When you notice curb appeal photos, you might realize that real estate photography tends to focus on specific features. There will be an emphasis on eye-catching aesthetic amenities like swimming pools, gardens, water features, and other elements. However, you will find that many would choose to present the garage as the focal point. When you think about it, having an aesthetic garage can be an ideal amenity to boost curb appeal and property value. According to a Thompson’s Company study, 52% of homeowners want a garage that can make their neighbors jealous. This shows how much people pay attention to the outdoor features when renovating the home.
However, building your dream home garage will require proper planning and execution. This is especially true for those with existing yet outdated garages. Renovating your garage will take months, but you can break the garage project down into smaller steps to make it more manageable. Here are a few things to consider for your dream home garage plans.
Declutter First
Building your dream home garage will be exciting when you start creating designs. However, you will require a blank canvas before making one renovation task. Decluttering will be vital, especially when you’ve used the garage as a multifunctional storage space for home tools, equipment, excess items, or bed rest for an old and unusable vehicle. Decluttering will allow you to see how much space you are working with, allowing you to envision a more detailed design that will elevate the area into your dream home garage plans.
Decluttering will start with organizing your belongings, especially when you’ve dumped them unceremoniously in the garage’s storage area. Once you have an inventory, you can categorize those items to find out what you plan to keep and what you can donate or discard. You might have to add storage solutions to your dream home garage plans for the essential items you want to keep in the area. Unfortunately, you might have a decrepit car lying around, making it impossible to declutter the area properly. You might have to hire professional services for vehicle removals to eliminate the junk car and make room for your functional one. Without decluttering, you might find it challenging to jumpstart your renovation plans, pulling you away from your dream home garage ideas.
Identify the Purpose
Your dream home garage plans will start with a vision. The purpose will dictate your renovation steps, ensuring the space aligns with your needs and lifestyle. Besides being the usual car park area, many homeowners choose to create a workshop, a home gym, a home office, or a neat storage space for the garage. When you identify your purpose, you can plan the transformation accordingly, especially regarding furniture placements, lighting installation, and ventilation needs. The flooring, walls, and designated spaces for specific areas will also be part of your renovation steps, making the purpose crucial to identify.
Once you’ve identified the purpose of your dream home garage, it’s essential to make optimal use of the available space. For instance, if the garage is meant to house a propane storage tank for a backup power system or a heating solution, careful planning can ensure safety and compliance. Incorporating proper ventilation and safety measures becomes paramount in such cases. Additionally, consider utilizing vertical storage solutions and modular furniture to maximize floor space and create an organized environment. Whether your dream garage serves as a creative studio, a home office, or a game room, thoughtful planning based on its intended purpose will result in a customized and functional space.
Create Enough Space for Car Care
When envisioning your dream home garage, it’s crucial to allocate sufficient space for parking your vehicle and essential maintenance and care. A well-designed garage should provide ample breathing room around your car, allowing easy access and maneuvering. Consider incorporating a designated walkway and work area, ensuring that the garage is a parking space and a functional hub for auto maintenance and care. This extra space is vital for activities like auto body repair, as it allows you to navigate around the vehicle comfortably and access different parts without feeling cramped.
You must prioritize routine car maintenance and care to make the most of your garage renovations. Establishing a dedicated space for tasks like an oil change will require you to go down the floor, so you must also consider adding enough space to crawl down and go underneath the car. A well-organized and spacious garage facilitates using tools and equipment, making these maintenance activities more accessible. Regularly attending to your vehicle’s needs enhances its longevity and performance and helps maintain a clean and organized garage space, promoting a more enjoyable and functional environment for both you and your car.
Provide Storage Space
The garage’s primary purpose is a parking area for the car. However, it is also an all-around storage solution, which is the undoubted second choice. As a result, your dream home garage renovations should include installing adequate storage spaces. While adding shelves and drawers in the area might be easy, you can choose more well-thought-out designs to match the garage’s aesthetics. Incorporating wall-mounted shelves, cabinets, and pegboards can help keep tools and small items neatly organized, freeing up valuable floor space. Installing overhead storage racks for more oversized items or seasonal belongings can efficiently utilize vertical space. Investing in sturdy and lockable cabinets is crucial to address specific storage needs, such as protecting valuable equipment or tools.
Moreover, if you own a truck, integrating specialized storage solutions like truck bed covers enhances the aesthetics and provides a secure space for transporting items. Additionally, strategically planned storage spaces contribute to a safer garage by reducing the risk of tripping over misplaced items or dealing with a disorganized workspace. When thinking about your dream home garage, don’t underestimate the importance of storage solutions; they lay the foundation for a functional and aesthetic space.
Integrate Technology
Transforming your dream home garage into a tech-savvy haven offers a plethora of advantages, with the integration of cutting-edge technology enhancing both convenience and security. The focal point of this transformation lies in the garage door, where smart technology seamlessly merges with functionality. Smart garage door tech allows you to control and monitor your garage remotely, providing heightened security. Imagine being able to check whether you left the garage door open while at work or closing it with a tap on your smartphone. This not only contributes to the overall safety of your home but also adds an extra layer of convenience to your daily routine.
