible to change it back. Make sure that you leave yourself with the option of changing it back into a garage or converting it into a living space in the future, if that’s what you want.
#10: Make More Use Of It
But then, after you’ve gone through all of this work, you need to start using it. There’s no point in renovating the space or working on it if you’re still just going to use it as a dumping ground. Sure, if you did decide to go with another purpose for the garage, it’s much easier for you to think about working on that. But, if you’re using it as storage or to keep your car in, you will need to make a more conscious effort to keep it organized. And then, it’s going to feel great.
