Getting Started and Looking for Suggestions

[noisufnoc]

Hey guys.

I've been lurking on this forum for a while, and to start off the new year I want to get my garage in order. I was somewhat organized until a recent car build and now the place is kind of a mess. The car is done, so I figure its time to get the space set up the way I want.

What I have is a tandem three car (that's what my Realtor called it) approx 590 sq-ft.

That big hole in the wall leads to a small space under the landing of the stairs. I noticed a neighbor had done this to their house, so I took the sawzall to it and am using to store some old car parts and misc brewing stuff.

The first major change is that my wife and I are swapping spaces. Since we just bought her a SUV, it fits much better this way. I'd like to set up the garage so that she could open the hatch fully with the garage door closed. According to my measurements, that means pulling her car in to approx the joint in the concrete and me taking down that first shelfing unit.

I'd like to get rid of all the sketchy looking shelfs that were installed by the previous owners. Once that is done, I want to build a few cabinets to hide everything and make the space look cleaner. I'm pretty sure the floor is going to be epoxy and I want a paint scheme to match my blue car. Also, there are no over head lights and only a couple outlets, so I'd like to buy some conduit and surface mount new stuff.

If your curious, I blogged about the entire car build on my personal blog http://noisufnoc.com/category/boost/

 

[Rickster55]

Wish I had that much space.
Good luck with your project and keep us updated.

 

[JMisora]

wow thats a ton of wasted space under the stairs. can you open it up to be included in the garage?

 

[irishtom]

Get that homebrew equipment organized, and don't forget to leave space for a Brutus.

 

[4StarCstms]

Good use of the under stair storage and I do not think that I would trust those shelves either, especially the ones over the garage doors. Yikes! Look forward to seeing your progress

 

[noisufnoc]

wow thats a ton of wasted space under the stairs. can you open it up to be included in the garage?

I've been thinking about that, but there's a few major load bearing supports there that scare me. It would probably work best just as a small storage closet. The ceiling is about 4' high.

Get that homebrew equipment organized, and don't forget to leave space for a Brutus.

I like your thinking

 

[noisufnoc]

Good use of the under stair storage and I do not think that I would trust those shelves either, especially the ones over the garage doors. Yikes! Look forward to seeing your progress

Yeah, the over car shelf has to go. I've put a few light items up there, but I dont trust it very much. I'd like to rip it down and build something more secure and capable of more weight.

 

[51rider]

Yeah, the over car shelf has to go. I've put a few light items up there, but I dont trust it very much. I'd like to rip it down and build something more secure and capable of more weight.

It's been built on a cantelever principle with retaining straps as well by the look of it-I'd still be happier removing it though. Looking at the shape of your garage, I think that space where the 'iffy' shelf is, would perfect for the soffit storage system that others on this forum have built.

That storage space under the stairs is crying out 'compressor room'-can't you hear it? add a door and it will cut down on noise too.

 

[noisufnoc]

It's been built on a cantelever principle with retaining straps as well by the look of it-I'd still be happier removing it though. Looking at the shape of your garage, I think that space where the 'iffy' shelf is, would perfect for the soffit storage system that others on this forum have built.

That storage space under the stairs is crying out 'compressor room'-can't you hear it? add a door and it will cut down on noise too.

I like the compressor room idea under the stairs. I wonder if the insulation in there would be sufficient to prevent too much noise in the house. i've got a small compressor now, might as well give it a shot.

I'm interested in the soffit storage system you're talking about, any links?

 

[noisufnoc]

this kind of storage? http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557&highlight=soffit+storage

 

[noisufnoc]

I was also thinking of building some sort of cabinets for this corner

Also, the wall next to the door to the house that has the small bench on it has a bathroom on the other side. I'd really like to tap into the plumbing and install a sink there.

 

[51rider]

this kind of storage? http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557&highlight=soffit+storage

Yup that's the system I was talking about. I'm not sure how to post links to threads but I'll give it a go....
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45022 try this one.

You'd probably need a bit more insulation than you have & you could also get the accoustic rated sheetrock as well.
If you do fit a door and have the compressor in there, remember to install a ventilation grille for the space.

 

[noisufnoc]

Thanks for the link! I really like that design.

I may just lift my compressor into that room and see how bad the noise is w/o any change and then go from there.

I'm also considering using black cloth to hide the items below my work bench, sort of like this

 

[51rider]

I like the cloth option. You could get something screen printed that would look quite cool.

 

[noisufnoc]

As far as implementation goes, what should I do first?

1. Clean/Organize
2. Electrical/Lights
3. Cabinets/Storage
4. Paint
5. Floor

In that order?

