Home improvement projects such as restoring an old detached garage are an important way to keep the home looking good and functioning well. That’s why it’s a good idea to know just how to go about doing this project in order to get the best outcome. Since the garage can be a very useful space in any home and it could cost a lot of money to improve, you don’t want to take the chance of making your project a miss. Borrow from the 10 convenient tips outlined below to see how you can go about restoring an old detached garage to make it a valuable and functional part of your home.
1. Clear Out Junk
The first thing that you need to do is to clear out any junk that you have in your garage. This is a crucial step because it can help you make sure that you literally start from a clean slate. When you can clearly see what you’re working with, it may be easier for you to do a good job that will offer you exactly what you want in the end. This may be the hardest step, given that it’s the first one and you may have a lot of junk in the garage. That said, plan it out and ensure that you have a good idea about what to do with the junk that you want to get rid of.
You could also hire a professional house cleaning service to help you dispose of everything that you have no use for in the garage. Work with them to ensure that they don’t get rid of important items that you may need in order to create the space that you require. You could hold a garage sale to try and make some money from what would have otherwise been junk in the landfill. Alternatively, donate any clean and functional items to people in need and you can put a smile on their face.
2. Organize the Space
Next, you need to get the space organized. This includes ensuring that you have a planned layout that’s going to work perfectly for you. Figuring out where you intend for everything to go will make it a lot easier for you to work towards the goal that you set. After you take an inventory of everything that you need, you could take the next step of getting storage containers which you can use to keep the items that are going to remain in the garage.
While restoring an old detached garage, you should try your best to make the best use of the space that you have. This is going to be easy to do if you can organize the way that the garage looks with the use of shelves and other storage solutions. When everything has a spot to sit in the garage, it’s going to be easy to maintain it in the condition that you achieve when you get it restored fully.
3. Keep It Pest-Free
You don’t want to have pests destroying memorable items that you keep in your garage after you’re done restoring an old detached garage. This is the reason why you have to think about pest control. With proper techniques, you can be sure that your new space will be a lot better to use. You can confidently keep important items that you want to store for future use without having to worry about whether there’s a pest trying to gnaw through them and render them useless.
For this step to work out well for you, it’s a good idea to invest in professional pest control. Look for local professionals who can help you with tools or methods suited to the specific type of pests you have. They should also set up a solution to deter pests from accessing the space and thriving in it even if they do. This step will be a lot easier for you to get done if you’ll already have the garage neat and organized as it will be possible to identify any problem points a lot better.
4. Insulate the Space
Once you’ve made sure that no pests will survive in your garage, you should look into proper insulation. While a detached garage may not play a direct role in the way the rest of your home retains heat, it’s still a good idea to keep it well-insulated. That’s because, with the right insulation, you’re sure to have an easier time converting the garage into a livable space that can be used for a number of things. Some of these are using it as a play area for your children, an additional living space, or even a guest room, especially if you won’t typically park your car inside it.
In order to get the best outcome from restoring an old detached garage, it’s a great idea to make it a multi-functional space. This is going to ensure that you boost the value of your home significantly. If you have a garage that can be converted easily from serving one purpose to serving a different one, you’re bound to enjoy the new freedom a lot.
5. Update the Garage Door
Restoring an old detached garage cannot be fully done if the garage door is not in the best possible state. This is why you have to talk to a good garage door company in your area to find out the various options that they have. Look for a garage door that’s going to offer you security and efficiency so that you can be sure you’re making an upgrade. Even if it’s not possible for criminals to gain access to your home via the detached garage, you’ll benefit from ensuring that it’s secure because you may store valuable items in it.
Remember to get a garage door whose aesthetics work well for the rest of your home. This is a sure way to boost your home’s curb appeal because the garage won’t stand out for the wrong reasons and look like it has no association with the rest of your house. Take time to look for the right color, material, and design so that you can reap every single benefit from the investment of getting a new garage door installed.
6. Add Some Cabinets
In order to be sure that storage is not an issue after you finish restoring an old garage, it’s a good idea to get some custom garage cabinets. This is a great way to make room for every item that you have in your home. You can be sure that it will be a lot easier for you to maintain the state of your restored garage if you have a set place to keep everything away once you’re done using it.
The best thing about getting custom garage cabinets while restoring an old detached garage is that they will fit your garage perfectly. They can even be used to improve the look of the garage, especially if you pick the right colors and use decorative finishes that complement the rest of your garage design. Take time to find the right cabinets and decide whether you want them to be fixed in place or you want to be able to move them around. This and other details are going to help you make a decision that you’re sure you won’t regret.
7. Install Dedicated Outlets
With the digital age already upon us, there’s no denying the fact that power outlets are a must-have in a space that is to be considered functional. This is why when you’re restoring an old detached garage, you should look for a reliable electrician service in your area. Doing this will ensure that you can get the job done right and professionally. The professionals will help you figure out where to place the dedicated outlets in order to make the garage a truly functional space.
Correct placement and safe connections are important aspects to make sure that you get it right. This is because when you do, you’ll have a much easier time understanding where to keep electrical appliances such as a television set or a refrigerator if you want to have them in the garage. It will be easy to work as well because you can have an easy time figuring out where to set up a working surface in order to work on repairs, hobbies, and many more.
8. Redo the Floor
The floor of the garage is an extremely important element to think about. That’s because it ties everything together well and guarantees that any furniture, cabinetry, and other parts complement each other. Remember that the right floor for your garage also needs to be safe and functional for the intended use. This means that if you want a garage floor that will be safe from things like oil spills and withstand heavy use, you should pick something that will work out perfectly.
In order to be confident in the fruits of your labor when you’re restoring an old detached garage, you should do thorough research to find the right floor. This may be a material that will be good enough by itself or one that requires a coating in order to achieve its full potential. Epoxy floor coatings are one of the most popular options for a number of homeowners. They offer gorgeous looks, a variety of colors and designs, and durability that will give you maximum bang for each buck you spend on it.
9. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Restoring an old detached garage cannot be complete if you don’t do anything to the walls. This is because they’re probably going to be worn out by the time you decide to work on improving your detached garage. Painting is also one of the most affordable and fast ways to upgrade any given space, and for this reason, you should not leave it out. You could either hire a local residential painting company to do the job for you or simply do it yourself if you feel up for the challenge.
It may prove to be a bit of a learning curve if it’s something that you’ve never done before. That said, there are plenty of tutorials, instructional videos, and articles on the internet that you can use as a guide. If you have friends or family willing to help you get the job done, it can be even easier for you. To boot, you’ll have something to bond over and you’ll get the gratification of having done a part of the project yourself!
10. Restore the Exterior
Last, but not least, remember to restore the exterior of your detached garage in order to complete the job. You want the garage to look as amazing on the outside as it does on the inside since this is one of the ways in which you can be sure that your home’s value in general will be boosted fully. The exterior of your garage includes the roof, which you must check for leaks and other issues, both structural and aesthetic. This way, you can be sure that the garage will be safe from the elements.
Don’t forget to have a look at your pavers and other details of the garage that interact with the rest of your house. That said, if you have missing or damaged pavers, take time to look for replacements or repairs, whichever will serve the purpose best. Remember that restoring an old detached garage should be a thorough and comprehensive project that’s going to ensure that you end up with a beautiful space you’re proud to associate with the rest of your home.
These 10 convenient tips for restoring an old detached garage should come in handy. They can make it easy to get the job done if you use them as a guide because they outline the steps that you need to take for the project. Remember that when you’re looking for someone to help you, it’s important to hire professionals who can help you make sure that the project is a hit and not a miss in any way.
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