TGR StaffFor most car enthusiasts, our dream home isn’t complete until we have completed our dream garage. Often overlooked the garage in most homes is barely finished, they often have basic lighting, concrete floors, and no storage. But since over half of all housing units in the US have a garage, they should be getting more attention when it comes to upgrading a home. At best most people go to the local home improvement store, buy some garage shelving, and plastic tubs, and maybe a rolling tool chest, but just take a drive through most neighborhoods and it is plain to see that most people don’t even do that.
Having been to many of the best race shops around the world we have always wanted to build out our own dream garage, complete with color-matched cabinets, a lift, checkboard flooring, and enough lighting to work on project cars 24/7. But dreaming about it is one thing, making it a reality is another, so who builds these dream garages? To find out we spoke to Jim over at CarGuyGarage.com a company that specializes in creating amazing garages.
Planning Your Dream Garage
If you are already planning to build out your dream garage, it’s a good time to clean out all of the non-essentials that are hidden in everyone’s garage. Once you have cleaned out the garage it is a good time to determine what the focus for the space is going to be. Is it primarily going to be used for parking cars? Do you want to turn it into an office or studio space, and you’ll need to contact internet providers about extending the signal? Working on projects? Will it be a storage space?
Like any home improvement project having a vision for what space should look like is important. While many customers order pre-design shelving units, Car Guy Garage offers complete design services which include rendering a customer’s garage and adding all of the elements like custom garage cabinets, lifts, and other storage features like bicycle racks.
Once you have your layout, it is time to pick materials, starting from the ground up, the floor really does set the tone for the entire space and since you are likely going to be cleaning out the entire garage anyway, it is the perfect time to look at adding garage floor tiles, garage flooring rolls, or an epoxy floor coating. You should then look at the walls, repair any damage, and add a fresh coat of paint to the garage; if your garage is unfinished, look at adding insulation and outlets while you are at it.
Storage Makes It Your Dream Garage
Storage for tools and equipment is one of the biggest factors in inspiring a garage renovation, while there are a lot of choices for cabinets, the experts at Car Guy Garage recommend their custom aluminum cabinets which come in several configurations or can be custom fabricated to the customer’s specifications. These cabinets are made in the USA and are the same kind used by professional race teams around the world, with their powder-coated finish and aluminum construction these cabinets are designed to last a lifetime and look amazing. The cabinets come in several standard colors, but custom colors can be ordered to match your favorite ride or race team livery.
Once you have sorted out your storage, lighting should be a priority as the lights on the garage door opener or a single bulb in the corner aren’t going to cut it. The kind of lighting you need depends on what you are using the space for. Storage and parking and overhead lighting are fine. If you are using it as a workspace, overhead lighting is just the start; cabinet lighting, work lights on a reel, or LED garage door lights might be in order. And flashlights are always a good idea because they’re such useful tools, but they can also help you see around your garage if your electricity goes out. While you can add some lights after the fact, just make sure you have all your electrical in place before you finish your walls and cabinets.
Steps to building your dream garage:
- Declutter and get rid of unused/unneeded items.
- Define what your space is going to be used for.
- Design your dream garage or let the experts help you design it for you.
- Start from the ground up with flooring and finishing.
- Pick a great theme and color scheme for your garage.
- Buy high-quality garage cabinets and fixtures.
- Install enough lighting
If you would like to learn more about how to build your dream garage visit CarGuyGarage.com.
Quick Facts: How to Build Your Dream Garage
- Story topic: A practical enthusiast-focused guide to planning and executing a dream garage build, from clearing out old clutter to lighting and storage systems.
- Primary partner: CarGuyGarage.com provided insights and expertise for design and storage solutions.
- First step: Declutter the existing garage to determine what space will be used for.
- Purpose considerations: Decide if the space will be for parking cars, a studio or office, project work, or storage.
- Design help: Some enthusiasts design their dream garages themselves; others use professional design services that include renderings and storage solutions.
- Flooring upgrades: Popular options include garage floor tiles, flooring rolls, or epoxy floor coatings to elevate the surface.
- Wall and insulation: Repair walls, add a fresh coat of paint, and consider insulation and outlets if the space is unfinished.
- Custom storage: High-quality cabinets and fixtures — including custom aluminum cabinets — make a garage more functional and visually appealing.
- Lighting: Adequate lighting ranges from basic overhead lights to task lighting (LEDs, reel-mounted work lights) depending on how the space will be used.
- Step-by-step bulleted list: Clear, define, design, floor/finish, theme/color, cabinets/fixtures, and lighting.
FAQ
What should I do first when building a dream garage?
Begin by clearing out everything you don’t need so you know exactly how much space you have to work with and what you want the space to be used for.
How do I decide what my dream garage should be used for?
Think about whether the space will be primarily for parking cars, a workshop, hobby space, office, storage, or a combination of uses.
Should I design my dream garage myself or get professional help?
You can design it yourself, but professional rendering and design services can help you visualize and plan storage, layout, and features more effectively.
What upgrades should I make to the garage floor?
Many enthusiasts upgrade from bare concrete to garage floor tiles, epoxy floor coatings, or other durable finishes that set the tone for the entire space.
What kind of storage solutions are recommended?
Custom cabinets, especially those made of aluminum and powder coated, offer durable and race shop–style storage; they can be configured to fit your needs and aesthetic.
How much lighting do I need?
For basic parking and storage, overhead lights are fine; for workspace functions, add task lighting such as LED strips, work lights on reels, or cabinet-mounted lights.
