make my old garage look better

How Can I Make My Old Garage Look Better?

Is your garage not being used the way you like? Are you in desperate need of a garage renovation? It’s easier to get it in order than you may think.

There are a few things you need to consider when remodelling your garage: the walls, floor, its use and whether or not you need a new garage. That’s all fine and dandy, but you’re probably unsure where to start.

The days when garages were viewed as nothing more than a drab, utilitarian parking areas for vehicles and a modest amount of home storage have long since passed.

Modern garage spaces are now capable of being one-of-a-kind, showroom-quality expressions of your style that function at a high level.

Garage Living has completed thousands of garage makeovers.

We’ve done projects both large and small, from large garages in luxury homes to more modest makeovers in smaller homes.

FAQs About Garage Renovation

Five Fun Projects You Can Do With Your Old Garage Door

  • Summer is for Raised Plant Beds. Garage doors can serve as the perfect plant frame for your brand new garden in progress. 
  • Old Garage Door, New Headboard. 
  • Cultivate a Greenhouse. 
  • Frame to Impress. 
  • Take the Bench.

Up-cycle your old garage door to avoid filling your local landfill with unnecessary waste. You can sand, paint, and cut your old panels into shapes to make unique and functional additions to your homes like flower beds, outdoor patio furniture, end tables or footstools.

Small fixes to fences, tree houses, or garden layouts are valuable for home improvement. You can also take a garage door opener into a mini elevator for groceries or small items. This could be helpful for older people living at home.

Renovating an Old, Detached Garage Can Be an Extension of the Home

  • Sort and donate any storage. 
  • Install a heater. 
  • Add cabinets and storage spaces. 
  • Organise the trash and recycling bins. 
  • Clean and refinish the garage floor. 
  • Use green pest control to protect it.
  • Turn the garage attic into a living space.

Inexpensive Garage Makeover Ideas That Are Cheap to Complete

  • Store tools on magnetic storage panels. 
  • Use a fold-down workbench to save space.
  • Add ceiling hooks for bike storage. 
  • Craft a DIY garden tool holder. 
  • Hang overhead storage shelves. 
  • Keep sporting equipment and items together.

13 Awesome Garage Makeovers That Turn Heads

Regardless of the scale and budget of the projects Garage Living works on, our goal always remains the same – to transform our clients’ garages into beautiful-looking spaces they can get more enjoyment and functionality out of.

We’ve compiled a list of 13 awesome garage makeovers that showcase what we can accomplish in any garage space. Have you heard of “garage envy” before? We think these incredible makeovers are perfect examples of why the expression was invented.

Hopefully, what you see will give you some ideas and inspiration to transform your garage into a part of the home that is a true extension of your living space, just like these rooms have.

can i make my old garage look better 2

The Underground Garage Makeover

The photo above isn’t from a Lamborghini showroom or a movie set – it’s the outcome of one of our more unique makeover projects.

The remodel was done in an underground residential garage below a traditional above-ground garage. Although it’s hard to imagine it, pre-makeover, this garage had a look that could best be described as “dull”.

We think you’ll agree that “dull” and the parked presence of the homeowner’s Lamborghini Huracán Spyder don’t go together.

The garage’s appearance is elevated to its four-wheeled occupant with the pairing of a Charcoal Floortex™ floor coating and GL Custom Steel cabinetry with a black matte finish. They provide the perfect decorative complement to the supercar’s sleek paint finish.

A blend of the floor coating’s silver, black, and white decorative flakes results in a beautiful showroom-quality surface that helps hide dust and dirt.

Ample cabinet storage space holds all of the garage’s belongings and keeps them organised while hiding them to preserve the room’s high-end appearance. Bright lighting helps offset the garage’s darker colour scheme.

The Harbor Blue Garage Makeover 

The inspiration for Harbor Blue, Garage Living’s newest custom cabinet and flooring colour, came from this client’s desire to find a garage aesthetic that complemented the home’s location within a lakeside resort community.

The lighter shade of blue, a well-known colour for its calming effects, perfectly fits a residence that’s a weekend getaway for the client and surrounded by water. Harbor Blue was also designed to match the colour of a prominent exterior design feature on the client’s condo building.

In addition to the Harbor Blue Floortex™ floor coating, surrounding Slatwall and GL Custom cabinetry provides ample storage space for bikes, golf equipment, and various water activities.  

This project nicely showcases the design flexibility and willingness of Garage Living to go above and beyond for our clients when meeting the requirements of their projects!

The Luxury Garage Makeover

Garage Living specialises in luxury garage makeovers that we think are befitting of any home, whether you own a mansion or a more modestly sized residence. 

