Finishing our Micro-Garage

[Nick_Wa]

Hi everyone. We are buying our first house and although it is not closing until late October. I want to start planning the garage and getting some ideas about finishing so I can complete it in the few weeks we have between closing and moving in.

It is a small BARELY one car garage that will be used for storage and motorcycle projects and will not see any vehicles parked inside. We will have a small storage shed in the back yard for lawn mower, weed whacker, rakes, shovels, gas cans, deep fryer, etc.

I would like to have storage around the majority of the perimeter at the top of the walls, a small work bench, a storage shelf at the back of the garage across the entire wall, and some sort of metal cabinet for solvents, aerosols, flammable liquids, etc. The freezer will also be stored in the garage.

There will be some sort of auxiliary heater (heated by house only right now) and along with the current lighting, secondary fluorescent lighting on separate switch to use when needed..

I have been looking around trying to find small garage builds and have found a few things but not a lot.

Because the house is not in our posession yet, we only have exterior pictures. I will post interior pictures as soon as I can but as of right now, the garage is unfinished and empty. It is insulated but not dry-walled. **Edit: I am fairly sure the dimensions are 10'x18'

 

[1991Syclone]

It looks like you have some high ceilings there. Do you have any pictures of the inside of the garage? These look like MLS images, so I assume you don't have access to the interior right now?

 

[Nick_Wa]

Nope we do not have access right now and yes they are MLS images. We have in our agreement, one more time to see the house inside before closing in October at which time we will take tons of pictures, measurements, etc.

And actually, the garage has flat roof inside right now. I am not up for any projects like opening up the attic at the moment. In the future perhaps but right now I want to take the rectangular box of a garage and finish/build storage.

 

[A1an]

Congrats on the potential new home and good luck with the closing.

Looks a little narrow but fairly deep. You are going to have to get creative with storage and hopefully you have something up there in the attic area. Tables that fold down from the wall will help keep floor space open when you don't need those surfaces. Also consider work surfaces or some dual purpose storage/tables that roll around depending on where you need it and what needs to be done. Key with small spaces is to figure out a way to let it adapt to your needs.

 

[1991Syclone]

You may not need to open it up at all. If there is attic access from inside the garage that's all you need. You can store holiday items, etc up there if you can get to it.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Yes, perhaps the intended uses will be helpful for planning. Again, I apologize for the lack of interior images. Also wanted to mention that the garage will be used as a man cave to hang out with buddies and sit around.

What I use my current garage for right now (at rental house):

-Motorcycle parking/maintenance (winter storage in back shed)
-Light carpentry
-Hang out with friends
-Storage of camping supplies
-Storage of car parts/motorcycle parts
-Bicycle storage (winter storage in back shed)
-Small dremel work

Picture of current garage:

I am slightly OCD when it comes to the garage so it will always be kept in tip top shape. Also because it will be used as man cave (sort of) it will need to be clean and tidy.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Ok, so I believe the garage is 10x18. It is definitely 10' wide and I am fairly sure 18' long.

 

[rwhite692]

Any option to buy a different house with a bigger garage?

Just kidding, looks like a nice house.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Unfortunately our budget only allowed for this size of house. We wanted a single and had to move a bit out of the city to find one. We were prepared to sacrifice square footage (with a townhouse/condo) for single with private yard. Trust me, if I could get bigger garage I would have.

 

[SuperSocket]

Nope we do not have access right now and yes they are MLS images. We have in our agreement, one more time to see the house inside before closing in October at which time we will take tons of pictures, measurements, etc.

And actually, the garage has flat roof inside right now. I am not up for any projects like opening up the attic at the moment. In the future perhaps but right now I want to take the rectangular box of a garage and finish/build storage.

Why do they only let you see the house ONCE before you close?


My Realtor and everyone else I have worked with have given me the door codes to get in an take measurements when needed. Obviously you can't do anything other than pictures and measurements.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Well let me rephrase. I haven't talked to the actual sellers yet but they do still live in the house and were waiting until sale to move out to a new place. Maybe they will let us go look as much as we want but right now, there is just an agreement in the offer that we will have 1 time to meet and go look. Im sure I could talk to sellers after they move out and go look then. I wouldn't want to bother them while they are living there though.

