The Depressing Double Downsize

[A1an]

Posting this here to get ideas on dealing with small spaces and get some motivation to keep pressing forward.

Long story short...last week we officially sold our prior home with a 3 car (standard two plus an oversized single) and moved to a new home with the standard undersized double all builders seem to have been using since the 80s in Florida. Don't have measurements but, as you can see, it is tiny. Luckily for me we have a fourth bedroom which is my office that doubles as my bicycle storage/shop space. Really not happy with the garage but it was the best we could do since the house hit the mark in every other aspect for our family.


Anywho...here are the initial pictures below. Please excuse the mess as I was in a rush to clear enough space to get both cars in the garage. Many of those boxes are full of stuff either getting sold or stored. Plans as follows:

LEFT SIDE: hang all yard tools including reel mower at the front half on the wall. Tool box and shelf possibly to remain in that space.

RIGHT SIDE: Hang ladders horizontally at front as high as possible. Perhaps some shelving. Not sure as I need to make sure there is room for access to the passenger side of car from inside garage.

BACK WALL: Not really sure. Thankfully the handler is inset into the wall so I don't lose much floor space. Whatever I have it needs to be on rollers to allow access to the handler and to the attic (attic access is pretty close to that wall). Was thinking maybe a fixed storage shelf towards left once I have the heater addressed with a rolling work table underneath. Perhaps tall rolling shelves in front of the handler, although I'm not sure if I need ventilation there for the unit to work properly/safely.

Suggestions, comments, feedback, etc are welcome.

 

[utahdog2003]

Lay the ladders down on the ground or tie them to the wall or just plain keep them someplace else. Ladders and cars do not mix.

Nice space!

 

[dubber]

Nice to see two real cars in there hahaha. Any chance on a shed? I assume since your in Florida you likely don't have a basement either? How much room do you have above the garage rails before the ceiling. Likely a good spot for those ladders.

 

[Kin Creed]

My personal take on garage space is lawn & garden items have no place in the garage. I don't have a real shed (would like one some day) but I have various sized plastic "sheds" on the side and back of the house for all the long handled tools, the lawn mower and all the other lawn & garden stuff.

 

[Pavlik]

Nice to see another VW owner on here! Your garage is similar to mine...(I have less than 20x20' with low ceilings). I have a hanging rack that stores 5 bins and wife's Forester can fit underneath it with no issues.

Rolling rack is a good idea on the back wall. I have to second or third what others have said regarding your ladders...see if they can fit on the ceiling. Otherwise I have been doing some hard cleaning: haven't used it in over 1 year? It goes up on craigslist or trash.

 

[86turbodsl]

My house garage is 24x24 and i can barely move around in there with 2 cars in it. I don't know how anybody can use a 20x20.

 

[Pavlik]

My house garage is 24x24 and i can barely move around in there with 2 cars in it. I don't know how anybody can use a 20x20.

It's small...but I drive a GTI, wife drives a Forester. If we both had bigger cars, there's no way we could squeeze past them. It also helps not to have anything along the walls

 

[86turbodsl]

I drive an A4, and the wife drives a Rio. I hear you though. We do have a few things on the walls. Trucks are impossible though.

 

[dubber]

Along the lines of the posts above, the key to a functional standard double is really nothing along the sides where car doors open. Get everything up high along the sides and load up the front wall.

Sheds and basements also help to contain other non garage essentials.

 

[Trey T]

I would move those two ladders to the back or side of your home, behind your fence.

A lot of stuff could be stored in that attic, so an attic ladder (if needed) is a good start.

 

[taumac]

Welcome, Florida garages are tiny. They say it's a 2 car garage that's if you don't put anything else in the garage but the 2 cars. LOL. The ladders I would stand up where you got the plastic saw horse. Drill some holes and put eyelets in wall then bungee cord them in place. This ensures they don't fall on cars. Your attic is your best friend in FL. Put a floor down and put as much as you can up there. I put even some garage things like ladders, creepers, my big shop vac, fishing poles, golf clubs. I place them so they are right by attic door so I can easily pull attic door down and grab stuff. Im looking forward to seeing how you challenge yours.

 

[Winchester38]

I've got a 22x23 attached, that only one car will ever park inside of, and I wish I had more space. I've currently got one car and three motorcycles in there, and it's filling up fast. I'm trying to lay it out so that I've got enough room for the car, three bikes, work bench, tool box, and a full size motorcycle lift for another project bike.

Get everything you can out of there (shed for garden stuff, etc), and get everything else up and off the floor where possible. Slatwall, suspended shelving, etc are all going to be used in my build as it progresses. Maximize every bit of space you can! I feel your pain!