 

[noisufnoc]

I like the cloth option. You could get something screen printed that would look quite cool.

That's a cool idea

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

My 2 cents:

What makes a garage look well thought out is keeping most things out of sight except the few things you want visible. Consistency in your approach by the use of similar paint schemes and design elements, i.e. if you're using those black under bench drapes, use them elsewhere if they work for you, just don't OVERdo them. Your pegboard (looks to be metal, is it?) is a nice feature you already have I think it should be where most of the things you're going to allow to remain visible should be and mostly put away everything else you can.

You've got lots of space and some good starting features:

Those high shelves - though not to your liking now - can be reinforced OR redone as a soffit cabinet all around the garage (or as much as you need) to store lots of stuff but not have it visible. Your above-the-garage-door shelf is a good feature. Leave it for now but consider enclosing it with some lightweight plywood in the future to contribute to the finished, organized appearance.

I really like your under stairs closet. I'd definitely insulate the hell out of that and use it for your compressor and maybe pegboard in there to organize all your air tools. Put a box fan on the door maybe that kicks on when the compressor does to keep it all cool in there?

Its gonna look great! Make sure you keep the pictures coming.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oh, p.s. here's someone else's "tandem three garage garage. I saved it because my brother-in-law has that layout and I was trying to get him to fix up his garage like that - he never did. Hopefully, it give you some inspiration. Good luck, Dan

 

[noisufnoc]

Cool, I appreciate the example and the tips.

As far as lighting is concerned, how many and what type of fixtures would you guys recommend? I dont have easy access to the area above the garage so I was planning on using conduit.

 

[51rider]

As far as lighting is concerned, how many and what type of fixtures would you guys recommend? I dont have easy access to the area above the garage so I was planning on using conduit.

Check out the lighting/electrics forum, there are some useful links in there which will give you a guide on numbers of fittings needed. I guess you would have to install any lighting to your local code & I'm sure conduit would be ok.

Dan has made some good points & the trick is to determine what you do in the garage & where you do it. That will start you off on where things need to be located & hence organised. Get it back to where it was before the build & clear away any debris that has accumulated-lose the garden chairs & cardboard boxes on the table for example. Can the step ladder be hung-up? Do the garden/yard tools need to be in the garage or can they go into a dedicated yard store?
Once you have a few things cleared away it will start taking shape & you will be able to plan.
If it were me, I'd start by dropping a few $ for that store area under the stairs with insulation and some accoustic board. I'd move the compressor and all the brewing stuff in there to start and then look at what is left once it is done.
The box fan into the door wired into the compressor is a real nice touch but you might want to consider an override if you need air in there for the brewing process.
Looking at your photos again, I think I'd be tempted to put some large storage cupboards on the same wall as the water heater. The area to the left of the understairs storage I'd keep for the tool(roll)cabinets and I'd put cupboards at hight level above it for all the detailing supplies.
The open rack shelving could be modified & go under that stairs but I think Dan has it right for peg board & air tool storage.

Looking at a number of other refurbs, the electrical has gone in first, followed by drywall/taping/mudding. Lighting is next followed by decoration. Flooring follows & then the storage/benching. However, most of these have a clear plan of how they want the space laid out & this is the key for you too.

Keep us posted on how it goes-you know we love pics!!

 

[noisufnoc]

i wonder if it would be possible to suspend the large ladder above the garage door, like this

 

[51rider]

Don't see why not if you have the space but you must locate & screw into the studs

 

[noisufnoc]

well, i'm going to start by cleaning everything up as best as i can.

 

[noisufnoc]

Looking at your photos again, I think I'd be tempted to put some large storage cupboards on the same wall as the water heater.

Unfortuantely I wouldn't be able to do that because my water softener and tank are right next to the heater. The only think I could do is box them in and build storage above the softener, which I'm not opposed to but it would be more for hiding the softener than anything else.

I also have a LCD monitor, wall mount, and spare PC that I'm planning on installing to replace the laptop that sits on the shelf.

 

[51rider]

Unfortuantely I wouldn't be able to do that because my water softener and tank are right next to the heater. The only think I could do is box them in and build storage above the softener, which I'm not opposed to but it would be more for hiding the softener than anything else.

I also have a LCD monitor, wall mount, and spare PC that I'm planning on installing to replace the laptop that sits on the shelf.

Aw ****!
Boxing the softener in probably isn't a way to go as you will need acces to top it up regularly. Alternatively, rather than fully enclose them build a framework and use the drape idea for ease of access. You would then be able to build/install storage above.
A bit more work perhaps & not being sure of the dimensions, but would it be possible to relocate the softener& tank into the understairs storage?

