The Best Garage Makeover

Our garage at the beach was transformed into the most incredible space. The Container Store did a fantastic job with our garage makeover.

We have a small home at the beach in Ventura, Ca. and every room is used. Especially our garage. Our garage has always been a very popular place for our grown boys as it hosts a bar, TV, ping pong table, and dartboard. It’s also a laundry room and storage for surfboards, wetsuits, bikes and lots of supplies. We have needed a garage makeover for a very long time.

My goal for the garage makeover was to free up space since the room is a “game room” for our kids and create a permanent place for all of the storage. I knew it was a bigger job than one I could do myself.

Fortunately, The Container Store came to the rescue. And now through October 13^th is the time to take advantage of The Container Store Custom Closets Sale, which includes Elfa.

I partnered with The Container Store on this project but please know all words, reviews, and opinions are mine.

The Before

When you look at the before photos, you will see a lot of “real life”. Many items didn’t have permanent storage space and the instant hot water heater was a real eyesore. 

The bikes took up one-quarter of the floor space in the garage and made it impossible to access anything in the storage cabinets behind them. (Don’t ask about the rug as I have no idea why I was saving it!)

The surfboards were a “safety hazard” (I know from personal experience!) and it the wet suits in the far-right cupboard needed air to dry.

The Container Store Offers Full Service for a Garage Makeover

I started out with a meeting with a designer named Sydne from the local Oxnard, Ca. Container Store. She met me at our home and helped determine how we could redesign the walls with Elfa products for storage. Her idea for the surfboards was brilliant (even though this was her first request ever to store surfboards!). The surfboards each have their own slot and they no longer block the window. The wetsuits can now dry in the open air.

Hanging the bikes has made all of the difference in the world. The boys now have room to chase after the ping pong balls!

By alternating the hanging direction of the bikes, the designer figured out we could fit more bikes in this area.

Installation

Once I ordered all of the products the installer from The Container Store arrived and did everything! Ali took down the old cabinets, patched and painted the walls, and installed everything. And this happened all in one day!

I love how great the Elfa system looked. I knew everything that was originally in the closed cabinets behind the bikes would easily fit. I ordered lots of great totes to store everything in all different sizes!

20 gal. Weathertight~ Trunk Clear  30″ x 16″ x 15-1/4″ h

41 qt. Weathertight~ Tote Clear  23-1/2″ x 17-3/4″ x 8″ h

19 qt. Weathertight~ Tote Clear  17-1/2″ x 11-3/4″ x 8″ h

74 qt. Weathertight~ Tote Clear  23-1/2″ x 17-3/4″ x 14-1/2″

6.5 qt. Weathertight~ Tote Clear  11-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ x 6-1/2″

We also installed two Gladiator White Large GearBox Cabinets. They are great to store tools, paint and some of my home decor items.

Once the Elfa shelves were installed, I started filling the plastic totes to determine where everything would go. And yes, I made the wine cork dartboard. If you want me to write a tutorial on how I made it, I will!

Next, I added the labels to make sure EVERYONE in our family would know where to put things away. Not just me!

I even added a glass cannister for washing machine soap.

The bins were placed on the shelves based on usage. Items seldom used were placed up top.

I am beyond excited about our new garage makeover. No matter how large or small your space, a little organization with The Container Store goes a long way.