The following article was published in the
Vermont Home Style Magazine in May 2005
and written by Annette Besaw

GARAGES - Let There Be Light!

As a professional organizer and interior designer I have found that if a garage is over crowded than odds are the home is as well. Where do we put all the things we don’t have room for in the house? The garage seems to be a logical place. Well, that unwanted stuff has been piling up. Spring is here, so why not take a day when the whole family can pitch in and organize it.

Brainstorm with your family for other uses your garage can take on. This space doesn’t have to be just for storing cars and tools. It can be a party room or a place to house lots of guests. Without fail, the day we have our summer barbeque the rain finds us. Because we invite a large number of people we needed a place to set up tables and chairs so everyone can sit down to eat comfortably together. We opened the two garage doors and let the light in.

Start by making a list of everything in the garage and your personal uses of the space. Design where you want every activity and storage area to be. Purchase items that will be needed to organize. There are many attractive storage solutions you can use from custom shelving to closed cabinets, and wall to wall shelves, to peg boards. There is special hardware to hang anything from a hammer to lawn rake. You can take an old set of kitchen cabinets and hang them to store all the little items that can clutter up your space like cleaning supplies, and paper products. The bottom set of cabinets with a counter can be a work bench for all types of chores. When items are all behind closed door the clutter problem is alleviated. Paint the cabinets the same color as the walls to blend them in or use colors that make them pop. If a pegboard is used to hang tools, take a marker and trace around them so everyone knows where items need to be returned.

Purge items no longer needed or wanted. Make piles to donate, give away, trash, or keep for short term storage, and for long term storage. After everything is sorted, get the paint out and decorate your walls and ceiling. After the paint dries, install cabinets, hardware and shelving. I find it better to store as much as possible off the floor. Then tackle the floor last. Take time to clean the floor well, and you will be rewarded in the end. Preparation is key for floor maintenance. I would suggest cleaning the floor before painting with a grease cleaner. If the concrete has never been painted you can use a stain instead of paint. Any home improvement or hardware stores can help you pick the correct paint or stain to use. Using floor car mats work best to keep the maintenance of the floor down to as little as possible and not have to paint it every couple of years. You can take the mats outside a few times a year and hose them off. Use your imagination when painting the floor. Faux finish the floor to look like brick or stone using sponges. Try stenciling or painting the floor in a checker board design. It can add so much to the décor of this bonus room look.

Have a theme for the decor of the garage, anything from sports, vintage cars, or something that connects with your interests. A mural on the wall can be fun or simply paint the walls in a texture. You can use the outside and inside color schemes of your home to make a seamless flow. For a more understated appearance use a monochromatic color scheme. That way, no matter how you decorate it for that special occasion, it doesn’t compete with the party.

Good lighting is needed in any space especially when working with tools. Keep that in mind when choosing a color. A sunny yellow will feel and look brighter then a dark blue when your space has very little light. Think about painting every area a different color according to its use. Mom’s potting bench area could be in yellow while dad’s workbench area is blue. This helps to visually organize the environment. This variety of color can also add a spark that may be needed to uplift a dark and dreary space.

Treat your garage as you would any other room in your home. Put up some simple window treatments to make it look homey. Install a ceiling fan over the work areas for those hot summer days.

Just think of that hot summer day when you have a lot of guests and the rain starts to fall, your garage can be a place for everyone to sit together and enjoy a meal, a toast, or a piece of cake. Set it up with tables, chairs and even centerpieces.

With a little imagination you can transform your garage into a usable space. Our garage-bonus room has saved the day many times during our summer parties. Be the first one on your block and have people say “Wow, what a great idea, why didn’t I think of that?” and then get out that barbeque sauce.

A B Transformations – Annette Besaw
Interior Design and Professional Organizing
802-879-8353