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Take
back your garage: Organization is easier than
ever
Yard
tools leaning against the walls. Random storage
boxes stacked high. From oil‑stained
floors to the cluttered corners, garages are
not usually the first room you show off in
your home. But things are changing and the
new trend in home improvement is to create
a garage that is not only more functional,
but one that extends your living space.
“Many
homeowners feel the garage sets the tone for
the whole house and really is the true main
entrance to their home,” says Steve Real,
an executive in the automotive category at
Wal‑Mart. “The great thing about garage
organization is that it is completely customizable
to each individual’s needs. It can be achieved
in steps, so customers can do a complete overhaul
or take one step at a time.”
And,
do‑it‑yourself enthusiasts are
also taking notice. According to a recent
survey by Rust‑Oleum, 55 percent of
homeowners use their garage for more than
just storage and 45 percent spend one to two
hours a week there. Imagine a garage with
clean floors, organized walls and open, usable
space for parking your vehicle or simply doing
your favorite hobby. Achieving this is easier
than you think. Here are some things to consider:
Determine
the goal
Take
a look at your current garage and decide where
you want to focus. Whether doing a complete
overhaul or taking one step at a time, think
of your final goal.
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Sort
and separate
A
great way to start your garage makeover is to get
organized. Go through the items in your garage and
separate into categories. For example, create piles
of sports equipment, lawn and garden tools, automotive
supplies, etc. Also, determine how often you use
these items. Sort the items into one of three categories:
save; giveaway and throwaway.
Sweep
and clean floors
Give
the floor a thorough sweep to remove dirt and other
items. Even after floors are swept, they are often
dirty and stained with hard‑to‑remove
substances like oil and gasoline. Why not create
a floor that is easy to clean that looks like a
showroom floor?
Resurface
floors
Rust‑Oleum
Epoxy Shield is an easy‑to‑apply product
that features decorative flakes that you sprinkle
into the paint while it’s drying to make your garage
look like it is an expensive “terrazzo” floor. This
special epoxy floor coating looks great and can
stand up to the wear and tear of your tires and
spills of every kind, protecting against gasoline,
oil, antifreeze and even salt
Add
matting
Pressed
for time and want an easy solution for your garage
floor? One of the fastest ways to transform your
garage floor and protect it is to simply roll out
a 20‑foot‑long Drymate Garage Floor
Mat. This plush, absorbent fabric mat has a patented
waterproof non‑slip backing that is simple
to clean by vacuuming or hosing off. Better than
heavy carpeting, these mats are perfect for underneath
a vehicle, to dress up an area in the garage to
extend your living space such as for a kid’s play
area, exercise or card room or even a fast way to
prepare your garage for a party.
Install
storage options
Organize
things up and off of the floor, using organizational
tools that utilize any available space such as walls,
corners, overhead storage, back of doors and crawl
spaces. Consider installing organization solutions
by Dorman Products that are heavy duty in design
for durable and safe storage in the garage environment.
They are also powder coated for a neat and clean
look while resisting rust. Pegboards, direct‑to‑wall
items such as baskets, bins and hooks, as well as
other free‑standing units make your garage
safer and more efficient.
Return
items
After
floors and walls are clean and organized, it’s time
to return items utilizing your new garage space.
Remember to keep safety and efficiency in mind when
replacing garage contents.
Imagine
the clean look of an organized, efficient garage
as the true welcome mat to your home.
Contributed
by ARA.
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