Five Ways to Maximize Space in Your Garage with Overhead Storage

July 12, 2016 by Rick Scully

There never seems to be enough storage space in our homes. When we exhaust storage space inside, the garage is the most likely space to fill the void. However, with a limited amount of space, the garage can quickly become a cluttered dumping ground for the entire family.

Our garages house important items like tools, lawn and garden supplies and sporting equipment. However, mounting garage clutter often includes items that are broken, outdated or no longer needed. If your garage is overflowing; you’re forced to park your vehicles in the driveway; or you haven’t seen your garage floor in years, you’re probably frustrated with your storage situation. Before you consider renting additional storage space, look for ways to maximize your available space.

The first step to reclaiming precious square footage in your garage is to annually purge unneeded items. Give new life to an old table or dresser by repurposing or donating it. Give away unnecessary duplicate items. Toss broken toys and furniture. Safely dispose of expired household cleaners. Once you’ve pared down to the necessities, you may discover that you still have more than you can fit comfortably in your garage. To find additional space, look overhead.

Overhead space offers an ideal way to store items while reserving premium floor space, maximizing unused space, keeping items stored out of sight and out of the reach of small children and pets. With a variety of overhead storage options available, let’s explore five ways you can use overhead storage to save space in your garage.

Store Seldom Used Items on Overhead Shelving

Overhead shelves come in a variety of options. Sturdy steel overhead garage shelves—secured to ceiling joists or to the ceiling and a wall—are designed to support several hundred pounds. For safety, overhead shelving should be installed by a garage renovation specialist or an experienced professional knowledgeable about how to properly install weight-bearing shelves.

Holiday decorations, camping gear and other seasonal, or seldom-used items can take up considerable space in your garage. Such items are ideal for overhead storage because they don’t need to be accessed frequently. A small step ladder provides access to overhead shelves. If climbing up and down a step ladder isn’t appealing, try hydraulic shelves. With the touch of a button the shelf lowers for loading. Another push of the button raises it overhead again.

Lift Ladders and Bulky Household Items Overhead

Large ladders come in handy if you own a multilevel home. Yet, they can be difficult to store. Even when stored along a wall, a large ladder consumes a lot of valuable real estate. Store bulky household items overhead using overhead shelving or an overhead rack made especially for storing such items.

Keep Kayaks and Seasonal Sporting Goods Overhead

Ladders aren’t the only bulky items that might be stealing space in your garage. Kayaks, skis, surf boards, snow boards, fishing poles, roof racks and other unwieldy recreational items can either be stored on overhead shelving, specialty hooks or a customized overhead sling. A made-to-measure overhead garage sling has the added benefit of making it easier to load kayaks and roof racks onto your vehicle.

Utilize Overhead Bike Racks

It can be difficult to find just the right place to store your bicycle. A variety of vertical and horizontal wall racks are available. However, if there is limited wall space left or you already have a tight fit in your garage, overhead bicycle storage provides another good option.

Overhead bicycle storage racks operate on a pulley system that is either manual or motorized. A two-bike pulley system stores bikes flat against the ceiling and requires minimal clearance space. The five-bike pulley system, which requires 60-inches of clearance, is designed to take advantage of the generous height of tall ceilings.

Maximize High Ceilings with a Custom Built Mezzanine

Towering garage ceilings offer another exciting option for maximizing storage space. A custom-built mezzanine provides additional space ideal for storing seldom-accessed items. To accommodate a garage mezzanine, the ceiling must be at least 14-feet high and deep enough to accommodate the 8-foot depth of the platform, without obstructing garage door rails.

Mezzanines run the full width of the garage and can either be installed at the rear of the garage or over the garage door. The overhead garage balcony is accessible via step ladder, stairs or even a car lift. Light, bulky items—like seasonal decorations and off-season sports equipment—are ideal for storage in a mezzanine.

Overhead space is an untapped storage jackpot in most garages. Sturdy steel overhead shelving is the perfect place to store seasonal and seldom-used items. Specialty racks make light work of storing ladders and other bulky items overhead. Customized overhead slings make lifting and lowering kayaks, roof racks and other sporting goods a breeze. Overhead bicycle racks safely store multiple bikes while reserving floor and wall space. A made-to-measure mezzanine provides loads of overhead storage space for bulky items.

Need more storage in your garage? Contact a garage renovation specialist to discover how overhead storage options can maximize your storage space.

Make Room in Your Garage to Embrace Our Growing Bicycling Culture

June 21, 2016 by Rick Scully

Recreational and utilitarian bicycling is experiencing a resurgence in cities across North America, including Toronto. The growing interest in cycling has prompted events like Bike Month—a month-long celebration of cycling in Greater Toronto and Hamilton that kicked off on May 30^th.

Cities worldwide are being forced to re-examine their infrastructure. Biking enthusiasts and motorists are demanding more bike lanes in their communities and on main thoroughfares, prompting Toronto to develop a 10-year plan to expand its cycling network.

Why has cycling become so popular? Because cycling offers numerous health and environmental benefits.

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is a fun physical activity that offers countless health benefits. Yet, it is easily-accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.

Most of us learned to ride a bike as children. Once learned, it’s a skill you never forget. This makes cycling ideal for children and adults. Based on the type of bicycle and the course chosen, cycling can be relaxed and easy or high-energy and intense—making it suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced riders.

