Clean up. Garages tend to be dirty, dusty and oily. Remove all contaminated products and stains. Dust away and sweep up all sawdust shavings, dirt, and other unidentifiable stuff. Remove all the junk, boxes and bicycles. You want to be able to get around; only keep what cannot be left out in the elements inside the garage.
Make sure there are no moisture problems. Check if the walls and floor are damp. Dampness comes from the earth, leaky pipes, or rain. Damp causes mold which not only stinks (musty odours), but it can also ruin clothes and give someone a chronic cough because it's both a toxin and an allergen. Consider whether it is possible to waterproof the outside.
Make sure the door and any windows are properly sealed shut to prevent moisture, dust, insects, or other particles from entering the garage. Clean all the windows.
Keep the door the same, otherwise it will probably go bust.
Furnish the garage. Add your chosen furniture and furnishings. If you're renovating, you might like to cover good items and store them while buying secondhand furniture for use in the garage. And if you've lost your items due to a disaster, secondhand furniture is a good option. Shop at local flea markets to save money. Make sure all items are workable and clean. Put all the furniture in the room. Arrange it so it can be roomy, functional, and not block other furniture. You likely want to pick up a lamp or two. Lighting fixtures in garages are rarely bright enough, and there are rarely enough windows to allow light in. EXPERT TIP Ashley Moon, MA Ashley Moon, MA Professional Organizer Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College. Ashley Moon, MA Ashley Moon, MA Professional Organizer Make the most of garage wall storage. Install shelving racks and floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets on garage walls to get small, easily scattered garage items up and out of the way neatly. This way, bulky seasonal gear can be accessed safely without toppling piles.
If possible, install a sink, bowl or bucket or even an en suite. A shower can be linked to outside drainage to prevent the water accumulating in the garage.
Create privacy. Partition off bedrooms if sharing with other people. Simply wooden walls will suffice for this, plus a door or curtain for the entry to each "room".
Create a kitchenette. A sink, stove, and eating table are essentials. Food preparation can be done on the table if there is no space for an additional bench.
Find good heating. It will be a lot colder in the garage than inside the house. All heating needs to be safe as a garage is easy to burn down. Electric heaters should be the sort that stop if tipped over, and all gas or wooden fires require flues to vent the toxic elements straight outside.
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