We believe that experiencing the feeling of luxury the moment you arrive home is important. There’s no better way to make that happen than to transform a garage space into a true home showpiece. 

And if you own luxury vehicles, you’re doing them a disservice by parking them in a shabby-looking garage that doesn’t compliment their high-end appearance.

This project includes all the must-have features of any luxury garage:

  • a clean, modern, and high-end look
  • cabinetry for hidden storage that maintains the garage’s tidy appearance (including customised recessed cabinets that hide an electrical panel, central vac system, and the home’s elevator motor)
  • superior quality flooring that provides long-lasting floor protection
  • Slatwall for hanging items to keep the floor clutter-free

The Fitness Room Garage Makeover

Garages aren’t just for parking cars and extra home storage. They’re capable of multi-purpose functionality, such as setting up a workshop or a workout space.

The latter is what the owners of this home wanted to use their garage for. The active couple preferred to use their single-car garage as a fully functional gym instead of a parking space.

Overhead racking, a cabinet system, and Slatwall on the garage’s sidewalls provided the perfect solution for storing all of their exercise equipment.

To address the fact that the garage would need to accommodate workouts during the winter, the old garage door was replaced with an insulated steel garage door. A high lift door conversion raised the height the garage door opens to facilitate workouts that required more vertical space. 

A heater was also added, which, along with the already-insulated walls, made the garage more comfortable during the cold weather months.

Rounding out the project is a floor coating that adds a professional look to the garage, is easy to clean, and can withstand the wear and tear from daily workouts.

His & Her Garage Makeover

One of our most awesome garage makeovers was a remodel project for home improvement experts and TV hosts. 

The building of their country home was the focus of season three of his House of Bryan show on HGTV Canada.

Garage Living worked with Bryan and his wife Sarah to design and install a pair of bespoke garages (one for him and one for her and the family’s kids) that were connected. 

Bryan’s garage provides plenty of functional space so he can work on his motorcycle and other vehicles. Naturally, Bryan has a large tool collection to store. All his tools and other garage belongings are organised in GL NEOS Elite cabinetry, with an additional Slatwall used for hanging storage.

Both garages received a Floortex™ floor coating in Blue Nightfall. For Sarah and the kids, their personalised garage space utilised a GL Premium cabinet system for storing gardening tools and accessories, as well as the kids’ things.

Slatwall storage also complements the cabinet storage space and allows hanging outdoor apparel right beside the door into the main living space. This transitional area can function as a de facto mudroom, which reduces clutter in the home’s main living space.

The Minimalist Garage Makeover

The Marie Kondo-fuelled minimalist philosophy is trendy and extends beyond keeping homes free of clutter and too many things that don’t “spark joy”.

More homeowners are applying minimalism to their home décor, which is what this client did for their garage remodel. The neutral colours were chosen for the garage interior project a clean and modern look, with a tasteful simplicity that’s anything but boring.  

The grey, black, and white colours that make up the Charcoal polyaspartic floor coating were ideal for this garage. 

A black GL Custom Steel cabinet system and Slatwall panels (in Gun Metal grey) add enough storage space, so the garage stays clutter-free. Even Kondo herself would approve!

The cabinets were customised to keep an exposed circuit panel, and the central vac hid. The customisation extended to designing the cabinets to accommodate some home theatre components (including designing doors and shelves to provide adequate airflow).

The Audi R8 Garage Makeover

If any car is worthy of a garage redesign that can match its sharp looks, it would be an Audi R8.

This smaller garage home for the luxury car had the same must-have features added that all of the awesome garage makeovers you see on this page include. 

That means a new floor coating, a Slatwall storage system, a cabinet system (GL Signature), and overhead racks. 

Here are a few other interesting details about this project: 

  • the colour choice (Harbor Blue) for the cabinetry, Slatwall strips, and flooring was influenced by the Nardo Grey colour of the R8
  • to create a seamless and consistent look, the Floortex™ floor coating was also applied to the garage’s wall base and steps into the main living space
  • LED lights below the Slatwall strips add visual appeal and are activated by the garage door’s remote control
  • the bright room has three windows, which made the garage door’s rails visible, so a high lift conversion relocated them above the windows

It all adds to a stylish garage to make an Audi R8 look right at home. The room, which includes a TV mounted in the cabinet system, is also comfortable, clean, and organised enough for the client to use as a home entertainment space.

The Fully Rebuilt Garage Makeover

This large garage, which is approximately 1,600 sq.ft., was fully rebuilt from the ground up. 

After installing new drywall and priming and painting the garage, we installed Gun Metal grey GL Custom Steel cabinets. The cabinet system includes a TV cabinet, sink, and butcher block countertop.

Two of the garage’s electrical panels are hidden behind the two locker cabinets to the far left in the picture above.    