Cycling engages all the major muscle groups, while putting very little strain on joints and muscles. The heart and lungs also get a good workout, improving cardiovascular health. Continued cycling increases stamina and strength. In just a few hours a week, this low-impact cardiovascular exercise can improve health, lower stress levels and reduce feelings of anxiety. Regular cycling can also serve a vital role in an overall weight loss or healthy weight maintenance regimen.

As Westerners, we spend hours seated at desks, on the couch in front of the television and in our cars while commuting. A sedentary lifestyle puts increased strain on joints and muscles employed while sitting, causes unused muscles to shorten and encourages stiffness in underused joints. Utilitarian bicycle riding—for transportation—converts the sedentary commute to local shops or work into active transportation which promotes good health. Utilitarian cycling also benefits the health of the environment.

Environmental Benefits of Cycling

Nearly 30% of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions stem from the transportation of people and goods. Therefore, reducing transportation emissions has become a key part of Canada’s goal to diminish greenhouse emissions by 30% by 2030. Active transportation—walking and cycling—can help us get closer to that goal.

Motor vehicles are a major contributor to smog—an unhealthy mixture of air pollutants and other particles which can be irritating to the lungs and aggravate various health issues, like asthma. When we opt for active transportation like cycling, as opposed to starting up our vehicles, we help reduce smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

There is a growing push for walkable communities as a strategy for reducing the burden placed on our environment. Walkable communities offer the perfect setting for recreational and active transportation biking.

Perhaps you’re ready to embrace Canada’s rapidly expanding cycling culture, but an overflowing garage poses a serious bicycle storage dilemma. Fortunately, there are a variety of smart, sleek garage storage options for your bicycles and cycling equipment.

Bike and Cycling Equipment Garage Storage Options

For many homeowners, storing the family bicycles in the garage becomes an either/or situation. Either the bikes get stored in the garage or the vehicles do. When improperly stored, bicycles stored in the garage can scratch or dent vehicles or be accidentally run over. The bike might also be damaged if it falls over.

Serious bicycling enthusiasts make a substantial investment for bicycles and cycling equipment. Investing in a workable garage bicycle storage option will protect your investment in your bicycle, your vehicle and your garage. With a wide variety of creative garage bicycle storage options available, it is easy to find the one that fits your needs and budget.

Schoolyard style bike racks are easily placed near the back garage wall, allowing bicycles to be parked in a neat, orderly fashion. This style of rack is easily put in place. However, it has a large footprint, so it is often favored by those who use all or part of the garage for bike storage during summer months.
Horizontal wall bike storage relies on a wall organizational system—sturdy, durable panels that work with complementary hooks, shelves and baskets to store a range of items. Bikes are stored flat against the wall from hooks placed at the desired height. This makes it relatively easy for each family member to remove his or her own bike.
Vertical wall storage also works in tandem with a wall organizational system, but bikes are stored vertically. The bikes protrude further from the wall. However, more bicycles can be stored in the same space. Many find this storage option aesthetically pleasing. However, it can be more difficult for small children or those with limited arm strength to hang and retrieve bikes from the wall.
Overhead bike pulley systems come in both manual and motorized varieties. This storage option makes use of wasted, overhead space and reclaims valuable floor space. Depending on the placement of the rack, vehicles may need to be moved to store and retrieve bikes.
Baskets, hooks and shelves can be hung at various points along the wall organization system panels to store bicycle helmets, water bottles and other equipment.

For a more in-depth look at each style and tips on selecting the right storage option for you, review Reclaim Your Garage with Creative Bike Storage Solutions.

Are you ready to embrace the Canadian cycling culture? Learn the cycling laws and safety rules, check out an ongoing list of Ontario cycling events, then discover the top cycling paths in the Greater Toronto area. If you’re in the market for a new bicycle, save the date for the Toronto International Bicycle Show’s Fall Blowout Sale on October 15^th.

Contact Garage Tailors Garage to find the garage bicycle storage option that’s right for you.

Six Questions for Your Best Garage Renovation

June 7, 2016 by Rick Scully

A renovation or design project that doesn’t quite end up as you imagined is disappointing. That’s why it’s critical to hire a highly recommended expert who will take measures to learn exactly what you want.

A good designer has a variety of design ideas in mind. However, exceptional designers understand that the most critical component of any project is creating a design that fits the distinct needs and preferences of each client. To achieve this, the design expert must ask the right questions and listen carefully to client responses.

At Garage Tailors Garage, we tailor each garage renovation to the specific budget, lifestyle needs and design aesthetics of the client. During the initial consultation, I explore the space and talk to perspective clients about how they envision their renovated garage supporting their current lifestyle and any future needs. However, this conversation begins long before I arrive at their door. It starts with six important questions asked on our client consultation request form.

Tell me about your garage organization and storage needs.

A successful garage renovation is visually appealing and functional. To ensure the design achieves both goals, we start by gaining a thorough understanding of how you plan to use your garage.

Think about what is stored in your garage now. Will you require a garbage and recycling station in the garage? Do you need a place to store tools? Will lawn equipment and gardening implements be stored there? What other items do you store in your garage? Is your garage the designated storage space for seasonal decorations or off-season tires?

