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Garage Renaissance: A Storage Revolution

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Will the year 2020 go down in history as the year of the Garage Renaissance?

Those of us in the industry have been saying for years that the garage is one of the most overlooked opportunities in a home. As homeowners try to reconfigure rooms, finish basements, and consider moving, a large piece of home real estate is neglected time and time again. Builders were slow to come to the realization that promoting the garage as an extension of a home sets them apart from the pack and tells prospective buyers that they are ahead of the curve. There are exceptions, of course, but generally it is the proactive homeowner or those in the garage renovation business who drive the demand. The garage is becoming an essential room in the house, an extension of our busy lives. Unless you want your wall art to consist of hose reels and bike racks, you need a garage!

 

This year, perhaps fueled by the global pandemic, people are taking a hard look at their surroundings. Unwilling or unable to move about freely, they are looking at ways to get the most out of what they have. The garage presents a new frontier for many of them. Traditionally used basically for storage, today’s fresh perspective has opened up all sorts of possibilities. The current speed of change extends to the garage.

 

Garage storage transformation has gone from nails in studs to pegboard to stacked bins and on to slatwall and beautifully finished cabinets. And while garage workshops now look good, homeowners have moved on to fresh ideas. They no longer want to dedicate space to parking vehicles so they are turning their garages into playrooms, man caves, indoor patios, greenhouses, and home offices to name just a few. But, they still need to park their vehicles and store their stuff. Enter the rise of the tandem garage where forward thinking people have figured out a way to do both – install a car lift so they can park their vehicles overhead while creating the space they want below.

 

Car lifts are part of the basic equipment for mechanics, but in recent years, car buffs demanded them adapted for home garages so they could work on restoring their classic cars at home. Now the trend setters want to take that one step further. Will we remember this time as the beginning of the Garage Renaissance?

 

The day is fast approaching when your new home will come equipped with the garage storage solution you need and the additional living space you want.

 

Read more

Garage Renaissance: A Storage Revolution

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Will the year 2020 go down in history as the year of the Garage Renaissance?

Those of us in the industry have been saying for years that the garage is one of the most overlooked opportunities in a home. As homeowners try to reconfigure rooms, finish basements, and consider moving, a large piece of home real estate is neglected time and time again. Builders were slow to come to the realization that promoting the garage as an extension of a home sets them apart from the pack and tells prospective buyers that they are ahead of the curve. There are exceptions, of course, but generally it is the proactive homeowner or those in the garage renovation business who drive the demand. The garage is becoming an essential room in the house, an extension of our busy lives. Unless you want your wall art to consist of hose reels and bike racks, you need a garage!

 

This year, perhaps fueled by the global pandemic, people are taking a hard look at their surroundings. Unwilling or unable to move about freely, they are looking at ways to get the most out of what they have. The garage presents a new frontier for many of them. Traditionally used basically for storage, today’s fresh perspective has opened up all sorts of possibilities. The current speed of change extends to the garage.

 

Garage storage transformation has gone from nails in studs to pegboard to stacked bins and on to slatwall and beautifully finished cabinets. And while garage workshops now look good, homeowners have moved on to fresh ideas. They no longer want to dedicate space to parking vehicles so they are turning their garages into playrooms, man caves, indoor patios, greenhouses, and home offices to name just a few. But, they still need to park their vehicles and store their stuff. Enter the rise of the tandem garage where forward thinking people have figured out a way to do both – install a car lift so they can park their vehicles overhead while creating the space they want below.

 

Car lifts are part of the basic equipment for mechanics, but in recent years, car buffs demanded them adapted for home garages so they could work on restoring their classic cars at home. Now the trend setters want to take that one step further. Will we remember this time as the beginning of the Garage Renaissance?

 

The day is fast approaching when your new home will come equipped with the garage storage solution you need and the additional living space you want.

 

Read more

Kayak Storage Made Easy

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

The kayak, created by the Inuit over 4,000 years ago, was originally made from wooden frames covered in sealskin. They were primarily used for hunting and, when not in use, rested comfortably pulled up on the shore. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s kayaks began showing up in Europe and began a new life intended for sport. In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, kayaking was introduced as a competitive sport. In the early 1970s, kayaks moved into the mainstream and never looked back. Today there are many different kayaks designed for sea and touring use, whitewater or river, racing, surfing, fishing and the one you may be most familiar with, the recreational kayak.

Kayaks are now manufactured using a variety of material, dimensions fluctuate based on their purpose, and weight and cockpits are also varied. It is easy to understand why different kayaks have different storage needs, so if you are buying your own kayak it is important to know how to store it if you are to maintain its performance. For the purpose of this blog, we are considering the recreational kayak – the one that many of the outdoor enthusiasts tie on top of their car as they head to the water when their work week is over.