A durable Pebble Beach Floortex™ coating was applied to the floor to protect it and further enhance the garage’s appearance.

The Driving Enthusiast’s Garage Makeover

We’ve established that for anyone who drives a luxury vehicle, owning a garage that doesn’t project a similarly upscale look makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. 

The BMW M4 Coupé in Tanzanite Blue Metallic inspired the custom colour scheme for this garage. There was a lot that went into this remodel, including:

  • a Floortex™ floor coating in Harbor Blue
  • grey Slatwall panels for hanging storage and Harbor Blue Slatwall strips outfitted with lower LED lighting
  • GL Custom Steel cabinets in Harbor Blue with a built-in under-mount sink and pullout shelving
  • a TV that is mounted in the cabinet system with a soundbar and subwoofer
  • a LiftMaster garage door opener that operates quietly and has features smart myQ technology
  • a garage heater and LED ceiling lights

The Home Entryway Garage Makeover

A big reason homeowners desire awesome garage makeovers like the ones shown here is they want to make the area they most often use to enter and exit their house look nicer.

According to an online study by the Chamberlain Group (the industry leader in garage door opener sales), 55% of homeowners use the garage as their house’s primary access point.

This makes perfect sense, given the numerous benefits and conveniences of parking in the garage:

  • you avoid being exposed to inclement weather when entering and exiting vehicles
  • snow and ice don’t have to be scraped off your car or truck in the winter
  • vehicles are kept more secure than leaving them parked in the driveway
  • getting groceries from the car to the kitchen is a lot easier

For all of these reasons and a wish to create a more upscale storage space for his family’s Maserati and Mercedes, we worked with one of our clients to create the garage.

Slatwall, GL Premium cabinets, and wall-mounted tire racks give the owners of this home all the storage space they could need. Zero floor clutter makes the new floor coating in Blue Nightfall look much more impressive!

The Basketball Court Garage Makeover

When we said our clients love getting more functionality out of their garages, we weren’t kidding.

How about using the garage as a parking space and a fully functional basketball court (that looks ridiculously cool)?

The client for this project, who was amazed at the finished result, has two talented grandchildren, passionate basketball players. He wanted to create a space that allowed them to practice year-round and give him a chance to see his grandkids more regularly.

Here was the unique challenge presented to Garage Living: could they transform this large two-story garage (with a level below it for storing farm equipment) into a realistic mini basketball court with a three-point line, free-throw line, and coloured key?    

Garage Living Cincinnati owner Matt Ziebro and his team had never done a project like this before but resourcefully found a way to get the job done.

The 1,200 square foot floor had a Charcoal Floortex™ floor coating applied. Here’s why the polyaspartic coating was perfect for the job:

  • the court/parking surface has a glossy, professional appearance that won’t fade over time
  • since the coating is so durable, the floor can withstand the wear and tear of regular athletic activity
  • the surface’s appearance is preserved with the coating’s ability to resist hot tire pickup (where hot tires can leave permanent floor markings)
  • with the textured surface, anyone playing hoops gets better foot traction

Garage Living used stencils to paint perfect lines on the court. The red and blue paint (the latter being the University of Kentucky’s signature “KY Blue” colour) complete the one-of-a-kind project’s look.

The Unfinished Garage Makeover

A frequent reason our clients call us to handle their garage makeover is they want to make the space look finished finally.

Unfinished garages with poor storage systems, non-existent décor, shoddy-looking flooring, and other deficiencies are ripe for the transformative touch of a pro like a Garage Living.

Jay, the owner of this garage, hired us to fix all of these issues in his home. Once the project was completed, he found it a dramatic improvement over what previously existed.

With space at a premium in this single-car garage, there was no room for floor clutter. Otherwise, parking inside the garage became too problematic.

Slatwall panels with hanging accessories that best fit Jay’s needs maximise the garage’s storage space. Yard tools, snow shovels, a ladder, and sports equipment previously leaned against the wall or kept in a corner are now organised and stored off the floor.

The Slatwall also provides a significant visual upgrade over the unpainted drywall visible for the many years he’s lived in the home.

Just as the addition of Slatwall creates a more finished interior appearance, so too does a fresh floor coating. Jay chose the Nightfall colour for his Floortex™ floor coating and loves how better it looks and how easy it is to clean than his old floor. 

The Storage-Rich Garage Makeover

Large garages give you more storage space. That means they can also hold more clutter and quickly look very untidy, however.

Clutter and a lack of storage space are (no surprise) non-issue for the owner of the garage pictured above.

After completing this makeover, the garage was positively storage-rich and required much less effort to keep organised.

