Let’s give you an idea. Have you considered converting your cottage garage into a small living space or a guest cottage? Most people do it, especially in the rural areas. There are limitless uses you can put your cottage garage into. If you own one, consider yourself lucky.
But first things first. You need to give it a proper cottage garage makeover, and if you don’t know how to go about it, don’t sweat it. In this article, you’ll learn simple hacks to transform your garage and give it a new look. Keep reading for more charming cottage garage makeover tips. Let’s start!
1. Clean Out Unused Items
Perharps, the first thing you notice when you look at your cottage garage are unused items. You’re not alone. According to PR Newswire, nearly one in four Americans admit their garages are too cluttered to fit their vehicles! So, clearing out the clutter is an excellent place to start.
The good news is that you can sell unused items for a quick buck. For instance, if you have an old car you don’t use, you can opt for cash for cars arrangements to sell it quickly. It’s typically a straightforward process. First, contact a local cash for car businesses and give them essential details about your vehicle. After a successful evaluation, they’ll give you an offer, handle all the necessary paperwork, and pay you.
If you have collectible stuff in your cottage garage, consider listing them on sites like eBay for a fair offer. Also, list other unused items such as furniture, extra tools, sports equipment, electronics, and home décor on local online sales sites. Pro-tip: Regional online listing sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, OfferUp, and Nextdoor sell faster than the ‘For sale’ classified in your local newspaper. Ensure you take a clear picture of the items to sell quickly.
2. Have It Professionally Cleaned
Let’s agree. Your push broom and floor buffer can only do much, and you may not have the tools to clean your cottage garage effectively. For this reason, you must hire a commercial cleaning company to clean your garage from top to bottom. Typically, the experts come with ladders and extension poles to help them clean the hard-to-reach areas, detergents and cleaning solutions that will clean grease, oil, and rust seamlessly, and a pressure washer to blast away build-up and grim, among other deep cleaning tools.
Ussually, cleaning professionals have the expertise and experience to clean and organize your cottage garage effectively. They undergo the necessary training to learn the ideal cleaning techniques, products, and tools to ensure your garage is spotless. Cleaning experts have a keen eye for detail. They ensure every nook and cranny of your cottage garage is sparkling clean. They’ll work to free your space from dust, cobwebs, dirt, and any other stubborn stains or debris that may have accumulated over time.
Cleaning your cottage garage can be time-consuming, and your busy schedule probably won’t allow you time to clean your garage. For cleaning professionals, making your place shine is their day job. They know their stuff and tackle the job quickly and efficiently, saving you valuable time. Besides cleaning, experts will help to organize your cottage garage neatly. They’ll categorize your belongings and maximize the use of space to ensure that you have quick access to your items.
3. Repair Roof Damage
Your cottage garage roof repairs are as important as your main house roof maintenance. The roof is the first line of defense against snow, wind, rain, and sunlight. If damaged, it will lead to leaks and water damage. What’s worse is that defective roofs compromise the integrity of your cottage garage and put contents, such as your car, tools, and other pricey possessions, at risk of damage.
Did you know immediate cottage roof repairs could save you money? When you ignore slight roof damage, it will quickly escalate into significant damage over time, forcing you to spend more on fixing it. For instance, a minor leak will lead to rotting wood, mold growth, or structural damage. To save money, you must fix the slightest roof damage that may seem insignificant immediately to avoid unnecessary future severe repairs.
Repairing your cottage garage roof means enhancing energy efficiency. When your garage roof is damaged, air can easily escape. As a result, your HVAC will tend to overwork to maintain optimal temperatures, which will hugely escalate your energy heating bills. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, a cool roof reduces air conditioning energy needs by 15%. Repairing insulation and leak issues will help you avoid such a situation and keep money in your pocket.
4. Remove Unwanted Insects
Insects such as termites, rodents, ants, and beetles pose a great threat to the structure of your cottage garage. According to Forbes, nearly 50% of homeowners have experienced structural damage due to pests. Other insects, such as bees and wasps, may sting and cause pain and discomfort to your family.
Moreover, insects leave droppings, webs, and other debris behind, making your cottage garage dirty and unhygienic. The waste attracts more pests, leading to an unsanitary environment. But that’s not all. Mosquitoes, ticks, and flies threaten your family’s well-being. They carry diseases, such as malaria, which can turn fatal if untreated.
When ignored, insects can quickly multiply, leading to an infestation in your garage. In turn, when their population becomes massive, it can be tricky and costly to eliminate them in the future. So, if you notice such pests hovering in your garage space, contact a professional to eliminate them now. Your family’s safety depends on it. Specialists such as bee & wasp removal exterminators handle specific pest problems once and for all.
5. Make Room For Powersport Vehicles
Your power sports cars deserve proper storage. So, you must ensure that your cottage garage has ample space to avoid knocking down stuff and denting your car while packing. But how do you make room for your vehicles and items in your garage?
Install overhead storage, such as shelves and racks, to store items you rarely use, like camping gear and seasonal decorations. Also, pegboards, cabinets, and hooks are great ways to organize your garage and create ample floor space to park your Yamaha vehicles and bikes. It also helps to create a designated parking space for your cars.