If your family is active, you’ll likely have a variety of sporting goods that require dedicated storage space. The consultation form simply requests that you check off the types of items you want to store. However, the form is also designed to prompt you to think more deeply about how you plan to use your garage, preparing you for our discussion about your lifestyle needs.

Tell me a little about your garage.

Your garage has a limited amount of space, but our creative and made-to-order storage solutions maximize every square foot available. First, we need to know more about the space.

In this section of the questionnaire we ask whether we’re renovating a one, two or three-car garage. You’ll also estimate the height of the ceiling. This gives us a clear idea of how much wall space and overhead space is available for the garage renovation design. Lastly, we need to know more about the existing framework. Is the space drywalled or will we be working with block walls or open wood stud walls? The answer to this question will dictate the application process of certain design elements like wall organization system panels.

Tell me a little about your storage style or preferences.

In the questionnaire, this is presented as a simple, multiple choice question. Do you prefer to see everything or do you want to keep some things behind closed doors? Yet, this question speaks to the heart of your design. Do you want everything kept on display using baskets, hooks and shelves, or do you prefer the clean lines of hidden storage?

When done well, both storage styles can be quite attractive. Visibly stored items are quickly and easily accessed. The items themselves can be arranged in a pleasing manner that makes them an integral part of the design. On the other hand, sleek cabinets provide hidden storage, ensuring the renovation design is the star of the show.

What type of storage are you interested in?

Now that you’ve had a chance to consider what you’ll be storing in your garage, the available space and the storage style preference, it’s time to address the type of storage you envision for your space. Would you like to see everything stored neatly along the walls of your garage? Would you prefer to store everything overhead, making use of wasted space? Or would you prefer to combine wall organization and overhead storage to maximize the available storage space in your garage?

Whenever possible, it’s ideal to incorporate both wall organization and overhead storage. Wall organization systems make frequently used items like gardening tools and sports equipment easily accessible. Overhead storage racks are perfect for storing large, bulky items like kayaks and infrequently used items like holiday decorations.

In this section you’ll also indicate whether you want to include garage cabinetry or lighting options in your renovation design.

What level of finish are you interested in?

Our garage renovations range from basic garage organization projects to high-end garage renovations. The distinction is in the finishes. If you simply want to transform a cluttered garage into an organized space you’ll enjoy returning to each night, you may opt to bypass the finishes. You’ll still have an organized garage that looks great and does everything you need it to do.

For functional reasons, like preserving your garage floor and discouraging stains, you might select one of our garage flooring options. These include our one-day polyaspartic flooring system and modular, interlocking floor tiles—which can be scrubbed clean or replaced if damaged.

For clients seeking to transform their garage into a contemporary showplace, we can incorporate a number of finishes to get the look you want. Drywall, painting and beautiful polyaspartic flooring—available in a variety of stunning colors—pair nicely with Canadian-made garage cabinetry designed in a sleek, European style to create an impressive space.

What is the budget for your garage renovation?

The last key question about the design deals with your budget. The array of design and finish options available represent vastly different costs. I suggest that clients establish a budgetary range. The bottom number should be what you’d ideally like to spend on the project. The top number is what you’d be willing to spend to get the look and function you desire. Creating a budget range will allow us to develop design options that address your lifestyle and storage needs without going over your budget.

Are you ready to transform your garage into an organized, functional space or a fabulous showplace where you can park your vehicles and store all the things your lifestyle requires? Complete the Garage Tailors Garage consultation request form and begin the journey to your best garage renovation.

Create a Gardening Command Centre in Your Garage

May 19, 2016 by Rick Scully

Temperatures are rising and spring flowers are in bloom. During the approaching Victoria Day weekend, garden centres will be overflowing with Ontarians preparing for the planting season. Many of your neighbors will likely use the long weekend to plant flower and vegetable gardens.

Perhaps you enjoy gardening, but break into a cold sweat at the thought of sifting through the chaotic contents of your garage to locate gardening tools. A hectic schedule—brimming with work and family obligations—makes it challenging to find time to do the things you love. A disorganized garage steals valuable time that could better be used to pursue activities you enjoy like gardening.

Don’t allow garage clutter to sideline your dream of lounging in your personal garden paradise this summer. Instead, create an organized garden command centre in your garage that will prepare you for a successful growing season.

Organize Your Garage for Gardening

The right tools can make any job easier. Make the best use of your time by creating a space where all of your gardening tools are organized and easily accessible. A wall organization system makes it easy to store gardening implements and supplies.

Panel systems like Slatwall, made of durable PVC and available in a variety of colors, provide a strong, sturdy, storage solution that is both flexible and attractive. The 1×8 foot Slatwall panels create a scalable wall organization system that works in a small space, but can easily be expanded to meet future storage needs.

Slatwall panels work with a variety of complementary accessories like hooks, baskets and shelves. Long-handle tools like rakes, shovels and spades hang from hooks neatly along the wall. Flower pots and watering cans store on shelves. Baskets provide catchall storage for gloves, small tools and more.

Create a Dedicated Work Surface

If you don’t have a potting bench in your yard, installing a dedicated workspace in your garage will make gardening tasks like potting a breeze. A flat work surface can be created by repurposing an old table or dresser or by purchasing a premade workbench from a big box store.

For a sturdy, attractive work surface with additional storage, install a garage storage cabinet complete with a sturdy butcher block worktop. Garage storage cabinets come in a variety of configurations which include doors, drawers, shelves and open-to-floor storage space. Cabinets provide additional, hidden storage. Lockable cabinet doors protect pets and small children from accessing dangerous lawn chemicals.

