The Transformation of the Garage

Since the pandemic began, homeowners have had to figure out how to make every square inch of their properties usable. Lately, they’re looking to the garage, adding functionality to the space besides just for parking. The garage also could serve as a gym, play area, or home office.

Aaron Cash, cofounder of home improvement firm Garage Living, says homeowners are taking a particular interest in renovating the garage because it’s often the largest open area in their home. Cash says the most common requests he receives from customers involve making the garage more functional and multipurpose, adding storage or a hobby area.

In 2020, Garage Living completed 5,200 garage makeovers, up from 3,800 in 2019. The company is on track this year to complete 7,500 projects.

The garage—which buyers named as one of their top five home features in a realtor.com® survey earlier this year—also can be used as a place to host open-air events.

Cash recommends two common ways to renovate a garage without a complete overhaul:

• Refinish the typically cold flooring in the garage to make it feel more livable. For example, Garage Living offers Floortex, which is a five-step coating process to dress up the floor.
• Add cabinetry, wire shelving, or wall-mounted organizers to reduce clutter, which commonly builds in garages. Cash advises using the extra storage for everything from sporting equipment to seasonal decorations.

View some of these garage transformations from Garage Living.

Read more about these garage makeovers.(link is external)