Here is a VERY quick sketch of what I am thinking. Going to learn Google Sketchup one day and make something a bit better.

-Overhead storage around entire perimeter except possibly bench area to the right of the door.
-Freezer will be in garage so thinking of building a hinged table that can be folded down over top of the freezer when needed
-Motorcycle and bike storage are just during spring/summer/fall months
-Shallow shelving units at front of garage on either side
-Cabinets and bench in back of garage with tool box storage and bar fridge underneath
-Speakers on walls in corners
-TV on wall at some point (maybe boxing day or black Friday deal)
-Camping chairs used for seating (easy to store)
-Some sort of table that can be easily hidden/stored for cards or other stuff while sitting around.

Going to house on Thursday for home inspection, will try and get some pictures of garage interior if possible.

 

[Nick_Wa]

I think I will do paint like Haugy's garage. I love the simple not too eye catching black, gray, and white theme.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Congratulations on getting a house.

With that space, I think the fold-down bench is a great idea. Storage up along the high corners would also let you use space that normally goes to waste.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Thanks for the kind words. I got the idea of the folding bench from you. I will utilize some sort of built in bench in the back of the garage (since it is a long narrow garage) but I figure the fold down would be nice to have as it will be bigger (essentially a bit bigger than the freezer to fit over top) and yet take up no extra room.

Still undecided about the floor but will probably be some sort of rubber/pvc tiles as Epoxy ain't really in the budget.

 

[Zeke]

Congratulations on getting a house.

With that space, I think the fold-down bench is a great idea. Storage up along the high corners would also let you use space that normally goes to waste.

Or a couple of fold downs. See Jack's thread about his garage.

Chairs, card games, TV, bar fridge. I don't get it. You have this one car garage and you want to practically live in it? What's in the house? How many bedrooms? Can't you grab some manly space in the house? Or do you and your friends smoke?

I spend a lot of time outside in a work carport and in the garage, but no chairs. It's not that far to walk to get a beer or something to eat from the house.

 

[Nick_Wa]

I just enjoy hanging out in the garage. It's not an always sort of thing but yeah I probably will spend half of my time socializing with friends in the garage and the other half in the house.

 

[dittle fart around]

That's lots of space. Most of the time I'm working at my bench and the rest of the garage is in storage mode. Very few times do I need the entire floor space. I think the same theory of "the larger the workbench the larger the pile on top of it" works for floor space also.

 

[jrod60]

Bicycles eat too much space. I keep all mine in the house, two on a stacked rack. There's a bike storage thread on here somewhere. Surely you have a guest room or something with a free corner? As usual, be like Jack and get some fold downs; that's route I'm leaning for my redo.

I can't find a need for a fridge in an attached garage. You're maybe 25 feet from your kitchen?

 

[Nick_Wa]

Fridge thing is true yet. As for bikes, I don't want to bring mountain bikes in the house. Dirt/dust. They belong in the garage/shed.

 

[Nick_Wa]

This would be an idea that I would consider. My girlfriend uses her bike a lot more than me so I could throw mine up top.

View media item 5605

 

[Nighttrain]

Congrats on the house. Are you going to be able to keep all your stuff in the current garage for a bit while you finish up the new garage? This will really help you do all the sheetrock and cabinets. The more storage up high will be helpful and the more in the back shed also. Keep us posted.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Well we have 2 weeks between closing on the house and moving out of our current place. This means that the garage will probably not see any love for a few weeks after we move in. This is ok with me, I don't plan on working too quickly anyways, more or less whenever I have a chance.

I will keep the thread updated though. I want to help anyone else with a teeny tiny garage with a few ideas. Anyone who wants to do the same for me I would appreciate it

 

[paranoid56]

with my one car i am always in need of more space, i ended up opening up the ceiling and using that for a lot of storage. along with cabinets on the wall.

and congrats on the new place. i also wanted a much larger garage but due to money and what not had to get a duplex with a single garage. i still love it though as its nice to not be a renter.