What if you don’t have adequate space in your garage for a dedicated work station? An experienced garage renovation specialist can design a unique, made-to-measure solution to fit your space. A custom solution can be tucked into a tight space or an oddly configured corner of the garage. When space is at a premium, a foldaway work station provides work space whenever you need it, then tucks away to accommodate vehicle parking.

Create a Plan for Your Garden

Once you’ve created your garden command center, it’s time to turn your attention outdoors. Make the most of Ontario’s short growing season by planning ahead. Consult the Farmer’s Almanac or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for recommended planting dates.

Carefully plot out your gardening space. What flowers, shrubs and trees will you plant this year? Sketch out a layout for your flowerbeds. Note which areas get full sunlight and which areas are shaded. Before you purchase plants, research online or visit a local garden centre to find out how much daily sunlight your desired plants and flowers require. For instance, flowering annuals like carnations, petunias and marigolds need at least six hours of daily sunlight. However, areas that receive less than six hours of sun are the perfect haven for impatiens, begonias and black-eyed Susans.

Do you plan to have a vegetable garden? A home garden is a fantastic way to keep a supply of fresh, flavourful vegetables on hand during the growing season. Carefully plan out your garden. Which herbs and vegetables does your family eat regularly? Choose plants that thrive in your local area but don’t require more time and space than you have available.

Heed plant and row spacing recommendations. A small tomato or cucumber plant can quickly expand, taking up far more space than you expected. Plant vegetables in suitable areas of the yard. For instance, climbers like cucumbers and beans are ideal for a space along a fence or trellis.

Certain vegetables thrive when planted together. For example, basil and tomato plants are ideal companions. Basil repels mosquitoes, spider mites and aphids; improves pollination by attracting bees; and boosts the health and flavour of tomatoes. On the other hand, fennel and brassicas (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, etc.) inhibit the growth of tomato plants. Consult a companion planting guide for ideas on which plants to situate together.

Creating a beautiful landscape filled with luscious plants; fragrant, colourful flowers; and fresh, delicious herbs and vegetables requires an investment of time and effort. However, carving out space in your garage for a gardening command centre simplifies the process.

A gardening command centre with a dedicated work surface and gardening tools and supplies that are neatly organized will maximize your time and help you achieve beautiful results. Would you prefer to put your time and effort into gardening and leave the work of creating your garden command centre to a professional? Request a consultation with a garage renovation expert.

Discover New Home and Garage Renovation Options at Avenue Décor Centre

May 7, 2016 by Rick Scully

You’re ready to give your home or garage a fresh look, but with so many options available it’s difficult to know where to begin. Magazines, websites and home improvement shows are filled with exciting products and ideas that pique your interest. However, seeing design elements in a glossy magazine or on a television screen doesn’t always provide an accurate perspective.

A particular style of carpeting, tile or countertop may look good in a magazine. However, seeing those home improvement materials in person can completely change your perception of them. Small samples of materials give you a feel for a particular design element. Still, it isn’t as effective as seeing it incorporated into a finished design. For a more accurate depiction of potential renovation options, visit a design centre.

A design centre houses full-size renovations incorporating a variety of design choices. Large samples of alternate design choices are also displayed. This makes it easier for homeowners to choose design elements that best fit their design aesthetic and lifestyle. However, most design centres are created by new home builders and accessible only to their clients.

Design centres open to the public are often limited in scope like kitchen and bath design centres. Conversely, Ontario’s newest design centre—Avenue Décor Centre—is a large, open space filled with renovation design ideas for every room of the house and countless possibilities for garage design and renovation. Open to consumers, designers and contractors, Avenue Décor Centre works with top product vendors and design and renovation experts to bring your home renovation ideas to life.

The Making of a Design Centre

Tony Torelli has been renovating homes in the Greater Toronto Area for nearly two decades. To create an aesthetic that suited his clients, he would send them to a handful of product showrooms. It was a great way to give customers hands-on experience with recommended design elements. However, trudging all over town was a time-consuming prospect for clients.

To achieve the best finished design results and simplify the process for his clients, Torelli curated a collection of newly renovated spaces under a single roof—Avenue Décor Centre. Each renovation incorporated only high-quality products from trusted vendors. The work was completed by Torelli’s team and a few, hand-selected local service providers well known for their outstanding work. This new design centre is fittingly located in Newmarket—a town in York that is experiencing a vibrant resurgence.

The sprawling, 6,000 square foot warehouse is brimming with renovated spaces ranging from high-tech kitchens and jaw-dropping baths to state-of-the-art garage organization solutions. This stunning array of renovated spaces gives home and garage renovation clients a truer sense of how various design elements will look in their homes. Best of all, it eliminates the need for customers to trek all over the Greater Toronto Area.

The Avenue Décor Centre Advantage

Why rely on two-dimensional glossy photos, tiny carpet swatches and small samples when you can explore a series of full-scale renovations? Examine various styles of cabinetry, countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting and finishes. Discover innovative products for the home and garage.

Avenue Décor Centre is a customer-friendly renovation and design showroom staffed with knowledgeable experts on hand to answer your product questions. While it is open to the general public, Avenue Décor Centre welcomes design professionals and contractors to bring their clients to explore design options.

