Do you ever specifically do anything to make your life easier? That is all I’m about in these last few years. I’m tired of cleaning stuff, storing STUFF, and rearranging…you guessed it… STUFF. Every time I pull into my garage, it brings anxiety. So, for today’s feature, you’re getting a non-monumental, much-needed garage makeover by lil’ ol’ me.

Honestly, I know my space is kept pretty tidy considering (1) this is my workshop (2) I’ve lived here for 22 years (3) I also have four kids living with me and their stuff.

However, when I park my car in here (yes, it is a two-car garage) I look around out my window and sigh. I have too much and tired of seeing it all covered in sawdust and webs.

It’s GO TIME.

BACKSTORY

First, let’s take a look back over a few images of my garage over the many years of occupancy by me and my goodies.

Ah yeah… this was 2016 while in the heat of six little kids, building my brand, and remodeling my home while homeschooling.

This is what happens when you shop Curb le Chic and people give you their unwanteds left and right. Thankfully, I finally got a worktable to help me out (SEE POST HERE)

Additionally, I built a portable scooter holder because tripping on those things HURTS!!

When I moved into this house, it didn’t have a garage, but a carport. That was because the original garage was converted into the family room and then eventually closed in the space and added a garage door.

Speaking of garage door, I recently just painted it BLUE after having my faux wood garage door for well over a decade.

CURRENT DAY

As for current day status, I keep it very organized and deep clean yearly. Plus, two of my adult children have their own places now and there is less to store. However, this garage makeover still needs to happen so that I can have my entire house the same color (eyeroll).

Yeah, back when my teen son was a babe I hand-painted the ENTIRE house green by myself, I didn’t have it in me to pull everything out of the garage. So, that wall right behind that stuff is still blue/gray. The irony is, I painted it green because it needed it, but also because my house looked exactly like the house behind mine.

Then, this year, a bank bought that house and painted it GREEN {{head smack!!}} The same exact color I custom-mixed for myself.

Anyhoo, time for my home to be all green for my sanity’s sake.

Also, at this point, my daughter graciously painted the door blue like my other doors instead of white just before I took this picture. It’s good practice for her, right?

There’s nothing like having a WHITE door in a large family, just sayin’.

EMPTYING

In order to pare down, I selectively go through everything and give away what I don’t want. That includes selling those bookshelves in the first picture I receive second-hand over a decade ago. They served me well but now belong to a newlywed couple hoping to start a family.

Coincidentally, that couple loved my helmet and boot racks you see there on the right. (free build plans HERE)

In other news, Loula is ready for that pressure washer to start the fun. See how closely she’s watching for water? haha.

Then, on the other side, is the wall we built to close in the space and replace the lattice. I have to stare at that ugly brown thing out my kitchen and living room windows. I’ve wanted to paint it FOREVER and now’s the time.

See the start of insulation? I would love to insulate in here for those below zero temps when I have to work out in this “cave” but  insulation is not in the budget at the moment. Continue to freeze, I will.

DE-STASHING

While sorting, I pull out all sorts of reclaimed wood including plenty of hardwood like cherry, ash, oak, etc. This is only one small pile of several I have.

Before I let it all go, I pull out these two cherry boards so I can make a couple of shelves for garage storage.

In order to make use of them, I need to use my planer to get rid of the roughness.

Folks, the entire time I’m working in here, it’s over ninety degrees and over 60% humidity. whew!

While I don a hoodie, ear plugs, goggles, and mask, I head out into the sun to sweat like nobody’s business! A hoodie is necessary unless I want to look like Chewbacca while the wood curls stick all over my sweaty self.

Also, yes, I have to mark my masks because they seem to walk off with my children. ahem.

PAINTIN’ TIME

Next, before I can paint, I need to pressure wash and deep clean this place. Sanding dust is EVERYWHERE and plenty of salt from wintery roads as well as cobwebs and dead bugs galore.

After that, I feel like I have a blank slate to work with in this garage makeover. Thankfully, I have plenty of house paint left to spray on a few coats.

BTW… it’s still hot as hades in here but winter is around the corner, and I have so much to do!

I’m wearing a mask at this point, but by the time I reach that peak, I have horrible sweat running into my mouth and in my eyes, so I take it off. Plus, my bilateral vertigo has me hanging on. It’s not too bad until I turn my head up and down and side to side. oy!

BREATHE

At long last, I’m able to put back only what I truly need and use as well as take a deep breath.

Am I done? Not totally. I may paint those drawers I bought from a Hallmark store for $10 a set, and I can’t decide if I should keep my 5-gallon water buckets any longer. I use them to get spring water for our drinking water.

Isn’t that white supreme?! I can see, I can see!!

My whale of a saw hood still suits me perfectly (see the DIY tutorial HERE).

Likewise, I got these shelves and pegboard for free many years ago. And I recently took that light out of my basement and put it in here so I can work on my car.

Last, but not least, I still love my pet food dispenser station, grocery bag holder, AND my tilt out recycling bin (click each text for free build plans).

If you look closely, you’ll see I added two corner pieces cut at angle, so the food naturally drops in the dispenser hole.

SHARE

For now, I’m calling this garage makeover complete because I’ve got more to work on before winter. So, tell me, do you do projects like this to save your sanity too? It’s a pure bliss gift to self, I tell ya. Leave some comment love below as well as pin and share.

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While you’re at it, here are more DIYs like this garage makeover: