Modest newbie 20x20ish

[cderalow]

So 4 years after agreeing to rent my inlaws home, my wife has finally agreed to let me start turning the garage into an organized mancave. It took 3 kids and getting a minivan to get there, but I no longer have to fight her on spending time organizing it (she was finally just as frustrated by the mess as I was).

When we moved in, we had bought 4 for the Costco industrial style shelves (48"x20"), which we were using primarily to just get junk off the floor.

Current plans, are to just organize what's there, throw away what isn't needed, and make it so we can open the doors on the two cars.

Here's some mild progress. Everything is being done through the use of our existing shelves, and some new Elfa wall track/hooks from the Containerstore.

Some pictures:
The corner I've claimed for tools, you can see my daughters' tricycles hanging above

Ladder wall, small parts storage, hanging tool bags

Front corner, shelf deconstruction in process so I can open one of the rear doors on our sedan, will be the location for hanging our strollers. shelf next to the door will house boxes, chemicals (oils, cleaners etc) and my jack/jackstands. Also houses stuff for my wife's Alumnae club.

The opposite side is in complete disarray, but will likely have outdoor garden tools hanging, the existing overhead cabinet and sports stuff all hanging on the wall.

I hope to eliminate another tall shelf from the corner opposite my tools.

Future plans:

Epoxy floor
Insulate the exterior walls (they're circa 1970 and have minimal insulation)
Add electrical outlets (currently one next to my tools and one under ladders)
Add lighting in the form of (5) 4' strip fixtures
New garage door/high lift with jackshaft opener
Replace exterior window

 

[cderalow]

I've actually been working slowly but surely in my garage. between cleaning it to get both cars in there again before we get any snow, and taking acurate dimensions of what currently exists, i think i've come up with a better plan that what I've all ready done.

Above is my conceptual design, which includes a home made bench around a harborfreight 11 drawer unit with the 2 shelf end cabinet attached.

Not shown is the pegboard behind said bench, the current 'garage fridge' viewable in the first picture above or the wall cabinets that exist/i would expand upon.

gray brick are general dimensions of our van (Honda Odyssey), red brick is the general dimensions of our car (Honda Civic sedan), bricks in the corner are above shown shelves.

There is a window on the long side, but I failed to dimension its location.

Yes I do actually park my civic that close to the wall. The bump out is where my inlaws previously extended the dining room. I'd love to gain that space back, but there's little to no chance of that.

actual dimensions:

Depth 21'3"
Width at door 20'2"
Width at bump out 18'2"

 

[Jack Olsen]

That's a good start. Depending on how handy you are, think about soffit-style cabinets up in all that wasted space close to the ceiling. In a smaller space like that, the more you get up off the floor (and out of your line of sight), the more spacious the place will feel.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

That's a good start. Depending on how handy you are, think about soffit-style cabinets up in all that wasted space close to the ceiling.

And don't forget to paint them "Olsen Green." Right Jack?

 

[machine_punk]

Hey...that's a pretty good start. I looks like you have a workbench area to work in and you are getting some storage areas. I like how you have a lot of stuff 'in the air' and off the floor...

 

[cderalow]

the only problem with the 'in air' stuff is my tool bag... it's getting close to exceeding the hook that's holding it listed weight capacity.

I'm thinking next year I'll take some half days and do some more work.

Thinking of pulling the trigger on the work bench soon, just need to buy the lumber.