If you’re not working with your own designer, an Avenue Décor Centre designer can sit down with you and help you plan your renovation. Looking for a renovation contractor? Avenue Décor Centre can recommend trusted contractors who will assist you with every stage of your renovation, from planning and product selection to home consultation and renovation.

Avenue Décor Centre offers a wide range of high-quality design choices offered by exceptional vendors. The centre also serves as a retail space that sells all of the products displayed and connects consumers with exceptional local service providers.

Visit Avenue Décor Centre at 17035 Yonge Street in Newmarket and start planning your next home or garage renovation project. The centre is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5PM. Need more flexible options? Call Tony Torelli at 905-235-5548 to make an appointment for viewings outside of regular hours.

Six Eco-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

April 19, 2016 by Rick Scully

Earth Day Canada has grown from a small movement 25 years ago to an event six million Canadians participate in each year. Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22^nd by more than a billion people worldwide. However, the true power of Earth Day is its ability to prompt individual action and effect policy changes. With that in mind, let’s look at six eco-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day this year.

Review Your Recycling Routine

Canadians generate 31 million tonnes of trash annually, recycling only about 30%. There are 10,000 landfills across Canada. Yet, many are nearing capacity. As the contents of landfills decay, landfill gases—like methane and carbon dioxide—are produced, polluting air and harming the environment.

Recycling is one of the simplest actions we can take to improve the environment. By complying with the convenient Blue Box recycling program available in most communities, we divert tons of glass, paper, plastics and electronics from being dumped in landfills.

Review your home and work recycling habits. Create a dedicated recycling zone in your garage, if you haven’t already. Community recycling guidelines change periodically. Re-familiarize yourself with the guidelines at least once each year to ensure you’re in compliance. Maximize your environmental impact by recycling as many items from the list as you can. For an even greater impact, reduce the waste your household generates. For instance, using a water filtration pitcher or a refillable water jug can significantly reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up in landfills each year.

Reduce and Repurpose

We all have a stash of items that have outstayed their welcome lurking in our closets, the basement or the garage. Combine your Earth Day celebration with your annual spring cleaning and purge items you no longer use. Recycle or discard broken or outdated items. Give new life to items that don’t work for you now, by repurposing them.

Organize the remaining items in your garage by installing a wall organization system. Maximize storage by making use of wasted vertical space. Enlist a garage renovation professional to safely install overhead storage racks.

Safely Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

We often think of hazardous waste in commercial settings. However, the average home and garage are brimming with hazardous substances, like automotive fluids, solvents, pesticides and household cleaners.

Do your part to keep the environment clean. Check with community guidelines to learn how to safely dispose of household hazardous waste in your home and garage. Don’t toss household chemicals or old electronics into the trash or pour used automotive oil down the drain or into the ground. Automotive oil can contaminate the soil and up to two million litres of water. Visit your city’s website to find out how to properly dispose of household hazardous waste.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

You’ll reduce reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels, like natural gas, oil and coal by making your home more energy efficient. Start with small, inexpensive changes that quickly pay for themselves in energy savings.

Install energy efficient CFL or LED bulbs in your home and garage. LED lights are ideal for use in the garage. They are resistant to cold and you won’t have to wait for them to warm-up to reach full brightness.

Weatherize your home and garage. Temperatures are rising now, but it’s the perfect time to seal drafty spots in your home. Apply weather stripping around the garage door and to the entrance between the house and garage. Seal around electrical outlets on exterior walls to prevent heat loss during winter and cooling loss during summer months.

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Most households have multiple vehicles, increasing air pollution and the use of gasoline. If you live in a walkable community, bike to nearby destinations whenever possible. A brisk ride offers numerous health benefits, and you’ll have the added satisfaction of knowing you’ve reduced your carbon footprint. Keep your family’s bicycles neatly stored with a horizontal, vertical or overhead bicycle rack.

Keep tires properly inflated and perform vehicle maintenance, like oil changes and tune-ups, at regular intervals recommended by the manufacturer. When your vehicle is in top form it will run more efficiently, emit less pollution and use less gasoline. Store automotive accessories in a dedicated automotive zone in your garage. It will be easier to keep inventory of essential fluids and you’ll have everything at your fingertips when you need it.

Join Local Earth Day Initiatives

More than six million Canadians will participate in local Earth Day activities. Here are a few events happening in Ontario:

Clean Your Commute – On Friday, April 22^nd, look for ways to reduce the impact of your commute. Carpool, bike, take public transit or work from home.
Earth Ball 2016 – Toast 25 years of Earth Day Canada at the Mill Street Brewery in the Distillery District. Celebrate Earth Day Canada’s impact on the environment through innovative campaigns and programming. Enjoy live entertainment and mouth-watering fare prepared by Chef Michael Stadtlander. Doors open at 7 PM on April 22^nd.
Toronto Botanical Garden – Looking for a low-key, family-friendly event? Bring the family to the Toronto Botanical Garden on Saturday, April 23^rd from noon to 4 PM. Enjoy a stroll in the Edwards Gardens. Take a guided hike. Make a green smoothie with ingredients from the garden, blended with a blender bike. Visit the Teaching Garden and enjoy a scavenger hunt and woodland crafts. The event is free. No registration required.

