Dream garage makeover

By Nancy Baldwin

A great garage makeover is every man’s dream. After all, what man wouldn’t want a personal retreat where he can store his most prized possessions?

By making a few simple changes, a garage can become a versatile workroom or a showplace for entertaining.

Consider how the garage will be used

Wayne Zetzman, owner of Complete Garage, which installs well-organized havens, in Lenexa, Kansas, suggests thinking about the objective of the garage.

The overall appearance is also important. “What is the impact you want to have on the people looking at the garage? Your garage is the only room in your home that your neighbors see day-in and day-out,” Zetzman notes.

Organize by need and purpose

Once the function of the garage has been determined, it’s time to organize the space. Steve Bisch, chief operating officer at Premier Garage in Phoenix, Arizona, suggests reducing the items in the garage to those things of most immediate need, then placing them strategically around on the walls.

Consider the location of the back door and logistically plan the flow of traffic around the garage. Bisch suggests the following:

• Items used on a daily basis should be closest to the entrance door.
• Long tools and other rarely used items can be placed further away in less easily accessible areas.
• To avoid odors in the home, keep trashcans away from the back door.
• Loose or unsightly items should be kept in cabinets.

Also, consider decorating the garage. “There are so many ways you can be creative,” explains Bisch. Flat-screen televisions and even pool tables help give a garage that special ambience. One of Bisch’s customers transformed the garage into a poolroom complete with pool table and sports memorabilia.