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PRMI’s renovation series rolls on with tips for upgrading your garage. These renovation ideas can help you use your space efficiently and get more from your garage. And PRMI can get you the financing to fund the project.
Decide What Your Space Is For
While most people will use their garage for parking their car, many people use their garage (or at least a section of it) as an additional room in the house. Here are some common ways people use their garages, and some renovation ideas to go with them.
- Home Office - (Install a wraparound desk.)
- Workstation - (Install a foldaway workbench.)
- Game Room - (Install additional electrical outlets.)
- Hosting Area - (Install a sink.)
- Home Gym - (Install padded flooring.)
- Mudroom - (Install a drainage system.)
Bonus idea: If you stick with parking your car in the garage, consider installing a lift.
Maximize Your Storage Space
From seasonal items to outdoor gear, most people have things that make sense to store in an out-of-the-way place like the garage. Installing an organized storage system will keep those things from piling up in random corners of your garage.
Tip: To maximize your space, minimize the amount you need to store. Clean out your garage and have a garage sale. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past three-to-five years. Repeat annually.
You have a variety of storage options. Along with the standard cabinets, bins and shelves, you can also install overhead storage racks for storing out-of-season gear. You can also install wall-mounted hangers, like pegboards or magnetic strips for hanging tools. These mounted storage options can make a big difference because they add storage without taking up any additional floor space.
Floor It
Speaking of floors, now is a great time to address the concrete floor in your garage. Painting or lining your garage floor will look great, but it also has practical applications. Coating the floor makes it easy to clean and protects from potential water damage.
Be sure to use paint or grip lining designed for garage or concrete floors. The wrong paint can leave you with a slippery surface.
Insulate and Ventilate
Many garages don’t contain insulation in the walls. Installing insulation will make your garage more energy-efficient and help maintain the temperature in your garage.
Along with proper insulation, you need proper ventilation. It will keep your garage from getting stuffy and help dissipate any toxins in the air, like car exhaust or paint fumes.
Insulating and ventilating helps you maintain a safe and comfortable environment in your garage. This is especially important if your renovation plans include using your garage for additional living space or spend a lot of time in your garage working on projects.
Upgrade Your Door and Security Tech
To go fully energy efficient you should also upgrade to an insulated garage door. While you’re at it, you might as well upgrade your whole entry system with a new garage door opener and security system. You can add security locks or cameras to overhead doors as well as any side doors.
Modern technology makes installing a home security system easy and affordable. You can integrate your garage door opener with security keypads and cameras so you can monitor and control who comes in or out. You can even see if anyone happens to be snooping around outside. And with modern systems, you can do it all from your phone.
Let Your Home Pay for Its Own Renovations
The cost of renovating your garage can vary greatly. Installing a few shelves is much different than putting in new plumbing. But you don’t need to fear the big-budget projects. PRMI can help you get the financing to renovate your garage. We have a variety of refinance options that can use the home equity you’ve already built to cover the renovation costs.
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