Hey.. Congratulations on your 1st garage. Couple of suggestions i have for you:
1. Paint it a medium gloss white - i suggest oil based as oil has more scrubability to it even though latex has come a long way, right away before you load anything into it! Makes it sooo much easier to paint.
2. Do you have 2+ feet about the garage door i.e. 10ft ceilings? If so, I would immediately put up a over the garage storage system. Keeps a lot of stuff hidden from everyday use and really really maximizes a garage's storage. Can be put up in 2hrs.
3. Wall mounted Wet/Dry shopvac. Helps keep the area clean but also very useful so you don't have to keep dragging out the vacuum. Just make sure you have enough hose to get 1/2 way down the driveway. Can pick one up for ~ $100.
4. Water source. Consider where it is located and think about if it's in the best spot. If not, move it. I prefer it close to the entrance on the wall and use a windup hose reel. 50ft should be sufficient. Get a good rubber medium duty hose. Get a really good nozzle too. I use one of these mounted inside the garage. Might want to put up 2x2 area of VCT or Ceramic tile behind it for easy clean up of dirt and prevent water from contract drywall etc.
5. Lighting. Usually just a regular bulb in the middle of the garage. Consider upgrading to flourescent. You really cant have enough light.
That should be the guts of it.
6. Wall storage.
Gotta decide if you want open wire shelving or closed cabinets or a mix of both. I prefer a mix of both.
The other thing is whether you want wood, metal or resin cabinets. I`d stay away from resin cabinets. Wood or Metal. Personal perference. I`d go wood personally. The other option is slat walls or peg board etc.
I like these rubbermaid ones. Reasonably priced.
Mixed with some open faced shelving for garden supplies etc.
7. Work bench. 3 options.
- Depending on space you can put up one of those type that collapse and you bring up when needed. Excellent space saver. Prevents putting tonnes of crap on top of the bench etc.
- Bench on casters so its moveable. Open shelves or with doors and pull out drawers.
- Permanent fixed bench. Open shelves or with doors and pull out drawers.
Lowes has an excellent budget friend bench that you might want to consider.
or a bigger but less quality one:
8. Tool Storage. Home Depot's Husky ball bearing chests are a good value.
Have fun with it and build it up slowly. Can seem daunting and expensive.
