How to Make Your Home Garage More ‘Homely’
How to make your home garage more homely… If you’re lucky enough to have a garage on your property, you shouldn’t take it for granted. A lot of people will simply leave the space a messy concrete box for their car and items they haven’t taken to the tip yet, but there’s no reason you have to settle for this. A home garage should feel exactly like that: an extension of your home.
Making a garage more homely and welcoming is about balancing a sense of utilitarianism with the warmth and comfort of a living space. This article will offer guidance for home garage ideas, so you can make it a nicer place to be, without sacrificing its usability.
Upgrade the entryways
One of the best ways to make a garage feel more welcoming is to improve its entrances. For example, installing garage side doors make for a convenient way to enter the garage from outside, without having to use a remote or let in the draughts from a full door opening. Think about how you interact with the space daily; the entrances will have a massive impact on that.
Side-hinged car entry doors are a nice touch as well.
Improving the flooring
Cold, stained concrete doesn’t scream “comfort garage”. There are plenty of methods for enhancing the flooring, which can make the space feel warmer and generally nicer to be in.
- Interlocking PVC or rubber tiles are a cheap, easy-to-integrate option, making the space warmer underfoot, while also often coming in aeshtetic patterns.
- Epoxy with ‘flake’ finishes is a permanent, showroom-esque option for a nice-looking garage floor, great for hiding dust and adding texture.
- Heavy-duty outdoor rugs can be used for the sake of interior zoning, perfect for framing a spot in the garage as a living or working space.
Starting from the ground up is always wise in a home garage.
Garage climate control
Most garages are iceboxes in the winter and saunas in the summer, so improving the standard of insulation and temperature control will make a huge difference.
Upgrading the entryways isn’t just for convenience, as it can also improve the thermal performance of the space overall. You can also line the walls with plywood or slatwood panels for improved insulation, while also creating a more homely, cabin-style feel.
It might also be worth installing a small, app-controlled heating/cooling unit, so you can raise or lower the temperature with ease, without pushing the household system.
Modular and hidden storage systems
Modular and hidden storage systems are all the rage at the moment, used across home garages and general home interiors. Clever storage solutions are a smart way to reduce visual clutter, which can make a room feel stressful if it gets out of hand.
- Closed, modular steel or melamine cabinets can be used to hide ‘ugly’ work tools and rags.
- Slatwall storage systems look like panelling but can actually have hooks, perfect for keeping the floor clear.
Making storage feel part of the furniture is great for building a home garage hybrid.
General interior touches
If you really want a home garage to feel more homely, treat it more like you would any other part of your home.
- Strategically layer lights to create a balance between ambient space and task areas.
- Bring in some comfortable garage chairs so you have somewhere to sit (maybe in front of a small TV).
- Paint one of the walls in a more comforting colour to get away from grey monotony.
- Bring in some low-maintenance potted plants to soften the garage’s workshop edges.
- Create a coffee corner with some refreshments, making it a more suitable spot for spending time.
By following these guidelines, you can make a home garage feel all the more welcoming to yourself and any guests, without having to sacrifice utility as a workshop or car storage space. Get started on these improvements today and see how much happier you feel in the garage!
