Until now.

Whether you’re a car enthusiast or you just want to make an awesome workroom out of your space, you might be surprised at all of the options that you have for redecorating and redesigning your space, especially when your budget is on the high end.

The Garage Floor

Say good bye to plain, gray, concrete floors. Actually, you can say goodbye to flat floors, too. Some people are actually raising their garage floors so that they slant, according to Betsy Schiffman from Forbes.com. Why are they doing this? So that the cars can be easily pushed out and started outside. After all, you don’t want to damage the new, expensive designer floors.

That’s right. Floors are no longer plain. You can find patterns, textures, different colors, and different materials. That’s before you even get into the protective devices that you can put over them. For something a little different, tiles are becoming popular.

Lighting

Large, overhead fluorescent lighting is generally preferable because it’s easy to install and can quickly light up a huge space. Steve D’Gerolamo, a garage consultant and founder of Ultimate Garage in Emerson, N.J. suggests using lights “where you can get the most light while using the least amount of energy.”

Entertainment

You no longer have to rely on your radio for entertainment in your garage. Now, you can have all sorts of entertainment options in there. On the small scale, you can have an iPod dock or a CD player. On the high end, you could have a flat screen, a wet bar, and even a pool table.

Heating

On a budget, a portable heater that you can plug into the wall will work well when you’re changing your oil. If you’ve got the money to spend, though, why not install an entire heating system in there?

Radiant heating is popular but a quick internet search will show you that it’s not just the air that’s being heated-there’s even radiant heaters in the floors, too! Your feet will never be the same.

Garage Doors

According to TLC’s website, carriage style doors are all the rage at the moment. Unlike the traditional garage doors that open by rolling up, these open outwards, like French doors. They add curb appeal and something visually interesting to the garage. They can also be controlled by remote.

Storage

You don’t have to stick with the conventional peg boards of the past for storage. Cabinets can be beautiful and provide lots of storage space and aesthetics to a room. There are loads of wood styles available, as well as brushed metal and stainless steel. If you don’t like anything you find at the store then treat your garage like your kitchen and have your cabinets custom made.

All Wired Up

A router in your home and a wireless connection will keep you connected in your garage. Or, you could create an entire office space in there. You never know when you’ll need access to your computer! So what are you looking at online? You can look up anything from online car insurance rates to instructions on how to change your own oil.

If you have the means and the time, then why not make your garage a place that you would like to hang out in? You might even consider making it double as a rec room or a man cave. How about a pool table, a juke box, and a refrigerator? Or, if you like working with your hands, then why not put in a work table and store our tools?

With the money and time, your garage no longer has to only be a place to park your car in.

About the Author: Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer that has spent a huge amount of time figuring out the different ways to make unglamorous rooms functional and amazing. During her years as a writer she’s provided many valuable tips and strategies on a range of topics, from finding the best auto insurance quotes to designing tree-houses that are sure to make the neighbors jealous.

However, in recent years as homeowners have increasingly looked at ways of reducing energy consumption and better securing their property, there has been an increase in demand for other types of garage door that better meet their requirements.

Although there is now a wide range of garage doors available on the market, the 2 most popular forms are roller garage doors and the sectional garage door.

Roller Garage Doors

For homewoners looking to create additional storage space with the garage, a roller garage door is the ideal solution. Due to their compact design, the entrie door curtain of a roller garage door coils into a neat roll that is located behind the opening as opposed to retracting back into the garage like a one piece door. This in turn has the benefit of allowing more valuable storage space on the garage ceiling to be achieved.

A roller garage door opens vertically and as mentioned above rolls into a box behind the opening. This means that homeowners are able to park the car very close to the garage entrance without the fear of the door coming into contact with the vehicle as the door is opened and closed.  Additionally, for homes with short driveways, restricted space or where the garage fronts directly onto the road this type of door is the perfect product.

In the Uk garage roller doors can be broadly classed into 2 main categories;

Un-insulated Roller Doors

A very popular door type when the garage is detached from the main house or for the budget conscious homeowner. Manufactured from a single sheet of steel, a single skin roller door is available in a wide range of sizes, operating types and colours.  Although the door offers no insulating benefits, the appearance is identical to the more expensive insulated versions and offers the same high levels of security. With many retailers offering discount prices, single skin roller doors can be purchased for around £350 – £450 making them an affordable home improvement solution.

