Posts Tagged ‘garage organization’

A Professionally Organized Garage

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

It is the most neglected room of your house. It just sits there, collecting clutter. You know you should clean and organize it, but you continue to procrastinate. Meanwhile, the piles of junk continue to add up and the mess accumulates.

What is this messy mystery room? Your garage of course!

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Your garage has so much potential. All it takes is a little organization (well, sometimes a lot of organization). This is where TLC Garage Works can help!

GARAGE ORGANIZATION
A completely turn-key service in which we promise to provide our customers with “the garage of their dreams” in 5 days or less. TLC Garage Works Inc, garages are:

•      Professionally designed – our garage consultants will design your garage to best meet your requirements and your desires.

•      Versatile – your garage storage needs are likely to change over time. Our garage storage solutions are versatile enough to change and grow with you.

•      Safe – no more tripping over ski boots or catching your sleeve on the rake. Locks and proper positioning of garage storage cabinets, bins and garage shelving keep the garage safe for kids and pets as well.

•      Easy to maintain – all our garage storage organizer products are waterproof, and completely washable (You don’t need anything other than common household cleaners).

Why spend one more day losing the battle to clutter in your garage? Let TLC Garage Works, Inc provide you with the garage storage organization solution that’s right for you!

We can help you organize other things as well!

CLEAN UP/CLEAR AWAY CREWS
Are there objects in your house or yard that you would like to get rid of, but don’t have the time, muscle or equipment to shift on your own? If so, call TLC Garage Works, Inc, and ask for our Clean Up/Clear Away Crew to come to your rescue. We’ll send a team of 4 to your location with a dumpster to haul away unwanted items, indoors or out, and clean up the area afterward according to your instructions.

If you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

We can provide you what you need. Whether it is a complete garage makeover, a garage remodel, a new garage floor, better garage storage organization, new garage cabinets or garage shelving, TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you.

We serve Anne Arundel County MD, Calvert County MD, Prince Georges County MD, Montgomery County MD, Howard County MD, Carroll County MD,  Baltimore County MD, Baltimore City MD , Harford County MD, Talbot County MD, and Queen Anne’s County MD , as well as the Washington DC area.

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Take Care Of The Garage, Your Garage Will Take Care Of You

Garage cabinets – Garage Ideas & Cleaning Tips

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Garage Loft Ideas

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

You have heard it all before; garage conversions can be a great way to add additional living space to your home without having to build a new addition. It sounds great to you, but you just can’t decide what you want your new room to be – a gym, an apartment, a study, a man cave, or maybe even a playroom. The possibilities are endless. How can you choose?

Well first, consider your family’s wants and needs. Of course the needs always outweigh the wants, but if you have no pressing needs for more space then you can turn your garage into whatever you like.

This article from eHow.com provides several interesting garage loft conversion ideas to help you pick out the best option for your home.

Apartment

If you have the extra space and you have no need for an extra room, why not convert your garage into an apartment? As long as you do not mind someone else living in close proximity, this is a great way to add value to your home while also creating additional income.

You will want to ensure the garage loft apartment complies with the building codes of your state. Incorporate a kitchenette and bathroom into the apartment. Renters will want these types of amenities.

Office or Study

Maybe you need a quiet place of your own to complete work or pay bills. Well, why not convert your garage into a nice office/study? . Line the walls with bookshelves, files and a computer desk. This is especially beneficial if you run a business from home. This will make sure that your clients do not need to enter your main home in order to do business with you.

Playroom

As your family continues to grow, space becomes much more congested inside your home. One way to alleviate this and provide your children with a little more room to roam is to convert your garage into a playroom. Paint the walls a cheery color and decorate in a child’s theme. This will ensure that your children’s toys do not clutter your home. Include a small table and chair set, or picnic table in your playroom, as this will provide you place to feed your children lunch and snacks while playing.

Bedroom

If you have a new baby on the way and you have run out of bedrooms, consider turning your unused garage into a nursery or additional bedroom. This will not only give you more living space, but it is also a great way to add value to your home.

If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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Garage Conversion: Exercise Room

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

With the U.S. economy and job market both in states of ruin, people are trying to stretch every dollar they own, more now than ever. Because of this penny-pinching trend, home gyms have become increasingly popular. Why spend $50 a month to be a member of a gym when you can own your own equipment and workout in the privacy of your own home?

And where are these people putting their new home gyms? In their garages.

This article from eHow.com explains how you can turn your dank garage into your own luxury workout space with just a few adjustments to the flooring, climate control and insulation (and gym equipment, of course).