Not quite sure where the lap top sits at present.....

 

[noisufnoc]

Aw ****!
Boxing the softener in probably isn't a way to go as you will need acces to top it up regularly. Alternatively, rather than fully enclose them build a framework and use the drape idea for ease of access. You would then be able to build/install storage above.
A bit more work perhaps & not being sure of the dimensions, but would it be possible to relocate the softener& tank into the understairs storage?

Not quite sure where the lap top sits at present.....

I think moving the plumbing and relocating the softener would be more trouble than its worth. Plus with the lower ceiling in the understairs storage I dont know how difficult it would be to add salt.

Last night I was doing some thinking, what if I did the soffit storage like we talked about before all along the workbench area, in a U shape. This would also give me a place to install a work light above the bench.

Laptop, keyboard and stereo on this shelf.

 

[51rider]

I think moving the plumbing and relocating the softener would be more trouble than its worth. Plus with the lower ceiling in the understairs storage I dont know how difficult it would be to add salt.

Last night I was doing some thinking, what if I did the soffit storage like we talked about before all along the workbench area, in a U shape. This would also give me a place to install a work light above the bench. QUOTE]

Yep. You're right-too much grief and would soon be a right PIA for topping up the salt.
That's a great idea with the soffit store above the benching & going around.
Could you extend the work bench around the corner so it becomes an L shape? You'd need to move the fridge to do this but I think it would work really well. If you taper the work top surface as you approach the access door you will achieve a real bespoke look and eliminate the thigh bruise as you walk into the edge of the worktop-ask me how I know
A fold up bench a la Jack Olsen with a mirror taper would provide additional work surface if ever needed on the wall to your right as you enter the garage from the house.
I'll have to work on my paint skills to illustrate this better

 

[51rider]

So how's it going?


Any updates?

 

[noisufnoc]

I had a death in the family so I was out of town for a bit. I'm back now and I picked up some light fixtures. I'm going to start hanging them this weekend. I'll update with some pictures along the way.

 

[51rider]

Sorry for your loss.

Looking forward to the photos.

 

[noisufnoc]

Thanks.

Spent some time hanging lights today. Two, 4' two bulb T8 fixtures from Lowes.

Before:

Middle:

After:

Let there be light!

For general lighting of the workbench area, those are going to be great. I might hang some additional lights above the workbench itself for precision lighting. Now that I'm comfortable with installing these, I'm going to move over to lighting above the cars.

 

[noisufnoc]

I picked up more fixtures last weekend, thinking of installing 3 above the front of the cars, and 2 above the rear. Too much? Not enough? Thoughts?

Here's a super basic drawing of where I'm thinking about putting all the lights. The dark lines are lights.

Does that make any sense?

 

[Ocho]

If you plan on doing mostly engine type work, you might consider turning the three over the car area 90 degrees, so the "long" side is facing the cars. If you plan on body or detail work, then the way you have them is better.

 

[noisufnoc]

If you plan on doing mostly engine type work, you might consider turning the three over the car area 90 degrees, so the "long" side is facing the cars. If you plan on body or detail work, then the way you have them is better.

I do more engine work than anything, so I'm going to take your suggestion and rotate the lights so that the long side faces the cars.

Three lights above the front of the cars, with the outside lights at least 2' off the wall to leave me some space for hanging cabinets/storage.

Then two lights above the rear of the cars, in a similar fashion.

 

[noisufnoc]

started hanging lights today, going to get more wire and conduit parts tomorrow to finish.

 

[usmc_noma]

Looks good. Are you just going to keep going with the daisy chain after those first two lights?

 

[Mart]

It's better to have the lights on either side of the cars so the light shines on the sides and in through the windows. Directly above the car roof is pretty much a waste of time.

Mart.

 

[mrb]

in cutting the hole in the wall to access the under stair area you compromised the fire seperation between your garage and house. You need to drywall the entire inside of your alcove with 5/8 type x drywall with proper mud and tape. This is a serious safety concern and you have put yourself and your family at risk.

 

[noisufnoc]

finished the lights today

I also removed one of the sketchy shelves.

From the street

I'm still planning on hanging two lights above the rear of the cars, that will be on a separate circuit.

 

[noisufnoc]

in cutting the hole in the wall to access the under stair area you compromised the fire seperation between your garage and house. You need to drywall the entire inside of your alcove with 5/8 type x drywall with proper mud and tape. This is a serious safety concern and you have put yourself and your family at risk.

Yes, I have become aware of this. I am planning on correcting the problem as soon as possible.

Its a "serious safety concern" if something in my garage spontaneously bursts into flames. I'm intelligent about what I store in the garage, and the work that I do out there.