 

[taumac]

I drive an A4, and the wife drives a Rio. I hear you though. We do have a few things on the walls. Trucks are impossible though.

Trucks aren't impossible. I've had a Ranger and a Sport Trac in mine at same time. Just got to do whatever it takes to fit them. Trust me I know. It's a lot of work but possible. Now full size double can trucks are another story. At one point had my Ford Expedition in garage and other vehicle. Believe or not my Sport Trac is longer than the Expedition.

 

[Kin Creed]

I agree with taking advantage of the garage attic but you should probably watch the weight of stuff you put up depending on the size of the bottom chord of the roof rafters.

I have just 2x4 bottom chords spaced every 24" I believe, and I laid down OSB flooring over the entire attic space.

It's been great storage, but I have needed to move some things out of the attic after assessing the load bearing ability of the bottom chord.

Things like empty tool cases, shop vac, anything relatively light weight should not be problem. I started putting camping & sports gear and even some old books up there and I think that was too much. I never noticed any sagging or anything, I just started to add up the weight and figured it was getting to be a bit much. So I moved some of the heavier items out of the attic and put them into plastic sheds in the back yard or just got rid of it.

I also keep the center completely clear for access and also because I figure that is most vulnerable part of the bottom chord. I think best to keep stored items as close to the walls as you can. Escpecially since I also have a bunch off stuff hanging from the ceiling screwed into the bottom chord!

 

[A1an]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Unfortunately no basement and I'm doubting I'll get authorization from the HOA for a shed. Attic is a decent size but nowhere close to what we had in our prior FL home. Ordered a few things to get started with the organizing the yard tools so I can get those flat up on the wall with the edger shoved in the corner. Reel mower I think should have a fairly low profile on the wall as well...won't know until it gets here this week.

 

[MagicMarker]

Suspend the ladders on the ceiling.... that really ***** that you can't get a shed for the lawn equipment. My garage is only 22x22 and if I didn't have a shed, there would be no way that I could get our two cars in there.... at least not comfortably.

 

[taumac]

Suspend the ladders on the ceiling.... that really ***** that you can't get a shed for the lawn equipment. My garage is only 22x22 and if I didn't have a shed, there would be no way that I could get our two cars in there.... at least not comfortably.

I'm in same boat. HOA states no fences or sheds. There are gray areas such as outdoor cabinets aren't sheds. I got 4 on side of my house painted to blend in to house.

 

[A1an]

I'm in same boat. HOA states no fences or sheds. There are gray areas such as outdoor cabinets aren't sheds. I got 4 on side of my house painted to blend in to house.

Did you build these cabinets or were they purchased? Would like to see more details on these if possible.

Shed or cabinets may not be out of the realm of possibility. We briefly touched base about a play set for my daughter and they said we had to submit plans to the HOA to review. So perhaps outside storage solution would be allowed. Need to research it further but, at this point, I need to just worth with what I have. Once we figure out what we want to do with the backyard I will to submit a plan to encompass the play set, storage, etc. Once we get the flooring and paint done inside in the next month or so our focus will be on the outside space.

 

[psychorugby]

Where in Tampa are you? I'm down in Riverview.

I'm president of my HOA, and was previously on the architecture review board... there are ways of getting what you want as far as sheds go. I got one when the documents specifically forbade it. Read through the documents and see what you get. Find out who is on the board and take them coffee or something. We're strict on some things, and not on others, but don't tell the homeowners so they don't abuse it.

 

[A1an]

I'm in Hunters Green. Fairly strict from what I was told but reading through the bylaws prior to purchase it looked pretty fair for the most part. I'm a little turned off by needing prior auth to do anything in my fenced back yard, but I understand why these sorts of things are in place.

 

[psychorugby]

I'm in Hunters Green. Fairly strict from what I was told but reading through the bylaws prior to purchase it looked pretty fair for the most part. I'm a little turned off by needing prior auth to do anything in my fenced back yard, but I understand why these sorts of things are in place.

Well if the backyard is fenced, then there are sheds with flat roofs that are about 6' tall that would easily be concealed. Maybe that is a route you can take with the HOA?

 

[Kin Creed]

Sometimes asking permission is not the best way. A few large deck boxes can hold a lot of lawn & garden as well as kids stuff. If the HOA wants to come after you for having deck boxes I'm sure you probably find other homes in the area that have them, but I doubt they would make you get rid of them.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Can you build an enclosed lean to shed off the back of the garage? Some people here build them and match stucco, etc.

