The Great Garage Transformation and Common Remodel Mistakes

Something happened in the mid 20th century that transformed American neighborhoods and suburbs. If you drive around your neighborhood today, you might find that not only do most houses have a garage but that the space intended to park our cars is—in many cases—not exactly being used for that. For many Americans, the garage is extra space; it’s where the tools go, the leftover paint, the kid’s toys as they grow out of them, old clothes, and even the mini-fridge with extra beer. It’s the shop, the man cave, the storage unit, the hang out for long-haired teenagers who start a band, or etc. In fact, many revolutionary ideas and companies began in an American garage including Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Google, Amazon. 

In some sense, garages have transformed everyone’s life. The garage has taken a life of its own and has become a unique space separate and yet not so from the rest of the house. And as many Americans begin working from home or spending more time in their own houses, the garage has suddenly become a place full of new potential and an extension of the home itself in a way that it never was before. 

The History of the Garage and How It Changed American Suburbs

Before we get into the many exciting ideas of what is possible with the garage, let’s talk about the history of this home feature and the great impact it had on American neighborhoods. The word comes from the French “garer,” which means “to store.”  Early garages were detached from the home and around the first World War, American cities saw more garages along service alleys, replacing backyards. Sears Roebuck & Company began with building a detached garage that could go anywhere. Once the garage was attached to the home and connected by a door, the home would never be the same again. Before the garage came the automobile and the explosion of automobiles in the States happened in the first two decades of the 20th century and hit a peak when the Federal Highway Act of 1921 opened up America to become an automobile-dominated society. It was in 1921 that the overhead garage door was invented by a man named C.J. Johnson and only five years later the electric garage door opener came to be. It took about twenty years and a lot of demand from homebuyers until garages started being implemented by home designers and architects. 

More than 82 million people have garages in their homes today. About 79% of homes have at least a one-car garage, and most of these homeowners report using the garage door as the main entryway to their home. A whopping 85% of Americans report using their garage for other purposes that do not include storing their vehicles. And so today Americans are seeking to make full use of this extra space and do it in style. It’s why garage remodels have become of today’s hottest home remodeling projects, along with the common kitchen and bathroom remodel. 

Let’s begin with some common garage remodel mistakes…

Common Pitfalls When Remodeling Your Garage

#1 – Taking on the project yourself. While there are a lot of home DIY projects that the common weekend warrior can undertake, the garage remodel is probably not one of them. Serious expertise and knowledge about structural things of the house are needed. Taking on a garage remodel yourself and running into mishaps can end up costing you more in the long run or leave you with a botched project. 

#2 – Not having a strict and precise remodel plan. Having a clear and realistic plan in place is key to make the most of your investment. Look at your budget carefully and look at your vision for the garage. Ensure you have the means to do it or alter your plan accordingly. This will make the process go smoothly. 

#3- Choosing SubPar Building Materials and Contractors. One of the main mistakes we see with garage remodels is going the cheaper route that doesn’t offer good quality. This might be in things like inferior garage floor coating. While materials like floor paint might seem cheap, it doesn’t have a great look or longevity. Well worth garage transformations begin form the ground up, literally. Ensuring a quality floor coating is an important step in the process. Having professionals that understand how to transform the floor, do a proper insulation job, and make necessary adjustments means that your garage transformation will fit the vision you see in your head. 

Exciting Garage Remodel Ideas 

There is plenty of work you can do to enhance the functionality of your garage space. Having professional install insulation, new flooring, and water lines, can make your vehicle-storing space much more. Popular garage remodels include:

• The Man Cave. Every man cave has its unique characteristics, of course. Adding heavy-duty cabinets, storage space, and maintaining room to work on the cars, motorcycles, four-wheelers, plus not neglecting a minibar, flat television mounted on the wall, and much more. 

• The Wood Shop. If you are a DIY weekend warrior that likes to use the garage as the starting place for new project ideas, having an organized and well-designed shop can increase your productivity and make it a space of your own. Install heavy-duty cabinets, a place for your table saw, tools, and more. 

• Home Office. Today’s workplaces allow for work-from-home flexibility. This means that your office is often in your home and you don’t necessarily want to do your work at the kitchen table long-term. Create your own office space that allows you to ‘go to the office.’ 

If you are looking at your garage and see much more, we can help here at R Company. We specialize in renovations and remodels and will help transform your garage into the next laboratory for revolutionary ideas, or simply your unique hang out spot. Call us today!