In light of climate change and other environmental disasters, it’s more important than ever to adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle. What we do individually may seem insignificant. However, when considered collectively, even small changes to our daily routines make a difference.

Review our past articles on green initiatives for your home and garage. Then visit EarthDay.ca to learn how you can join efforts with fellow community members to increase your positive impact on the environment.

Do These Seven Things to Get the Best Results from Your Garage Renovation

March 22, 2016 by Rick Scully

Your garage should play an important role in the function of your home. A well-designed and organized garage provides storage space for your vehicles and items that are important to your lifestyle, like sporting goods and gardening tools.

In a previous article, we discussed five things to look for when hiring a garage renovation specialist. Now let’s look at seven things you can do to get the best results from your garage renovation.

Before You Hire a Garage Renovation Expert

The foundation for a successful renovation experience begins long before the workers show up on Day One of the project. Start your garage renovation off on the right foot by doing the following three things before you hire a garage renovation expert:

Honestly assess your needs and expectations. Look at how you currently use your garage. Now consider how you’d like to use it. Do you need space for specific sports equipment? Do you require a workbench? Are there items causing specific storage challenges, like a kayak or winter tires? Will an additional vehicle be parked in the garage in the near future? Discuss your needs with the garage organization or garage renovation expert. Any plan proposed should address your unique lifestyle needs.
Know your budget range. Before you meet with potential garage renovation specialists, decide how much you are willing to invest in your renovation. Come to the meeting with a low number (what you’d prefer to spend) and a high number (what you’re willing to spend to get your dream garage) in mind.
Purge. Your renovation should maximize the storage capabilities of your garage. However, even an organized garage will become cluttered again if you store too many items in it. Get rid of broken, outdated or useless items. Gift or donate duplicates, items the kids have outgrown or things you no longer use. The remaining items are those which merit space in your garage.

During the Renovation

Once you’ve engaged the services of an experienced, trusted garage renovation expert, here are three strategies to make the renovation go off without a hitch:

Find a new home for your stuff. During the renovation process, the garage must be cleared of all of your belongings. Items might need to be temporarily relocated to the basement or a storage container. Discuss the issue with your contractor beforehand. Be clear on who will move the items and when they must be moved.
Find alternate parking for vehicles. The garage and driveway will be off limits while the renovation is in progress. If street parking isn’t an option, a neighbor might allow you to park your car in their driveway during the renovation process.
Keep children and pets away from work areas. Kids are wonderfully curious about the world. The beehive of activity and the whirr of power tools are enough to draw the attention of any curious child. However, tools and other materials used during a renovation can pose a danger to children and animals. For the safety of everyone, be sure to keep children and small pets away from the work area, even if the crew is off-site.

After the Renovation

At the end of the project, the renovation crew walks away, leaving you to enjoy your clean, organized, renovated space with adequate storage for the things important to you and your family. Ideally, the credits roll, we fade to black and everyone lives happily ever after. On rare occasions there may be hiccups—small changes that need to be made. Don’t let this ruin your experience.

Continue honest communication with garage renovation expert. If something isn’t as expected, talk to your contractor about it. A good, reliable contractor will ensure that the job meets the expectations created from the outset. They use quality products, backed by a manufacturer’s warranty and they follow through on the project with outstanding service.

A well-organized garage serves as an extension to your home. Lay a solid foundation for the success of your garage renovation by honestly assessing your needs, knowing your budget and purging before you hire your renovation expert. During the renovation, relocate your belongings, keep the driveway clear of your vehicles and keep children and small pets away from the workspace. After the renovation, continue honest communication with your contractor about anything that doesn’t meet outlined expectations.

5 Things to Look for in a Garage Renovation Expert

March 8, 2016 by Rick Scully

During warmer months, we don’t mind parking the cars outside. It’s easy to overlook a cramped or cluttered garage. When temperatures drop, we’re prompted to squeeze our vehicles inside the garage to protect them from the harsh winter weather. This subjects them to scratches and dents as we try to maneuver in a crowded, overstuffed garage. Even worse, many find it impossible to make room for their vehicles amidst the tools, toys, old furniture and sporting goods that have taken over their garage.

It’s no wonder homeowners begin making plans for home and garage renovations this time of year. If garage organization and renovation has risen to the top of your spring to-do list, here are five things to look for when searching for a garage interior renovation expert.

Experience

The profusion of renovation shows have empowered us to take on our own décor and renovation projects, with varying results. However, when it comes to hiring a garage renovation specialist, don’t be fooled by the flashy DIY websites of newbies and weekend hobbyists who have limited knowledge and experience.

Anyone with a knack for organizing can throw up a website and declare themselves a garage renovation or garage organization expert. Even if the finished product looks beautiful, the work may not be sound or endure the test of time. Additionally, if the project doesn’t meet local building codes, it could cause problems down the road, if you ever decide to sell your home.

If you can’t get a referral from a friend or neighbor that has had a similar project done, search a reputable contractor database, like HomeStars, for a garage renovation expert.

Check to see how long the contractor has been in business. Review photos of completed projects, either on the database or on the contractor’s website. Have they completed a wide variety of projects or just a handful? Is the quality of their work and their design aesthetic compatible with your needs?

When meeting with a potential garage renovation contractor, don’t hesitate to ask direct questions about his or her past experience. Ask for photos of other projects, then ask about customer reviews and testimonials.