Kayaks are one of those bulky storage items that you need to figure out how to store in your own situation. They take up a lot of room and they are best kept indoors for protection from the sun. The heat may warp and fade the surface. If your plan is to use your garage for kayak storage, choose a place that is in a dark area away from any direct heat source. You have three choices for kayak garage storage:  

 

1. On the Ground

Not considered the best option if you have children running in and out of the garage or if you park your car or outside equipment inside. Dampness and water will harm your kayak. Choose a level surface so the kayak can balance evenly with a wall behind to lean against. If you store it horizontally, place it on its side with the cockpit facing out, flip it onto its other side once a month. If vertical, keep it at a slight angle. The stern should be touching the ground and bow toward the ceiling. Padding underneath will protect it and help to keep the kayak in place. Support pegs on the both edges are a good idea.

 

2. On a Wall

Kayak wall storage is a better choice if you can place it high enough that car doors or people won’t bump into it. Do not hang your kayak from drywall or plywood, choose instead a sturdy surface that will support the weight of your kayak. Heavy-duty brackets need to be made from high-grade steel, covered with rubber cushion and feature a locking mechanisms for safety. Place the kayak on top of the brackets ensuring it is properly balanced. Make sure the brackets are equal distance from each end of the kayak, just outside of the cockpit. You may need to adjust the brackets so that the kayak is completely level and not tilting towards one side or the other.

 

 

3. From the Ceiling

Overhead or ceiling storage is considered the best choice for safety and security since there is no lifting overhead and no need for unreliable step ladders. Whether you choose to place your kayak on a rack or hang it from a sling, it should be in a dark place and out of the way until you need it. Your choices are a motorized lift or a manual hoist system and both offer you the convenience of being able to load from the floor and lift high above. You want to be sure that whichever system you choose has the correct weight capacity for your kayak, is easy to install, allows a single person to raise and lower objects, and features a solid locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.

 

When the sun is up, the breeze is wafting and the water is waiting, immerse yourself in the joy of kayaking. Don’t let the stress of what to do about kayak storage when you get home interrupt the pleasures of the day.

 

Read more

Kayak Storage Made Easy

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

The kayak, created by the Inuit over 4,000 years ago, was originally made from wooden frames covered in sealskin. They were primarily used for hunting and, when not in use, rested comfortably pulled up on the shore. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s kayaks began showing up in Europe and began a new life intended for sport. In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, kayaking was introduced as a competitive sport. In the early 1970s, kayaks moved into the mainstream and never looked back. Today there are many different kayaks designed for sea and touring use, whitewater or river, racing, surfing, fishing and the one you may be most familiar with, the recreational kayak.

Kayaks are now manufactured using a variety of material, dimensions fluctuate based on their purpose, and weight and cockpits are also varied. It is easy to understand why different kayaks have different storage needs, so if you are buying your own kayak it is important to know how to store it if you are to maintain its performance. For the purpose of this blog, we are considering the recreational kayak – the one that many of the outdoor enthusiasts tie on top of their car as they head to the water when their work week is over.

Kayaks are one of those bulky storage items that you need to figure out how to store in your own situation. They take up a lot of room and they are best kept indoors for protection from the sun. The heat may warp and fade the surface. If your plan is to use your garage for kayak storage, choose a place that is in a dark area away from any direct heat source. You have three choices for kayak garage storage:  

 

1. On the Ground

Not considered the best option if you have children running in and out of the garage or if you park your car or outside equipment inside. Dampness and water will harm your kayak. Choose a level surface so the kayak can balance evenly with a wall behind to lean against. If you store it horizontally, place it on its side with the cockpit facing out, flip it onto its other side once a month. If vertical, keep it at a slight angle. The stern should be touching the ground and bow toward the ceiling. Padding underneath will protect it and help to keep the kayak in place. Support pegs on the both edges are a good idea.

 

2. On a Wall

Kayak wall storage is a better choice if you can place it high enough that car doors or people won’t bump into it. Do not hang your kayak from drywall or plywood, choose instead a sturdy surface that will support the weight of your kayak. Heavy-duty brackets need to be made from high-grade steel, covered with rubber cushion and feature a locking mechanisms for safety. Place the kayak on top of the brackets ensuring it is properly balanced. Make sure the brackets are equal distance from each end of the kayak, just outside of the cockpit. You may need to adjust the brackets so that the kayak is completely level and not tilting towards one side or the other.

