[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

[Steve91T]

Last night I realized I needed more light towards the front of the garage. Fixed it today.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2012-03-06_17-05-03_681.jpg)

Then I was getting ready to build a long, 12" wide shelf along that beam when I realized that it's just not the right spot. It's going to make it feel too small, and kill all the light I just installed. Then I was going to do something like Jim did in his garage, except I was going to build a selves between the garage track and the wall, 18" wide by 10'.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2012-03-06_18-24-39_126.jpg)

I don't think it will effect the light because I have the small round lights under the door. But it doesn't solve a problem for my bulky stuff. I've got a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" plywood sitting in the garage. I'm now thinking that two, 4x4 drop down storage shelves, above the door, on each side of the chain. That would give me way more storage than any shelf, it would be nearly hidden with the garage door up, and isn't going to make the garage feel any smaller.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2012-03-06_18-24-46_451.jpg)

What do you guys think of that idea? The only problem will be how to mount it. Are joists 16" apart like wall studs? If so, then a 4x4 will work. Jim's shelves in his old garage went through the drywall, and were attached directly to the studs. I know this would be ideal, but is there another way to do this? Some sort of brackets that could screw through the drywall and into the studs? Then the vertical 4x4's that hold up the plywood floor (of the shelf) could attach to those brackets.


Two more pictures. I'll be able to start organizing once I get the drop down shelves built.

Let there be light!!! And I still have one of the under door lights to wire up yet.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2012-03-06_19-11-56_755.jpg)

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2012-03-06_19-14-20_245.jpg)