For some people a garage is just somewhere to store your car, garden equipment and stuff that doesn’t fit in your house. This is a real shame because with a bit of love and attention a garage can be so much more. If your garage is in good condition with a secure, watertight garage roof then it can easily be made to work a bit harder for you this summer.
Get ready for the beach
Creating a gym in your garage is the perfect way to save money on expensive gym memberships as well as the time spent travelling there and back. It doesn’t have to cost the earth, a few basic pieces of equipment - exercise bike, free weights, treadmill or rowing machine - and you are good to go. You can always add to your equipment later, as you learn what type of exercise works best for you. This is what one of our clients did to their garage (see photo below).
Keep the drinks cool
Hopefully we will have some good weather this summer and plenty of opportunities to invite friends and family over for a barbeque or two. However, running out of space in the fridge for cold drinks is a common problem. Why not buy a spare fridge and keep it in the garage. You will be able to use it all year round, particularly during Christmas and New Year where there is never enough space for the mountain of food and drink that we need over the festive period.
Playroom for the kids in the summer holidays
Children are easily bored and keeping them busy is good for them and for you. Young children in particular love craft activities, but these can be messy. Why not set up an area in the garage with an easel for painting, a low table for glitter and glue crafts and even a sandpit or water table. They can then make as much supervised mess as they want without you having to worry about the carpets.
Chill out room for teenagers
After the stress of exams most teenagers want to hang out with their friends. While most of us still want to keep a close eye on our teenagers we may not appreciate having a crowd of them in our house every day. However, making your garage comfortable, can give them a space that allows them some privacy and gives you the peace of mind that you know where they are. You could put down some flooring, carpet tiles are cheap and can be easily replaced if damaged, paint the walls a light colour to brighten the space and add some cushions, bean bags etc. It doesn’t need to be expensive, as long as its parent free, your teenager will be happy.
Outdoor entertaining
In summer, most people enjoy the chance to entertain outside. Unfortunately in Scotland there is always the possibility that it will rain. Why not use your garage as a ‘staging area’ and set up your drinks area inside it. Then if there is a light shower there is somewhere for your guests to mill around in until it brightens up.
No room in the car
Going on holiday, do you sometimes find it a struggle to fit the whole family plus two weeks’ worth of luggage into the car? If so, why not invest in a roof box? It gives you loads of extra storage and will last for years. When it is not in use you don’t need to find somewhere in the house for it, it can be easily stored in the garage, either overhead or on one of the walls. This way it will not even take up any floor space.
If you like any of the ideas above but have a garage that is damp, mouldy or leaks, please get in touch . We can inspect, repair or replace your garage roof for you. We also install high quality brand new garages, if you have decided that your old one is beyond repair.
By Paul McLean
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