Revamping my garage

[jbadjones]

Hello all! I've been toying around with the idea with revamping my garage. I moved into a new house 2 years ago and the garage has been an absolute nightmare. It's just been a catch all for everything and everything is everywhere!

It's a 2.5 car attached garage. One wall is solid pegboard, another wall is 70% pegboard and 30% plywood. The remaining wall is all plywood with some built in shelving the holds some antique glassware I inherited with the home (don't want to get rid of this at the moment so that wall will definitely stay).

My thoughts so far were to remove the pegboard and plywood and replace with drywall. I don't believe there is any insulation back there so I may put in insulation. The ceiling is plywood so I will be doing primer and painting.

I am in Louisiana and the garage is not heated/cooled. Should I insulate or not?

I was thinking about doing an epoxy floor but now just due to cost, time and effort I am thinking this may be a future project. Or for simplicity, I may do tiles i the near future, maybe next summer.

Finally I will be doing some of the husky heavy duty shelves and the husky storage cabinet system that is at HD.

I have motorcycles, alot of tools, but mainly I just like the look and have always wanted a nice clean garage. No major hobbies that keep me in the garage alot of the time. I will be getting rid of all the excess furniture and unnecessary items you see in the photos. I am thinking of picking up some woodworking in the future, but that's not a given until lumber prices go back down.

Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions, thoughts, words of wisdom, etc.

 

[Lou's Garage]

I'm no garage guru but one thing immediately comes to mind. I'm guessing this house is older but my understanding is that code requires 5/8" fire-rated sheetrock in an attached garage. That would include the ceiling. It is possible that this only applies to surfaces adjacent to a living area so this is an area I would research before you start. Best to bring this item to code so your insurance company can't use it for an escape claus later on.

Lou Manglass

 

[CombatNinja]

Words of wisdom: figure out what your desired end state is and base every decision on that. I see too many guys just do random projects in an attempt to 'improve' their workspace but it ends up hodgepodge and not in keeping with what they ultimately want to do with it. Figure out where you're going and we'll help you get there.

 

[eacmen]

What helped me was getting everything out of the garage. Discarded a bunch of stuff moving it out and moving it back in. Got a canopy and used it for storage during rennovation.

Think it through, then think it through again.

 

[joey1320]

Hello all!

Finally I will be doing some of the husky heavy duty shelves and the husky storage cabinet system that is at HD.

I have motorcycles, alot of tools, but mainly I just like the look and have always wanted a nice clean garage. No major hobbies that keep me in the garage alot of the time.

If all you're essentially looking for is cleanliness and organization, first start by cleaning and organizing what you have.

Throw away or donate what you won't use or need.

Paint the garage. I have always considered a freshly painted room, be it white or light grey, completely changes the "feel" of the room. Get yourself a spray prayer and paint the whole thing, ceiling included.

Add uniformed storage. You said you're getting the Husky storage units. Get ALL the same style/color. The uniformity of having one continuous look about the room makes for a big difference. I work in a BMW dealership and we don't have built-in boxes. The difference of boxes from bay to bay makes the shop look like *** in my opinion. Having worked at a Mazda shop that had built-in boxes, the Mazda shop looked more "upscale" than the BMW one.

Consider adding a topcoat to the floor. I can't comment on what to use but that absolutely changes the look. You can also go with those race deck tiles.

What you're looking for is uniformity, cleanliness and organization. Make it where every-single-thing has its dedicated space and the room is clean.

 

[CraigStu]

I would insulate it at least the walls you will change. And assuming the pegboard is removeable w/ a few screws I'd pull that and insulate there too. Not really that expensive to do and who knows what you may want to do in the future. You get it organized and nicer looking and you may find you spend more time there than you expect right now. Then you add a mini-split AC/heat and it will be a great place to hang out.

 

[dswensen]

Words of wisdom: figure out what your desired end state is and base every decision on that. I see too many guys just do random projects in an attempt to 'improve' their workspace but it ends up hodgepodge and not in keeping with what they ultimately want to do with it. Figure out where you're going and we'll help you get there.

That is great advice. I am working on a major garage update and that is what happened previously. I did end up with a hodgepodge and am not currently very happy with it. I am hoping to do it right this time.

 

[BigDogSS]

I vote for insulating. Get rid of the junk. Organize the the stuff you are keeping. Set it up so you can actually use what is in there. Is that freezer or workout equipment actually used? I see stuff piled in it and your workbench. I would advise organizing to fit at least on car in the garage.

 

[eacmen]

I think we made 4 full-load trips to the dump when revamping our garage and basement.

Sometimes you need more storage, but most times you need less stuff!