Great garage makeovers

Garage makeovers are hot. An increasing number of the 65 million garages across the nation are undergoing some sort of renovation or upgrade. In 2005, Americans spent $800 million on garage-organizing products -- double what they spent in 2000.

Some go small, spending a few hundred dollars to install hangers for skis, bicycles and other sports equipment, plus modest shelving to get lawn furniture off the ground and hazardous chemicals out of the house. But others go big, paying tens of thousands of dollars to create fully equipped lounges, home offices, gyms and even working spas, complete with new windows, flooring and appliances.

Before you start:

Check local bylaws
Check to make sure the renovations you’re planning meet your city’s building code and zoning requirements.

Consider resale value
You’ll usually recoup your investment if you clean up a messy area or add living space to your home. And you’re more likely to get your money back in resale value if you stick to classic materials such as stainless steel appliances and simple cabinets in neutral colors. But remember, the next owner of your home may just want a parking space. An elaborate renovation won’t always pay off in increased real estate value.

Tips and tricks:

Storage
You can spend $100 to $500 on do-it-yourself cabinets, shelving, pegs and hooks, or drop thousands of dollars on top-of-the-line systems. A few tips:

• Store items to be used inside the house, such as cleaning supplies, in locked storage spaces close to the door to the house.
• Store items to be used outside, such as fertilizer, rakes and lawn furniture, by the garage door.
• Use open shelves for kitchen and hobby supplies.
• Use closed, lockable door storage for hazardous items such as gasoline and solvents.
• Hang gardening and sports equipment on sturdy pegs.

Sinks and washer/driers
Moving large appliances like a washer and dryer to the garage can free up in-home space. However, carefully weigh the costs and potential inconveniences before you start. Installing a sink or any appliance that requires a drain can be time consuming and expensive. You could spend up to $10,000 on a drainage system -- and that’s before you buy appliances. You also have to make sure your area is zoned to permit a drain in your garage.

Electricity
If you want more than just a basic light bulb in the ceiling, you will need to hire an electrician to run and install proper insulated wiring starting at around $1,000. If you have tools that run off compressed air, you can purchase a compressor for $500 to $2,000. Most compressors will run off of a standard 120v outlet, but larger compressors for major auto repairs may require an upgrade to a 240v connection.

Appliances
Need an extra cooler for your drinks? Consider installing a refrigerator in your garage. A trash compactor, air conditioner, humidifier and/or dehumidifier might also come in handy.

Walls and flooring
New floors and wall coverings can make your garage feel more like an actual room instead of just a drab storage area or workspace. You can install drywall yourself for about $2 per square foot and increase the space’s aesthetic value tenfold. Tile or granite walls and floors are considerably more expensive: $10 to $15 per square foot, plus the cost of installation. For a workshop area, you might opt for a $6-per-square-foot tough epoxy floor finish. Epoxy floors are durable, resistant to water, oil and grease and significantly easier to clean than porous concrete.

Lighting
Sunlight can fade car paint, leather and fabrics, so you may want to forgo windows in your garage if you’re using it to store a vintage sports car. To highlight a work area, you may want to install fluorescent or track lighting.

Entertainment room or office
Want a home away from home that’s actually attached to your house? Consider insulating your garage and installing proper walls and flooring. You can then transform it into your own private lounge or bar area, complete with flat-screen TV, stereo system, sofa, desk and computer. For an extensive renovation like this, expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars.