[Steve91T]

Hey guys. We're planning on moving to Charlotte, NC soon. The houses in our price range have small garages (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

The one we are really interested in is a 2 car, 18ft wide, by about 21ft long. The gas water heater is the corner, and a built in gas heater is nearby, which is nice. The garage is finished, and has pretty high ceilings, looks like 10ft or so. There's two built in over head storage shelves that are made out of wood, and hanging from the ceilings.

So, if we get this house or not, it doesn't matter. All the garages are about the same size. So, how do you guys make the most out of a small space? If there is enough ceiling height, I'd love to build a loft, to give me room for some of my larger, bulkier things, like the compressor and tires and stuff like that.

This house is going to be a stepping stone for us. We'll be in it for roughly 2 years, then we'll move to a larger house, where hopefully I can build myself a huge detached garage.


Anyway, I just wanted to get some opinions/pictures.

Thanks guys!
Steve

[CrashTestDummy]

And for a TON of ideas on storage in small spaces and such, don't forget this list:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php

But yeah, storage is going to be the issue. You may want to get a 'boat storage' unit for the short term, for the seasonal things you don't have room for (Christmas decorations, winter clothes). The RubberMaid-type storage boxes are very helpful. You can separate things and keep them handy, easy to move around, and mostly dust and bug-proof.

But since you're planning on this being your jump into home ownership for a couple of years, maybe taking it easy on the car stuff for a short time is a viable route. Two years will just blow by, especially if you spend your spare time getting the new house in order to be your first rental property (and all homes need something almost all the time). That way you won't have as much car stuff to have to move when you make the big move up. Just a thought.

[Steve91T]

And for a TON of ideas on storage in small spaces and such, don't forget this list:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/index.php

But yeah, storage is going to be the issue. You may want to get a 'boat storage' unit for the short term, for the seasonal things you don't have room for (Christmas decorations, winter clothes). The RubberMaid-type storage boxes are very helpful. You can separate things and keep them handy, easy to move around, and mostly dust and bug-proof.

But since you're planning on this being your jump into home ownership for a couple of years, maybe taking it easy on the car stuff for a short time is a viable route. Two years will just blow by, especially if you spend your spare time getting the new house in order to be your first rental property (and all homes need something almost all the time). That way you won't have as much car stuff to have to move when you make the big move up. Just a thought.

Take a break? You kidding? My plan is to get into CMC towards the end of next year. Plus, I already have a garage full of tools, I just need to figure out how to store everything. I really like some of the ideas that you guys have given me. Pictures are great. If I do it correctly, I should be able to have one car in the garage while I'm working on it, but then be able to pack everything up to fit the Camaro and my wife's Nissan Murano. My Powerstroke F250 lives outside.

The only challenge will be when I yank my 396 for a stock LT1. I've never pulled an engine before, but hopefully I can do it. If it's just not possible, then I'll have a shop do it.

Steve


BTW, this isn't our first rental. We now have 2 rentals, and the house we live in how is going to be rented out. We're getting pretty good at it. Neutral colors! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by Steve91T: Nov 22 2011, 04:04 PM