If you have a garage at your house, what is it used for? While it should obviously be used for your car and maybe even used as extra storage space, have you ever considered working on your garage? Your garage can add a lot of value to your house and is a space you shouldn’t look over. Garages tend to be quite cold, baron, and isolated.
While yes, it’s mostly cars that go into it, maybe you could consider making some changes. But how can you make upgrades to your garage? It does sound like a challenge compared to the rest of the home. Fortunately, it’s not difficult at all! So, here are some major upgrades you could try to increase the value of your home!
Bring in the Storage Solutions
A lot of homeowners use their garage as a storage space, as well as an area for their cars. What about you? If you’ve always wanted to use your garage more, adding storage can help. It doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, and it can actually make your home look more spacious. Before you add any new things, sort through your stuff and draft a floor plan to determine how much room you need for storage. It will also help you know which storage systems work best for your needs.
You can easily create extra storage space in your garage with simple shelving, overhead racks, cabinets, and plastic bins. It’s important to store seasonal items close to the door and items you frequently use in high places, like the top of a shelf or overhead rack. This will keep your garage organized and clutter-free for years to come. So, make sure to maximise your vertical space; this is going to make such a massive difference!
Consider the Lighting
Adding lighting to your garage could increase your home’s value by highlighting certain areas. Typically, this involves installing lights above the ceiling that can be hung from a pendant or chain or mounted directly to the ceiling. Choosing light bulbs that have the right wattage and CRI (color rendering index) can make the difference between a bright garage and one with less illumination. Additionally, fluorescent and LED bulbs are available in tube-shaped shapes to cast light over a wider area than regular bulbs.
Using the right lights in your garage can make it safer for you and others when working in the space. It also can help you find items that may otherwise be hidden beneath a pile of debris or under a car. While you don’t need any elaborate lights for your garage, it does help to have enough lighting in your garage, so it’s easy to see everything.
Add Insulation
No one likes a cold house, so why allow your garage to be cold? It doesn’t seem like much, but adding insulation to your garage walls is going to make such a difference. Think about it, have to ever had to deal with frost on your car? It’s a pain trying to scrape it off, right? Well, if it’s parked in an insulated garage, that’s already going to help out a lot. Often overlooked, garage insulation is a must for any home. It has a huge impact on energy efficiency and comfort and offers other benefits that could increase your home’s value when it comes time to sell.
Plus, there is another benefit to insulation; it’s also an effective way to control noise pollution outside your home. If you use the garage as an office or have different power tools in there, insulation will help reduce the amount of sound that filters into your house. In general, energy efficiency boosts the value of your home, so this is one upgrade you don’t want to miss out on!
Look into the Flooring
Usually, garage floors aren’t very flattering, right? They’re often concrete and resin combined. While you shouldn’t expect hardwood floors in your garage, changing the flooring can help make it look nicer. Instead of ugly basic concrete, why not go with polished concrete instead? Those floor reflections look amazing and can instantly just make the space look so much better. These floor coverings also provide a great way to add color and texture to the space. There are even products that can be used to create a beautiful pattern.
In addition to looking good, a new garage floor can also make your garage safer. It can help to prevent accidents caused by slipping on wet surfaces. This is especially important in a home with children. It can also be a great way to protect your floors from oil stains, hot tires, and other damage that could occur. This is one upgrade you definitely shouldn’t skip out on!
Give it a Good Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can make to your garage. It can transform your space and give it a fresh, clean feel. It also covers up blemishes like gaps in walls or molly bolts that you didn’t fix. Home buyers will see that a few small repairs and a new coat of paint have made your garage more appealing and attractive. While you could do just the inside, why not think of the outside too?
Some such as neutral tones like white, light grey, taupe, and beige are the most popular choices for a stylish yet calm exterior, especially when it comes to a garage. If you want more pop, add a bold accent color to the shutters and doors. This will create an eye-catching house front and increase your property’s resale value. You can even use paint to update the wood on cabinetry, banisters, and baseboards if it’s outdated or dull.
Think About the Garage Door
Don’t forget about the garage door! This is a major part of both the interior of the garage and the exterior too. There are plenty of roller garage doors that you could look into. Plus, you’ll want to think about the mechanics, too, as you need to have a seamless experience when parking your car in the garage or pulling it out.