Climate Control

Most garages aren’t climate controlled, making insulation, heating and air conditioning installation a must. After all, you want to be comfortable when you workout, right?

Flooring

The sturdy flooring in most garages make the room ideal for heavy exercise equipment. But in order to reduce noise and add a little cushion for activities like yoga or pilates, you may think about installing rubber sports matting. These interlocking cushions are easy to install and provide the perfect cost-effective flooring option for any garage-based home gym.

Equipment

Cheap exercise equipment is one thing you do not want to mess with. So fork out the extra few dollars to get the best equipment you can afford. It is better to have a few high-quality machines than a bunch of cheap machines that will break and wear down. Popular options include compact home gyms, which accommodate multiple exercise types in one apparatus. Other choices include cardio equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines; strength training equipment such as weight benches and fitness accessories such as stability balls and yoga mats.

Extras

Finally, no one likes to exercise in complete silence. Consider installing a music system or television/dvd player to help break up your monotonous workout. It is also nice to have a small refrigerator near by filled with healthy snacks, cold water and sports drinks.

But the final decisions are yours. Tailor your home gym to your specific needs/desires. If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

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What Insulation to use in a Garage Conversion

Monday, June 13th, 2011

As we have said several times before, converting your garage into more living space is a great, cost-effective way to add more room to your home. The main challenge in doing this is making that cold, damp garage into a warm and inviting room of the house. One Critical aspect of this transformation is insulation.

Garages are not designed to be lived in. They have a singular purpose; they house your car. And you car doesn’t care if your garage is cold and damp, but you do.

This article from eHow.com explains how to insulate your garage – walls, ceiling and floor.

Before you even think about buying supplies, check your local building codes. There are probably standards that have to be met when converting a garage into a living space. Also, get the recommended R-value for the floor, ceiling and walls. The R-value refers to the ability of the insulation to resist heat loss.

Ceilings and Walls

Examine the ceiling and walls for any signs of cracks that may let moisture into your garage. You will need to repair these openings before any other steps are taken. This can be done with spray foam.

Use fiberglass batt insulation and make sure it fits tightly between the wall framing and ceiling joists. Do not overstuff the cavity with insulation. If you used face insulation, the vapor barrier should be toward the heat side, or facing you. Staple the flanges to the studs about every 8 inches.

Floor

First, make sure the concrete floor is level and free of moisture.

There are a couple of options when it comes to insulating the garage floor: You can cover the floor with rigid foam insulation or install wood sleepers on the garage floor and install rigid foam panels between the sleepers.

Use a vapor barrier. Use six-millimeter polyethylene (plastic sheeting). Cover the entire slab and extend it up the side of the walls 4 to 6 inches. Overlap the seam about 8 inches and use insulation tape to seal the seams. If you not using sleepers, position the foam board over the plastic sheeting and leave a ¼-inch cracks around the borders. Use insulation tape to seal the joints.

Use insect- and decay-resistant 1-by-4 or 2-by-4 stock for the sleepers. Place sleepers around the perimeter of the garage. Leave a ¼-inch space between the sleepers and the walls. Fill out the remainder of the area; if you are using 1-by-4s, place the boards 12 inches on center. Place 2-by-4 sleeper stock 16 inches on center. Use a powder-actuated nailer to secure the sleepers to the concrete slab. If you use 2-by-4 sleepers, the result will be a much stronger floor.

The rigid foam insulation should be the same thickness of the sleepers. Fit the foam between the sleepers, but leave a ¼-inch space around the perimeter. Only use compression-grade rigid foam insulation panels.

Once you are done, you should have a much more comfortable garage. If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

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Garage Conversion Tips

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Converting your garage into an extra room is by no means an easy task. Yes, your basic structure is in place (at least you don’t have to add a new addition onto your home, right?), but everything else needs to be built from scratch – interior walls/insulation, lighting, wiring, and, in some cases, plumbing.

This article from eHow.com provides you with a few useful tips to help you breeze through your garage conversion.

Design

Continuity is the key. You want your garage to be a new room, right? Well make sure it matches the rest of the house. Consider accessing the new room from a main hallway with no step-downs and use the same floor and ceiling height as the rest of the house. This will help to make your garage feel more like a cozy addition to the house and less like a dank garage with a few pieces of furniture thrown in.

Floor Issues

Garage floors are designed to slant toward the garage door. So when you are converting your garage into an extra room, you have to fix the slant. One way to accomplish this is to build a sub-floor above the concrete, which can bring the floor level to the rest of the house while leaving a space beneath to run plumbing lines.