Customer Reviews

It’s easy for potential contractors to overstate their level of talent and experience. However, hearing from current and former customers provides a stronger gauge of how happy you will be with the contractor’s work.

A reputable company with a wide range of experience should gladly supply customer testimonials. Better yet, a well-regarded garage renovation expert with a long list of happy clients is likely inclined to provide the names of a few customers who are willing to speak with you about their experience with the company.

When talking to past customers, ask not only about the quality of the contractor’s work, but his or her reliability and work style. Did the project come in on deadline and on budget? What is their work ethic? Were workers on the project when they said they would be?

Highly-rated garage organization and renovation experts have dozens of reviews from satisfied customers. Such details are often included in those reviews and testimonials.

Customized Solutions

Every garage is different. Primarily because each homeowner has specific lifestyle needs which impact how the garage is used.

Active sports enthusiasts require extensive sports equipment storage. Green thumbs and gearheads require adequate storage and workspace for their pursuits. A family with young children needs storage for toys and sporting goods that is easily accessible to little ones. They also need a way to store dangerous household chemicals out of their reach.

Off-the-shelf organization solutions aren’t designed to fit specific storage needs. To ensure you’ll be happy with your garage renovation now and down the road, find a garage renovation specialist who will tailor a solution to your specific needs.

An innovative garage renovation expert will tailor a solution to your specific storage needs, not coerce you to accept a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t suit your lifestyle.

No Surprises

Nothing is more frustrating to homeowners than a renovation project that doesn’t meet their expectation or far exceeds their budget. Prevent unpleasant surprises by ensuring that any potential garage renovation contractor provide you with a complete proposal of the work to be done.

The proposal should spell out all of the plans for the renovation in clear detail. The types of materials that will be used and the projected cost and timeline of the project should be clearly enumerated. Don’t leave important details to chance.

Quality Assurance

Good contractors do excellent work. They provide great service and stand behind the products they install. Before hiring a contractor, talk to him or her about what assurances they provide in the event something goes wrong. Will they stand behind their work?

Quality products usually come with a standard manufacturer’s warranty. Find out what products the garage renovation expert proposes installing and what kind of warranty is offered on each product. Ask specific questions about how the contractor will handle any problems that arise during the project or after it’s completed. Make sure the contractor is willing to put such assurances in writing.

Whether you’re planning a major interior garage renovation or a smaller garage organization project, you want to work with a solid, reputable expert. Search for a garage organization and renovation expert with experience and dozens of customer reviews and testimonials to back it up. Look for an expert who offers customized solutions with no unpleasant surprises. Then make sure he or she is willing to stand behind their work and the products they use.

Using Baskets, Hooks and Shelves to Transform Your Garage

February 23, 2016 by Rick Scully

If garage organization is one of your goals this year, keep two essential principles in mind. Adequate space is required, and each item should have a designated storage space. Taming the clutter in your garage might seem like a monumental task. However, integrating simple elements like baskets, hooks and shelves can increase the available storage space exponentially, providing a designated spot for each item.

Whether you choose to do a full-scale garage renovation or a mini, do-it-yourself one, these tips will transform your garage into an organized storage space.

Eliminate the Unnecessary

A garage consists of three walls and a floor, providing very little storage. With no defined organization system, items are stacked on the garage floor. Eventually, these items take over one of the garage bays. In many cases, the entire garage is consumed as garage becomes a dumping ground for old furniture, broken toys and a host of unused items. The first order of business is to eliminate the unnecessary.

If possible, start by removing everything from your garage. This serves two purposes. First, you can see everything you have stored there. Second, you have a clean slate to work with.

Group similar items, like gardening tools, hardware and sporting goods. Now you can easily identify duplicate items. Sort through everything. Assess whether each item is needed and if the garage is the ideal place to store it. Create piles for items that will be discarded or relocated. Donate old furniture, appliances and clothing and housewares to local charities or to a friend.

Once you are left with only the essential items to be stored, decide where each group of similar items would best be stored in your garage. Now it’s time to use vertical space to create task-related zones for each group.

Use Vertical Space

Vehicles consume most of the limited floor space. Few garages are designed to tap into the wealth of vertical space. Maximize storage space storing items on the walls and overhead.

Shelving units from local box stores can provide additional storage space. However, these units tend to take up considerable floor space. This is problematic for storage on side walls, where space is already limited. A sleeker option is a wall organization system.

Slotted wall panels are attractive, waterproof and mold and mildew-resistant. Available in a variety of colours, the 1 x 8 foot panels are super strong, engineered to meet heavy-duty industry standards. They are attached to wall studs for additional strength. Slatwall panels are sturdy enough to hang bicycles and other heavy items.

Hang one or two panels or an entire wall of them to create the base for your vertical organization system. Then use the vast array of corresponding accessories to maximize storage.

Accessorize Your Walls

The real beauty of slatwall lies in the countless corresponding accessories designed to meet a wide range of storage needs. Wall organization system accessories include baskets, bins, nets, hooks and shelving. These receptacles provide a tidy place to store items like gardening supplies, household chemicals, hardware and more.

Is sports equipment littering your garage? Sport-specific specialty hooks and racks are perfect for avid sporting enthusiasts. Magnetic strips and specialty racks can corral an assortment of tools.

Wall organization systems are highly-configurable. The corresponding accessories are quickly and easily interchangeable. This creates a system flexible enough to meet your family’s changing storage needs from one season to the next and throughout the years.

