Ultimate Garage Ideas

Flooring

• Grease-stained floors may be a common trait in a "common" garage, but they have no place in the ultimate garage. Floors are clean and pristine. Floors might even be radiantly heated so the garage space temperature never falls below freezing. Floors are painted with techniques such as black-and-white checkerboard paint or tile design to give the garage a NASCAR look. Alternatively, the floor can be painted in a solid industrial gray, with rubberized runners for areas for the driver to walk to the car and attend to car care needs.

Electronics

• The ultimate garage features important electronic and computerized "must-haves" that focus on ease of access, surveillance, car care and entertainment. The garage door openers must be accessible for execution from inside the home as far as a block away, at minimum, so the owner's entry is smooth and effortless. Surveillance cameras should be placed inside the garage and outside so that the garage can be monitored from the home security system and remotely via computer while the owner is at work and via mobile applications. The garage would also include hydraulic lifts, battery chargers and electronic equipment to check the car's engine and electronic system to monitor the car's "vital signs." The ultimate garage features high-end audio and video equipment such as a flat-screen television and sound system for information and entertainment purposes.

Cabinetry and Shelving

• Cabinets and shelves in the ultimate garage should be "all about the car." The design should be sleek and organized. A laminate wall unit system, with cabinet colors of white, black or gray, will give the garage a high-end professional look and organization system for storing repair and maintenance tools and supplies. Slat walls will enhance the sleek look, combined with color-matched painted pegboards to keep frequently used tools within sight and reach. Cabinets can also be dedicated for non-car-related items such as garden equipment and sports paraphernalia. Install shelves to manage and store car care manuals and magazines.

Garage Doors

• The ultimate garage owner would insist on garage doors that make a statement. This means having wooden garage doors that create a classic "carriage" style or high-end industrial steel roll-top doors to create a high-tech look. Wooden doors would be stained in a redwood color, and have ornate carriage door hinges. Steel roll-top doors can be left in their natural color or painted red, black or white for a contemporary look.

Artwork

• The ultimate garage would also include artwork. This could include a display of photographed prints of winning racecars and drivers. Vintage artwork such as an old gas station sign featuring the white Pegasus horse used by Mobil makes an ultimate artwork statement in the ultimate garage. A map of a famous highway, such as Route 66, can be framed, including pictures of famous roadside diners or a collection of Matchbox and antique toy cars. The owner might also display a collection of her cars through the years, from her Mustang she drove in high school, her Volkswagen she drove in college, and other cars.