60 year old garage makeover

[jmcknight]

As I approached retirement about a year ago, I decided to remodel my garage and make a place I would enjoy looking at and spending time in. My objectives were clean walls (no hangers), better lighting, improved storage and new flooring. I used a contractor, plumber and electrician for much of the prep work so that my wife and I could do the painting and flooring. I spent a great deal of time on this forum researching all aspects from flooring to toolboxes to lighting. I'm very happy with the results and thought I would share in case it might help someone else beginning their journey.
First step was tearing down old wooden cabinets at front of garage. Next I had the washer water line moved inside the existing studs and rerouted. Contractor put sheet rock over old wood rather than removing it. Also textured walls and repaired cracks in ceiling.

 

[jmcknight]

Next up was flooring and paint. After much research and testing samples, I chose Swiss Trax rib trax tiles from Garage Flooring LLC. I liked the larger size, thicker material and quieter sound when walking on them. A little more expensive but worth it. We painted a two toned gray color combination with a red accent stripe. New high intensity fluorescent lighting made a big difference. I bought a 41" tool box combo from Strictly Toolboxes in a gorgeous blue color. Great customer service from these folks and an elegant addition to my garage. I got Hercke wall cabinets and a standing cabinet from Garage Flooring. They are much higher quality (and cost) than what I found in the box stores and Sears. Last but not least was a new AC floor jack to reach underneath my low profile car.
Half the fun of this project was the research and planning that went on beforehand. Now comes the long term enjoyment part.

 

[GGB]

Very nice! Clean and bright, nicely laid out, and a killer floor.

GGB

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Looks OUTSTANDING. I truly like the floor. Kinda an homage to the black & white floor without being the same. Well played!

 

[RaysnCayne]

Nice makeover! Wow, that is a dizzying but cool tile pattern! How did you come up with it?

Is it me, or the picture, or are the cabinet doors slightly crooked?

That looks like a nice floor jack. I've not heard of AC jacks before. Are they made in the States?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I just noticed a small detail that I REALLY like. Your red stripe isn't between the white and gray, it's all in the white and I think that actually makes it look somehow an improvement over the usual.

Now come clean, are these unique design elements - the floor pattern and the strip location - are they your idea or your wife's? Again, well done.

 

[DKerns]

Looks Great!!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

...Is it me, or the picture, or are the cabinet doors slightly crooked?

Yeah, they are slightly and that would be pinging my OCD if it werent that one plug is IN the stripe and the other ISN'T! HOw did that happen? I'd be calling that contractor back. Sorry for the critique - the garage is awesome - but we're also a little **** retentive here.

 

[softailgarage]

Good job! It's nice to see somebody do the planning, research and testing and have it work out. Me, I could plan and research for years and it would still turn out like ****... thats why I just fly by the seat of my pants, it works for me.

 

[55cadillacking]

**** retentive? Who, us? LOL

That's a great re-do if ever I saw one. The SwissTrax Rib Trax looks exactly like the RaceDeck Free Flow. When I was researching, I actually thought they were the same product. You mention its thickness and quietness, is that in comparison to RD? I think it looks perfect in your space and your application pattern is striking. I agree that the research and planning process are fun, but I think the real fun comes with the little improvements you'll undoubtedly be doing when you see the inspiring work of the other GJ members.

 

[dubber]

Looks great! Did the wife put the laundry in the garage so that YOU will actually do it? haha. Time to enjoy for sure.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Awesome! It doesn't even look like the same space!

 

[jmcknight]

The answers to your questions:

The cabinet doors are misaligned. I spent a fair amount of time with the adjustment screws without success. I'll get this, though. Yes, the electrical outlets are not lined up. This was a conscious choice to retain the existing outlets already in place. Moving them would have added expense I could put elsewhere and still not overcome the design albatross of a washer/dryer in the corner. I designed the paint scheme and flooring design myself after looking at hundreds of garages on this site and others. Being a graphic designer helped.
I did look at the RD freeflow product and decided I preferred the ribtrax. The jack is an AC model DK13HLQ sold by Pelican Parts. It's high lift and low profile and works great on Vettes, camaros and other sports cars.

Thanks for all the positive comments and constructive criticism. This board is a terrific resource of not just research material but more importantly, inspiration for those who have a vision of their garage space and what it can become.

 

[55chevy]

Good for you. It is outstanding

 

[Derrickwade]

Looks 1000 times better! Nice work!

 

[Crusher47]

great job!