Garages: The Final Frontier in Renovation

Alright, you've remodeled that old bathroom full of pink tile, blown out a wall to create an open kitchen, and turned your basement into an entertainment room. What now? The answer may be hiding in plain sight: the garage. For many homeowners, the garage is one of the home's largest and least-utilized spaces. Because of this, an article in the New York Times has named the garage the final frontier in home renovation.

Traditionally, the garage is essentially used as a giant closet for storing cars, tools, and other items too large or dirty to keep inside the house. Indeed, this particular storage area is one that has become enshrined in our culture as the dumping ground for those who might be politely called hoarders. However, some homeowners are beginning to see that the space's considerable potential could be unlocked with even a few small renovations.

One of the most common changes that can be undertaken without breaking the bank is hanging up those old kitchen cabinets along a wall of the garage. Not only can this be done cheaply and easily, but it will also provide some additional storage space in an otherwise crowded room. Other simple changes that will make an unfinished garage feel more like a functional part of the house include installing insulation, drywall, and fresh paint. 

If you're lucky enough to be able to afford it, there are also a number of more expensive renovations that can take your garage to the next level. For those who enjoy woodworking or other crafts, turning the garage into a truly year-round room can represent a major increase to quality of life. This goal can be best accomplished by heating the garage like any other room. In addition to increasing the space's functionality, this will also eliminate any drafts that may exist in a bordering part of the house. Other potential garage improvements include custom storage along walls, finished flooring, or a cool sound systems. A pet washing station could be an easy addition that will aid you when that pet of yours decides that the mud puddle is the perfect spot to lie down!

As with any space in your home, the garage doesn't have to be a room that you avoid. As it becomes more and more common for homeowners to enter and exit their homes using the garage door keypad, the classic cluttered look of American garages is beginning to give way to a more organized and finished style.

Source: Final Frontier in Home Renovation: Giving Garages a Makeover