 

 

3. From the Ceiling

Overhead or ceiling storage is considered the best choice for safety and security since there is no lifting overhead and no need for unreliable step ladders. Whether you choose to place your kayak on a rack or hang it from a sling, it should be in a dark place and out of the way until you need it. Your choices are a motorized lift or a manual hoist system and both offer you the convenience of being able to load from the floor and lift high above. You want to be sure that whichever system you choose has the correct weight capacity for your kayak, is easy to install, allows a single person to raise and lower objects, and features a solid locking mechanism to prevent accidental release.

 

When the sun is up, the breeze is wafting and the water is waiting, immerse yourself in the joy of kayaking. Don’t let the stress of what to do about kayak storage when you get home interrupt the pleasures of the day.

 

Read more

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR GARAGE STORAGE SOLUTION

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Remember when you were a kid and were about to make a really, really poor decision? Your parents would stop you (thankfully) and when you complained they would end the argument with, “When you grow up you’ll be in charge, but right now I’m in charge.”

Well, it happened, I grew up and now I’m in charge. But in charge of what I often wonder? So many of our buying decisions these days are being directed by someone else. Our every move is tracked by various internet platforms so advertisers can woo you with targeted ads based on what they know you’ll respond to. Social media channels take note of your interests and send you content you will be interested in. You have to wonder who else is watching your every move. You will be forgiven if you sometimes feel like shouting “just what am I in charge of?”

These thoughts came to mind recently when I was researching the way in which we acquire new garage cabinets. I was getting a little frustrated with the time I was spending scrolling through page upon page of various cabinet sets. At the end of all this effort I was presented with a “contact us” form and told a design team member would get back to me. Once again, I’m not in charge.

I’m not sure yet just what I want in my garage, but I know I don’t care for a take it or leave it choice. I know what will work in my garage, I know my family’s needs when it comes to storage. What will work for me, may not work for my neighbor, but hey, it’s MY garage! Now that modular garage storage cabinets are available, I want to be able to mix and match the pieces to find the storage solution that makes sense for me. The fun would come with a virtual 3D design tool that allows me to choose the cabinets I want and then play with different configurations until I have what I need.

Now, I am in charge! But I also recognize that sometimes, having someone else make a decision for you is a good thing. Otherwise, today I might be sporting a mullet in my graduation photos, or applying cover stick to the body piercing scars or, worst of all, shopping for hearing aids courtesy of the boom box I wore on my shoulder? Thanks Dad.

 

When it comes to a garage storage solution, however, I’m ready to be in charge.

 

Read more

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR GARAGE STORAGE SOLUTION

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Remember when you were a kid and were about to make a really, really poor decision? Your parents would stop you (thankfully) and when you complained they would end the argument with, “When you grow up you’ll be in charge, but right now I’m in charge.”

Well, it happened, I grew up and now I’m in charge. But in charge of what I often wonder? So many of our buying decisions these days are being directed by someone else. Our every move is tracked by various internet platforms so advertisers can woo you with targeted ads based on what they know you’ll respond to. Social media channels take note of your interests and send you content you will be interested in. You have to wonder who else is watching your every move. You will be forgiven if you sometimes feel like shouting “just what am I in charge of?”

These thoughts came to mind recently when I was researching the way in which we acquire new garage cabinets. I was getting a little frustrated with the time I was spending scrolling through page upon page of various cabinet sets. At the end of all this effort I was presented with a “contact us” form and told a design team member would get back to me. Once again, I’m not in charge.

I’m not sure yet just what I want in my garage, but I know I don’t care for a take it or leave it choice. I know what will work in my garage, I know my family’s needs when it comes to storage. What will work for me, may not work for my neighbor, but hey, it’s MY garage! Now that modular garage storage cabinets are available, I want to be able to mix and match the pieces to find the storage solution that makes sense for me. The fun would come with a virtual 3D design tool that allows me to choose the cabinets I want and then play with different configurations until I have what I need.

Now, I am in charge! But I also recognize that sometimes, having someone else make a decision for you is a good thing. Otherwise, today I might be sporting a mullet in my graduation photos, or applying cover stick to the body piercing scars or, worst of all, shopping for hearing aids courtesy of the boom box I wore on my shoulder? Thanks Dad.

 

When it comes to a garage storage solution, however, I’m ready to be in charge.

 

Read more

BIKES – YOUR GARAGE STORAGE HEADACHE

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Could the pandemic usher in a golden age of cycling?


Are physical distancing measures giving bikes a new lease on life? 
 
These two recent headlines are giving bike activists an unexpected boost from the tragedy that is the Covid-19 Pandemic. 
 