Return on Investment

Consider getting work permits for major conversion work to help protect resale value. And try to change as little about the garage as possible. Leave all walls, plumbing and electrical outlets intact (if possible).

Upgrades

Most garages do not have insulation. So when you are making your improvements, be sure to address this situation. Also, do not forget to run ductwork to your garage, connecting it to your heating and cooling system.  Failing to address these areas may hurt the resale value of your home. Approach the garage conversion like it is part of a home you plan to buy and live in, and plan the construction accordingly.

So if you plan on converting your garage into an additional room, make sure you go about it the right way. If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

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How to Design the Ultimate Garage

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

A garage doesn’t have to be the traditional handyman’s workshop or a room to house your car. You can turn your garage into an extension of your house based on your needs, hobbies, occupation or interests. Be innovative, but think in realistic terms according to your budget. With some research and planning, you can own the garage of your dreams.

It is the forgotten room in most homes. It is where Christmas lights hide for 11 months out of the year and where old clothes are packed away in boxes, awaiting their fate. It is where all of your unwanted memories go when you no longer have any use for them. It is your garage.

But your garage can be so much more than a place to store all of your unwanted junk. With a little imagination and some elbow grease, you can transform your garage into almost anything. This article from eHow.com explains how.

1.    Clean out your garage. It’s hard to see all the possibilities in a space that is dirty or filled with unused equipment and boxes. Have a garage sale to get rid of unwanted objects and to help fund your project. Make all repairs, such as fixing cracked floors, broken windows or unresponsive garage doors.

2.    List your needs for the garage. Think about what you want to do in your garage. The space could be used as an office, study, library, entertainment den, craft room or ultimate handyman workshop. Prepare a budget for the project. If you live in a hot or cold climate, think about the weather in the summer and winter. Make sure you have enough money to install an air conditioner or heater.

3.    Draw your garage on a piece of paper. Take measurements of every wall and door, plus the height. Indicate on your outline all immovable objects and electrical outlets.

4.    Call a real estate agent. By redesigning a garage and making it into another room, you could be depreciating your home. Find a real estate agent from a reputable company. (See Resources). The agent will know about the other houses in the area and will be able to tell you whether there would be any difference in the price of your home. You would be surprised to find that a garage in some areas can add on between $2,000 and $4,000 to the value of a home.

5.    Shop around and get the best price for remodeling and construction services. Ask friends and family members for referrals. Make a comprehensive list of all equipment, organizational furniture and appliances your garage is going to need. Many times the ultimate garage doesn’t have the top-of-the-line amenities, but offers the homeowner the very best in functionality.

If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

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Garage Makeovers Go Over The Top

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Garages have always had many uses – like storing your car, storing your junk, a second living room, a man cave, a place for your band to practice or a workshop – but until recently, garage decorating and lighting was basically the same. Most garages had metal shelves, wooden ceilings and that one light bulb dangling in the middle of the room.

But as this article from AOL Real Estate explains, garage makeovers have come a long way in the last few years.

People are beginning to look at their garages with a newfound appreciation. What was often seen as a glorified closet has become the latest remodeling project for a lot of homeowners who need a little extra space. With garage renovations costing less than constructing an addition onto homes, people have finally began realized the potential of their garages.

So what have people come up with?

  1. The New York Times tells the story of a performance artist named Michelle de la Vega who transformed her 250-square foot garage in back of her Seattle home into a cozy dream space, complete with a sleeping loft and wood-burning stove, all for $32,000.
  2. Sunset magazine details a classy garage conversion by an architect in San Francisco. A two-car garage was repurposed into a guest room, office and bathroom under a new gabled roof – and surprisingly, there was room left to squeeze in one car.

The possibilities are endless.

If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

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5 Tips on Making the Most Out of Your Garage

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

If your garage is like most garages in the United States, it probably holds just about everything except a car. Our garages have become glorified closets and with the amount of clutter we accumulate over the years, there seems to be little hope of a return to the glory days of the American garage. But if you have the time, patience, and energy, you may be able to reverse the effects of garage clutter.

This article from NetWorx.com provides 5 helpful tips to get you on your way to the garage you never thought you would have again.

1.  Divide and Conquer

The first part of the organizing that is a must-do is also going to be the most mentally taxing. You will need to fight the packrat demons and actually go through all of the stuff in your garage. Divide everything into five categories: Used Regularly, Used Seasonally, Storage, Not Used, and Trash. Concentrate your “keeper” items into themed groups based on use and store them in this way once you’ve cleared or built space for them. For example, put everything you use for auto repair in one area and all of your sports gear in another area. Then, toss anything that’s garbage and have a garage sale to get rid of anything you simply don’t use anymore. Anything that is in good condition but doesn’t get sold in the garage sale should be donated to charity.

