Downsizing and my Garage Makeover

[Gixxerboy63]

Downsizing and my IKEA Garage Makeover

Hi all! I landed here to find ways to maximize my space during our attempt to downsize our life. We recently bought a 2000sq/ft lakefront loft with a very tight, 2-car garage. I understand that a two car garage may be a luxury for some, but considering that we came from a 4500sq/ft home with 4 garage spaces, it presents a bit of a challenge....

We love our cars! None of them are leaving anytime soon, so who gets the garage space between the SL500, Sierra Denali, RX350, 540i/6 Msport or the newly acquired M3? (I am thinking that off-site storage will soon be an added expense).

While the other cars will be fighting it out, the Msport will get first dibs;



OK, Enough about my car.... I am wanting to do an extreme garage makeover, including the possibility of adding a single-post lift so I can at least turn it into a three-car garage!

One of my favorite garages belongs to Shelbyz4u2nv with an epoxy floor;
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/...4-6C1A-4C3D-8A57-B9B76C47879B_zpsyhp2awu2.jpg

but I also like Dubbers with the tile floor system:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/42/img0323np.jpg

I like the appearance of both.... which system should I go with?
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[Bib Overalls]

Welcome to the Garage Journal Forum. Lots of good info and a ready supply of advice here for the asking. Keep the pictures coming. We like pictures.

 

[kesslerbmw]

Whats up dude! lol

Park the truck and RX outside... and leave the M Sport and the SL inside. M3... don't know, but lets see some pics.

 

[bww_mnm]

if your floor is in good shape, i'd go epoxy. way easier to keep clean and really shines.

i'm digging the 540i!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Thanks guys. The M Sport and SL will definitely go inside.
Once they get stacked, the M3 will most likely go in next...



Unfortunately, Denali will stay outside (its my daily driver) and the RX350 will be sold soon.



Here's a photo of my 24'x25' upper garage at our previous home:



And the 21x23 garage at our new home (being used as workshop and lumber storage while renovation is going on)



It doesn't look like a huge difference, until you consider the stairway/landing leading into the house takes up a 36"x60" footprint of valuable space. This severely impedes opening of vehicle doors parked next to it.... Gah!!!

[

 

[bonecrrusher]

You off Lake Norman?

 

[dubber]

Welcome! Happy to see that you like the look of my last garage, it was definitely a fun little space. Good luck with your double, I'm currently starting to work on one as well. Love those old BMWs BTW.

I definitely agree with you about that landing. While house shopping these last few months i came across several places that had the same set-up. All you could really do is tear it out and make the stairs come out directly down. Not a perfect fix but really all you can do.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

You off Lake Norman?

No, I'm at Oak Hollow Lake in High Point.

Welcome! Happy to see that you like the look of my last garage, it was definitely a fun little space. Good luck with your double, I'm currently starting to work on one as well. Love those old BMWs BTW.

I definitely agree with you about that landing. While house shopping these last few months i came across several places that had the same set-up. All you could really do is tear it out and make the stairs come out directly down. Not a perfect fix but really all you can do.

2015 update....
The garage/downsizing challenge is here and we are continuing to sort things out. Sadly, the BMW Supercharged Msport project has moved to its new home in Seattle, but its vacancy was quickly filled by an X5m with 555hp...lots of fun!



We ended up moving the walk-through door frame/steps forward about 12" toward the main garage door opening. This left just enough room to place a std. refrigerator between the landing and roll up door while allowing slightly more access for a car door to be opened forward of the steps.



Next, I plan to add a PAX storage system from Ikea across the entire back wall of the garage.... I will have to build a platform on top of the 3" block ledge to sit them on so that they will mount flush against the back wall. The overall diminsions of the cabinet system will be 101" H x 236 1/4" W x 16 7/8" D (including sliding doors). I may also add a sliding ladder system across the front of the Pax for easy access to higher shelves (much like the ones you might find in a library to reach upper tier of books). If I have measured correctly, I should still be able to park my Denali inside with 3" to spare!
(However, the X5M and the SL will remain priority status).



Still haven't given up on a lift.... it remains on the back burner for now.

Cheers!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

2016 update.
I know... long time without updates, but we've had to deal with failing EFIS walls and wood rot! Now that that issue has been addressed, we are back to working on the garage! The PAX system has been installed and eveyone loves it, including my neighbor with the Ariel Atom that is also a grarage guy. The Denali fits, but just barely. The M3 has been sold, so the X5M and SL500 will be the residents. A new insulated Garage door is going in next week and I am shopping for a garage floor... any suggestions?

Race Deck?
SwissTrax?
Other?

Thanks!
Tim

 

[dubber]

Race deck!

 

[55cadillacking]

I have been impressed with my 5-year-old RaceDeck floor.

