I have dreaded cleaning and organizing our garage for years now. And I honestly never thought I’d tackle it for the One Room Challenge because I couldn’t imagine how I could turn raw studs and concrete into a photo worthy space. But the garage had gotten so out of hand that I had no choice but to finally do something. Since I work best under a deadline, the ORC seemed to offer me the best hope of starting and finishing the project, and the motivation to do it as well as possible.
And you guuuuys… guess what?! It turns out that dirty, dingy garage had more potential than I gave it credit for! I’ve somehow managed to create a space that is clean, bright, and even photo worthy…
I entered this project with the goal of creating an organized and functional space, and I am extremely proud of how I achieved that goal. But along the way I was able to also make it a heck of a lot prettier…talk about a happy accident! Come on in and let me show you all the details…
If you are new here, and wondering what the heck the One Room Challenge is all about, let me give you the quick overview. It is a twice annual blogging event hosted by Calling It Home in which hundred or more designers challenge themselves to completely makeover one room in their home in just five weeks time. We each post weekly updates throughout the process, starting with the the before photos and design plans, and leading up to the final reveal of our completed space. That’s TODAY!
This is my sixth time participating in the One Room Challenge, and you can find all of our prior ORC transformations here: little gentleman’s bedroom | modern graphic master bedroom | rock & roll under stair playroom | light & bright laundry closet | graphic glam master bathroom.
If you’d like to catch up on how we got here, you can catch up on each of the weekly garage makeover posts here: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
Ok, back to the garage! YIPEE! Note that this post contains some affiliate links for your convenience {read more}.
This wall of storage makes me so happy! No seriously, you should have seen me dancing around the garage while taking these photos! And check out that shiny, pretty dance floor?! I partnered with Rust-Oleum to coat the floor in their gunmetal RockSolid Metallic floor finish, and it is ah-mazing! {You can read all about the floor product and the DIY process in this tutorial.}
I know there’s a lot to take in in these photos, and I’ll walk you through the details. But first, let’s look back at the before photo so you can appreciate just how far the garage has come!
This was six short weeks ago…
And today…
Not only did we manage to organize all of our stuff, we added so much to the garage that we didn’t have before… like a fridge and freezer. Do you see them? It’s like Where’s Waldo… See all of those paint swatches. Yep, there they are!
Over the years, I have pinned tons of photos of rooms with walls covered in paint swatches. I’ve always loved the idea of it, but could never imagine a space in my home where it would fit. But when the fridge and freezer were delivered and I saw all that white space, I saw it as a blank palette just waiting to be turned into art.
I’ll share the full tutorial on my paint swatch fridge and freezer later, but here’s the secret… magnets!
The fridge and freezer certainly make a major statement now… but they are well balanced by the white walls and the white storage bins and drawers. Let’s get down to details and I’ll show you how we organized all. the. things.
In the old rendition of our garage, we had an rolling cart that held our shovel, rake, brooms, etc. But it took up too much room. By using both the wall space and the space on the side of the fridge, I was able to fit all of these necessities into much less real estate. Heavy duty magnet hooks are my new best friend!
On the other side of the freezer, we installed an entire system of hanging shelves and drawers. This, hands down, was the key to solving all of our old storage woes. This entire wall used to be covered in stand alone shelving units, but the floor in front of the shelves was always filled with bikes, trikes, wagons, large tools, and more.
By doing away with the old shelf units and replacing them with the hanging system that frees up the floor space below, we were able to tuck many of the bulky items underneath.
And those drawers… I heart them so, so much! They provide us much easier access to many of the items that we use on a regular basis, and their lids keep everything inside clean and free from dust and bugs.
And if there is one thing I’m more excited about than the drawers, it’s the paint swatch labels! Details on these will be coming soon, too.
We are working our way around to the workshop corner of the garage, so how about another before and after?
We replaced the old plastic workbench and cabinet with a new metal workbench with a large open shelf perfect for our miter saw and tool boxes. The workbench came with a particle board top and bottom shelf. I replaced the particle board with birch plywood from Home Depot {$20 each}, which I stained with Rust-Oleum Summer Oak and added two coats of polyurethane for a higher end look.
Next to the stationary workbench, we added a rolling tool chest with tons of storage and an adjustable height work surface. Being able to roll this workbench out into the middle or the garage will make it so much easier when we are cutting long boards or working on other projects that require a little more elbow room.
