I need ideas for this space

[Hybridss]

When I moved in the separate garage had a full size hot water heater mounted from a drop down platform from the ceiling. But it is in a bad spot IMO. The work was done very well...but it just seems too obtrusive. I pulled the hotwater heater and plumbed in lines for a small tankless. The garage has one shower and one sink and one toilet. A small tankless should work fine and save money. They had a full size 39 gallon in there. Seemed like a waste and I had it shut off since day 1.

So anyways...take a look at the pics and help me come up with ideas.

Right now the compressor is underneath the structure...and a small fridge sitting on it. but it still doesnt strike me as an efficient use of space. I though about enclosing the lower section to quiet down the loud *** oil less compressor. That would be fairly easy.

Or maybe rip out the entire thing and start over. If I did that I could get a proper sized bench across the entire backwall.

Any comments, insight or advice is appreciated. here are some pics:

 

[copterdoctor]

I'd say rip it out... it really is in an akward spot...

 

[Hybridss]

Isnt it though!?!
I keep wondering why the hell it would be done that way.

 

[volvo]

..
Cut Out and put in cabinet or shelving.

 

[Hybridss]

2 votes to yank it 0 votes for anything else......

 

[barney rubble]

Rip it out. I could see myself running into it all the time if it was mine.

 

[49tandc]

What about putting your compressor up there - insulate the **** out of that interior space and then close it in. Door on front for service, plywood sides & bottom. Maybe a little register vent for air circulation. Minimize the noise though.

49T&C

 

[dirttracker18]

nice work and I would have a hard time taking it down too but yes, rip it out and redesign the area for your needs

 

[toytech40]

I say rip it out, it just looks like an after thought, even if you enclosed to be a cabinet or compressor enclosure, IMHO it still would lok like an after thought right there next to the door. If it were in a corner that might be different.

 

[28HopUp]

As much as members here preach that floor space is premium and to get things up on your walls, I'm surprised so many are suggesting that you rip it out. Has Jack Olsen not taught us the value of repurposing things?

OK. Obvisouly the structure is strong enough to hold some weight. You didn't provide its dimensions, but could you fit or modify cabinets for shelves/storage? Another idea would be to make slots for vertical sliding pegboards sections to hang tools, similar in concept to sliding medical record cabinets -

Sorry, but that was the best pic I could find. You could wall up the sides for a clean appearance, and keep the front open (or make a door) for access. If you make each section sturdy, you could hang tools on both sides.

Going another direction, how 'bout putting a TV up there?

 

[JC23]

I vote yank it all out and relocate the water heater to a similar style (but less massive) mounting in that inside corner which is usually dead space anyway. It's not that hard to run the new line even if you have to pay someone. You'll gain a lot more in working space and not even know the heater's there.

You could also put pegboard or shelving on swinging doors to cover it up in the new location for a more effective use of space.

 

[RobSmith]

Take it out in one piece, turn it upside down. Put it outside against the wall and box it in then put your compressor in it. Two problems solved plus even more room when the compressor is gone.

 

[PCO6]

Buy a bigger fridge.

 

[DaMaN]

Rip it out, it is an ineffective way to use space

 

[Auzivision]

My vote is for making a compressor (and storage) cabinet out of it. That will free up some floor space. You might be able to get both your compressor and beer fridge up there if you rotate and move the fridge to access from the side.

 

[babzog]

Pull it out... it's in the way and serves no useful purpose.

 

[Kevro]

Perhaps a previous owner had a reeeeally long car that needed to go under it in order to fit inside the garage.

I would say it's too big and awkward in its current form, although having the fridge at eye-level is really convenient.

If you were building this garage from scratch, would you build that platform? I vote to get rid of it, and while you're patching sheetrock, bury that water pipe inside the wall.

 

[eldirector]

I'd take it out, extend the bench to the door. Put the fridge and compressor below the bench, with some soundproofing for the compressor. The now free wall looks like a great place for more pegboard, to match the other side of the window.

You could also put the fridge/compressor on the other end, and slide the whole bench to the left. I'd guess the far-right is already awkward, so put the less-used stuff on that end.

 

[Hybridss]

What about putting your compressor up there - insulate the **** out of that interior space and then close it in. Door on front for service, plywood sides & bottom. Maybe a little register vent for air circulation. Minimize the noise though.

49T&C

I tried that. didnt quite fit. That was my initial thought as well because i could get the compressor up there and the fridge would just about fit in front of it.

 

[Hybridss]

As much as members here preach that floor space is premium and to get things up on your walls, I'm surprised so many are suggesting that you rip it out. Has Jack Olsen not taught us the value of repurposing things?

OK. Obvisouly the structure is strong enough to hold some weight. You didn't provide its dimensions, but could you fit or modify cabinets for shelves/storage? Another idea would be to make slots for vertical sliding pegboards sections to hang tools, similar in concept to sliding medical record cabinets -


Sorry, but that was the best pic I could find. You could wall up the sides for a clean appearance, and keep the front open (or make a door) for access. If you make each section sturdy, you could hang tools on both sides.

Going another direction, how 'bout putting a TV up there?

Yes I have thought about leaving the compressor in the lower part and back against the wall. That leaves about 18-20 inches of space in front of the compressor. I had thought about enclosing it...but then making the front wall on hinges...with ~15 inch deep almost bookshelf on hinges. But then I would need to make the top half work.
In addition...my carpentry skills are lacking. I am a nuts and bolts mechanic by trade and when I build something with wood.....you wont find any straight lines in it...lol.

But I am thinking of changing that. If I decide to keep this structure and modify it...I may make a full attempt to do good work. We will see.

Great ideas so far and I appreciate the input.

 

[Hybridss]

Take it out in one piece, turn it upside down. Put it outside against the wall and box it in then put your compressor in it. Two problems solved plus even more room when the compressor is gone.

LOL...you must be a carpenter. I would have never thought of that...lol.

But I want to keep it all inside.

 

[Hybridss]

My vote is for making a compressor (and storage) cabinet out of it. That will free up some floor space. You might be able to get both your compressor and beer fridge up there if you rotate and move the fridge to access from the side.

The compressor was just a tad too tall. I may take another look at it though and see if I can hack off a handle or something else to make it fit. Thanks.

 

[Hybridss]

I'd take it out, extend the bench to the door. Put the fridge and compressor below the bench, with some soundproofing for the compressor. The now free wall looks like a great place for more pegboard, to match the other side of the window.

You could also put the fridge/compressor on the other end, and slide the whole bench to the left. I'd guess the far-right is already awkward, so put the less-used stuff on that end.

This is what I feel would be best. I was thinking of getting some old kitchen style cabinets with nice countertop to run the lenght of the wall. I may actually be able to fit the compressor underneath the cabinets. This compressor can be laid down.



The rest of the replies seem to be overwhelmingly saying "rip it out".

Thanks for all your replies. I need to go stare at it for about another hour and make a decision.

 

[rickycobra]

I say you move an entertainment center right there that way everything is well off the ground.

 

[m.james]

Build in shelves.