Creating designated parking is easy. Measure your vehicle’s dimensions, then mark the ideal parking space on your garage floor. The idea behind marking is to stop people from placing items in your vehicle’s parking spot.
Additionally, consider utilizing the wall space by mounting storage systems, such as hangers or bike racks. Mount items such as bicycles, kayaks, or surfboards on the wall to keep them off the floor. It creates more room for your powersport vehicles.
6. Replace Old Siding
During revamping, many homeowners focus on the inside of their cottage garage and forget about the outside. Don’t make the mistake. While it’s true that your vehicle’s aesthetics are essential, your garage appearance matters too. For this reason, install new siding to give your cottage garage a brand-new look. For a complete garage makeover, you must hire a siding contractor to replace the old siding with a new one.
Typically, your cottage garage’s old siding will crack, warp, or damage after a period. According to the Spruce, wood, aluminum, and vinyl siding can last up to 40 years. After a lapse in the lifespan or damage, the siding allows pests, moisture, and other elements to penetrate your garage wall easily.
After damage, property stored in your garage becomes more susceptible to environmental damage, which will cost you a lot in the long run. However, to avoid such costly damages, you must replace the old siding with a new one to restore the protective barrier. According to Forbes, siding repairs cost $2-20 per foot.
Old siding with significant damage potentially leads to structural issues such as decay and rot. It fails to provide adequate insulation and can potentially cause structural integrity problems. So, replacing a defective siding saves you on energy utility bills.
7. Install AC Unit
Installing an AC Unit is crucial when reconditioning your garage. The system regulates the temperature, keeping your garage comfortable regardless of the outside weather. It’s a long-term investment that will serve you for years with proper maintenance. According to the Department of Energy, your garage HVAC will serve you between 15 and 20 years, making it a worthwhile investment. However, you must hire an AC repairs and installation company to install the system for you perfectly.
An AC unit will protect your belongings. Wonder how? High humidity, moisture, and extreme temperatures can damage your vehicles, tools, and equipment.
For example, high humidity and excess moisture cause rust and corrosion. High temperatures can result in heat damage to items made of plastic and rubber, while cold temperatures lead to freeze damage, causing pipes and containers to crack or burst. However, a garage HVAC will maintain stable temperatures and humidity, protecting your items from damage.
Let’s face it. Your garage is prone to dust, fumes, and other air pollutants. A proper HVAC system purifies your garage air, eliminating pollutants and improving air quality. As a result, your garage’s environment becomes more suitable and useful for purposes like a home office, additional living space, or a hobby room.
8. Fix Garage Door Damage
If your garage door produces unusual noises, is imbalanced or sagging, or is increasingly becoming difficult to close and open, contact a garage door repair company immediately! It’s for your safety. Did you know that nearly 2,500 people are crushed annually by a garage door? That’s true, according to Forbes. So, the slightest garage door defect deserves an immediate checkup.
Focusing on the exterior aesthetics is a great idea during a cottage garage makeover. Typically, your garage door is a highly noticeable feature of your cottage garage’s exteriors. Therefore, it takes the lion’s share of your cottage garage curb appeal. Repairing it enhances your cottage’s overall exterior appearance.
A pro hack: The secret to extending the service life of your garage door is prompt door repairs and keeping up with the maintenance schedule. Home Depot recommends bi-annual garage door maintenance. Addressing minor garage door damages quickly will help you save money by avoiding major repairs and unnecessary replacements in the future.
9. Make It Your Own
Own your garage. What does this even mean? Essentially, you should personalize your garage to reflect your character. The best starting point is to customize your cottage garage by choosing a custom door with a unique design and style finish. The bespoke garage features make it your own.
Primarily, garage doors are about eight to nine feet wide and seven to eight feet high. However, depending on the size of your cottage garage, you can customize the door to fit your garage seamlessly. You can tailor-make it to be even 12 feet wide! You can also choose custom garage door panels, roofs, and sidings that pronounce your personality and complete your design.
But personalization goes beyond the design tweaks. How about installing soundproof walls, sound systems, comfortable chairs, and a theater system to make it a theater for your family and visitors? You can also make it a hobby room, home gym, workshop, or playroom for kids.
10. Protect It From Water Damage
Water can damage your cottage garage. For instance, a leaking roof can stain your walls and stored items. Similarly, flooding can damage the flooring, while foundation cracks lead to the development of molds. Faulty gutters and downspouts damage the exterior walls of your cottage garage. Your best chance to fight such damages is to contact waterproofing companies to add an extra layer of protection by installing a waterproofing membrane around your garage.
Ensure that the ground around your cottage garage is graded properly to slope away from the structure. Sloping prevents water from seeping into the garage or accumulating near the foundation. Also, consider installing gutters and downspouts to redirect water away from your garage. Remember to seal cracks and gaps with effective weatherstripping or caulking to prevent water from seeping into the garage. Install proper ventilation to avoid molding, and never skip regular roofing checkups and maintenance schedules.
After a worthy garage makeover journey, it’s time to get your hands dirty and revamp your garage. A cottage garage makeover is simple, and you can do it. However, work with professionals for guidance and quality job delivery. For more inspiration and insightful information on garage makeover, visit our website right now.