Help me pimp my garage!

[TravisT]

Ok, guys (and gals),

I've been drooling over all of your garages on here for almost a year. I've been deployed for that entire time, and that's about to come to an end. Although I'm planning to put my house up for sale in the near future, you can see the garage is in need of a facelift. Here are some pictures of what I'm working with.


Much of this "junk" is stuff I can get rid of (even though I hate to), so that's the first thing I plan to do when I get home. I'll be painting as well - it needs it after 6+ years of use. Because I'm planning to sell, I don't want to drop too much money into it, but will if it means a more "organized" looking space. Clutter doesn't help sell houses...

Any suggestions? Fire away!


Always something...

 

[Mmfh]

I'd say either make it look like a working garage or a weight room, but not both. I hold a Realtors License and one of the big things in school was to make your space easy to identify to the buyer. Make it easy for them to see themselves using that space for what it looks to be used for. Garage is much better than the weight room to most guys.

Get all the loose stuff in boxes and maybe put it up top in the attic?

Make the space clean and organized, make it a single purpose use.

Good Luck, its doesn't look that bad and should clean up quick.
Thanks for your service!!

Mm

 

[Nighttrain]

Buy some second hand cabinets (metal) and paint them to match. Store all those cans etc in there. Take down the car banner and paint the floor. Potential buyers may be turned off if they see the garage is being used as a car repair shop. (Yes thats what the garage is for). All other items into big plastic containers and place them on the shelfs. Everyone want storage in the garage and that will show that you have it. Nice and neat sells.

 

[jeepjunky]

I would declutter, fresh paint on the walls. Gloss white, consider a 2tone, add lots of florecent lights...make it bright! epoxy the floor, Since your selling it, get the cheap stuff. My wife thinks Im nuts, but I look at the garage / shop first. If its sloppy dirty nasty, I expect any work on the the rest of the house is the same...I use this process when looking for a shop to work on my cars, and when Im buying a car too.

 

[TravisT]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Mmfh, good advice - "one or the other". Hadn't really thought of that specifically, but it makes sense. Luckily, I have a nice 12'x16' storage building that we had built in the backyard that I can house some of the extra big stuff in. I have my work cut out for me in that area too. Although the attic has plenty of stuff in it already (mostly original boxes saved to repack stuff), there should be room for things that I just can't part with.

Nighttrain, thanks as well. I'll be pulling down the banners, but I'm not sure about painting the floor. When I moved in, I used the cheapo floor "epoxy" from home depot. Looked good for a while, but as you can see it isn't in very good shape anymore. I'm not opposed to painting it, but not sure if the amount of prep work required would be worth it. Suggestions here are welcomed. You hit the nail on the head when you say "nice and neat". That's what I'm shooting for.

Jeepjunky - I planned on painting, but haven't decided on a color yet. I have a good bit of paint left over from the house, but not sure which color (if any) I have enough for touch-ups in the house plus extra for the garage. I'd like to use up as much of what I have before buying more, rather than throwing paint away. I bought a 5 gallon bucket of a very light earth tone color that we painted a couple rooms with. This may be the best bet of me using what I have. I'll have to check out what I have left when I get home.

As for the finish, I've always thought that gloss was easier to clean, but I've talked to people that swear that gloss finish does not belong on drywall - that it's meant for outside. Plus, I've heard that a quality flat paint will clean just as easily as a gloss paint. I'm no expert, so I'd like to hear any advice on this as well.

I also thought about building some sides for the workbench and some sliding doors on the front. A coat of paint over the whole thing would finish it off. Would that be money well spent? Any suggestions on what color to use here?

Thanks for all the advice, and keep it coming!

 

[Mmfh]

Travis, if you are still working on this, on the paint having a gloss, its usually a little too much. If you are going to use a gloss paint its usually only on woodwork. Kitchens and baths normally will get a semi-gloss. Easier to clean than the flat paint.

You are right about a quality paint being easier to clean. My absolute favorite around here is Sherwin Williams, even their flat paint cleans easier and applies nicer than the top of the line stuff at home depot.

If you are just getting ready to sell, make it easy for the buyer to see themselves in there with their stuff, make it look done and easy to take care of. Low maintenance.

Lite neutral colors and if selling find a decent paint but don't really need the good stuff. It does go on nicer and apply usually in only one coat compared to two or more with the Behr.

Just my 2 cents, your mileage will vary.

Mm

 

[mbpauls]

I would also de clutter and add some paint to the walls

 

[TravisT]

Thanks for the replies. As soon as I get home start on this, I'll be sure to update with some pictures of my progress.

Still curious to hear suggestions on the floor. Should I strip and re-paint, and if so, what is the best way to tackle that. Will be parking a 4runner in here, so want something that will hold up to that.

 

[Tractor Boy]

Somebody has probably already said it but, exterior paint in the garage is the way to go. The door's open a lot and exterior paint is easier to clean. I'm just saying.

 

[TravisT]

I was planning on posting some "after" pics today. Even though there is a lot of stuff in the garage still, it now looks much better than it did before. Two cars fit in it for the first time since we moved here in 2006...