Insulated Roller Garage Doors

If the garage is attached to the main house or the space is used as a workshop etc then this is the best solution. Insulated roller garage doors are also ideal for homes with a bedroom located above the garage. The insulating properties of the door curtain will prevent valuable heat escaping from the home.Although more expensive than the single skin version, the additional benefits to the homeowner are well worth the initial outlay. Good quality insulated roller garage doors can be purchased from around £800.

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors offer many of the same benefits as roller garage doors but with a few added extras and increased specifications.

Unlike roller garage doors where the door rolls up when open, sectional garage doors are comprised of a number of panels that are hinged together. When opened the door lifts vertically for approx ¾ the height of the opening then retracts back 90 degrees to sit horizontally within the garage roof space on metal runners. As the door does not roll up, sectional garage doors can be made to have the traditional appearance of an up and over garage door but with all the benefits of modern technology.

Although available as an un-insulated version, insulated sectional garage doors are the most popular type of door being installed into homes in the UK. A sectional garage door can be installed into most garages and are available in a wide range of bespoke sizes up to 7000mm for domestic applications.

With insulation levels of 1w/m2k, the door will make a dramatic difference to the temperature of the garage space and is the only sensible solution for homeowners looking to make significant reductions in their energy bills and environmental impact. Door panels are available in thicknesses of between 20-42mm depending upon budget and requirements. Compare this to an insulated roller door with a thickness of 18mm and a u value of 5w/m2k and the energy saving benefits are obvious.

The only slight drawbacks to the sectional garage door are that they do not allow the garage ceiling too be used for storage and are more time consuming to install.

To conclude, the only sensible solution to any homeowner looking to replace their tired old fashioned garage door is to install one of the above door types.

One of the first steps to being spring ready is to have a cleaned and organized garage. But it doesn’t have to be a dreaded event. Just follow these 10 steps from professional organizers, and you’ll have a painless garage cleaning experience and be ready to treat yourself to a spring barbeque!

1.Be prepared. Depending on how long it’s been since you last cleaned your garage, it could measure up to be a messy job. Have everything you need on hand, from push brooms and hoses to rags and cleaners. And be sure to wear long sleeves and pants.

2.Move everything out of the garage and separate into categories. Before you can organize, it’s important to rid yourself of all the unnecessary things you have. So take everything out and sort it into piles. Things to donate things to dispose of, etc.  Then organize items by usage, such as sports equipment.

3.Clean. Before you can fully organize, you need to clean out the space. For oil spills, pour cat litter on them to absorb and then sweep up. Wipe out cupboards and containers and sweep out the garage and follow up by hosing out.

4.Determine the purpose of your garage. An important step to making your garage space as useful as possible is to decide its purpose. Outline all of the uses for your garage before you begin, is it for parking, equipment storage, a play area, a workshop?

5.Make a floor plan. Once you determine the purpose for your garage, make a rough sketch of what the space will look like and where things will go. Measure beforehand to make sure everything will fit before buying any organizational tools. And keep in mind walkways, doors, hanging space, and vehicle parking.

6.Create garage organizational system. Make a list of the things you will need to purchase for organization. Don’t forget about using the ceilings. You can get bike hooks for ceilings or shelving for rarely use items like holiday décor. There are a number of website that sell organizational gear like Flowwall.com, storewall.com. Costco also offers a variety of wall units and hooks. Using clear bins a good way to know where things are stored.

7.Install Fixtures and Hardware. Put shelving and furniture in place first to make sure everything fits.

8.Bring in large items. This is where you put your sketch to work and bring in all your large items.

9. <Organize and label. With all of the big pieces in place, you can bring in the small items to organize in drawers or on shelves and label as needed.

10. Done! Now all you need to do is pull in your car, close the door and enjoy your newly organized space.

Kristy Hessman is a freelance writer for a variety of print and online media including CouponPal. Click here to find the latest deals: http://couponpal.com/coupon-code-lists/internet-security

Of course, even though it’s great that his garage still does what it was technically designed to do, it would only take a little bit of effort to make it that much better. With some careful planning, your garage doesn’t have to be one thing or another. It can be a lot of things at once, and a lot more than a dark room to hide vehicles or clutter.