 

We all know the environmental benefit of riding a bike versus driving your car in the city. However, until recently a lot of us have lacked the motivation or the courage to actually get the bike out and use it. Now that we are self isolating for long periods and reluctant to return to crowded public transport, the idea of riding your bike to work is much more attractive. The fact that cycling is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors is providing that missing motivation. Cities are taking notice of this shift in attitudes and working to accommodate those who want to use their bikes as a preferred mode of transportation.

 

It looks like our “new normal” will include a lot more riders and the $6 billion US bike industry will soar. Revenue was already predicted to increase by up to 8% in the next five years, but new estimates at the end of this pandemic will be telling.

For every plus, however, there is a negative. Bike storage is one of the biggest storage challenges for the rider – what do you do with your bike when you’re not on it? Bike storage is awkward and if you have limited storage space, you need to be creative. Leaning your bike against a wall isn’t a solution. Whether you keep your wheels in your apartment or in your garage, there are a number of things that can go wrong. Bikes are notorious for falling over, either on your car and scratching the paint, or on the walls, creating dings that may leave marks on the paint or even holes in your drywall. Bikes have also been known to track water, mud and grease into the storage area. And let’s not forget that kids tend to drop their bikes wherever they dismount and parents have been known to run over them.

So what are your bike storage options? The choices are floor stands, wall hooks/racks, and motorized overhead ceiling storage. Floor stands will hold multiple bikes, but you must have the floor space to spare. Walls hooks/racks free up that space, but you need the strength to lift the bike up and onto the hook. This may involve lifting the bike over your head or perching on a step ladder to reach the hook. The ideal solution for bike storage would free up your garage floor by using the unused overhead ceiling space. A mechanized bike lift is easily the safest and most sensible option if you need your bike out of the way but want to have frequent access. Only one person is needed for the job, the bike is loaded onto the lift from the floor level and the bike, or bikes, move up and down at the press of a button. You can rest easy knowing that a key lock switch will prevent accidental release. The bike lift itself is easy to install and simple to use.

 

If bike storage is your garage storage headache, consider ceiling storage as the best solution.

Read next

Will your Garage Storage Solution meet the challenges of Family Life?
Leave the Kitchen Cabinets in the Kitchen
Slatwall – the SMART Garage Storage Solution

Read more

BIKES – YOUR GARAGE STORAGE HEADACHE

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Could the pandemic usher in a golden age of cycling?


Are physical distancing measures giving bikes a new lease on life? 
 
These two recent headlines are giving bike activists an unexpected boost from the tragedy that is the Covid-19 Pandemic. 
 

 

We all know the environmental benefit of riding a bike versus driving your car in the city. However, until recently a lot of us have lacked the motivation or the courage to actually get the bike out and use it. Now that we are self isolating for long periods and reluctant to return to crowded public transport, the idea of riding your bike to work is much more attractive. The fact that cycling is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors is providing that missing motivation. Cities are taking notice of this shift in attitudes and working to accommodate those who want to use their bikes as a preferred mode of transportation.

 

It looks like our “new normal” will include a lot more riders and the $6 billion US bike industry will soar. Revenue was already predicted to increase by up to 8% in the next five years, but new estimates at the end of this pandemic will be telling.

For every plus, however, there is a negative. Bike storage is one of the biggest storage challenges for the rider – what do you do with your bike when you’re not on it? Bike storage is awkward and if you have limited storage space, you need to be creative. Leaning your bike against a wall isn’t a solution. Whether you keep your wheels in your apartment or in your garage, there are a number of things that can go wrong. Bikes are notorious for falling over, either on your car and scratching the paint, or on the walls, creating dings that may leave marks on the paint or even holes in your drywall. Bikes have also been known to track water, mud and grease into the storage area. And let’s not forget that kids tend to drop their bikes wherever they dismount and parents have been known to run over them.

So what are your bike storage options? The choices are floor stands, wall hooks/racks, and motorized overhead ceiling storage. Floor stands will hold multiple bikes, but you must have the floor space to spare. Walls hooks/racks free up that space, but you need the strength to lift the bike up and onto the hook. This may involve lifting the bike over your head or perching on a step ladder to reach the hook. The ideal solution for bike storage would free up your garage floor by using the unused overhead ceiling space. A mechanized bike lift is easily the safest and most sensible option if you need your bike out of the way but want to have frequent access. Only one person is needed for the job, the bike is loaded onto the lift from the floor level and the bike, or bikes, move up and down at the press of a button. You can rest easy knowing that a key lock switch will prevent accidental release. The bike lift itself is easy to install and simple to use.

 

If bike storage is your garage storage headache, consider ceiling storage as the best solution.

