11 minute read
CALLED TO ORDER
Called to order UPDATE IT GARAGE TRANSFORMATION GARAGE CLUTTERED AND CHAOTIC? SORT IT OUT TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE, WITH INSPIRATION FROM THIS MAGIC MAKEOVER
Words SHELLEY TUSTIN Photography BRIGID ARNOTT Styling SAMANTHA POINTON
Before
ty & Mr Darcy
K a T he garage tends to be the first place clutter collects, and this was certainly the case for homeowner Katy. Her Sydney house had been built as a retirement dream home for her and her late husband but, she explains, “The garage was his domain and over the years it had been let go.” Inspired by the possibilities, Katy committed to transforming it into a well-organised and useful space.
Out with the old
The first step to order is figuring out how much space you need and how much room remains. Katy only had one car to park in this double garage, allowing her to explore other uses, such as an exercise zone and more.
Before
LEFT An old timber cupboard was upcycled to a potting centre using Rust-Oleum ‘Milk Paint Finish’ paint in Eclipse and ‘Chalked’ protective topcoat in Matt Clear (for all product details, see next page)
BELOW Pinnacle 1830mm x 1500mm x 410mm 5 tier adjustable shelving unit, $215, I/N: 2760439. Tactix 25L collapsible crates in Black, $12.60 each, I/N: 2583340, 30L heavy duty storage box, $25.80, I/N: 2583689, and 45L heavy duty storage box, $32.40, I/N: 2583690. Large wood storage crates, $18 each, I/N: 0214210. Porter’s Paints ‘Eggshell Finish’ broadwall washable paints, $10.70/100ml each, in Volcanic Ash, I/N: 0162922, and Old Stone Wall, I/N: 0162911. All Set large collapsible crates, $6.50 each, in Blue, I/N: 0329251, and Green, I/N: 0329250. AEG 18V 165mm circular saw, $219/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0298404. Flexi Storage ‘Home Solution’ 185mm 2 runner wire basket in Black, $10.11, I/N: 0168738. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Gardening cupboard
With a capacity of 200kg per shelf, this Pinnacle unit can handle heavy loads. Grouping like items in boxes means they’re easily found
Before Epoxy floor paint
Being brutal about what stuff you’re hanging on to, then finding a logical way to store it all, is key. Once she started this process, Katy says, “I was really shocked. I have never seen so much dirt and clutter in my life!”
Katy’s jumble would be familiar to most: power tools, garden equipment, bikes, outdoor cushions, paint tins. But there was also plenty of ‘junk’, she says. “I found things that I’d had no idea were there. It was chaotic clearing it out but it’s been quite cathartic.”
Well grounded
Concrete floors are standard for garages and they do the job just fine, but unsealed concrete tends to pick up stains and tyre marks. An epoxy flooring finish is practical – it’s easy to clean up oil and spills – and looks great. This finish offers a high-end look you can DIY. Just make sure you start with a perfectly clean surface, read the information and instructions carefully and wear suitable safety gear.
Get serious about storage
Once the junk has been cleared, take an inventory of what’s left and look at the best way of storing it.
Bunnings garage organisation buyer Terri Wolff recommends choosing a sturdy unit with an appropriate weight per shelf capacity. “In shelving units, store large or heavy items on the bottom shelf,” she advises. Put
ABOVE (and previous page) Peace lily plant in Lotus Collection ‘Dash’ 23.5cm x 22cm large footed cylinder ceramic pot in Cream, $17.48, I/N: 0258723 (plant sold separately). Bata knee length gumboots, $28/size 9, I/N: 3368152. (On cupboard) Northcote Pottery ‘Italian’ 21cm terracotta squat pot, $4.20, I/N: 2863818, and 33cm pot, $16.70, I/N: 2855867. (In cupboard) Holman 1.8L galvanised watering can, $14.93, I/N: 3110893. Vaseria ‘Italian’ 17cm terracotta pots, $2.29 each, I/N: 2832559. Oregano and coriander plants in Northcote Pottery ‘Italian’ 12cm terracotta pots, $1.60 each, I/N: 2833746 (plants sold separately). Grunt 14mm sisal rope in Natural, $25.48/10m, I/N: 0231455. Cyclone stainless steel bulb trowel hand tool, $11.50, I/N: 3361000, fork hand tool, $11.50, I/N: 3360486, and garden trowel, $11.50, I/N: 3360998, in Vaseria ‘Italian’ 17cm terracotta pot, $2.29, I/N: 2832559. Pope ‘Handy’ 12mm garden hose, $32.29/30m, I/N: 3110072. Northcote Pottery ‘Italian Collection’ terracotta saucers, 17cm, $2.40, I/N: 2863494; 19cm, $3.10, I/N: 2855972; 21cm, $3.90, I/N: 2863347; 28cm, $8.10, I/N: 2863355; and 31cm, $11 each, I/N: 2863517. (On floor) Cyclone 22T steel springback leaf rake, $40.22, I/N: 3360946, and 18T trade rake with timber handle, $52.75, I/N: 0203432. Holman 9L galvanised watering can, $18.30, I/N: 3120984. Sherlock 100L poly tray garden wheelbarrow, $155, I/N: 0043703. Craftright 1 pocket workwear welders leather apron, $18.95, I/N: 5820561. Gorilla 2.4-3.9m 100kg domestic aluminium extension ladder, $160, I/N: 0862022. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
everyday items in the middle for easy access, leaving infrequently used or seasonal items for the top shelf, she suggests. “Storing things in labelled crates and tubs achieves a uniform and tidy look,” she adds. Glass jars make ideal storage for bolts, washers and other small items. A small lockable cabinet offers security for tools, and Katy can also use it to store chemicals or other dangerous items she doesn’t want the grandchildren to find.
