When you own a new custom home that’s the perfect size for you and your needs, you have so many options to do what you want, when you want, in your own space. When that new home includes an attached or detached garage, it opens up an entirely new world of possibilities. Although the original purpose of storing a car (or two, or three) is always great, there are lots of potential uses for the extra square footage. In fact, whatever your interest, hobby, need, or preference, there’s a way to accommodate it in your new garage. All it takes is a little imagination and a bit of elbow-grease. Here are a few ideas:
1) Workshop
Whether you work with wood, machinery, cars, or anything else, the garage is the perfect, wide-open, private, protected space to master your craft and store your tools. To save room, opt for a fold down workbench that’s affixed to the wall and can be folded up with it’s time to work. Add shelving and a peg board to hold all your tools and you’ll be organized and ready to work whenever the need or inspiration strikes.
2) Storage
We’re all guilty of storing too much in our garages, but with a little organization, your space doesn’t have to be overrun with mystery boxes that sit untouched for years. Vertical shelving is a great way to keep rarely-used items out of the way but within sight, so you always know where they are. Metal lockers (like the kind you used in high school), are also great for keeping unsightly items stored away but easily accessible.
3) RV or Boat Storage
If you love hitting the open road or water and need somewhere to store your RV, boat, or trailer, why pay extra for a facility when you can keep it right on your property and protected from the elements? You can work with your builder to raise the height of the garage so that it fits perfectly. This would make servicing your vehicle easy and convenient, and packing would be a breeze!
4) Entertainment or Music Room
If you crave a space to entertain, watch movies, listen to music, or play instruments, your garage is a great option. With a mini split system for heating and cooling, a bit of extra insulation, and some DIY soundproofing on the walls, you can create an ideal rec room where noise is never an issue for the rest of the house.
5) Game Room
Spread out with a full-size pool table and play darts safely in the comfort of your attached or detached garage-turned-game room. If you prefer games of the electronic sort, set up a large screen and comfortable seating without taking up valuable space inside your home. Don’t forget to add the all-important mini-fridge (or even a full-size bar!) so that you don’t have to break your concentration when you get thirsty.
6) Arts & Craft Room
With a concrete floor and no expectations of being perfectly clean, the garage is the perfect space to get messy with arts and crafts. You or your kids can get creative with paint, photography, pottery, paper mache, glue, glitter, and any other material to express your inner artist.
7) Mudroom
Mudrooms are always a great idea in a new home, but rather than take up space inside the main part of your home, create one in the garage! Place a long bench with storage along the wall next to the door that leads from the garage to the main house so that you can drop your bags, boxes, keys, and any other items you’re holding. Put a mud mat in front of the door where you can stomp off dirt and water and leave those shoes right outside. You’ll save plenty of time and energy not having to constantly clean your floors.
8) Home Office
The work from home trend is part of our regular lives now. Whether you work from home full-time, or split your days between an office, worksite, and home, it’s best to have a quiet, dedicated space to focus. Set up a home office in one corner of the garage complete with a desk, cabinets, and shelves. Add a split-mini system and make sure the garage door is airtight so you can stay comfortable and get work done in any season.
9) Home Gym
Gym equipment can be bulky and heavy, so there’s no better place to keep it than on the concrete floor in the garage. And you can fit it all — a weight bench, treadmill, stationary bike,
punching bag — you name it. Never pay for a gym membership or use someone else’s questionable equipment again.
10) Multi-Purpose Room
There are so many options when you have a spacious, attached or detached garage. If you just can’t decide what you want to use it for, you can always create sections for different purposes! Set up your desk or workbench in one corner, and weights in the other. Just remember to keep the spaces organized and separate from one another to avoid clutter.
At Value Build Homes, there’s always an option to add a garage to your custom home in North Carolina or South Carolina. Build from one of our thoughtful floor plans like the Montgomery if you are interested in a detatched garage or the Ashton if you are after a 3 car garage, or work with our team to design your own to perfectly suit your needs.