2.  Make Use of Your Walls

Add shelves, cabinets or closets to your garage walls for organized storage that is cleanly hidden from view. You can purchase prefabricated shelving from your local hardware store or you can build them yourself with a little lumber and some nails. Next, take a look at your remaining wall space and invest in hooks galore! You can and should hang almost anything with a relatively flat side to it. Ladders, rakes, brooms, shovels, folding lawn chairs, and repair tools are just a few of the items in your garage that will save space and look better in an organized fashion on your walls. Arrange your wall hanging according to object category and size and make sure to return items back to their spot on the wall when you’re done using them.

3.  Don’t Forget About the Ceiling

You will be happily surprised by how much more space your garage will have in it when you transform your previously barren ceiling into useable storage space. Start by looking up and deciding what objects can simply be hung out of the way. Bikes and kayaks will free up tons of floor space when hung on hooks from your ceiling. You can build in even more space saving techniques by attaching shelves or cabinets high up on your walls so that the tops meet the ceiling. Remember to check out the structure of your garage before attempting to install ceiling shelving. Exposed beams are the easiest spots to attach brackets and other installation gear, but you can still work with drywall or false ceilings as long as you take the time to locate studs and structural beams. Then make sure to use strong mounting materials, such as galvanized lag bolts instead of screws to attach your new shelving. You can then use these out-of-the-way storage spaces for items that you do not use regularly. (Be careful with weight though – you should store heavier items closer to the floor.)

4.  Flash Your Floors and Surfaces

Aim to keep your garage floor and countertops free from anything that is not used regularly. Suitcases, seasonal sports gear, building and painting materials, etc. should always be returned to their assigned space and never left out to unnecessarily clutter the floor for weeks or months at a time after you’ve finished using them. Additionally, you should not let any regularly used items that are small and easily lost in a crowd (such as gardening tools) float around your floor or counter space. Make sure to put all tools back in a toolbox, on hooks, or in whatever specially assigned space you’ve given to them so that you always know where they are and you don’t end up tripping over them when navigating your garage. Utilize the floor and surface areas of your garage as workspace or walking space and clean up after yourself when you’re done with projects so that your garage maintains its clean, organized look.

5.  Create More Space with an Outdoor Shed

If you have a yard and a set of appliances or tools used specifically for the yard, it’s a good idea to consider building yourself an outdoor shed to house these items. Lawnmowers, hoses, buckets, shovels, etc. can all take up a lot of valuable space in a small garage. You’ll find your space more useable if it is assigned based on function. An outdoor storage system like this Suncast Horizontal Utility Shed will help you stay organized with outdoor chores and it won’t break the bank either, at only $99.84 from Walmart. Check out Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and online discount stores for more price comparisons and outdoor storage ideas.

So do not wait. Go out and re-claim your garage. If you have any questions, contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

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Help for hobbyists in the garage

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Recently we’ve talked about turning a garage into a place for work and into a place for play. Now, we want to look at a use that’s somewhere in between.  Many people see their garages as places where they can work on their hobbies or crafts.  The problem is that garages are subject to temperature variations from season to season, which often are not conducive for hobbies and craftwork.  This article offers a way of eliminating these temperature swings.

Instead of dealing with the mess and hazards of fiberglass insulation, foil insulation provides a great alternative.  It can be stapled or glued to garage walls and ceilings to provide more consistent temperatures.  Next, you’ll need to insulate the garage door.  Hardware stores sell kits for doing just that.

Of course adding insulation inside the garage means taking everything off the walls and ceilings.  You can use the opportunity to consolidate and organize the stuff you have in the garage.  If you need help doing so, contact us.  We can get your garage ready for an insulation project as well as create more space for you and your hobbies.

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First steps toward a garage/office conversion

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

If you read our last post, you may have given some consideration to converting part of your garage to an office.  If you want to go ahead with such a conversion, this article will help get you started.  These are the main steps at the beginning.

  1. Check out relevant codes and get the proper permits.
  2. Make sure you have the necessary electric and plumbing utilities for the garage and identify where those lines are.
  3. Begin investigating contractors to do the work.
  4. When designing the new space, consider adding windows, and what parking and storage space you’ll still need.
  5. Plan to add insulation to the garage.
  6. Consider adding security features especially if you’ll have computers and other electronics in the garage/office.

You may want to move no. 3 up to the top of your list and contact us. That’s because we can help with codes and permits and designing your new space as well.  Then, we’ll help with the conversion to give you a great garage and office.

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