7 Top Garage Must-Haves Every Home Needs
August 13, 2020Designing and building a custom home means you get to make sure every aspect is designed to suit your needs. This includes common rooms like bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. and also includes rooms that may not immediately come to mind like a garage. It may not be one of the top rooms in your home, but you’ll definitely notice when something is missing or not working in your garage. Here are few of the top garage must-haves every home needs to keep in mind when designing yours:
1. Enough Space
The garage may not be one of the first rooms that come to mind, but it should not be an afterthought. Think about how you want to use your garage and what you will need to store inside it to make sure there is enough space on your lot and in your home plan dedicated to it.
One of the pros of side-entry garages is ample space, but any garage can be designed with enough space as long as you account for it in your home design and your lot can support it. Will you need enough space for one car or two? What about extra storage space and a workspace? With RV travel becoming more popular, will you need to accommodate an RV or will you want an additional garage built specifically for an RV?
Thinking about the answers to questions like these and planning for the future are important garage considerations for your custom home and can help make sure any garage(s) you have will have plenty of space for what you need. Plus, having an idea of what you need to store in your garage is one of the garage organization tips that can help you keep clutter under control after you move in.
2. High-Quality Doors
A stylish garage door can help enhance your home’s exterior. But, you also want to make sure your garage doors are high-quality doors that look great, function well, and help insulate and protect your assets. These can all help you choose the right garage door for your custom home.
You also want your doors to be durable and easy to maintain. There are a lot of garage door maintenance tips to help with maintenance and starting with the right mix of design and features in your garage door is helpful.
3. Durable Flooring
Your garage floor will deal with a lot over the years and you’ll want a flooring material that is durable enough to withstand it. If you’ll be working in the garage, parking cars inside, etc., you’ll also want a floor that is resistant to water and to stains.
Not only will the right floor reduce cracks and stains, but it will also often be easy to clean and to maintain long-term. This is a definite must-have for your garage and is also a good consideration for designing your own workshop.
4. Proper Insulation and Climate Control
Proper insulation is essential to any garage and is one of the tips for a more energy-efficient garage. In addition to helping to keep your energy bills under control, good insulation also offers some protection for items in the garage that are sensitive to temperature changes.
This is particularly important for attached garages and for anything important you are storing inside a garage. If you’ll be spending a lot of time working in the garage or have sensitive items stored inside it, it may also make sense to provide some sort of heating and cooling control and regulation to the area.
5. Good Lighting
Good lighting is another one of the important garage must-haves. Good lighting makes it easy to find things and is essential for working safely in the garage. The right mix of lighting choices can ensure you have exactly what you need in your garage. In addition to overhead lighting, task lighting is a popular addition that can help you light difficult areas only when you need it.
While you are thinking about lighting, you also want to consider how many electrical outlets you need and where to place them. This is an important step in planning electrical outlets in your custom home and will help your builder ensure that your system is set up efficiently and can handle the electrical load. Depending on how much work you will be doing in the garage, it could be a good idea to add a central vacuum system to make cleanup easier.
6. Plenty of Storage
Garages are common places to store seasonal items, outdoor equipment, tools, cars, and more. Like any room in a home, having plenty of storage in your garage is essential to containing clutter and keeping things organized. You’ll likely also need some storage for specific items like tool storage ideas and more.
Knowing what you need to store is a big help in determining how much storage you need and what types of storage you need. Also, you can get creative with storage. Some of the most helpful garage organization ideas are using a mix of hooks, racks, lockers, shelves on the wall, and even ceiling storage and other overhead garage storage ideas to keep your items organized and easy to find when you need them.
7. A Work Table
A work table is another one of the garage must-haves. Even if you don’t have a specific hobby for it, you’ll still need to do some work in the garage at some point. A sturdy workbench with a vice is a useful item to have, especially if your job or hobby requires it.
Including tool storage, a place for cleaning supplies, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher are also essential items. Depending on the work you’ll be doing, you could also consider adding in some plumbing to have a sink in the garage.
These are just a few of the top garage must-haves every home needs to keep in mind while you’re considering the garage for your own custom home. But, the garage is just one part of a home and there are a lot of details to consider. It can be overwhelming to try and do it alone.
Instead, partner with a custom home builder with an in-house design/build process. They’ll help you work through all the details, present options personalized to your needs, and ensure you end up with the home of your dreams. If you’re ready to start bringing your dream home to life, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!