The Storage Space

The longer you are in your home, the more things seem to naturally accumulate. Where are you going to put it all? The garage seems like the obvious place to put those things that you don’t need on a daily basis, but you don’t want to crowd out the cars and become one of “those” people (that park in the driveway instead of the garage). There are some great options, though, that will let you get some storage space without invading your vehicle’s space.

An overhead storage system is a great way to make room for those things you only use once in a while. This is a series of shelves that are out of the way of the vehicles and hang from the joists in the ceilings. On the other hand, you can install a wall storage system for the items you use on a regular basis. You could, for example, put up a pegboard to hold your tools, or install shelves and cabinetry to manage the larger items.

The Floor

You could be quite content with a plain, concrete, oil-stained floor. You could manage to ignore the dirt building up on the floor as you drive your cars in and out of the garage. Instead, you could go an extra step and cover it with a bright, clean epoxy coating. . I used the same epoxy floor coating used in commercial or industrial buildings, and it looks fantastic in my garage.

Epoxy coatings make the floor easy to clean and naturally resistant to oil, salt and tire marks. The high gloss shine also increases the light reflectivity, which means that if you want to use the garage as a part-time workshop, it will be a nicer, brighter place to work.

The Walls

The most common garage wall is no garage wall. Well, no interior wall, anyway. We seem pleased to leave the walls completely unfinished and bare. If you are going to turn your garage into something more than a storage space, you should consider going all the way and insulating and covering your walls. It will make it a more comfortable and inviting place, and that means you’re likely to use it for more than just plain storage.

The Decoration

You don’t have to stop with basic white or unpainted walls in your garage. It is – believe it or not – okay to at a few personal touches that don’t have any other purpose but to make the place look good. You could, for example, coordinate the colors of your walls and cabinetry to give the entire garage a unique look. There are also a lot of ways to decorate the space and make it your own. Things like clocks and metal signs are traditional, but you can also get a couple bar stools for the work bench or a cooler to keep your beverages at the best temperature.

Bringing It All Together

The right garage has a lot of practical benefits (even beyond providing shelter for your vehicles), and it can significantly increase the value of your property, but you have to make sure you pull all these elements together in the most effective way. You may love the color red, for example, but if you aren’t cautious in how you apply it throughout your garage, it will simply be over the top. And while extra storage space is a great idea, too many shelves, cabinets, and overhead storage systems will make everything feel just as cluttered.

Take a reserved approach to building or remodeling your garage. You can create the perfect garage if you take the time to analyze your needs (both now and in the future) and start looking at the space as more than a glorified storage shed.

Regardless of which style or type of tool storage you choose, there are a few key things you should look for when shopping for tool storage.

That 72" monster chest sure would look good in your garage, wouldn’t it? As Americans, we are all about ‘bigger is better’. But do you really need that giant tool chest? Are you going to be able to move it when it is full of tools? A fully stocked 60" box can weigh upwards of 1500 pounds. Do you really want to push that behemoth around? Will you have room to move it to where you are working?

If it is going to be a stationary tool chest that you are going to leave in one spot, this won’t be as big of a concern for you. But if you will be rolling it around, consider the room you have to move around in and how much weight you want to be pushing around.

This is fine for a garage or workshop where you do not need to carry the whole chest around, but if you plan on moving it anywhere to work on a project, a smaller option will work better!

Many homeowners opt to have a smaller tool case for each variety of tools they have – one for hammers, one for screwdrivers, one for clamps, etc. This method of tool storage allows you to know exactly where the items you need are located!

For larger tools, a wall storage unit will be a good choice. The tool storage cabinets will give you a variety of height and depth combinations, and allow you to store your larger tools with ease. Having a locking cabinet will help keep them safe from theft, as well!

However, even with the fact that the garage is frequently used for these multi-activities, it is often taken for granted by the family. No matter what the family uses the garage for, proper garage storage is essential in keeping the area tidy and clutter free!

Garage storage organization takes time, so you need to be patient. On the other hand, it would not be that case if you know how and where to start. Get the whole family to participate! This will make it go by faster and make it more fun!

