subject: Your Garage Is Capable Of More Than Just Vehicle Storage [print this page] If you are a homeowner, you may have felt the squeeze of having limited space. It may be you need space for storage or you want to expand your living space. Maybe you need hobby space or work space and there are no additional rooms. The good news is, those with a garage already have a solution. Your garage is the place where you store your vehicles. There may be some storage space or a little room left over for tools and cleaning items. If this is all you use your garage for, you are wasting valuable space. Even if things seemed cramped with the cars or other vehicles, there are probably things you can do to create additional space for whatever you need inside of the garage. The first thing you need to do is make sure the space is well-lit and temperature controlled. This will mean different things depending on whether you are planning to create living space or storage space, but in either case, changes will be necessary. If you are using fluorescent lighting in the garage, be sure the T5 ballast and electronic ballasts are working and that you have adequate lighting in the space.
You may need to add a few additional lights, or create a window in one or more of the walls to let in natural light. Then make sure you have the right levels of heating and cooling.
For temporary or seasonal use, portable heating and cooling devices may work fine. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, you may be able to install various heating and cooling methods.
After the shell of comfort has been created, you can begin to design the space you need. If it is additional storage, you can use shelving and cabinets to expand storage.
Shop at department stores, build them yourself, or purchase second storage online or at garage sales. If you are planning to expand your living space into the garage, you can find furnishings from these same locations. Many of the pieces you find at garage and rummage sales may need some TLC but can be just as comfortable and sturdy as brand new pieces. This space should be treated like any living space and you should include furnishings, accessories, and anything else needed to make the space livable. This includes accessories like cozy throws, artwork, flooring, plants, and entertainment.
