Greetings readers from sunny Adelaide, South Australia@38 degrees!! Here’s a map showing where this is coming from – Adelaide
Being a dedicated and very passionate lifetime car and motorcycle enthusiast like yourselves, your Garage Style editor and publisher, Don Weberg, has asked me to share some thoughts with you about my garage(s) style and experiences here in Australia.
Your garage may not be a mega structure and showroom, but is perhaps a simple two- or three-car garage facility and some of these ideas may help. Do not under estimate the great importance of your space. It is much more than a building to house cars and motorbikes.
It is, in fact, a refuge and mancave (if you put a small amount of work in) where you can seek solace from the busy and stressful outside world, a place you can visit and admire your automotive machinery and possessions and relax. The very best human mental feelings come from firstly planning this space and then congratulating yourself and enjoy what you have done.
The very best way to start is to “bite the bullet,” and if your space is a mess (be honest with yourself!), it needs to be cleared out totally and repurposed. It is also a chance to NOT put back things you really don’t need and dispose of them.
Vacuum and sweep (walls too) and mop thoroughly. Then, inspect the cavity you have. A pencil and paper will give a clear idea of your thoughts and future reference plans. Then decide what your floor will be. Most all of us begin the mission with untreated concrete floors, which alone is not a good idea for cars and motorbikes to be resting on (even for a small time and definitely not long term) as there is a chemical reaction over time causing rust between the floor an anything metal sitting above it. But besides this, a basic floor cover is a good idea because it makes the area more habitable and you and your cars more comfortable and happier.
This is another subject to discuss fully, but your budget need not be huge for a great effect. Past issues of Garage Style, both in print and digitally, can provide a number of great solutions. Consider sealing, polishing, or painting the floor – use your favorite color, maybe infuse some glitter to add a little zing. So many people finish their concrete in the earth-shattering hue of gray – what could be more original than making a gray floor gray? Step out of the comfort zone, live a lot!
If this isn’t your cup of tea, consider porcelain tiles (as editor Don Weberg has written about often and recently). Or, maybe a softer touch with large, 1-metre square carpet tiles. These are used with great success in offices and showrooms, and don’t even need to be glued down and can be added as finances improve. They are warm in winter and cool in summer and are cost effective and durable. Shop around your large hardware stores for bargains or pack overs discounted.
Another fun approach to consider is one half “garage,” and the other half with an older (or new!) patterned big carpet. You need to be comfortable along with your chariots, after all, and splitting the garage gives a little of both worlds. If space and budget permits, spoil yourself with a used leather chesterfield for relaxing; use and age only makes them better, and you can revive any marks or damage with your special car leather food and special automotive spray vinyl-leather paint. It is surprising how cheap good chesterfields are secondhand.
You may consider oil drop trays now if car leaks happen. A cheaper alternative is neatly cut cardboard or plastic storage box lids beneath. While our fearless leader, editor Don Weberg, prescribes drip pans and drop trays, I know for a fact that under his prized DeLorean is a swath of cardboard. But, as he’s been improving his space, I’m sure that will be changed.
Is space tight now in the garage? Generally, a proper bench is better at the end of garage (not on the side) and is a must have. You need a bench, but how often do you really use it? A fold up bench with legs can be purchased or made. Work on it with the car outside, and when finished, tidy up and fold it back onto wall. When folded you can display signs etc on it also. Once again, our fearless leader is looking into a couple of these folding work benches because his garage is a little tight – who knew a Texas garage would be small?
Is there a problem opening doors onto the walls and chipping the car door? In my pics, you will see a Agip and another sign with it. These are usually available at Motorsport and promo events etc., and are very light to mount and give good dress and display effect. They will also provide a soft protection effect when doors are opened on them. Also effective to mount on garage ceilings because of light weight. They are usually free, but give a professional effect and are easily cleaned.
At this stage you need to decide if you need objects in the shed like lawnmowers and gardening implements and non-car related items. Maybe put them all in a dedicated small shed and make more room away from the garage. You may even consider a larger, lockable shed for the motorcycles and displays, if you have one, and don’t be afraid to buy secondhand. This makes moving around for all items better.
Really consider a mezzanine floor at the end of garage if you have the height. Can be insulated and enjoyed with a sofa and tv/radio or storage of seldom used items and cars still be driven underneath for storage. Let’s get everything off the floor for easy future cleaning!
Give thought to future lighting needs. More is good, but lights do not need to be all on. When partially lit, sheds have a great ambience, especially when signs and neons are present and electricity is conserved. My great love is enamel/porcelain signs, and there’s no shame in replicas. Great effect at a tiny price compared to genuine; along with neon signs, probably give the greatest and best effect of all. Not all neons are expensive – shop wisely and bask in their friendly glow knowing YOU have created a restful automotive heaven!
Essential additions at this point are a clock, a mounted fire extinguisher, a radio and/or a TV (some TVs have a chill music function only), and a record player, if you must and have room.
Ideas on how to decorate your garage or car space will have to wait for another time; this is probably the most exciting phase to experience, but let’s get the basics right. If all seems daunting, never fear. We all go through these thoughts, but would you really leave the mess like it is or have a warm and inviting environment you will enjoy and share with friends? You may even get time to spend with your partner and family in the house sometimes!
Seriously, you know the saying that a long journey starts with a single step? It’s true, so START!!
With your garage, it is not the size or cost of the facility, but the thought, imagination, positioning and repositioning of things into the correct and colourful display that will bring automotive happiness.
Mental wellbeing is – I will do that today (commence Plan Happy), and – I have achieved that today (Plan Happy achieved).
