When you look at a single-car garage, you may think there’s not much you can do with it other than park your car. After all, the average width of a one-car garage is 12 feet, with a depth of 22 feet.

However, with planning and a little creativity, you can turn this tight space into a multi-functional area.

wood garage door in house

Assess the Existing Space

If you cannot park your car in your single garage, it is time to declutter. Chances are everything, including old tricycles and seven Christmas trees, is stored there.

Throw out everything you have not used in months and will not use in the future. It is important to clean up the garage so you can see how much space you have to work with.

Once the garage is clean, measure it. This will help you decide on the layout that will work best for the available space. You will also have to decide what you want to use the space for. Do you just want a space for parking your car, or do you need some storage space as well?

Vertical Space Is the Way to Go

A 12-foot garage is inherently small, so vertical space is the best solution. With limited floor space, you need to make the most of the walls to store things.

Add pegboards to hang your tools or garden equipment. Pegboards are customizable, so you can adjust and add hooks or boards as needed.

You could also attach a couple of wall-mounted shelves. This will allow you to store bulkier items like paint cans and boxes. Choose adjustable shelves so you can store items of different sizes. Magnetic strips will keep tools and scissors in place without wasting valuable space.

Slatwall systems are another option that works well for storing power tools or bicycles.

Overhead Storage Creates More Space

Consider mounting overhead racks if you have a lot of stuff to store in the garage. These racks can be attached directly to the ceiling, providing enough space for camping gear, clothing, and holiday decorations.

Make sure you use strong racks so they do not fall on your car because of excess weight.

Clearly Mark Different Zones

You want a space to park your car and enough space for a workbench. To ensure you do not bump into your workbench while parking, mark the area with tape. Remember, you will likely not have enough space for the workbench and car.

This is why a pull-out or retractable workbench is the best option. You can fold away your workbench by adding brackets and hinges to make space for your car. You can pull the bench back out and leave your car outside the garage when you want to use it.

More Storage Options

Several other storage options are also worth considering if you want to make the most of your garage space. These include stackable bins and boxes. You can also invest in rolling carts, which are especially helpful for moving tools around the garage.

Vertical toolboxes with several drawers are also an option. However, if you want to reduce the number of large objects stored in the garage, hanging jars and wall-mounted bins could be a good alternative.

Whatever option you choose, always keep the garage floor clear. If there is a lot of stuff lying around, it automatically takes up usable space.

Consider a Loft or Conversions

If you do not need to park your car in the garage, you have a lot more space to work with. For instance, you could add a loft area if there is enough height. You can use the space under the loft as a small office.

Alternatively, you could convert the entire garage into a workshop, which would provide more than enough space for a desk, chair, workbench, and tools.

One-car garages can also be converted into several other spaces, including a home gym, art studio, library, or entertainment venue.

Keeping Lighting and Ventilation Top of Mind

Some traditional one-car garages have no windows. If this is the case with yours, add several windows or a skylight to get natural light into the garage. LED lights will work well if you want to use the garage at night.

Also, you have a functioning ventilation system, especially if you work with tools and chemicals.

Your One-Car Garage Can Be a Functional Space

Following these simple steps and planning the layout well, you can convert your garage into a functional space. Whether you want to park and work or convert your garage into something else, the right solutions will make all the difference.

We hope you found this blog post on How to Make the Most of the Space in a One-Car Garage, useful. Be sure to check out our post on The Hidden Dangers of Neglecting Garage Door Maintenance  for more great tips!


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