When it comes to home improvement projects, garage doors are one of the easiest parts of your home to update. You can do a lot of these updates yourself with just a few tools and some patience.
Before you get started, though, make sure that your door is in good shape and that its tracks are aligned properly. If there’s any doubt about the safety or usability of your garage door, have it inspected by a professional before doing anything else.
Safety is a key concern when it comes to garage doors, and more so if you have young children. If your door is old and doesn’t function properly, it’s best to get a new one. You can install a new garage door yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Get a trusted technician for same day garage door repair services to ensure your door is still working properly before attempting to DIY a more technical job. Some things are better left for the professionals, after all.
Just make sure that the garage door has safety features like a safety release and automatic rollers that prevent it from closing on people or objects.
If your garage door is functioning properly, but your garage is a mess, here are 6 garage updates you can do yourself to improve its overall look and functionality. These updates require no special skills and are pretty easy to do.
Paint the Garage Door
Painting the garage door is easy to do yourself. You can choose a color that complements your home’s exterior and makes the garage look more inviting – paint the door so that it’s the same color as your house, or choose a contrasting color to make the garage stand out.
Just make sure the door is clean and dry before painting it. Use a roller for large areas and a small paint brush for corners, trim, and hardware.
Paint the Garage Walls
Painting your garage walls is a task you can do without the help of a professional. You can choose to paint the walls a neutral color, such as white or gray. You can also paint the walls a brighter hue that complements your home’s exterior.
If you decide to paint the walls, make sure to use a high-quality exterior paint that will stand up to sun, rain, and temperature changes.
You’ll also want to seal your walls with a clear coat for added protection against moisture intrusion and UV rays that could cause fading.
Add Windows to Your Garage Door
If you don’t have a window in your garage, adding one is a great way to make the space more appealing. It will let natural light into your garage and provide an opportunity for fresh air to flow through.
You can install windows that are fixed or operable to give you control over how much ventilation is allowed into the room. Make sure to install the windows in a location that allows them to open and close easily.
You may also want to consider using storm windows or other types of protective window coverings to guard against broken glass and vandalism.
If you have an existing window, you may be able to simply remove it and replace it with something more attractive or functional.
Install New Shelving
If you want to increase the amount of storage space in your garage, you can install new shelving. You can choose from a number of different materials, including wood and metal.
You can also install shelving that is adjustable so you can customize the amount of storage space. Most garage shelving is designed to hold a variety of items, including tools, sports equipment, and more.
You can choose to purchase shelving that is pre-assembled, or you can assemble the pieces yourself. If you plan to assemble the shelving yourself, make sure that you have all of the necessary tools on hand.
It’s also a good idea to measure your garage before purchasing new shelving so that you can ensure that it will fit into the space.
Install Indoor and Outdoor Lighting
Installing lighting is possibly one of the easiest garage upgrades you can do yourself.
You can install the lighting around the perimeter of the garage, in the center, or along the walls. It’s also a good idea to have some additional lighting above your workbench so that it’s easy for you to see when you’re working on projects.
When choosing the type of lighting you want to install, consider the amount of light that you need and what kind of fixtures will look best in your garage. An excellent option is LED lights because they consume less electricity than traditional bulbs.
Organize the Yard Tools
Organizing the yard tools may not seem like an important garage upgrade, but it can make a big difference when you need to find something in a hurry.
You don’t want to spend hours looking for your rake or shovel because they’re buried under piles of other items that are strewn all over the place.
When organizing your yard tools, think about how often you use each one and where it makes the most sense to store it. Adding hooks to your garage walls can be a great way to organize and store rakes, shovels, hoes, and other long-handled tools.
You can also install hooks on the ends of shelves so that you can hang hand tools like pruning shears, loppers, and clippers.
Ideally, you want to find a way to store all of your tools so that they’re easy to access.
Conclusion
Many people tend to neglect their garage. Maybe it’s because it’s just a place to park and store tools and other items.
However, your garage is part of your home, and you should take care of it just as you do with the rest of your house. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to make your garage look great both on the inside and outside.
You just need to know what updates to make. It could be something as simple as painting the walls or adding lighting. Or you could go all out and add new cabinets or a shelf system. It’s all about improving the overall look of your garage and making it cleaner, brighter, and more organized. You can even get your friends, kids, or partner to help you out. It can be a fun and bonding experience!