 

[1930artdeco]

Hi Nick,

Congradulations on the house. I will be following your thread carefully as they started building my garage today. It is 11x30 so I will be paying attention to your storage ideas as I have to make a laundry room, darkroom, shopette, car and bike fit in that tiny space. The folding tables will be there along with lots of storage up top.

Mike

 

[jeepjunky]

Congrats on the house.
first thing I would do is acid clean and etch the floor then put a floor coating on it.
Next sheet rock and paint. Then nothing!!!!
When I bought our house I went out and spent several hundred on shelving and storage only to find out it didnt fit my needs. All of it went to a garage sale. So save your money live in it and decide what works for you!
One thing I did is shelves at garage door track height (simple HD L brackes and 1x10) my coolers and camp gear (in clear plastic totes & labled) are stored out of the way.
good luck and have fun

 

[Nick_Wa]

Thanks for the posts guys.

I do plan to do shelving at garage door track height all the way around. I won't be buying any storage for a bit because I need to wait until we move, clean out the garage (after moving in) and then decide what I want to do. I just found this truckin article about a garage makeover of a very small garage and it really gave me some ideas for decor.

I love how the walls are covered in tin signs and banners. Cheap and easy decor and it looks great (in my opinion). I don't need any of the big stuff they have and I would like to keep my junk in doored cabinets but I love the decor.

 

[jeepjunky]

I bought some old jeep calenders, and framed the pictures, hung them up, cheep and easy to match your personality

 

[Nick_Wa]

Yeah, good idea, calendars would make for good photos.

More inspiration.

 

[superfish]

Nick,
Is that a Magna in your garage??

 

[Nick_Wa]

I have 3 1983 Honda CB1000c and 1 1981 Honda CB900c. That is a 1000 in the photo.

 

[bad_idea]

i have a 14x20' attached garage. i keep my 02 z28 in the garage (when projects permit). i enjoy metal working, wood working, and auto repair. believe me i know space is a premium.

i would suggest floor coating first before you move in. that was the first thing i did when me and the wife bought our house. i spent the first saturday of home ownership prepping and epoxy-ing the floor. all my garage stuff was still at the old garage. my brother is trying to figure out where to put all his stuff to epoxy his garage floor.

next suggestion - hang plywood on the walls rather than drywall. you can hang anything anywhere. easy to remove the screws from a sheet and pull it down to do stuff in the walls, you'll find something. harder to jam a 2x4 through plywood during a project accidentally.

build a good solid workbench with plenty of storage. build sturdy cabinets. the key to a small, functional shop is storage. everything has a home and it is put there when not in use.

be careful storing things in the attic. many attics are not load rated. would hate for your ceiling to start sagging in the garage.

 

[bczygan]

Or a couple of fold downs. See Jack's thread about his garage.

Chairs, card games, TV, bar fridge. I don't get it. You have this one car garage and you want to practically live in it? What's in the house? How many bedrooms? Can't you grab some manly space in the house? Or do you and your friends smoke?

I spend a lot of time outside in a work carport and in the garage, but no chairs. It's not that far to walk to get a beer or something to eat from the house.

Exactly.....I have been thinking about making places in and around my house and yard into "Do it all enclaves". The problem is that you replicate things that are available nearby. I could end up with a fridge in the bedroom, kitchen, garage, deck, patio, shop etc........same for TV's and Microwaves and lots of other things. This would be great if my property was large and it was a long walk from the shop to the house, but on a small city lot with an attached garage the kitchen is literally 4 steps away and the living room 5. No need for an outside kitchen, which are in vogue, when the actual kitchen is steps from the back yard. Design in small spaces says don't repeat functions, but make each function bold and big and authentic. In other words, instead of 5 small microwaves, use one real good, large high power one. Same with TV's. One real nice viewing room.

 

[bczygan]

I have 3 1983 Honda CB1000c and 1 1981 Honda CB900c. That is a 1000 in the photo.

