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.

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 13th 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.

shelves and plastic totes in garage

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. 

before the garage makeover photo

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!)

unorganized bikes in garage

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.

surfboards in garage

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.

garage makeover with surfboard and wetsuits

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

hanging bikes, surfboards and wetsuits

bikes hanging in garage

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

bikes hanging in garage

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!

the container store installer

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.
elfa system on walls of garage

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!

finshned garage makeover

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

plastic storage totes in garage

I even added a glass cannister for washing machine soap.

garage makeover completed

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

how to organize your garage

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.

garage makeover after photos

Similar Posts

12 Comments

  1. Our garage make-over is next on our list of to-do’s and I love these suggestions. What kind of labeler did you use to make those great labels? Thanks for the inspirational blog this morning.

  2. The garage looks great. I love the Container Store! Please do a tutorial on the wine cork dart board. I never thought I’d say a dart board is beautiful but yours in stunning! I’m going to add a few more corks to my collection this weekend to get ready!

  3. It looks beautiful and functional. I’m assuming that the things in the short white cabinets over the laundry went into the bins on the same wall…. Hanging the bikes replaced all those tall cabinets on the other side. OI realize the wetsuits were in a cabinet, but there are so many more on that wall.
    What was in there before and where did you put it all? thanks

  4. Love the transformation Leslie. Sydne did a great job…she is fantastic!! It was great meeting you at the Oxnard store. Hope to see you around again but as always, I enjoy your blog and instagram posts.

  5. You have done a great job Leslie. Each and every picture on your blog looking fabulous. Can you share with me how much it needs to cost to make look like this garage? Thanks in advance for your reply and post also 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *