Your garage is a critical extension of your home. It can do more than store cars, tools and junk — it can be stylish and practical with minimal effort. Discover how these easy DIY improvements bolster fashion and function.
1. Install a Projector to Host Your Movie Nights Under the Stars
Mounting a projector on the ceiling is ideal for summer movie nights with the garage door open for airflow. This upgrade seems like it’s just for fun, but you can also use it to display how-to videos while working on projects or repairing your car. See the details of what you’re supposed to do on a big screen.
2. Use Textiles for Temperature Control
If you store your vehicle in the garage, putting a rug down may not be an option. Instead, you can put a rug up. A large woven or macramé textile piece adds a lot of unexpected beauty to a gray, drab space.
The more layers you add, the better — it’s a smart way to keep it warmer. If you hang out a lot in the garage, you might want to rely on fabric to store heat. You’d be surprised by the difference it makes.
3. Use Chalkboard Paint to Create a Faux Art Studio
This idea is for creative individuals and families with playful children. Paint a large wall with chalkboard paint and use it for the following helpful and fun activities:
- Jotting down home to-do lists
- Drawing with your family
- Creating shopping lists
- Writing reminders
4. Have Fun With the Labels
A labelmaker is useful for identifying storage bins, but the black-and-white design is plain. You can have functional labels with added flair. If you’re handy, create small, wooden hanging signs and paint them. If you need something easier, install small whiteboards on wire racks so you can doodle or make them pretty but change organization if necessary.
5. Find Soundproof Panels With Funky Patterns
Soundproof foam panels could help with echoing in large garages. You could install plain, black panels for a sleek aesthetic or find colorful ones with patterns. Doing so would make it easier to record a podcast or have a quiet meditation in there. Alternatively, it could be a great space for the kids to play indoors without the noise echoing through the house.
With the average garage door having a life span of 30 years, you could select a door that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing for your space. Insulated garage doors will not only ensure the area is temperature-controlled but also help soundproof it further, maximizing your acoustic treatments and panels.
6. Tend to the Ceiling
Vertical storage is underrated, and ceiling storage is even more so. If space is a constant problem inside the house, consider eliminating stress and boosting the utility of the garage by taking advantage of it. Here are a few things you can safely store from the ceiling, even if you leave your car inside most of the time:
- Bicycles
- Sports equipment
- Storage racks
- Hiking gear
This solution can declutter your garage, enhancing the impact of your aesthetic upgrades.
7. Frame Vinyl for Your Band Rehearsals
If you’re one of the talented people who use their garage to rehearse music, frame some old vinyl album covers and decorate the set with them. Vinyl itself is sensitive to temperature variances, so be sure to take the record out, store it somewhere safe inside and only use the artwork to deck out the garage. This gives an artistic edge to the space while also reminding you of your inspirations.
8. Incorporate Wine Racks Like a Cellar
Do you host a lot of events? Next to the tool hooks and shoe racks could be a floor-to-ceiling wine shelf or tree to house your special-event drinks. Only store beverages there that are suitable for the garage’s temperature.
While keeping them away from the home’s inside bar or kitchen may seem inconvenient, there is logic. If the drinks are out of sight, they’re out of mind. They may last longer, so they’ll likely stick around until your next gathering.
9. Put in Colorful Smart Bulbs for Parties
Smart bulbs make it easy to change the dimness and color of any lights in the home, but they can turn garages into awesome places, too. If you’re working on a project, turn the brightness up. Change the colors to embrace the fun if you’re using the garage as an extension of a house party.
10. Hang Floating Shelves and Grow Lights for Greenery
Greenery makes any space more lively. Most people expect garages to be exclusively for utility, but a flowering vine or spider plant could make it a cozy place. It’s also proven that adding greenery anywhere in your home betters your mental health, so why not sneak it into the garage, too?
If you want your plants to be secure, consider these shelving types:
- Rail storage
- Hanging wall racks
- Overhead storage hangers
- Boltless steel
11. Install Photo Backdrops for Your Side Hustle
Are you a photographer? Feel free to use one of the massive, unused walls in the garage to hang a green screen or unrolling wall hanger of backdrops. There’s no point using valuable wall space in the house if you only need it every now and then. When it’s not in use, pull out your favorite scenes for some extra decor.
12. Nail in Peg Boards for Heightened Utility
Hammers, cords, keys, paints and more can all go on a pegboard. They’re one of the classic garage staples for a reason — it’s straightforward to pick up and store items that would get cluttered on a table or drawer.
They can also add style. Consider hanging a frame or two or dry flowers on a few pegs. Wrap fairy lights around them to highlight your favorite utilities.
Practicality With a Punch
Garages can be more than a place to store a car. They can be a creative haven, social area and protective space for all your belongings. Tons of inexpensive, accessible DIY options exist to make them appealing and useful, so challenge yourself to try one of these suggestions today.
