It is entirely understandable. Folks look at spaces that they inhabit and use the most – kitchens and bathrooms are usually the first to get some TLC in San Diego home remodeling projects. But after 2020, there are signs of change on the horizon.
Pandemic lockdowns have forced many to realize the value of the garage as a workspace. An unfinished garage is not just an eyesore anymore – it is a precious living space that can be repurposed for any kind of DIY project and hobby to keep you sane and occupied!
What Benefits of San Diego Garage Cabinets for Homeowners?
If you think your garage is a mess, you are not alone
Does your garage look out of place in your San Diego home? Do you feel the urge to close the doors to your garage whenever close friends or family come a-calling?! Is the state of the garage a common cause of friction with your spouse?
Don’t worry. You are not alone in this situation. Surveys about US homeowners and their feelings about their unfinished garages throw up some startling revelations:
- 90% of homeowners are not satisfied with the current status of their garages
- 25% are embarrassed about the way their garages are organized
- 30% keep the garage doors closed to hide the mess from visitors
- 25% find it difficult to fit their car into the garage due to clutter
- 80% consider the garage a decisive factor when looking to buy a home
That last stat alone should be a wake-up call – an unfinished garage can have financial implications connected to the future resale value of your home! Even if you don’t have plans to sell your San Diego home any time soon, there are plenty of other compelling reasons to consider a garage remodeling project.
Garage Cabinets make it easier to park your car
Unless you live smack in the middle of the city, a car is a necessity for sane living in San Diego. And you need a safe and secure space to park your car each night. Parking your car out in the driveway or on the street on occasion is fine, but it is never a good habit to keep. During the pandemic peaks in 2020, auto theft in San Diego increased by a whopping 20% even as other types of theft decreased.
Apart from thieves, other factors pose a credible threat to cars. Exposure to elements can lead to faster deterioration and degradation of parts. Birds and other local wildlife can also make a mess on your car, leading to additional cleaning and repair expenses.
Unfortunately, due to poor organization and clutter, many San Diego garages are almost unfit for their main purpose – storing your vehicle! Americans love to buy stuff – and in many instances, we buy things we don’t really need.
Tools and gardening equipment have a rightful place in a garage. But old furniture, broken appliances, unused clothes, toys, video game consoles, holiday decorations, seasonal gear – these are things most families dump into their garages to save space elsewhere.
And when something gets dumped into a garage, it stays in the garage for good! This is how garage sales evolved – as a way to get rid of unwanted stuff. But you cannot sell or throw away all the things cluttering up your San Diego garage.
This is where a good garage storage system can make all the difference in the world. Garage storage cabinets and wall/roof storage solutions remove the clutter from the floor, leaving enough space to park your car.
Get optimal use of storage space at your San Diego home
Self-storage units exist because folks run out of space to store old and unused items in their homes. But the reality is that in many instances, renting a storage locker is an avoidable expense. Most San Diego homeowners don’t realize the full potential of their garages as secondary storage spaces.
Dumping boxes of stuff into the corners is not optimal. It creates clutter and soon takes up valuable floor space. But apart from the floor and the garage door, there are four other surfaces that you can put to good use for storage.
The addition of a few cabinets and racks can make a world of difference. You can free up the floor space for other things like storing your car and maybe adding a workbench. There are several ways to add storage cabinets to your San Diego garage:
- Repurpose kitchen cabinets
- DIY storage systems – make racks/cabinets on your own
- Invest in a quality San Diego custom garage storage solution
The first two options may seem attractive if you are on a budget and have a DIY mindset. But such cheap storage solutions come with a lot of compromises. Repurposed cabinets are often not fit for use in a garage – especially if they use flimsy pegboard panels or plastic.
Aesthetics and craftsmanship are also major considerations if you want your San Diego garage to look as good as the rest of your home. DIY is not an option here unless you have years of experience in cabinet-making.
It is best to rely on the experts here – choose high-quality custom garage cabinets and storage solutions that are purpose-built and designed for use in a San Diego garage. You will be amazed at the difference they can make to your garage.
Storage cabinets are just the tip of the iceberg. Slatwall panels allow you to hang accessories and commonly used tools within easy reach for added convenience and time-saving. They also look more stylish than basic painted drywall.
Then there is your garage ceiling – or rather, the “fifth wall” for a custom storage remodel project. Did you know that you can save a ton of space safely by storing things in overhead racks on your garage ceiling? With heavy-duty construction, these Californian ceiling racks can be used to discreetly stove away items that you don’t use all through the year.