All wrong on the storage shed! kids play houses make great storage units when they are fully utilized .

 

[86turbodsl]

Trucks aren't impossible. I've had a Ranger and a Sport Trac in mine at same time. Just got to do whatever it takes to fit them. Trust me I know. It's a lot of work but possible. Now full size double can trucks are another story. At one point had my Ford Expedition in garage and other vehicle. Believe or not my Sport Trac is longer than the Expedition.

Well, i only have full size trucks, i suppose i should have stated that. I have put the **** end of my trucks in the garage to shelter things i have brought home from rain, but the cab is always sticking out the garage door and it is hard to open the doors.

My house garage is 24x24 and i 'upgraded' the doors to 9' wide and 8' tall and i can't imagine them being any smaller. Just too tight for my liking.

 

[86turbodsl]

I'm in Hunters Green. Fairly strict from what I was told but reading through the bylaws prior to purchase it looked pretty fair for the most part. I'm a little turned off by needing prior auth to do anything in my fenced back yard, but I understand why these sorts of things are in place.

OT, and I might be opening a can of worms here, but these restrictive HOA's rankle me right to the core, and i don't even live in one. I don't know why anyone would submit to these things (from my point of view) and it's a large reason i ended up so far out in the country zoned AG and not subject to this sort of nonsense.

And i think the more people submit to these things, the more common they become and people become more and more used to the restriction creep that is inevitable.

I have heard all the arguments about maintaining homeowner value, yadda yadda. At the end of the day, your value depends on location and market conditions far more than anything else. Just my view (flame suite on)

 

[taumac]

Well, i only have full size trucks, i suppose i should have stated that. I have put the **** end of my trucks in the garage to shelter things i have brought home from rain, but the cab is always sticking out the garage door and it is hard to open the doors.



My house garage is 24x24 and i 'upgraded' the doors to 9' wide and 8' tall and i can't imagine them being any smaller. Just too tight for my liking.

Your correct. If you get a full size fitting it and comfort don't go in same sentence. LOL.

 

[taumac]

Did you build these cabinets or were they purchased? Would like to see more details on these if possible.



Shed or cabinets may not be out of the realm of possibility. We briefly touched base about a play set for my daughter and they said we had to submit plans to the HOA to review. So perhaps outside storage solution would be allowed. Need to research it further but, at this point, I need to just worth with what I have. Once we figure out what we want to do with the backyard I will to submit a plan to encompass the play set, storage, etc. Once we get the flooring and paint done inside in the next month or so our focus will be on the outside space.

Theses where just some pre made Rubbermaid type cabinets left over from my dads house once he stopped using them in his garage. They don't store a lot but I manage if fit lot of clutter in them. I'm looking into some bigger ones down the road. I'll take some pics and post tonight.

 

[A1an]

Lets try not to get into an HOA rant here, guys.

taumac...those are the ones that are about 6' high and maybe 2' deep? We had one of those at a prior house and I agree it was excellent storage space for all our non mechanical yard equipment (still kept the line trimmer inside the garage).

 

[A1an]

Well if the backyard is fenced, then there are sheds with flat roofs that are about 6' tall that would easily be concealed. Maybe that is a route you can take with the HOA?

It is a 6' fence, but the top 2' is lattice so it doesn't completely block the view. It is possible I'm over thinking things since I probably caught a bit of the anti-HOA mindset from others. They seem to be flexible with play sets and I have seen one in another neighborhood within this community that extends at least six feet above the fence line, so I can't imagine they would have an issue with a 6' storage cabinet as long as I looks decent. They want a plan for everything so it isn't in the cards to get it written up right now. Once we tackle some flooring and paint inside I'll turn to the play set and storage plans in the back yard.

Sometimes asking permission is not the best way. A few large deck boxes can hold a lot of lawn & garden as well as kids stuff. If the HOA wants to come after you for having deck boxes I'm sure you probably find other homes in the area that have them, but I doubt they would make you get rid of them.

I've always been one to play by the rules and not ruffle any feathers...particularly since I'm new in this community. Play nice now and perhaps they will be more flexible down the road.

 

[psychorugby]

It is a 6' fence, but the top 2' is lattice so it doesn't completely block the view. It is possible I'm over thinking things since I probably caught a bit of the anti-HOA mindset from others. They seem to be flexible with play sets and I have seen one in another neighborhood within this community that extends at least six feet above the fence line, so I can't imagine they would have an issue with a 6' storage cabinet as long as I looks decent. They want a plan for everything so it isn't in the cards to get it written up right now. Once we tackle some flooring and paint inside I'll turn to the play set and storage plans in the back yard.