Go Above and Beyond

Storing items in baskets and on hooks and shelves is ideal for frequently used items. To find the best place to store lightweight, seasonal items, just look up. Overhead shelves and platforms convert wasted space into a convenient place to store stackable plastic bins.

Overhead storage racks should be installed by a garage renovation expert, or someone who understands how to safely install loadbearing overhead shelves. Prefabricated steel shelving, like Strong Racks, provides strong, sturdy overhead storage that is easily accessible with a step ladder. For something tailored to your unique space, hire a garage renovation expert to build a made-to-measure overhead storage shelf that will allow you to maximize the space configuration in your garage.

An overhead shelf can provide additional storage near the back of the garage or above the garage door. Do you have a high ceiling in your garage? Turn the wasted space into a storage treasure trove with a custom built mezzanine.

Like the idea of overhead storage, but don’t relish the thought of trudging up and down a step ladder with bulky holiday decorations? Hydraulic overhead lifts provide push-button access to overhead storage. Hydraulics lifts come in a wide range of options. They provide raised storage for everything from seasonal items to lawn mowers, bicycles, motorcycles and cars.

Whether you’re ready for some do-it-yourself garage organization or a full-scale professional garage renovation, a local garage renovation expert can help you use baskets, hook and shelves to transform your garage into a neat, organized space.

Envision Your Garage Renovation at Avenue Décor Centre

February 9, 2016 by Rick Scully

A cramped, overflowing garage is easy to ignore during warm weather, when vehicles are often parked outside. During cold winter months, a disorganized garage with limited storage space is more than just a minor inconvenience.

It may impossible to fit one or both vehicles inside the garage. If you manage to squeeze the car in, it must compete with the snow blower, shovels and winter sports equipment, making it more likely to get scratched or dented.

Perhaps you’re determined to organize your garage this spring, to avoid the same headaches next winter. You want an organized space that reflects your lifestyle, works seamlessly with the rest of your home and provides adequate space to store the things you own. Yet, you’re not quite sure where to begin.

Whether you plan to make small changes or a do complete garage renovation, it can be difficult to visualize how new components will look in your space. However, a brand new showroom in Newmarket makes it easy to envision your dream garage and select elements that suit your unique needs.

Discover Avenue Décor Centre in Newmarket

The brainchild of builder Tony Torelli, Avenue Décor Centre is a 6,000 square foot showroom of renovated spaces ranging from stunning kitchens and baths to innovative garage organization solutions. Open to consumers, designers and contractors, Avenue Décor Centre works with top local contractors and designers to bring your home renovation ideas to life.

You’ll discover an endless array of fixtures and finishes for your home and garage that fit your needs and reflect your individual style. Walk through renovated spaces that integrate the latest, most innovative products for the home and garage. The fully-staffed space is open 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday; 9 AM to 5PM on Saturday; and Sunday by appointment.

The licensed, experienced experts who designed and renovated these elegant spaces are available for help with every stage of renovation, from planning and product selection to home consultation and renovation. Not sure what to expect from a garage renovation? Visit the Garage Tailors Garage display at Avenue Décor Centre.

Garage Renovation in Action

Our single-car garage display boasts plenty of organized storage space. Striking Contur cabinets in Carbon immediately demand your attention. This highly-flexible system provides a high-end look at an affordable price. Manufactured in Montreal, Canada, these durable cabinets are the perfect marriage of quality, form and function, wrapped in a sleek, European design.

These handsome cabinets are loaded with innovative engineering features. Expanded foam core in the door panels minimizes inadvertent dents. EZ-open finger pulls and spring-assisted door stays in upper cabinet doors and push-to-open/close feature on lower doors make the cabinets easily accessible. Most doors and drawers are lockable for added safety and security. Heavy-duty shelves and drawers provide ample storage for heavier items.

Overhead is a sturdy, U-shaped, custom-built platform. Overhead platforms provide the perfect place to store seasonal items, like holiday decorations or off-season sporting goods. The overhead shelf on display was made-to-measure. We also offer a range of prefabricated, steel platforms for overhead or back wall storage.

Need a place to store garden tools, bicycles, automotive goods and sporting equipment? A wall organization system, like SlatWall, is ideal. Displayed in gray, black and white, these prefabricated panels can be configured to any size. The slots in the panels accommodate corresponding accessories, including baskets, bins, shelves and hooks. Together they create a highly-configurable storage solution to fit your family’s unique lifestyle.

Even the floor gets an eye-catching finish. Our one-day polyspartic flooring system was applied, giving the garage floor a tough-as-nails coating similar in appearance to granite. Black, green and gray paint chips combine with silver sparkle to create this colour while also providing ample grip that makes the floor skid-free.

Polyaspartic flooring is available in a range of attractive colours and comes with the peace of mind of a ten-year warranty. For a finished look and to protect the walls around the perimeter of the floor, we installed a six-inch punched aluminum base.

Each Garage Tailors Garage renovation is specifically tailored to the space and the customer’s individual needs. Still, seeing cabinets, shelving, wall storage systems and garage flooring installed in a physical space makes it easier to visualize your dream garage renovation.

Visit the Avenue Décor Centre Garage Tailors Garage display at 17035 Yonge Street in Newmarket today and start planning your spring garage renovation project.

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