Beyond the garage door, embracing technology in your dream home garage can extend to auto body scheduling software. Implementing advanced software solutions facilitates efficient management of auto repairs and maintenance, streamlining the process and ensuring your vehicles receive the care they deserve. With auto body scheduling software, you can easily schedule appointments, track repair progress, and receive real-time updates, creating a seamless and organized experience. Integrating these technological advancements transforms your dream home garage into a modern, functional space catering to security and automotive maintenance needs.
Take Care of the Tires
Maintaining the health of your car’s tires is crucial for vehicle safety and performance, making it imperative to consider their well-being when renovating your garage. Often overlooked in the renovation process, the garage floor plays a significant role in tire care. Investing in a durable and smooth flooring solution enhances the overall aesthetics and provides a stable and clean environment for tire maintenance. A well-renovated garage floor minimizes the risk of punctures and tire damage, ensuring a safe and reliable space for tire-related activities. Additionally, incorporating proper storage solutions and tire racks can help extend the tire’s lifespan by reducing stress on their sidewalls and preventing flat spots.
Unlike garage flooring, investing in specialized equipment is equally essential for comprehensive auto care. A pneumatic valve, for instance, is a critical component in tire maintenance. This specialized tool facilitates efficient inflation and deflation of tires, ensuring they are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications. Beyond pneumatic valves, consider investing in a high-quality tire pressure gauge, wheel alignment tools, and a tire changer for more intricate tasks. These investments contribute to the longevity of your tires and enhance overall vehicle safety and performance. Of course, you must ensure you have enough space in the garage to accommodate those pieces of equipment.
Consider Spaces for Other Things
The garage has evolved from a mere storage area to an integral part of your home, serving various purposes. Designing it with versatility in mind allows you to maximize its utility, adapting to the changing needs of your household. Beyond accommodating vehicles, your dream home garage can become a hub for various activities, offering flexibility for both storage and recreation. It can be more than just the usual storage space, home gym, or home office areas. This adaptability becomes especially relevant when considering your hobbies and your lifestyle.
A well-thought-out garage space can cater to a myriad of hobbies and activities. Whether setting up a home gym, creating a workshop, or organizing a space for hobbies like woodworking or crafting, the possibilities are vast. Allocating areas for sports equipment, tools, and storage ensures that your garage not only houses your vehicles but also extends your lifestyle. For example, incorporating spaces for new golf carts can be seamlessly achieved by factoring in their dimensions, charging needs, and ease of access. By planning for such elements during the renovation process, you transform your garage into a versatile and accommodating space that enhances your daily life’s practical and leisure aspects.
Make Exterior Upgrades
The garage, often considered an overlooked aspect of home improvement, significantly contributes to your property’s first impression on visitors and potential buyers. Neglecting the garage’s exterior can detract from the overall attractiveness of your home, potentially lowering its market value. A well-maintained and visually appealing garage can elevate the overall curb appeal, making your property stand out in the neighborhood. This is particularly important regarding first impressions, whether you welcome guests or potential buyers.
Start by assessing the condition of the garage door, siding, and roofing, as these elements are evident and influential in shaping the overall appearance. Investing in landscaping around the garage, such as well-maintained greenery and decorative elements, can significantly enhance the visual appeal. Depending on the scale of your renovation, you might even want to explore unique features like custom lighting or architectural details. For maintenance and renovations requiring height access, consider hiring professionals, such as those using oversize load bucket truck escorts, to ensure safety and efficiency. You can build a harmonious and visually pleasing space for your dream home garage by giving attention to both the interior and exterior aspects.
Secure Temporary Parking Space
Ensuring a temporary parking space for your car during garage renovations is paramount for both practical and legal reasons. The inconvenience of losing your regular parking spot might seem trivial compared to the grand vision of transforming the feature into your dream home garage. Still, the benefits of securing an alternative space are substantial. Renovation projects often involve heavy machinery, construction materials, and many workers moving in and out of the premises. By finding a temporary parking solution, you ensure your vehicle’s safety and facilitate smoother construction processes, minimizing the risk of accidental damage or disruptions.
However, the urgency to secure a temporary parking space is not solely about convenience and safety but also legal compliance. Parking on the streets without proper authorization during renovations can lead to potential violations and legal consequences. To avoid unnecessary headaches, you must consult with a traffic violation lawyer who can guide you on the specific regulations in your area. By proactively addressing the parking aspect of your renovation project, you not only adhere to legal obligations but also contribute to the efficiency of the construction process, bringing you one step closer to realizing your dream home garage without unnecessary legal complications.
Pursuing your dream home garage will require proper planning and budgeting. These steps are the foundation of your renovations, but you can add more to fulfill your vision. The best thing you can do now is start with step one. Once everything has been accomplished, you will benefit from a satisfying, useful space not only for your car, but also your lifestyle.