Our neighborhood does as well... just a drawing on the plat map as to where things are going. Check out Lowe's or Home Depot, they have the sheds that my HOA approved. Mine was grandfathered in as it has the peaked roof on it. That shed is a life saver for garage space. Of course now that I am paying someone to mow the yard, I should probably sell everything in the shed and get rid of it.

 

[A1an]

I was so tempted to pay a service to take care of the lawn since I know nothing about caring for a lawn other than mowing and edging. Need to read up on lawn care or something before I start getting violations for killing my lawn. I still too scared to turn on the sprinkler system to see what I'm in for with that mess. lol

 

[Gary]

Lay the ladders down on the ground or tie them to the wall or just plain keep them someplace else. Ladders and cars do not mix.

Nice space!

I agree that ladders and cars do not mix. Twice I have had ladders fall on my car. Now I know better.

 

[taumac]

I was so tempted to pay a service to take care of the lawn since I know nothing about caring for a lawn other than mowing and edging. Need to read up on lawn care or something before I start getting violations for killing my lawn. I still too scared to turn on the sprinkler system to see what I'm in for with that mess. lol

That's exactly what I do. Shovels, rakes, chemicals and 2 are spare mower parts and compressor tanks.

Got to tidy up this alittle. On the lawn care I mow mine and let company spray it for bugs and fertilize. It's $59 every other month. So roughy $400 a cause they do other stuff twice a year. I figure $40 per bag for Scott's bonus S 3 times a year and another $30 to 40 for insects. So I figured $320 a year vs $400 a year for a company to do it. It's well worth it plus this company guarantees my lawn. If bare spot occurs under there watch they plug it for free.

 

[Lotek]

Wait, you guys put cars in your garages?

 

[A1an]

Got to tidy up this alittle. On the lawn care I mow mine and let company spray it for bugs and fertilize. It's $59 every other month. So roughy $400 a cause they do other stuff twice a year. I figure $40 per bag for Scott's bonus S 3 times a year and another $30 to 40 for insects. So I figured $320 a year vs $400 a year for a company to do it. It's well worth it plus this company guarantees my lawn. If bare spot occurs under there watch they plug it for free.

I'm going to look into that option. We use Massey for pest control and they offer lawn care as well. Completely off topic, but lawns are such a waste of resources in my opinion. They stuck up a ton of water and the environmental impact from the sprays is questionable. Would love to xeriscape since my lawn in the front is tiny and I could pull it off, but I know that won't fly.

 

[pop pop]

Can you build an enclosed lean to shed off the back of the garage? Some people here build them and match stucco, etc.

All wrong on the storage shed! kids play houses make great storage units when they are fully utilized .

Bingo! Have a home about a mile away with about 10 children's sheds in the yard! Have yet to see a child at that home!

 

[thool]

Bingo! Have a home about a mile away with about 10 children's sheds in the yard! Have yet to see a child at that home!

Maybe they're in the sheds

 

[A1an]

So here is what I've been up to since the last update...

Before:

After budget shaker-like door treatment:

New flooring (paid for install):

Finished an Ikea table:

Whats that? This has nothing to do with a garage? Sadly you are correct. Focus has been turned inside the house and we aren't done yet. Still need to do the backsplash in the kitchen, accent wall in dining room, and paint some things. Good news is the garage managed to make it to the "2016 House Projects & ****" list.

Did do some work in the garage, though. Installed an attic ladder and laid down some plywood for storage. Moved some things around and purchased some wall storage things for my line trimmer and ladder. Got most of my yard hand tools off the ground and organized on the wall. My reel mower is a little too bit to hang on the wall next to my car but it takes up a pretty small footprint and is easy to move out of the way if need be.

Should get to some more garage organization in a few months.

 

[Bib Overalls]

No chance you could add on to the back of your garage? A nice 1 bedroom 1/2 bath mother-in-law or live in maid's apartment with a door to the garage so they can get to the main house without going out in the rain. You could furnish it with a work bench, table saw, etc. till your MIL needs it.

 

[A1an]

Unfortunately not. The garage is pretty much incorporated into the house. That door leads to the laundry room then into the kitchen. Behind the HVAC **** is my wife's office.

Fortunately for me I have my own somewhat decent size spare bedroom for my home office which has enough room for all my bicycle ****. Going to setup a work bench in here so all my bicycle work and storage gets separated from the garage which is huge for keeping the garage reasonable since I'm currently looking to add two more bikes to our fleet.