I've got an 83 CB1000C too. BIG HEAVY AND POWERFUL!


Bill (Buying up all the cheap Craftsman toolboxes on CL in Detroit)

 

[Nick_Wa]

Cool, I daily drive my 900 but the 1000's sure have a lot of grunt and ride like cadillacs (for what they are).

Indeed some of my ideas aren't the best but that's why I am starting my thread now so I have time to gather ideas and work out the kinks.

We get the keys on October 21 (assuming tomorrows home inspection goes without a hitch) and have to be out of our current place on October 31. I am taking off the 21 along with the following week in order to get organized and make moving less stressful. We are only renting our place now but it is a bungalow with full basement and being that we have been here for 3 years, we have accumulated just as much stuff as if we owned the place. I plan to start packing well ahead and perhaps October 21 could be a painting/epoxying day. We will see if I decide to go the route of epoxy.

On that note, I will start researching floor epoxy's for a 250-300 square foot application.

 

[digdug18]

This discussion should be in the gallery...

 

[Nick_Wa]

So, we went yesterday for the home inspection and I learnt a few things. The garage isn't quite as long as it looks. I didn't end up getting measurements, DAMN IT! The garage is fully finished inside, drywalled roof and walls, painted walls and floor.

There is some built in storage in the back to the left of the door and some storage built over top of the garage door rails.

I would have preferred finishing it myself in order to mark studs and joists but that can be determined now still. Not sure what to do about the floor. I hate painted concrete floor.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Congrats on the new house. I hope the home inspection went well; that may add things to your "to-do list" after you move in.
You need to get accurate measurements of that garage; it will help you with your space planning. Best to get measurements and make up a garage floor plan on grid paper (that's what I did).

Other guys have mentioned it, but if you can, get into garage BEFORE you fill it up with your stuff during the move. That way, you can at least add-to or install new overhead shelving for storage, before you fill up that space. (floor space goes fast during moving).

 

[Nick_Wa]

To be honest, what I think will happen is yes, the garage will be used for storage during the move. We are coming from a rental so we don't have a lot of stuff, but we only have 10 days between when we get the house, and when we move out of our current place. I won't have too much stuff in the garage off the bat, definitely not too much that I can't make room.

Upper storage is priority #1 and I plan to use the plug-in shop lights I currently have under neath the shelving. I believe the ceilings are 10' so this won't be a problem. I will get a buddy to help me install 1 more wired fluorescent in the middle of the garage to supplement the one which is there right now.

Getting excited now though, really starting to think about things. I would love a big garage but I am happy just to have my own space to design and finish how I would like. I work part time at a hardware store (Rona, like Home Depot but Canadian) and I can get flooring for very cheap. I think I would like to do VCT with epoxy clear but I move in end of October/beginning of November so I think temperatures will be too cold at that point to do floor.

 

[Nick_Wa]

Well good news is that our real estate agent is paying to get the house cleaned top to bottom professionally before we move in. Unfortunately this can't be done until a few days after closing so I will have 4 days to paint the garage and do what I want to it before we move stuff to the house.

Now I need to figure out paint scheme and shelving. I won't do the floor until next year as it will be close to November and getting pretty cool.

 

[Nick_Wa]

This is the plan for the backwall (against the house where the entry door is.

Plan to get two matching tool boxes to use at the side of the bench with a small space in between with 1 shelf or drawer and the garbage can underneath. I will build 10-12" deep cabinets above the work surface with a short one in the middle for some headroom and room to mount another small light. Pegboard will be used on the back behind the bench.

The table top will be made with 2 24"x70" sheets of 3/4" plywood. I would like to cover it in sheet metal in the future but wood will do initially.

Paint scheme will be slate color on bottom, black stripe, and off-white on top off stripe. As seen here: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/customcj7/Shop pics/P1060023.jpg

Cabinets to be painted slate color and if possible will get black tool boxes (will get best sale for the size I need, preferably black but red would do). Pegboard will be the off-white color used on the upper walls.