“Whichever solution you choose, make sure it’s flexible enough to be extended or adapted as your needs change,” says Terri.
Pet corner
Beloved pooch Mr Darcy wasn’t forgotten in this garage makeover. A simple arrangement of hooks, baskets and a bench seat (made from a cube unit and foam rubber cut to size and covered with a drop sheet; see page 56) works like a mud room. Katy can use the space to store Mr Darcy’s toys and leads (“I can never find the lead. This is an utter game changer for me!”) and deal with her muddy footwear. “I do a lot of bushwalking and it’s wonderful to have somewhere to sit and remove my boots,” she says.
This sporting life
Sports gear is a common storage dilemma. It’s a good idea to get bikes up off the floor so they don’t get knocked over or take up valuable floor space. Consider how you want to hang your bike – vertically or horizontally – and choose a hook to suit, checking it meets weight requirements and is right for your type of wall. Other options, suggests Terri, include floor stands and ceiling hoists.
In Katy's garage, a plywood panel forms a base with hooks to hold everything from helmets to racquets (see page 56). Wire baskets are great for storing smaller items like tennis balls.
As well as a place to keep her equipment, Katy also hoped to carve out a space for exercising. Adding a flat wall-mounted mirror and rubber matting turns this corner of the garage into a mini weights room or a yoga studio. “The gym wall is sensational! I had quite a lot of homeless gym gear and now it has a place,” says Katy.
Before
Terri Wolff, Bunnings garage organisation buyer
Finding logical homes for power tool chargers and batteries leaves the bench clear for projects
ABOVE Pinnacle 900mm x 450mm metal pegboards, $43 each, I/N: 0038055, 810mm x 520mm x 500mm single door mobile cabinet, $290, I/N: 0038060, 810mm x 520mm x 500mm 4 drawer mobile storage unit, $379, I/N: 0038059, all in Matt Black, and 1350mm x 900mm x 540mm timber top workbench, $358, I/N: 0038058. (On pegboards) Craftright ear muffs, $9, I/N: 5820953, and 500mm handsaw, $7.95, I/N: 5710074. Spirit level, for similar try Stanley ‘High Impact’ 1200mm ABS resin spirit level, $23, I/N: 5660383. Screwdriver set, for similar try Trojan 13 piece screwdriver set, $22, I/N: 0118153. Trojan 75mm paint scraper, $7.49, I/N: 0093213. Stanley 6 piece metric spanner set, $24.98, I/N: 6110509. Protector ‘Ultralite’ clear wraparound safety glasses, $4.50, I/N: 5814707. Hammer, for similar try Irwin ‘1991009’ fibreglass hammer, $22.48, I/N: 0065673. (On cabinet) Dieffenbachia plant in Lotus Collection 18cm x 16cm medium cylinder linear ceramic pot in White, $10.48, I/N: 0258701 (plant sold separately). (On workbench) Stanley ‘FatMax’ 8m tape measure, $26.90, I/N: 5662780. Empire carpenters pencils, $10.45/pack of 10, I/N: 5660735. Rust-Oleum ‘Milk Paint Finish’ paint in Eclipse, $49.85/946ml, I/N: 0104878. Paint Partner 38mm synthetic paintbrush, $3.16, I/N: 1662328. Pro Renovator 63mm trim paintbrush, $8.67, I/N: 1661759. Ryobi ‘ONE+’ 18V random orbital sander, $109/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 6210660, and drill driver kit, $139, I/N: 0319598. AEG 18V 165mm circular saw, $219/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0298404. Craftright F clamps, 200mm x 80mm, $13.30, I/N: 5860087, and 300mm x 80mm, $14.99, I/N: 5860088. Marquee metal bar stool in Black, $33.50, I/N: 0314866. All other products, stylist’s own.
Clever buys turned unused space into a dedicated reception area for Mr Darcy
Pet & mud room area Exercise zone
Ventilating the gym area is as easy as opening the roller door!
ABOVE Flexi Storage ‘Clever Cube’ 1 x 4 storage unit in White, $79, I/N: 2583386, and inserts in Natural Water Hyacinth, $19 each, I/N: 0285878. Open 40cm x 32cm x 25cm rectangle storage baskets in Natural Hyacinth, $25 each, I/N: 0367306. Mojo 45cm cushion inserts, $10.57 each, I/N: 3192728, in 45cm cushion covers in Striped, $6.79, I/N: 0149110, and Solid Black, $6.79, I/N: 0292398. Hooks, for similar try Adoored disc hook in White, $4 each, I/N: 0089506. TOP RIGHT Living Elements 1500mm x 900mm x 5mm flat edge mirror, $122, I/N: 0029913. Ultimate Flooring 6m x 1.2m multi purpose rubber mat, $152, I/N: 4490365. Dy-Mark epoxy coat garage floor kit in Slate, $260/8L, I/N: 1580415. RIGHT 2250mm x 600mm x 30mm BC grade pine plywood, $82, I/N: 0390218•, painted in Dulux ‘Wash&Wear’ low sheen extra bright interior paint in Black Caviar, $108.50/4L, I/N: 1370111. Pinnacle bicycle hanger hook, $9, I/N: 2610013. Everhang storage hooks, $2.70/pack of 2, I/N: 0078739, garden tool storage hooks, $2.70/pack of 2, I/N: 0078736, and ‘Handy’ storage hooks, $2.70/pack of 2, I/N: 0078737. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Keep in mind...
n When preparing and painting a garage floor, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wear the recommended safety gear and ensure the area is well ventilated. n Keep all paint, chemicals and cleaning products out of the reach of children and pets. “The wall mirror and gym mat make the garage feel like my workout room,” says Katy
Scan the QR code
See how this messy spot became a practical, multipurpose space:
bunnings.com.au/garage-makeover
Watch it!
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