Ok all, so everyone was very helpful and insightful regarding my flooring pattern choice. It was mentioned that it might help if people could see the garage I'll be working with.
I am hoping to start this project in about 4 weeks. That will give me time to decide on a few more things like the paint color, additional storage options and how to design the room off to the side that will be storage and a grilling kitchen.
My husband has a complete woodworking shop in the basement and all the gardening stuff, less a few basics, will be moved to a shed. Bikes will be moved outside to where the trashcans are in the pic, and trashcans will have a new home away from the grill.


My fabulous new garage doors-


A shot showing hubby's grill-The SmokeWolf, some of you may recognize it from the Beer Swap at MOTD4. The new door will be about centered on the wall where the trashcans are now.


The floor we've decided on, may have to tweak it a bit, but this is basically it.


This is El Kabongs bay in the garage, the trailer shown is the one I built from a kit and did a few embellishments . I will be hanging this trailer from the ceiling with a hoist system.


Once all is decided upon and purchased I will do a thread and add it to the Detailing Garages thread.
Thanks,
Annette

 

You should paint it green to match my envy. Looks like a great plan! I hope the fridge has stripes.

 

Shelves. You need shelves or better yet, cabinets. You'll be able to fit a lot more stuff in the garage with them.

(all that stuff running down the middle could be on shelves)

 

Designing and remodeling a garage can be very rewarding.
I like the fact that you are using blk/white/grey in the tiles. Remember that the darker colors will rob you of light and the white is tougher to keep clean. I like light grey as a compromise.
The first thing I did was repaint the walls and ceiling white and install as much lighting as possible. I like T8 fixtures.
Also think about what activities your garage should accomodate. Oil changes, detailing, relaxing? Design around that.
Storage is also very important. Use your wall space.
I have some older pics in my gallery of my garage so far. Still not finished with it.
http://autopia.org/gallery/showgalle...0&ppuser=16079

 

Ooooo I LOVE your garage doors!

 

MiniMaybee, the leftover checkerboard tape from decorating the trailer has been slated for fridge decoration .

Mitch, the area under the stairs will all be shelves about 3ft deep. I probably won't have any room for more cabinets in the garage proper since my husband's truck needs lubricant to get in there as it is (kidding, I like to pinch). Plus he's a bit nervous about stuff hung on the walls getting knocked onto his truck. Luckily we have the area under the stairs and that tall shelf unit in the side room. I would also like to get a couple of hyloft ceiling storage shelves, but will have to see how he feels about stuff hanging above his truck!

pt91, I love your pics. This one is particularly drool worthy!

My garage will be for detailing and general car maintenance, for anything really messy we take it down to the tractor barn.
Also, I would love info on lighting, what are T8s?

MLWagner79, the garage doors are a happy accident in a way. Hubby's truck snagged one of our old doors and ripped it to shreds. While I hated my old ugly doors, they were fine and I couldn't justify replacing them for no reason. When the opener caused the door demolition, DH came in the house convinced I would throw a fit, but I just smiled and called the garage door place for brochures!

Annette

 

Here's one of the ceiling hoists I'm planning on. I'd like to get 2 of these, one to attach the trailer directly to, I'll remove the bottom grate and just hook the lines to eyebolts on the trailer. The other will go at the opposite end and will hold all my stuff for track days, chairs, EZ UP, coolers, etc.

If possible, I'll order another for over my husband's side of the garage for him to store whatever, camping gear, flyfishing poles....

 

I'm in that boat - mine are just standard old garage doors but they work fine so I really have no justification.

pt91, I just showed that picture to my husband and said "And you think *I* have a lot of detailing stuff!" So thanks for that hehe

 

pt91, I love your pics. This one is particularly drool worthy!

My garage will be for detailing and general car maintenance, for anything really messy we take it down to the tractor barn.
Also, I would love info on lighting, what are T8s?


Annette[/quote]

T8 are flourescent bulbs. They are thinner and more efficient than the T12 bulbs and don't hum. I installed a few 4 bulb 4' fixtures.

That craftsman cabinet is really packed now. I keep my polishes/pads/pc/etc in a wall cabinet and another wall cabinet holds my microfiber towels and wash mitts.

Post some pics along the way!

 

hmmm ... as an architect I believe that before consulting with people in choosing a color patern or flooring you should ask your self what do you like, what makes you happy and so many Qs. People, most of the time, tend to give you the design they prefer and not necessary something good or works for your taste. I can go on and on, but don't have the time now. I can give you some tips though...

1- it is always better to use epoxy flooring for the garage just for durability and easy to clean (when you get some fluid spills from the car).

2- always try utilizing the cieling and walls before you move in to the floor. there are different hangers that you can use for the cieling and walls (for ex. you can hang the garden tools on the wall and the bicycle on the cieling)

3- look for ready made products. there are different manufacturers that will provide you with tool storage and working counter/bar & fridge to store the beer and other goodies for the casual friends gathering. you can also hane a TV there

4- if you are the type of person that spends alot of time in the garage then I would highly recommend looking into good ventilation system.

if you need more assistance please don't hesitate to send a message .
also, check these sites out
http://www.home-garage-help.com/index.html
http://www.garagedesignworks.com/default.asp
http://www.garagedesignsolutions.com/

 

Cabinets are your friends. They keep visual clutter down while keeping their contents free from dust and dirt that are a problem in every garage.

+1 on the T8 flourescent fixtures. Unlike the more common old-school T12 bulbs, the T8s start in temperatures below 0F in most cases, a boon to those with unheated garages in cold climates. I refitted all of my fixtures with T8 electronic ballasts and bulbs. Other advantages are more light for less power draw, instant on operation (no delayed start) and no flicker or hum.

 

ca$per, thanks for the insight and the links.
As to the ventilation system, do you mean heat/air? I am hoping to put a mini-split or PTAC system in for heat and air.

Greatbear, I've got a few cabinets planned and am leaving a little room for more when the $$ appears!

So are T8s something I can find at your average big box store or is a specialty item?

Thanks,
Annette

 

Home Depot carries the T8 fixtures...20 bucks I believe for the fixture only....another 3 or 4 bucks each for bulbs I think........I have them in my woodworking shop as well as color correct halogens over the big workbench.......Les

 

You're welcome Annette, The ventilation System I am pointing to here is a system that will suck car fumes out of the garage if you are planing to have any kind of industrial work (painting/wood works..etc) there or just let the car running