Residential Garage Ideas

Some homeowners turn their garages into music rooms.

Many residential garages are simply outdoor rooms for vehicles or unorganized spaces that hold boxes and other items out of sight. Some homeowners want to improve their garages to either make them more efficient and organized areas or turn them into completely different rooms. If you are planning to make over your current garage, you can choose from many different project options. Does this Spark an idea?

Second Living Room

Turn your residential home garage into a second living room if you don't need it for your vehicles. You can replace the garage door with large bay windows or French doors for a separate guest entryway. Cover up concrete or cement floors with tile or hardwood flooring, and paint or put up wallpaper on the garage walls. Use the completed room as a den or as a playroom to hold your children's toys.

Studio

You can tap into your inner artist skills and turn your residential garage into an art or music studio. Choose from many different types of studios depending on your hobbies and interests. For example, if you are a musician or a music lover, you can turn your garage into a music studio or listening room. Simply designate a practice area or seated listening area, and add soundproofing materials to the garage walls, floors and ceiling.

Game Room

If you don't want to conduct a major remodeling project but want to use your garage space in different ways, turn it into a game room. You can start by adding video arcade games, dartboards or even a pool table to the garage. Decorate the new space with sports memorabilia, fluorescent beer signs, flags and string lights to give it a party atmosphere. Purchase a small refrigerator or even a large ice chest to conveniently store your drinks and snacks.

Traditional Garage

Homeowners who want to keep a traditional garage that stores vehicles, tools, recreational items, lawnmowers and other items can simply make over their current unorganized garages. Start by removing all your garage items and give the garage a thorough cleaning, which should include sweeping, dusting and mopping the floors, walls and shelves. After the cleaning is completed, designate specific areas for your lawn tools, standard tools, work area and car space. Purchase organizational tools and products, such as wall racks for lawn tools, bike racks that hang from the ceiling, toolboxes, shelves and cabinets. Sell your unused clutter in a garage sale.

References

• Remodeling Center: Garage Ideas
• Garage Ideas