Give yourself a chance to get more creative (and healthier)
Having a creative hobby is important in life. When you spend too much time indoors consuming content – TV, Netflix, video games – it actually reduces your brain activity. There are many things you can take up as an alternative to improve your body and mind.
Woodworking, auto restoration (cars, bikes, ATVs), painting, brewing, learning the guitar or drums, miniatures, painting, exercise in a home gym – the options for hobby-seekers are endless. And do you know what all these activities have in common? They work better inside a garage than in your home!
There are far too many distractions inside the home, especially if you have family and kids. Plus, you don’t want to disturb others with the noise of loud tools or a poorly played instrument! Creating your own hobby space in the garage is the best option.
To make that possible, first, you need to remove the clutter. San Diego custom garage cabinets can do more than just creating space. They also create the right ambience – imaging trying to focus on something creative is a dreary, unfinished garage. It just wouldn’t feel right.
But with a full garage custom remodeling, you can create visually pleasing spaces with great lighting – perfect to get those creative juices flowing. Take, for example, the floor – with a custom epoxy coating in energizing red and black checkerboard or blue speckled marble patterns, you can create striking visual effects.
Don’t compromise on safety
San Diego garage usage patterns can vary wildly. Some folks may only stay in the garage a few hours each week. In other households, individuals might be spending a lot of time each day in the garage. Regardless of how much time you spend in your unfinished garage, you should never ignore the risks it may pose to your family’s health.
Accidents and injuries are a prime concern, especially if you have children and seniors in the family. A dark, cluttered garage can cause anyone to fall and/or cut themselves (or worse). Toys and other potentially slippery or tangling objects on the floor are an accident waiting to happen.
Then there is also the issue of air quality and hazardous chemicals. If you are into gardening or other household activities, you will probably have dangerous liquids in storage in your garage. If they are not securely locked away in cabinets, it can lead to health issues due to fumes and accidental contact.
Ventilation in many garages is average at best when the door is closed. In an unfinished garage, the clutter and space constraints will further compromise the air quality. Don’t forget to leave the garage door open for half an hour each day to improve ventilation.
If that does not solve things, you might want to consult a recognized San Diego garage remodeling expert. Use custom cabinets and other storage solutions to free up space and improve the ventilation inside your garage.
Stop being embarrassed about your garage
Aesthetics and style are also major concerns that should not be ignored. An unfinished garage will stick out like a sore thumb in a posh, upscale house. Your dream home is not truly finished until you also match it with a dream garage.
It is not just about a feeling of satisfaction or pride – a stylish garage can give you a lot of practical advantages in social situations. First of all, you don’t have to worry about sealing a garage the moment you have guests in the house.
In fact, if you have a dreamy, upscale garage, you can put it to good use when entertaining friends and family. During crowded parties and gatherings, you can use your stylish modern garage space to entertain your guests. In the summer, you can throw open the doors and hold part of your barbecues inside that garage with a keg of beer!
But for all that to happen, many things will need to be covered up – exposed wiring, cheap plywood walls, plumbing, and HVAC pipes, ductwork, an unsightly concrete floor – the list goes on. The good news is that San Diego custom garage remodeling projects can make all of them disappear!
Through the strategic use of custom garage cabinets, wall cabinets, and slat walls, you can hide all the blemishes on your garage walls and present a slick, high-end exterior to the world. And as for the floor, a high-quality epoxy coating will transform it into an attractive-looking surface in your favorite pattern.
Add real value to your San Diego home
As a homeowner, it pays if you take a long-term approach. The status quo may not hold forever. Circumstances can change in life, forcing you to consider putting your San Diego home up for sale.
This is where a finished, fully optimized garage can make a world of difference. Given the importance of car ownership in San Diego, prospective home buyers consider garage space a priority. More than 85% of buyers prefer homes with a lot of additional storage space.
A cluttered and unfinished garage can tank your home value in the San Diego real estate market. You may find it difficult to find buyers willing to match your asking price, even if the rest of the house is “finished.”
Home improvement and remodeling projects can seem daunting because of the expenses involved. But knowing that it is a beneficial investment with a long-term payout should make the decision that much easier.
Besides, no one said that San Diego garage remodeling should be prohibitively expensive. Here at Garage Excell, we have solutions for all your custom cabinets and garage storage needs in San Diego. Our experts can create custom garage remodel projects that match your budget while creating a versatile, stylish garage that is fully in sync with the rest of your home!
For a free consultation in San Diego with our design specialists, contact us today using the options available at this link.