Before the garage renovation, the room’s primary storage systems were standalone steel racking units with shelving overloaded with items. If you view the #7 “Before” photo on the makeover gallery page, you’ll notice that patio furniture and other things are unsafely stacked high on the top shelf of both racks.

Loose items were also left on the floor, leaned against walls, and even blocked doorways. 

The garage’s storage problems were solved by adding an abundance of organised storage space in Slatwall, overhead racking, and a GL Custom cabinet system.

Fresh paint and a Sedona Floortex™ floor coating effectively complement the rest of the garage’s revitalised décor.

4 Steps To A Complete Garage Makeover DIY Style

Maybe you’ve been here: it’s the middle of summer, and you’re in the back of your garage, looking for who knows what. You struggle to find said item amid all the clutter. On top of that, you haven’t used this “thing” in years. 

You know what? It’s time to do something about it. It’s time to clean out your garage, and while you’re at it, it’s time to redo those floors. A full DIY garage makeover is on the docket.

Garage Makeover DIY: Junk Removal

Chances are you have a lot of “stuff” in your garage. From sports equipment to lawn care tools to boxes from when you moved in five years ago, the list can go on and on.

We found the best way to take care of this problem to remove it all. Placing every single item in your driveway or yard, unless it’s hanging up on a wall, will help you reset and prep for the floor coatings.

This will also allow you to sell or donate items you no longer need, throw away useless items and move the rest temporarily. We suggest doing this with a crew of family or friends and calling upon professional services, like a roll-off dumpster, if necessary. A group of people and means to get rid of some junk will make this job quick and easy.

Junk Removal Guidelines:

  • Do it yourself (or preferably with a group of people).
  • Place items in a secured spot away from the garage.
  • Donate unused items in good shape.
  • Throw away items collecting dust or damage.

can i make my old garage look better 3

Garage Makeover DIY: Preparation

Now that your junk is out of the way, it’s time to prep for the upgrades you plan on making. Most of this step requires hands-on, small tasks that you can knock out in a few hours and possibly a trip to your local hardware store. Here are the biggest responsibilities you’ll have:

  • Replace any old drain caps or floor cover plates – If they’re rusted or show some wear and tear, purchase new ones. At the least, do some general cleaning.
  • Update garage door seals – Ensure they’re properly functioning and fit your desired look. Replace them if they don’t check these boxes.
  • Remove floor fixtures – If it’s not built into the wall or cemented to the ground, get them out. This includes cabinets, sinks or even appliances.
  • Reschedule home maintenance projects – You’ll want to schedule a few days where other tasks can be put on hold. Block out time for garage related tasks only.

Makeover Preparation Guidelines:

  • Do it yourself.
  • Complete all small tasks.
  • Clean items remain in the garage.
  • Plan major renovations.

Garage Makeover DIY: Floor Coating

The hardest decision you’ll have to make in a complete garage makeover is whether you want to take on applying garage floor coatings yourself or hire a professional to do so. There are advantages to both, and each has a wide range of options. 

Plenty of big box store retailers offer DIY epoxy garage floor kits, and there are numerous online tutorials to back them up. 

Professional garage floor coatings offer unparalleled quality and, of course, make the work easier on you.

Money is almost always the determining factor in people deciding to redo their garage floor themselves. Overall, prices vary heavily depending on where you’re located in the United States.

  • Professional decorative chip coatings cost between $5 and $7 per square foot.
  • Professionally done solid colour epoxy coatings typically cost $4 to $5 per square foot.
  • DIY kits range from $200 to $800 for 400 to 600 square feet of space.

DIY kits win out on short-term price, cutting the cost in half or more, but you also need to consider the product's longevity. As is so often the case, you get what you pay for. 

Professionals apply a superior product that will last longer. The difference is noticeable on day one, and it will last for years down the road. In the end, the long-term cost is close to equal and may even favour calling a pro.

Garage Floor Guidelines:

  • Do it yourself to save money, and hire a pro for quality.
  • Do your research on companies and the quality of kits.

Garage Makeover DIY: Adding Storage Space

Before packing your lawn equipment and golf clubs back into the garage, consider building cabinets and storage space. This will virtually erase the terrible feeling we talked about at the top of the post (digging for hours for seemingly the only item you can’t find). 

The decision to either go the DIY route or call someone with more experience hinges on your knowledge and skill. If you can follow the video below, you’re likely a fit to do it yourself.

A series of storage shelves can be built relatively easily and in a short amount of time. This will help you go vertical with paint products, lawn chairs and the many other items that are sparingly used in your garage.

Storage Space Guidelines:

  • Do it yourself if you have previous experience.
  • Plan shelving and storage according to car placement.
  • Add hooks for additional vertical space.
Scroll to Top