Garage storage organization means proper categorizing, separating, and selling or throwing unneeded items. Place items in the properly labeled boxes and bins. Make sure pet supplies, holiday decorations, recyclable items, camping and sport gear, and chemicals are stored in separate labeled boxes.

One of the most unique and functional garage storage systems available is the Gladiator GarageWorks solution, which is completely modular and offers a variety of options.

The most important part of your garage storage organization project is having the right storage systems installed in the appropriate sections of the room. The storage systems can be installed anywhere in the garage room. You can maximize the space by using its walls, corners, and even the ceiling.

Different storage systems are available such as cabinets, lofts, shelves, hangers, hooks, and various other organizational systems!

When you are done with those things, stack the items neatly and efficiently, so when the time that their use is needed, you can easily locate each of them. Also, you may want to take into consideration on how frequently you use those items when stacking or storing them.

Placing the most used items at the front portion and those that are less used farther at the back will give you best times in the future. Achieving a well-organized and well-arranged garage storage system is easy if you organize and store things effectively!

The style, color and condition of the door has a great influence on the overall appearance and curb appeal of the home. When shopping for garage doors you should also consider the things you use your garage for. If it also serves as a workshop or children’s play room, then you will need a door with good insulation.

First you should determine what size door you need. Garage doors are available to fit virtually any opening, just measure your opening and take the measurements to your local Home improvement or builders supply store to get the door you need

Choose a garage door that complements the rest of your homes exterior. High end formal carriage style doors will look out of place on a ranch style starter home! So no matter how much you love the door, think about how it will blend with the rest of your home!

Windows and window panels are another way to add style and your own personal touch to a garage door. Double-paned windows allow natural light in but keep extreme seasonal temperatures out.

Most garage doors are made from either wood or steel. Wood doors offer a wide variety of options. You can find anything from standard raised panel designs to doors that mimic the ornate styles commonly used on the carriage houses of the 18th and 19th centuries. Wood doors are also available in several species, either paint or stain grade.

Steel doors are usually more economical than wood doors and are the most common type of garage door. Most manufacturers offer several colors out-of-the-box. You can also paint the door to match your home.

When choosing a garage door opener, be sure to consider the following factors:
 
Choose a motor with power adequate to lift your door. If you have a double door, look for at least ½ hp. Even on a single door, a larger motor is likely to last longer. Also look for a unit that advertises a "soft" starting and stopping system, which operates more quietly and with less wear and tear on the door.

Higher-end garage door openers operate quickly, reducing the time you have to wait in the driveway.

For safety reasons, the faster-opening models still close at a standard, slower speed. Federal law requires all garage door openers include features that stop the doors from crushing objects in their paths and cause the doors to reverse direction if they strike something. In most cases, this is controlled by an electronic beam that, when broken by a person or object, triggers the safety mechanism. This ensure no children or pets get crushed!

All models include a manual release that will allow you to open the door if the power is out. Some higher-end models include a function that opens the door just a little bit so the family pet can get out.

Most garage door openers include a security light that comes on as you activate the system and stays on long enough for you to get out of the car and go into the house.

So why is it so often poured concrete that stains easily and looks dirty nearly all the time?

There are many options for garage flooring you may have overlooked!

Epoxy coating is one idea to your garage flooring, it is cheap and gives excellent protection to the floor, if you choose epoxy coating, it’s very important to look for and appropriate epoxy coating for floors.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something easier, you can paint your garage floor, is simple and a fairly short project, one of the advantages is that you have a large selection of colors, and it is much cheaper.

In addition to painting or epoxy coating the garage floor, there is a lot of materials to choose from. Floor mats, are one of them, and they are a common and popular choice. They are easy to install and to handle, and they a great protection to the floor, they are available in different types and colors.

Another idea is vinyl flooring; it is a good protective option and choice for your home garage, durable and a very popular alternative by house owners.

If you’re a home mechanic or use to work in your garage, a rubber garage flooring is a good alternative. There are some manufactures that offer modular surfaces made from polypropylene copolymer. This puts a nice protection between your car and your garage floor, and the damage that some chemicals like grease, brake fluid, oil, can do to your garage floor.

Remember, any addition to your home, especially flooring, can make difference in how you feel, and in the value of your home.