Read next

Will your Garage Storage Solution meet the challenges of Family Life?
Leave the Kitchen Cabinets in the Kitchen
Slatwall – the SMART Garage Storage Solution

Read more

Will your Garage Storage Solution meet the challenges of Family Life?

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Homes do not grow with you. That’s why we have starter homes, family homes, and forever homes. If you think about it, the rooms in your home are basically static – the kitchen is designed for cooking, the living room for entertaining and the bedrooms for resting and regenerating. And while you may re-purpose empty nest bedrooms into craft rooms or man caves, you really haven’t strayed very far from their original purpose.

Now consider the garage – this room often has more square footage than any other in the home and it is the one room where change is not only anticipated, it’s inevitable. In addition to giving you a place to park your car, it must do double duty and serve as your storage unit. As the fabric of your family stretches and contracts through the years, you quickly learn that each of life’s stages comes with its own storage requirements. Your home will be your anchor and the rooms inside will continue to do what they were designed to do. The garage, however, may undergo many transformations in its lifetime with your family. If designed properly, the demands on your garage storage will easily keep up.

When your family is young, the garage makes room for baby carriages, doll strollers and three wheelers. It may also store a collection of water sprinklers, toboggans and other necessities that young children seem destined to acquire. Moving on from that stage, the garage may become a locker room where skis and skates compete for space with bicycles and baseball bats. It may also be home to a table in a corner with the latest science project in progress. Later on in this phase, the garage may become a makeshift training room or band practice arena, or even a bike repair shop. Then, just when you think you can reclaim the space as your own for garage storage, it may morph into an auto mechanic shop or a hair salon.

If your garage renovation included slatwall as your wall covering, the changes to what’s being stored will barely create a ripple. Slatwall accessories don’t care if you are hanging up a hula hoop, a bird feeder, or a leaf blower. And garage cabinets will hide bottles of bubbles as easily as containers of fertilizer. If you start with a good basic plan, creating the garage storage solution you need is easy and affordable.

Eventually, the garage will find its way back to you. Now you can let your imagination go and turn it into anything you want – a putting green, a fitness centre, or an year-round indoor patio. You might have to give up parking your car inside, but your garage won’t mind. It will wait patiently until the time comes to sell the house – and the lifecycle of a garage begins all over again.

PREV ARTICLE
Leave the Kitchen Cabinets in the Kitchen ...
PREV ARTICLE
Slatwall – the SMART Garage Storage Solution

Read more

Will your Garage Storage Solution meet the challenges of Family Life?

Posted by Sabryna Hickey on

Homes do not grow with you. That’s why we have starter homes, family homes, and forever homes. If you think about it, the rooms in your home are basically static – the kitchen is designed for cooking, the living room for entertaining and the bedrooms for resting and regenerating. And while you may re-purpose empty nest bedrooms into craft rooms or man caves, you really haven’t strayed very far from their original purpose.

Now consider the garage – this room often has more square footage than any other in the home and it is the one room where change is not only anticipated, it’s inevitable. In addition to giving you a place to park your car, it must do double duty and serve as your storage unit. As the fabric of your family stretches and contracts through the years, you quickly learn that each of life’s stages comes with its own storage requirements. Your home will be your anchor and the rooms inside will continue to do what they were designed to do. The garage, however, may undergo many transformations in its lifetime with your family. If designed properly, the demands on your garage storage will easily keep up.

When your family is young, the garage makes room for baby carriages, doll strollers and three wheelers. It may also store a collection of water sprinklers, toboggans and other necessities that young children seem destined to acquire. Moving on from that stage, the garage may become a locker room where skis and skates compete for space with bicycles and baseball bats. It may also be home to a table in a corner with the latest science project in progress. Later on in this phase, the garage may become a makeshift training room or band practice arena, or even a bike repair shop. Then, just when you think you can reclaim the space as your own for garage storage, it may morph into an auto mechanic shop or a hair salon.

If your garage renovation included slatwall as your wall covering, the changes to what’s being stored will barely create a ripple. Slatwall accessories don’t care if you are hanging up a hula hoop, a bird feeder, or a leaf blower. And garage cabinets will hide bottles of bubbles as easily as containers of fertilizer. If you start with a good basic plan, creating the garage storage solution you need is easy and affordable.

Eventually, the garage will find its way back to you. Now you can let your imagination go and turn it into anything you want – a putting green, a fitness centre, or an year-round indoor patio. You might have to give up parking your car inside, but your garage won’t mind. It will wait patiently until the time comes to sell the house – and the lifecycle of a garage begins all over again.

PREV ARTICLE
Leave the Kitchen Cabinets in the Kitchen ...
PREV ARTICLE
Slatwall – the SMART Garage Storage Solution

Read more