Every June, I take full stock of a very messy garage and strategize a full re-organization of the space.

You know when you reach a point of doing the same bad habit over and over where you finally say to yourself, this has got to stop! It’s time for some garage makeover ideas!!

Granted, I am an interior designer and I often have props, furniture and decor for photo shoots and client projects staged in my garage. But, all the mess and junk piled high up to the ceiling is not good for anyone.

Lawd. Just look at it. Ughs!

Clutter is a constant reminder that things are unfinished and it nags and nags at our brain.

As cortisol levels deplete and we continue to live in a chaotic state, the brain is trained to accept depression and anxiety as a consequence.

By the way, in case you aren’t familiar with cortisol, it is a stress hormone that is infamous for our “fight or flight” reaction when confronted with a crisis.

And, with elevated levels of cortisol comes a slew of unhealthy reactions:

1. Increased blood pressure
2. Increased heart rate
3. Low energy and blood flow to different parts of your body

It also makes our family highly inefficient. There is a lot of “Mom, where are my pink Vans?” I often retort back, “How should I know?”  Or, “I can’t find my swim fins again!”

 

Worse yet, Travis saying, “Anita, where is the Tupperware box with our old tax forms?” Or, something rather important and I seriously have no idea where in the garage it is located.

You know what the worst part is? As a therapist, I helped countless clients organize their home for wellness.  Some people when they first meet me and Travis (who is also a Marriage and Family Therapist) assume we have everything figured out.

We laugh pretty loudly at this. You need to see us at our “best” moments talking about hot button topics.

Never assume I’m perfect just because I have the knowledge. At least, I am the first to tell you that I’m imperfect and constantly a work in progress as a mom, wife, designer and creative.

Ok let’s get started!

Garage Makeover Ideas: Must Haves Checklist

A clipboard, pen and a checklist are must haves when observing a new home organization project.

Travis and I did a walk through of the garage much like when I first meet a new client.

Here’s a quick tour of our cluttered space. As you head out to the garage from the interior garage door, you are greeted with darkness and tons of shoes strewn about.

However,  the odd corner has been utilized well. We have heavy duty hooks and the kids hang their backpacks and swim gear there. I am quite satisfied with the functionality of this space so we will leave it as is.

But, we do need to add recessed lighting to the ceiling so that we can see where we are going and/or if we are trying to find something.

As we walk further, to the right is a treadmill that we never use and tons of old furniture, bikes, clutter and boxes.

To the left is our garage fridge that we are very happy with. Functionality is there so we will leave it.

But, as you move towards the other side of the garage, you find the biggest bain of my existence in this home.

My “laundry” room. Seriously, it is more like an afterthought if anything else!

Look at this current situation:

I have so much junk on the machines, I barely can handle it! This corner of my home is completely dysfunctional and uninviting.

I feel that doing laundry can become an enriching ritual if we let it. First up is creating an inviting environment.

Here is what I plan to change:

• Take out the gross commercial carpet and replace with possible Epoxy flooring.
• Add a utility sink cabinet with drawers instead of the plastic sink alone.
• Wallpaper the whole wall with something fresh and fun.
• Add open shelving.
• If there is money left in the budget, we will add an upper cabinet above the sink.
• Possibly art above the sink.

 

 

Here is my design board inspiration!

Option A

 

OR

Option B

Or, yet another option!

Option C

I actually made almost eight of these design boards with different styles and patterns.

Yikes, I’m worried I won’t be able to  decide in time for the installation.

So you guys need to help me by commenting here and on Instagram!

 If you are watching my IG stories, you will that we are framing out the utility sink cabinet and countertop rough for the machines.

As I am writing this, I find myself a little panicked, ha!

There seems to be so many things to get ready for and it is all for a tiny space.

Of course, it will totally be worth it. I want to love the ritual of washing and cleaning the clothes.

Dreading it daily just isn’t great for my attitude or wellness. It has been 10 years of doing laundry in this defunct space. 

As much as I told myself to be patient, I feel strongly now is the time to thoroughly take the time and energy to make it functional and efficient for my family of 5. We literally do laundry every day!

Ok back to the wallpaper, which do you like? Tell me in the comments!

Happy day!