The garage is the ideal storage solution for items that cannot be put inside your house, such as lawn equipment and sports gear. It could even double as a workspace in your own home. However, it's essential to know what should never go in your garage.
What to Build
Garages can be designed to suit your individual needs. They're great for parking cars, storing lawn equipment and other small items, or even becoming a home workshop where you can work on improvements yourself. When designing garages, however, keep in mind the costs and construction time involved; planning ahead could save you a lot of money in the long run! Before anything else, determine your budget. Adding features like HVAC systems or plumbing can increase project expenses; also be sure to factor in contractors' fees who may need to install these components.
One of the most expensive parts of any garage building project is its foundation. You may want to hire a professional to design and construct an adequate base for your garage; it must be strong enough to bear all the weight, as well as extend below the frost line if you live in an area where temperatures drop significantly. Constructing a concrete foundation can be an art form that may be difficult for homeowners to master, so it's best to leave it to the professionals. Generally, a backhoe digs into the soil until it reaches four feet below your garage's frost line, then wooden forms are built as support for the foundation.
Once the garage's concrete slab has been laid, it should then be compacted in one continuous pour, rather than the many small pours required for an old-fashioned mortared foundation. Another essential feature for garages is a retaining wall, which helps prevent them from sinking into the ground. Constructing such an architectural feat necessitates cutting and assembling multiple materials like gravel or concrete blocks.
In addition to a sound foundation and garage door, your workspace must also have an electrical service panel, garage door opener, and other devices for increased safety and utility. In many cases, these services are wired into the house's network for added convenience. It should also have a ceiling fan, lighting, and perhaps even a shower installed.
Floor Plan
When designing a garage, it is essential to take into account its floor plan. A sound plan will guarantee that the garage is constructed correctly and secure for users to enter and exit safely. Furthermore, having an effective exit strategy in place can assist users during emergencies or evacuations. Typically, garages are attached to a house and provide access to the main residence from either side. A door leading up to the upper level also makes this layout efficient by freeing up front space for people to move about more easily.
Garage plans come in many sizes, styles, and functions but typically provide space for parking one to three cars. Additionally, some may include extra storage or even a workshop. A two-car garage typically measures 22-24 feet (6-7 m) wide by 20-30 feet (6-9 m) deep. If you need more space, you might consider building a garage apartment above your garage. This can be an ideal way to add extra living quarters without taking up too much yard area. It could also be used as an opportunity to turn the garage into either a guest house or granny flat for older relatives.
These kinds of plans are an excellent way to expand your home and make it more comfortable for everyone. They're especially beneficial for families with young children or parents with grown children who may need extra assistance around the house. A well-designed floor plan can make designing your garage much simpler. It provides you with a clear idea of the finished product and its flow, as well as provides guidance on what types of furnishings to use. Most importantly, having this blueprint helps you visualize the final outcome before beginning construction.
Storage
Garages can be a great place to store items that don't always have their own space in the home, such as ladders, bikes, and gardening tools. Unfortunately, if not organized properly, they can quickly become disorganized and disorganized. A well-organized storage system makes it effortless to locate what you need and keep your garage neat and orderly. You have several options, such as freestanding shelving, wall racks, and cabinets.
When selecting garage storage, opt for products that are well-designed and built to last. Investing in a high-quality system will save time and frustration as your garage contents change over time; additionally, it can add an aesthetic touch to your home. Another essential aspect of garage storage is making sure the shelves are sturdy and secure to use. Heavy objects should be stored on the bottom shelves, lower to the ground so they're less likely to tip over. Alternatively, you can store heavier items on the lower shelves to make it easier to reach them. Just remember that each time you want to access these items, you will have to lift them out of their designated spot.
Are you having difficulty finding space for large and bulky items in your garage? Consider adding overhead racks. These can be suspended from the ceiling and are ideal for storing long items that won't fit into standard boxes or bins, such as planks of wood or skis. To maximize storage space in your garage, create zones and assign each one a specific purpose. Group like-sized items together or keep things separated by color for visual interest.
You can even paint squares on a pegboard to designate spots for specific items. Mounting a hose reel to the board, for instance, or storing frequently-used accessories like gardening gloves and hose nozzles in sideways bins will help make organizing your space much simpler.
Lighting
When it comes to garage lighting, there are plenty of choices. Each type works best in certain scenarios and the most important thing is finding a fixture that provides enough illumination. Not only will choosing the correct light improve safety in your space, but it can also add an attractive aesthetic appeal as well. When selecting lighting for your garage, the first step is identifying what tasks need to be accomplished there. If working on a car is involved, more intense illumination may be required that can handle detailed work. On the other hand, if using your garage only as storage space, general illumination that can be dimmed or turned off is sufficient.
Another option is using recessed lights, which are small fixtures inserted into the ceiling. This provides a bright and modern lighting setup without taking up too much room. Furthermore, they're perfect for garages with lower ceilings since they don't hang as low. Wraparound lights are another great solution for lighting garages with lower ceilings. Installed level with the ceiling surface, these lights won't hang as low as shop lights and won't get in your way when moving ladders or boards around.
Finally, motion-sensor lights that only illuminate when someone enters the garage can help save energy and money by eliminating the need to turn on multiple light sources simultaneously. One of the most popular lighting choices for garages is fluorescent lighting, which produces a cool-toned, evenly distributed light ideal for many workspaces. Plus, this type of fixture has an impressive lifespan - lasting years! When selecting the ideal bulb for your garage, opt for one with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index). This index measures how accurately a bulb's light reproduces colors in paint, woodwork, and metal. A minimum CRI of 85 should suffice, though higher numbers provide the most realistic outcomes.