I started with nothing but some shelves on the front wall from the previous owner (PO), and have never built much before this. In fact, I bought a table saw and the miter saw to do this. Before those buys, I had used a circular saw and a jig saw for small projects, so I have learned a lot and welcome any feedback or ideas.
The PO also laid down the "tan" garage floor paint. it looks Pink in fluorescent light, which my wife points out with a smile.
I built the cabinets across the front wall so there was room to open car doors. There are fluorescent lights under each cabinet that I scored of of Craigslist for $5 each. I couldn't find any decent 1/4" plywood, so I used white pegboard, figuring that it would look better that the brown, and I wouldn't have to paint it. Still need to figure out how to finish the cabinets, leaning towards grey or red paint, but might end up staining them.
I am really pretty happy with the cabinets. I was a little concerned that there wouldn't be enough room to use the bench underneath, but it's adequate.
I built this workbench so that the miter saw is ready to use. Took a while to get is square and level with the bench, but it's nice having the long fence. I can disconnect with 4 bolts and move if needed. I would like to add a flip up section to extend the bench if needed, but haven't finalized how I want to do it yet.
It's hard to see in the picture above, but I built the left side of the bench so my hobbyist grade table saw, shop vac and pressure washer fit under the bench and out of the way.
I also wanted to have a "desk" type bench for a computer and to have a place to draw things out, so I recycled this table top. I need some stools. I've been shopping craigslist, but may end up getting the height adjustable stools from Northern Tools. They are $50 each, and I haven't found anything cooler AND cheaper used.
I routed in a surge protector to have a charging station and for the garage radio. I recycled the "spice racks" that the PO had in the kitchen. They pull out and down, making access to fluids easy.
I tried to keep all of the hanging items (ladders, bikes, saw horses, assembly tables, jeep doors, etc.) behind, or even with the garage doors. This makes it easier to get in and out of cars and gives me room for posters. I got the TV and bracket on craigslist for $15. I am not sure if I want a TV out there, but it might be useful during football season. It was so cheap, I figured why not?
I found these brackets at HD for $20 a set, and used the PO's shelves to make overhead storage for bulky (coolers) and seldom used (chainsaw) items. I know I could have probably built something, but these were pretty slick for the money. I also have a lumber rack over my wife's truck (don't ever buy a Kia - she bought it before we were married) and some other items to use the space above the garage doors.
That about wraps up what I've done so far. I dis replace the two incandescent light fixture with 2 4 ft T-8 fixtures, and that made a huge difference. I'd like to run Romex for two more.
I need to patch the walls, put a fresh coat of white up and figure out what to do as far as finishing the cabinets and the benches. I keep thinking about Craftsman tool box red, or maybe AMC blue or industrial grey.
I would also like to do something about the floor. The "tan" that is on the floor now is one-part Behr expoxy (the PO left a half gallon of it), so there is hot tire pick up where the cars park. The PO also didn't patch the floor before applying, so there are lots of surface imperfections. I am not sure how to easily remove the old paint and haven't had time to think about spending big money on a new floor covering.
Thanks for looking.
The PO also laid down the "tan" garage floor paint. it looks Pink in fluorescent light, which my wife points out with a smile.
I built the cabinets across the front wall so there was room to open car doors. There are fluorescent lights under each cabinet that I scored of of Craigslist for $5 each. I couldn't find any decent 1/4" plywood, so I used white pegboard, figuring that it would look better that the brown, and I wouldn't have to paint it. Still need to figure out how to finish the cabinets, leaning towards grey or red paint, but might end up staining them.
I am really pretty happy with the cabinets. I was a little concerned that there wouldn't be enough room to use the bench underneath, but it's adequate.
I built this workbench so that the miter saw is ready to use. Took a while to get is square and level with the bench, but it's nice having the long fence. I can disconnect with 4 bolts and move if needed. I would like to add a flip up section to extend the bench if needed, but haven't finalized how I want to do it yet.
It's hard to see in the picture above, but I built the left side of the bench so my hobbyist grade table saw, shop vac and pressure washer fit under the bench and out of the way.
I also wanted to have a "desk" type bench for a computer and to have a place to draw things out, so I recycled this table top. I need some stools. I've been shopping craigslist, but may end up getting the height adjustable stools from Northern Tools. They are $50 each, and I haven't found anything cooler AND cheaper used.
I routed in a surge protector to have a charging station and for the garage radio. I recycled the "spice racks" that the PO had in the kitchen. They pull out and down, making access to fluids easy.
I tried to keep all of the hanging items (ladders, bikes, saw horses, assembly tables, jeep doors, etc.) behind, or even with the garage doors. This makes it easier to get in and out of cars and gives me room for posters. I got the TV and bracket on craigslist for $15. I am not sure if I want a TV out there, but it might be useful during football season. It was so cheap, I figured why not?
I found these brackets at HD for $20 a set, and used the PO's shelves to make overhead storage for bulky (coolers) and seldom used (chainsaw) items. I know I could have probably built something, but these were pretty slick for the money. I also have a lumber rack over my wife's truck (don't ever buy a Kia - she bought it before we were married) and some other items to use the space above the garage doors.
That about wraps up what I've done so far. I dis replace the two incandescent light fixture with 2 4 ft T-8 fixtures, and that made a huge difference. I'd like to run Romex for two more.
I need to patch the walls, put a fresh coat of white up and figure out what to do as far as finishing the cabinets and the benches. I keep thinking about Craftsman tool box red, or maybe AMC blue or industrial grey.
I would also like to do something about the floor. The "tan" that is on the floor now is one-part Behr expoxy (the PO left a half gallon of it), so there is hot tire pick up where the cars park. The PO also didn't patch the floor before applying, so there are lots of surface imperfections. I am not sure how to easily remove the old paint and haven't had time to think about spending big money on a new floor covering.
Thanks for looking.
. I would say paint the cabinets and when you go to repaint the garage paint the walls and ceiling with (gloss ) white paint that will really help reflect the light in the garage alot . I am in the middle of the third and hopefully last rework of my garage in as many years nothing drastic this time just moving cabinets to where they make more sense than where I put them the last time