 

[tldavis]

Nice to see, Tim! This is clevertd from bf.c, currently looking for inspiration on redoing my GFs garage, so I'll keep an eye on this.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Race deck!

Hey Dub, I've been following your build for quite some time... I am almost certain that I am going to borrow your floor design! Hahahaha!

I have been impressed with my 5-year-old RaceDeck floor.

I appreciate the input guys! You two have definitely inspired me!

Nice to see, Tim! This is clevertd from bf.c, currently looking for inspiration on redoing my GFs garage, so I'll keep an eye on this.

Wassup, Tyler! Good to hear from you. No longer an Msport owner, but I still love the e34s. I still think they are one of the best designs ever from BMW. I may end up with another one someday, but right now, I am enjoying my X5M riding on Matte Bronze ADV.1s:



Here is the PAX system I used from IKEA to line the back wall of my garage;



and here's what it looks like so far...

 

[Bustedwheel]

An E34 MSport? I've got one of the other 150 or so sitting in my driveway. Definitely a little rougher around the edges than yours.

 

[dubber]

Hey Dub, I've been following your build for quite some time... I am almost certain that I am going to borrow your floor design! Hahahaha!

Here is the PAX system I used from IKEA to line the back wall of my garage;



and here's what it looks like so far...

Very cool look. I'm a fan!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Hey Dub, did you use 18" or 12" tiles?

 

[55cadillacking]

^ 12"

Those PAX cabinets look cool. Very cool.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

^ 12"

Those PAX cabinets look cool. Very cool.

Thank you!

I have gotten a ton of complements on the PAX system. The glass doors are very nice and the sliders are super smooth. The shelving is totally adjustable and there are many options to configure them. My only complaint is that the shelves are not heavy duty, so I have to be careful in how I load them. The good news is that the heavy stuff usually sits on the bottom, so it has become a non-issue. I suppose I could always figure out additional supports if needed.

As far as the flooring system; I am struggling a bit with the design. The garage door is not perfectly centered (approximately 24" distance to the wall on one side and 36" on the other). I also have the stairway/landing to contend with. The color will be a black border, red accent strip and the main floor area will be charcoal. What would be the best way to configure the accent stripe regarding the un-centered garage door and stairwell/landing? I'm wondering if I should follow the wall (stripe will go underneath landing) or step the accent strip out in front of the landing?

Thanks for your input!

 

[dubber]

As Rick said, went with the 12". Just adjust the red stripe so that it can make a full tour around the garage without being hidden. My opinion at least

 

[dislexiclawyer]

As Rick said, went with the 12". Just adjust the red stripe so that it can make a full tour around the garage without being hidden. My opinion at least

This is what I did in my garage as well. Granted, I only had about 6" extra on one side, not a whole foot. I would just make a square around the parking area with the red border just on the outside of the stair platform. I find that it helps to define the space, and I feel like it makes my garage feel larger.

 

[hnsy]

Very nice!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Very nice!

Thank you, sir!

As Rick said, went with the 12". Just adjust the red stripe so that it can make a full tour around the garage without being hidden. My opinion at least

This helps.

This is what I did in my garage as well. Granted, I only had about 6" extra on one side, not a whole foot. I would just make a square around the parking area with the red border just on the outside of the stair platform. I find that it helps to define the space, and I feel like it makes my garage feel larger.

Ok. That makes sense too.
Soooooo.... the red stripe will basically outline the parking pad and will run 1' off the wall everywhere except where the steps are located to form a rectangle, leaving a 36" area of black tiles along the stair wall? This means that the turning point of the stripe will be totally visible in front of the opening on the right side, yet will go past the left side and turn back 1 foot off the opposite wall, which is approximately two feet to the left of the door opening.... the rectangle will not be centered with the door, but will be centered according to the open floor space. Will that look best?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

should it look like this?



Notice my garage door opening on the bottom; The red accent stripe starts before the opening on the left side and is in line with the opening on the right side. Also the refrigerator, landing/steps and tool box on the right side is touching or nearly touching the accent stripe. Wondering if I should move the accent stripe one more row away from the landing/step/refrigerator, but then the floor design goes farther off center to the door.


What do you guys think?
HELP!!!

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Here's the other idea of moving the accent strip one more row away from the landing/steps/refrigerator.... I actually think this may look cleaner than the previous drawing. My only reservation is having the accent strip off-centered to the garage door opening... or does this even matter?

 

[dislexiclawyer]

What do you think about moving the accent stripe in 1 foot on the left on your first design so it is even with the door opening? That would leave you with 2 rows of black tiles on the left side of the garage, then you could have the right side of the border even with the stairs.

That is how my garage is setup. 2 rows wide on the left side of the border.

2 and a half on the right side since that side is deeper with the step into the house and the water heater.

