The garage is one of the spaces that’s often ignored when designing and decorating your house. While it’s always viewed as a mechanic’s workplace, there are plenty of ways to design your garage to add functionality and design.
Whether it’s a “bedroom” for your cars, a store for your tools and sports gear, a workshop, a home office, a laundry area, or a second living room, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your garage and bring a stylistic element to the space. Here are some creative ways you can try.
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1. Maximize Vertical Space
For most people, the garage is primarily a storage space for a variety of items. As with most storage spaces, it can get cluttered and fill up easily unless you find an effective way to organize it.
One easy and effective way to store items in your garage is using vertical storage. Simply install hooks or clips to hang or suspend your items, and you can clear your floor space for other uses. You can even use the garage’s roof space if you have too many items.
2. Use Labels
Having several items in your garage can prove to be a problem, especially when trying to retrieve them, as you have to sort through so much. Using labels can make this process much easier.
Find boxes or appropriate storage containers and sort out the different items, placing each item in the appropriate box. Once done, label these items, and then you can place the containers on shelves. Remember, every square foot matters.
3. Upgrade the Lighting
One of the most essential components in interior design is lighting, an element almost always forgotten when designing the garage. Introducing a bit of natural lighting can change the entire outlook of your space.
First, examine the lighting fixtures you’ve been using and identify ways to improve them. You can opt for a recessed ceiling to illuminate the interior or add some windows for natural lighting. This design style will particularly suit garage spaces that act as an extension of a living room.
4. Hang some Artwork
Just because the garage is a workshop doesn’t mean it must always be bland. Adding some artwork to the space can improve its visual interest and add a stylistic element.
Go for artwork that resonates with your style and the room’s functionality. For example, for a car garage, you can choose mechanical artwork or create a focal point using woven artwork.
5. Use it as a Game Room
Having an entertainment room or a game room can be invaluable when you want to spend quality time with friends and family. A garage can double as a game room.
Depending on your space, you can install several games, from simple ones like darts to more complex ones like video games or a pool table. Games such as dartboards can double up as wall decor.
6. Liven it up with a Bright Color
Many people prefer neutral and dark tones when choosing a garage color since they don’t get stained easily, and even if they do, they are easy to clean. However, when repurposing your garage or maintaining a neat space, using bright colors can spark some life to the space.
Bright colors such as mustard, white, or beige can make the space more vibrant and provide some contrast with other items in the garage, making them more visible. Talk of a beautiful mess!
7. Don’t Forget About the Flooring
Upgrading your garage’s floor is a simple process. Unlike other rooms in your home, you don’t need tiles or a wooden floor to make a quality upgrade. You can simply paint the floor. You can also incorporate other elements, such as mats or a carpet, to turn the space into a more functional area.
For example, a welcome mat at the garage’s entrance can make the space feel more welcoming and homely. When it’s time to get messy, you can roll up the mats or carpet and store them away.
8. Turn it Into a Media Room
If you have a small space and are looking for more room, take advantage of an empty garage and turn it into an extra sitting space, a media room, or a conversation area.
Utilizing every square foot is essential, especially when working with small spaces. Simply add some furniture, a few warm rugs, and a coffee table, and you’ll instantly have a conversation area or a second sitting room.
9. Create a Garage Gym
Looking for a practical gym area for a small space? Why not try the garage? Unlike other spaces in your house, a garage will make a practical and aesthetically pleasing gym.
A garage is one of the most accessible places to set up a home gym. It’ll clear your floor space, open up your living room for other items, and make an excellent indoor-outdoor gym area where you can work with a breeze.
10. Try a Boho-Style Sitting Area
Bohemian-style living areas and interior spaces have recently become a trend in most modern interior design spaces. The boho style emphasizes creating open, well-lit spaces with natural materials and neutral colors.
You can apply the same style to your garage to create a stylish space for extra seating. Go for natural fibers such as jute and materials such as wood. For the paint or accents in the room, you can use light neutral or earth tones.
11. Create Concealed Storage
Concealed storage solutions help clear clutter and ensure your workspace is manageable. They can also be used to create a multipurpose garage.
You simply have to divide your garage and add a cabinet storage wall. On one side, you will have cabinets to store your items, while the other side of the garage can be repurposed as an office, extra sitting area, or workshop.
12. Whitewash the Garage
A white interior for your garage may seem like a recipe for disaster, but the truth is that it can elevate your space to an entirely new level. A whitewashed garage will especially work well for spaces used for storage purposes and garages with limited lighting options.
The interior’s white color will reflect light around the space, making even dark rooms look well-lit. Remember to complement the design with a bit of artificial lighting.
13. Create a Potting Area on the Exterior
If you have a garden in your home, you understand the struggles of potting and caring for your plants. Doing this inside the garage can create a mess since you mainly deal with soil, and constantly cleaning the space can be tiring.
Instead of having the potting area inside, you can create a potting area on the exterior fully equipped with planting and gardening equipment. This ensures you can easily tend to your plants without creating a mess indoors.
14. Use Woven Storage Baskets
The most common storage containers in the garage are plastic containers. However, using woven storage baskets can add a touch of style to your space. They are not only stylish but also long-lasting, and by preferring woven baskets to plastics, you are actively contributing to sustainability.
Install shelves where you can arrange these baskets and label them appropriately to retrieve items easily.
15. Turn Your Garage Into a Home Office
Are you looking for extra space for your home office but can’t find one? Turn to your garage. The garage offers the perfect place to set up a tranquil home office. Simply swap your tools for an office desk, install a rug, and add some office decor, and you can have your office running in no time.
The good thing about such a setup is that you don’t need too much space, so you can reserve other areas for other uses.
16. Use Pegboard Storage
Pegboard storage is another effective alternative to storing items in your garage and maximizing the available vertical space. Pegboards can hold and store wooden boards, pipes, and tools.
This storage solution is easy to use because it is easy to install and can hold a range of items depending on the pegboard’s strength.
17. Make a Custom Workshop Bench
Don’t limit your creativity when styling the garage. You can install custom workshop benches that resonate with your style.
Other than just displaying your tools or making the garage a storage hub, try incorporating stylistic elements and decor into the space to elevate the room and make it feel like a part of your home rather than a store or a commercial workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other than design ideas, people are concerned about choosing the right garage design and what the process should entail. Here are some of the commonly asked questions.
How can I make my garage look nice?
The easiest way to improve your garage’s aesthetics is to declutter, clean, and repaint the walls and add an attractive and creative storage solution for your tools and equipment. You can also add some decor, repair cracks, add lighting fixtures, and optimize the vertical storage available in the space.
How do I decorate the exterior?
To decorate the exterior, simply apply a fresh coat of paint, update the lighting fixtures, and try adding some plants and landscaping to improve the visual appeal and soften the look.
How do I make the garage space more cozy?
Insulating the walls and repairing the floor and walls can improve the coziness of your garage. You can also update its look by adding more light fixtures, adding windows, decorating the room with creative and attractive decor pieces, and updating the color. This way, the garage can feel equally functional and aesthetically pleasing.
