Garage usage

A versatile space: Tips on using your garage as a workshop or for storage

We Europeans love our cars. There have been lots of surveys to prove it. And we want our vehicles to be well protected and kept secure. Consequently, a garage is essential for most. However, garages nowadays aren’t just spaces for cars anymore – instead, they have all kinds of practical uses. Below we set out some of the versatile uses to which a garage can be put.

Storage for car accessories

Summer and winter tyres, tarpaulins, oil, ice scrapers, tools – anyone who has a car not only needs space for the vehicle itself, but also for its accessories and ancillary equipment. Garage owners enjoy marked benefits in this respect, as they don't have to cram everything into a basement storage unit or even a cupboard inside their home. Wheel racks are an ideal way to keep things tidy, and take up little space. Small items, tools and particularly sensitive vehicle parts should be stored in a closed cabinet. The garage is ideal for storing other vehicles, too, of course. Bicycles can be neatly hung by racks on the wall, for example. And if you have a canoe, you can use ceiling hooks to store it suspended above your car. But be aware: If you do, you’ll need a side sectional door or an appropriately sized garage so that the boat doesn’t obstruct the door.

Using your garage for storage

Storage space is often in short supply. So using the garage as a storage facility or pantry for food stocks is a very popular solution. Whether it's empty cardboard boxes, the snow shovel or garden furniture – there's room for lot of stuff in the garage. The cool climate means it’s good for storing fruit and vegetables. And you can also use it to temporarily house appropriately packed foods, including drinks and snacks for your next TV evening or party. Shelving or organiser boxes are good ways of keeping everything neat and tidy.

Using your garage as a workshop

More and more people are setting up workshops in their garages, especially as DIY, crafting and the like are very much on trend. Artists can also set up their studios in the garage, keeping the risk of splashing paint out of their home environment. A workshop or creative haven of this kind may be small or large, depending on the space available. There may sometimes also be room for a workbench, an extensive tool set, or easels and paint pots. If you want to do detailed work, including at night too maybe, you need to consider the garage’s power supply, and provide adequate lighting. If you’re looking to use the garage as a workshop, you might also have a window installed to let in daylight. That connection to the outside world, to nature and the sky, can also be inspiring for creative work. A water supply with drainage would be another useful feature. And if you’re going to be working at your hobby in the garage during the winter months you’ll need heating too.

Seasonal shelter for plants

Nature lovers, gardeners and vegetable growers often use the garage as a wintering facility for plants. You can also store lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, seed packets and flower pots in the garage. A garage door with a wireless radio remote control to lift the door automatically is advantageous for these purposes, as you then always have your hands free when carrying plant pots and other items around. In addition, a door in the back wall linking directly to the garden provides a convenient short-cut.

Rooftop bar for chilling out

Who doesn't dream of a place in the sun with a view of the sky? Whether a rooftop bar, a heavenly garden of plants, or a barbecue area – a garage roof is perfect for use as a terrace. An essential prerequisite is that the roof has sufficient load-bearing capacity. It is best to have this checked by a structural engineer. The garage roof should also be water-tight, and not have any damage that might be exacerbated by the additional usage. A safety fence or railing to prevent falling off is also essential.

Early planning pays off

For many people, the garage is still first and foremost a place to keep their vehicle. But modern garages can be much more than that. Incorporating all the potential uses right from the start of the planning process will put property owners ahead of the game. And they won’t run the risk of having to convert or extend the garage on completing their build. Important note: If you are intending to use the garage for other purposes on a permanent basis, you should consult the competent planning authority as to whether additional consent may be required. It’s also a good idea to inform your neighbours accordingly and obtain their approval, so as not to get involved in disputes.