1) Automatic Garage Door Closer
If you have an automatic garage door opener, then why not an automatic garage door closer to go with it? I've had mine for several years now, and it continues to work flawlessly. The peace of mind alone is worth every single penny I spent. It's no secret that a garage door left open overnight, or while you're away during the day, is an open invitation to thieves of all sorts. With an automatic closer, you'll rest assured knowing your garage is secure. They're very easy to install with an existing opener, and typically, they can be programmed to close anywhere from two minutes to an hour after the door was opened. Additionally, they have a separate override button in case you want your garage door open for an extended period of time. Adding an automatic closer is one of the best things you can do for your garage.
2) Parking Guide
It's not uncommon to find an assortment of parking scratches and bruises in residential garages. One of the most popular remedies is the old tennis ball on a string hanging from the ceiling trick. This is a time tested remedy that works, but there are also modern solutions as well. Enter laser and proximity parking guides. Laser guides typically attach to the ceiling on or near the garage door opener. When the door is opened, the laser is activated and lights up a beam. All you have to do is line up the beam to a particular spot on your dashboard when your vehicle is already parked. Then, each time you pull in, let the preset beam show you where to stop. You can get just a single laser or a dual-laser depending on the needs of your garage. Proximity sensors, unlike lasers, mount on the wall you approach when you park in your garage. With these, you simply preset the distance between your bumper and the sensor. Then, as you approach, the sensor will tell you when to stop. Some models even act like a stoplight, with a yellow caution lamp, followed by a red stop lamp.
3) Floor Covering
Garage floor coverings are not only practical, but they really make a difference in the overall appearance of your garage. When talking about coverings, there are many different types including garage floor paint, epoxy, tiles, and mats. Paint is certainly the least expensive method, but also the highest maintenance method. Paint will protect and make your garage look much better, but you will have to add a new coat probably once a year. Epoxy is similar to paint, but it's thicker, and much more durable. It'll give your garage floor that showroom look you find in many dealerships. Epoxy will cost you more than paint, and you'll also have to do more preparation work, but the result will be worth the extra cost and effort. You can also opt for professional installation as most retailers offer the service. Garage floor tiles and mats are also options to consider. Tiles are typically 16 by 16 inches, and you can get them in a variety of colors. They interlock with each other to hold everything together, and they'll make your floor look absolutely incredible. Mats come in many different shapes and sizes to fit your needs. They're basically designed to contain automotive fluids, and all the muck your vehicle drags in with it.
4) Pegboard
Pegboard is nothing new to home garages. However, there are plenty of modern innovative shelves, hooks, bins, and containers that fit into pegboard. You can find these items at any home improvement center. You can use them for lawn and garden tools, household hardware, winter clothing, hand tools, etc. Pegboard is the most versatile type of organizer you can use. Basic pegboard is a little flimsy, but you can make it stronger by adding more supports when you mount it. You can also paint it to fit the theme of your garage. There are also other types of pegboard such as plastic and metal, which are available in different colors. Of course, they're a little more expensive, but they're also stronger, so you can use them to hold heavier items. No matter which type of pegboard you use, it'll help you control clutter which is one of the most common problems in residential garages.
5) Light Switch
Another way to modernize your garage is to upgrade the light switch with one that's illuminated when the lights are off. This eliminates fumbling around looking for the switch while leaning over, and holding the entry door open for enough light to find the switch. Even better, it's inexpensive and easy to do yourself. With basic knowledge of electricity, all you have to do is turn off the breaker that feeds the switch and wire up the new switch the same way. There are no additional wires to worry about. The end result is a mild orange glow that's easy to find in the dark. Another option is to add motion sensors to your garage lights so they come on as soon as you open the door. You can even get motion bases that screw into standard sockets. Once installed, all you have to do is screw in the light bulb as usual. This is a clever way to have motion activated lighting without having to do any wiring.