Now I have a space where I can truly “DIY with Style”! But this sign is not just for looks… it’s actually hiding one of the major eye sores in the garage. Right behind it there is a big mess of electrical wires running through the studs. Plus the sign also gave me an excuse to finally use my new Cricut, and I love the shiny and reflective foil vinyl!
I’ve always wanted a pegboard where we could keep our most frequently used tools within easy reach, and I love the way it came together. In addition to hanging my hammer and screwdrivers, I also added a hanging file holder for all of the instruction manuals for our tools.
The ETC box holds three mason jar with pens, pencils, rulers, and graph paper notebooks. I was so excited to find these wood pencils with the colorful tops!
I also have a major love of typography and signage, so I was thrilled for the excuse to buy this metal R!
Last week, when I stepped back and looked at the workbench space, it felt like something was missing. That wall space above was calling for something. A fancy frame of course. LOL! But seriously, I couldn’t be happier with how this last minute paint brush art came together! {Tutorial coming soon}
Even with that entire wall of storage, we still had a few more things that needed a home, including our bikes and our tall ladder. They found a home in the opposite corner of the garage.
Here comes another before and after…
I was initially concerned about hanging the bikes because I am not strong enough to lift a bike down from ceiling hooks. Then we discovered these amazing pulley systems!
We will be parking two cars in this three car garage, and we were thrilled when the measurements revealed that we had just enough depth to add a storage box in front of one of the parking spaces. This solves another of our big storage challenges – where to put our outdoor cushions, pillows, and accessories during the snowy winter months.
Thanks for sticking with me! Here’s one final look at the before and afters…
The garage source list is below. Over the coming weeks and months I’ll be sharing more details, including lots of organizational tips and some DIY tutorials. Until then, you’ll find me getting my DIY on in my stylish new space… and maybe even some more dancing!
SOURCE LIST:
Stationary Workbench {we swapped out the top for nicer wood}
Birch Plywood for stationary workbench top/bottom shelf
Teal Storage Boxes for Nails/Screws
Schlage Keyless Lock on garage door
“DIY with Style” Sign made with Cricut Explore Air and Foil Vinyl
Be sure to head over to Calling it Home to see all of the other amazing One Room Challenge reveal post.
yuni min says
I don't know how you managed to make a garage look beautiful but you did! Great job, Angela. I love all of your storage ideas and how you implemented new organization that will work for your family. The floor and walls look so clean and fresh. The paint swatches are so cool all over the fridge! So glad we got to do this together!!
making it in the mountains says
OH my gosh! Who knew a garage could be SO dreamy!!! LOVE all that organization and the fridge and freezer are so fun!!!
Denise Greenwood says
This is so awesome Angela!! Makes my organizing heart sing! The fridge and freezer are awesome – can't wait for that tutorial, magnets sounds like pure genius to me! Great job!
Jess McGurn says
It looks wonderful! I love the pulley bike system. I need that in my garage!
Besa GM says
This is the most organized and prettty looking garage I have ever seen in my life! Fantastic job!
Cassie Bustamante says
angela, your garage is incredible!!! so beautifully organized and pretty, too! that floor is awesome!
Anonymous says
It looks so fabulous!!! I love all of the organization and the paint brushes/swatches!! So awesome!
Breanna Bertolini says
I have total garage envy right now! This is amazing!
Ariel Garneau says
I don't even want to know how much all those storage bins cost! This looks flawless though, great work space!
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
Wow this turned out soooooo good!
maggie @maggie overby studios says
So well organized, I love the floor and all those paint sample DIYs.
Charlotte Smith says
Our garage will NEVER be this bright and pretty but I can't wait to organize it this weekend… you've inspired me!! 🙂
heather says
Confession: I kinda want to lick your garage floor 😉 It looks GREAT Angela!
Emy says
You made a garage pretty! That's an accomplishment! I love the paint chips (both on the fridge and the labels.) You did such a great job, Angela!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
I want one just like this!! It looks amazing girl!!
Melissa @ Polished Habitat says
I'm in awe of how much bigger it looks with the white walls and glossy floor! And SO MUCH PRETTY ORGANIZATION! It all makes me so happy inside! I can't wait to see all the amazing projects you're inspired to take on now.
Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com says
I seriously cannot get over how happy this transformation makes me – you'd think this was my own space! I reeeeeeeally need you to come over and organize our third bedroom. You may thinking, "Huh? Third bedroom?" You see, we have this room at the end of the hall where we've been storing EVERY TOOL AND PRODUCT that we've used during our 17-month renovation. To say that it needs some organization would be a major, major understatement. Ha!