1 tile in-between the garage door and border.

1 and a half tiles on the back wall. One bench comes over the border just slightly though.

Also keep in mind, if you are going to use ramp edging at the door you may need to shift the design back about 3" or so.

 

[dubber]

Both of your layout options would work perfectly in my mind. My thoughts on the accent strip, and i've now applied this twice, is that it should be totally visible and nothing covering it.

 

[tldavis]

What do you think about moving the accent stripe in 1 foot on the left on your first design so it is even with the door opening? That would leave you with 2 rows of black tiles on the left side of the garage, then you could have the right side of the border even with the stairs.

Came here to suggest this as well.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Both of your layout options would work perfectly in my mind. My thoughts on the accent strip, and i've now applied this twice, is that it should be totally visible and nothing covering it.

What do you think about moving the accent stripe in 1 foot on the left on your first design so it is even with the door opening? That would leave you with 2 rows of black tiles on the left side of the garage, then you could have the right side of the border even with the stairs.

Thanks for the input guys!

Using the diagram below as a reference to get a sense of the tile placement compared with stairwell/refrigerator and garage door opening, I think I have narrowed it down to these two options with RaceDeck;

Option 1. For the accent stripe to be totally visible and to be in line with the door opening, I would need to go with 3 black rows of tiles on the left and 4 rows on the right: This would put the accent stripe inboard of the garage door and away from obstacles

Option 2. I could go with 2 rows on the left and 3 rows on the right; this would put the accent strip directly in line with the door, but it would also be touching the stair/refrigerator.

[/QUOTE]

Which do you think would look better?

...one other question; I got a sample from RaceDeck yesterday. Do your tiles clack when you walk or drive over them?

 

[dislexiclawyer]

My vote is for option 2. There is a clacking or a noise, but to me, it is nothing more than just the noise my foot makes when walking. It is hard to explain. It is less of a noise than I expected based on what I have read here.

 

[55cadillacking]

My RD tiles make no noise. At all.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

My vote is for option 2. There is a clacking or a noise, but to me, it is nothing more than just the noise my foot makes when walking. It is hard to explain. It is less of a noise than I expected based on what I have read here.

Do you think having the accent strip touching the refrigerator/stairs will be OK?
Here is what that (option 2) would look like;
(the accent strip will still remain slightly off-centered, but maybe it would not be as noticeable?)

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Hey Dislexiclawyer... Is your floor graphite with a black accent stripe or another color combination? I'm interested in a color that shows the least amount of dirt, etc. and is easy to keep looking nice.

 

[dislexiclawyer]

Hey Dislexiclawyer... Is your floor graphite with a black accent stripe or another color combination? I'm interested in a color that shows the least amount of dirt, etc. and is easy to keep looking nice.

It is alloy with a graphite border and black ramp edging. I chose that color combination for that exact reason. I live off of a short gravel road and track in a bit of dirt and dust, but I hardly notice it. It helped that it matched my color scheme too, and I think it does a good job of reflecting light and brightening up the space as well.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

I finally did it!!!

Finally did it!!!
I installed my new flooring today.
it was 97 degrees outside, but I was determined to get it done.
I am very pleased.

 

[dubber]

/\ Well worth it eh? RaceDeck dramatically transforms any garage.

EDIT: What wheels do you have on your Benz? Vorteiner?

What do you think about maybe painting the wood below your sliding cabinets? Either black or white would make it blend in nicely.

 

[Pig In A Poke]

Very nice, it has been rather warm lately around here.

 

[Gixxerboy63]

/\ Well worth it eh? RaceDeck dramatically transforms any garage.

EDIT: What wheels do you have on your Benz? Vorteiner?

What do you think about maybe painting the wood below your sliding cabinets? Either black or white would make it blend in nicely.

Totally worth it!
(although I went with Swiss Traxx, which is very similar to Race Deck, only slightly beefier). I do need to paint the wood below the cabinets.
I'm thinking black....

The wheels on the Benz are TSW (Bathurst)
Very similar in design to the ADV 5.2s on my X5M

 

[55cadillacking]

Looks great! I would consider painting that strip your wall colour. It would give your PAX that floating effect.

 

[pitterpat]

Nice job on the floor and the IKEA cabinets. Is the refrigerator sitting on the Swiss Trak or is it sitting on the concrete?

 

[Gixxerboy63]

Looks great! I would consider painting that strip your wall colour. It would give your PAX that floating effect.

Great Idea! That would look fantastic.

Nice job on the floor and the IKEA cabinets. Is the refrigerator sitting on the Swiss Trak or is it sitting on the concrete?

Thank you.
I covered the entire floor with Swiss Traxx, so both the refrigerator and the stairs are sitting on top of the flooring system.