Blue i Style

Creating an Organized & Pretty, Happy Home

One Room Challenge· Organizing

Organized Garage Makeover

 
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…
 

 
Pretty Organized Garage Makeover
 
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.}
 
Pretty Organized Garage
 
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!

 
Paint Swatch Wall on Fridge
 
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.
 
Paint Swatch Wall Fridge in Organized Garage
 
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!
 
Outdoor tool organization in garage

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.

Pretty Garage Organization

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.

Hanging shelves and drawers in garage
 
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.
 
Organized work bench
 
Organized garage workbench
 
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.
 
Garage Workbench Organization
 
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}
 
 
Framed Paint Brush Art

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!
 
Hang bikes from the garage ceiling hang ladder
 
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.
 
Deck storage box in garage for outdoor cushions
 
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:
Flat folding sawhorse / worktables
Stationary Workbench {we swapped out the top for nicer wood}
Birch Plywood for stationary workbench top/bottom shelf
Summer Oak Stain & Polyurethane
Rolling Workbench with Adjustable Top
Teal Storage Boxes for Nails/Screws
RockSolid Metallic Floor Finish
Shelf Hanging System & Shelves
Hanging Drawer Frames, Drawers & Lids
White Lidded Storage Totes
Broom/Rake Tool Hanger
Magnetic Hooks
Ladder Hook
Bike Pulley System
Deck Storage Box
Schlage Keyless Lock on garage door
“DIY with Style” Sign made with Cricut Explore Air and Foil Vinyl
 
Messy Garage Organization
 
 
Be sure to head over to Calling it Home to see all of the other amazing One Room Challenge reveal post.
 
 

Comments

  1. 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!!

    Reply

  14. 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!

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  17. 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! 🙂

    Reply

  18. 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!!

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  20. 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

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  21. 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!

    Reply

  24. 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!

    Reply

  31. 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!

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  33. 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!!

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  34. 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!

    Reply

  35. 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!!

    Reply

  39. 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?

    Reply

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