Also, I still can't get over your gorgeous floors. And the paint chips on the fridge?! Genius idea! Good job, friend! Don't know how you did it, but you made your garage look better than 95% of my entire house – which is why I need your help! 🙂
Krista thehappyhousie says
Angela!! It's so amazing!! I absolutely love everything about it- our garage is an ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE! Eek…. I so want it to look just like yours! That floor finish is gorgeous- I need to learn more about that!!
Brynne Delerson says
Woohoo!!!! Look at this space – amazing! You did such an incredible job on this, Angela!
ElevenGables says
Angela! This is enviable. I need this garage in my life… right now! You did an amazing job. The floors are spectacular and those appliances! Love that pop of color! Well done! What a race to the finish line. You did it! xox
Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
Wow! Your garage is so organized. Jealous! You have added so many great elements in here. Love the idea for an instructions manual holder (pinned), and the paint swatches and paintbrush art are so fun… and can we talk about that floor? Amazing job!
Sarah says
I am so so jealous of how organized everything is – all those labels!! It's like a dream garage. And that floor is amazing!
Jessica | Petal + Ply says
Ahh! Your garage is amazing! We've been working on clearing out our outbuilding and I can not wait until we can get it even half this pretty, clean, and organized!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Angela…..I'm just so….incredibly sad for myself that this isn't my garage! Seriously it is AAAMAZING. The floor is so awesome, I can't wait to read the details all about that paint. The fridge and freezer paint swatch art, so cool. All that delicious organization, wow!!! Great job!
Iris Watts says
Now that's a pretty and functional garage! Come over and help me with mine please? Congrats on all your hardball work paying off!
Katie Honeycutt says
I love all the paint swatches and paint details!! The floors look beautiful! Great job!
Carissa says
This is AMAZING! Love the paint swatches. What a cool idea! Can you please come do my garage now?!?! Pretty please! 🙂
Colette Wright says
What a garage!! That's a place id wanna hang out and do some work! Congrats!
Nicole Brzuchalski says
Love it! Don't you just love when things can be both functional and pretty! This is motivating me to tackle our garage! Great work!
Katy {AShadeOfTeal} says
So much organization I love it! Can you come and organize my garage!!! I love the floor, my husband so badly wants to do this to ours.
Theresa Beauteeful Living says
Incredible transformation, Angela! You've managed to make a garage look pretty! Love the idea of using color swatches (with magnets) on your refrigerators. I bet this space makes you smile each time you step into it. So much storage capability. Love it!
Andi says
I love how your work station turned out! It's so cute!
Kelley Nan says
Angela, I don't know if I have ever been more jealous. You rocked it and what an incredible work space you have!! Your paint swatch tiled fridge? Brilliant. Incredible job, girl!!
Brittany Goldwyn says
Angela, I'm just going to go home and cry in my garage now. I know this is a pretty garage staged for photos, but somehow I think your dirty garage would still be nicer than my clean garage!! The most I have been able to do it a can of paint. Maybe you'd inspired me to tackle mine for the spring ORC…I spend so much time in there, anyway! Definitely will follow up with you about how the floors are holding up!
Rachael Bliefnick says
Those gorgeous, glossy floors are AH-mazing!! You added so many unique and thoughtful touches to your space to truly personalize it and I love every single one of them. I have MEGA garage envy and don't know that it will ever, EVER be photo-worthy, but you have inspired me to clean it out and organized some things on the walls and some labeling, too! Congratulations on another beautiful space!!
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
Wow! I am in organization heaven!! I've been wanting to give our garage a major overhaul for a while now, and this is definitely inspiration! Well done! 🙂
Tricia @ Suburban B's says
Looks amazing Angela! So so so jealous of that nice clean, organized and shiny garage! Congrats!
Tash @ The Dreamhouse Project says
Wow, this garage is like something out of my dreams! You did an incredible job!!
Angela, Blue i Style says
Awww! Thanks so much Tash! I feel so much calmer in the space now because I can actually find things and get work done out there!
Derek Hines says
Great garage storage ideas. And it's amazing how much brighter the garage looks when you paint it. And the floor is amazing. We painted our floor once. Do you think we could paint over it with this stuff?
Angela, Blue i Style says
You would definitely need to sand off the current paint before you could do the RockSolid metallic floor finish.