Storage Sheds: Plan for Storing Your Summer Fun

In early summer many people are not thinking about where they will put the lawn furniture, mower and grill when the summer is over, but it is the perfect time to plan ahead for the fall.

A shed, built on site or brought to you complete, offers a unique way to comply with whatever requirements your community or home owners' association has for out buildings. These custom-built storage sheds can be tailored to meet your specific lot requirements and your storage needs.

For many people,  keeping the lawn furniture and basic tools dry and accessible is the most basic requirement of their storage shed. But those with an eye to increasing the value of their property or keeping the neighbors happy also want something that looks good. Functional is nice. Functional and aesthetically pleasing is better.

With a custom-built storage shed, home owners can tailor the building to their design tastes and their needs. Maybe you need easy access to the lawn mower and snow blower, with overhead storage for your children's bikes, sleds and scooters. Maybe you'd prefer a shed that can double as a potting shed for spring vegetables. With a custom design, your shed can be created specifically with your family in mind.

Another advantage of these Amish-built sheds is that they are made of wood, not pre-fabricated metal sure to rust its first winter.  Your shed can be constructed on site if you have an off the beaten path spot intend for it or it can be delivered completed and ready to go.

To start designing your custom-built storage shed, contact us with its intended purpose. From there, our designers work with you to create the storage shed you need.

When is a Garage Not Just a Garage?

Your garage is, ostensibly, there to house your car and protect it from the elements. Mother nature can be unkind in all seasons, after all, and if you want to preserve the paint job – not to mention the general health of your vehicle – it helps to give it some shelter. Plus, by housing it in the garage, you help it to stay warm in colder seasons, meaning that you spend less time warming the vehicle up before driving off into the snowy roads.

Beyond driving, you probably use your garage to store things that you will never see again. Junk is the most common occupant of a garage, to the point that some garages never even have vehicles in them – just stuff, and then more stuff. As common as this is, garage owners are denying themselves the many different uses of a garage. In fact, your garage can be transformed into a private space that can be used for just about any hobby or activity you can think of – if only you can see your way to clearing it out and adding the furniture and other details needed to turn your garage into your own private paradise.

Here We Are Now, Entertain Us 

First, it’s important to consider just how private your garage is. If you’re living in a full household with your family, it can be hard to find a space that is just for you, but like everyone else on the planet, you need a little privacy. Having some space to relax and forget your troubles, not to mention pursue hobbies and interests that you could easily be distracted from by your family, is a great idea for the modern man. Thus, the birth of the “man cave” – a space you make your own.

A man cave is a “guy’s area,” the tree fort for the discerning adult. Comfortable armchairs, a leather couch, a big screen television, surround sound multimedia, a refrigerator for beer and completely unhealthy but criminally delicious food, and more are all a part of the man cave. These tend to be customized to suit your particular interests; if you’re a car guy, some equipment for working on automobiles – or even just automobile paraphernalia – may be around. If you’re more of a music guy, instruments and records may be meticulously cared for and organized, ready for play.

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A game room is another option for the more entertainment-minded man. The den of the last few generations was all about machines and workshops, but today’s modern man grew up with video games as a primary source of entertainment, and just because you grew up doesn’t mean you grew out of gaming! Massive monitors, powerful consoles and computer rigs, seating that is ideal for gaming alone and with friends, and lighting that complements your gaming experience is all a great idea for the game room garage.

Self-Improvement 

Of course, your newly outfitted garage doesn’t have to be all about sitting on your butt, swilling beers (or whatever your beverage of choice may be!), and generally being fat and happy. You could also convert your garage into a home gym; in fact, this is a great way to save space in your garage so that it can be used for parking cars and other general garage-type activities while still making it your own space, as workout equipment is easy to pack up and store when not in use. A home gym is affordable and can be quite safe so long as you make sure to build and equip it correctly, and always work out with a friend or a family member. When your gym is just ten steps away, you won’t have an excuse not to exercise!

A home office is another great use for your garage. With adequate insulation and the right furniture, you can create a business-like atmosphere that makes working from home or being self-employed all the more affordable and comfortable, while giving you the peace, quiet, and privacy you need to get the job done.

Ultimately, the only limit on what your garage can be is your imagination – and your needs! Whether you’re looking for a space in which to have a good time or a space where you can focus on improving yourself and your life, your garage is a surprisingly great place to get it done!

Reclaiming Your Garage

When you bought – or even built! – your home, you had plans. You were going to keep your entire home clutter free, with everything having a place and all other unnecessary junk tossed, donated, sold, or given to friends and family. Better yet, you weren’t going to let your garage become just another storage shed, one where you can’t park your car or do much more than walk inside, consider cleaning and organizing everything, and then give up because the job has simply gone beyond you.

Yet inevitably, your garage has become exactly that. The thought of trying to find something in that mess fills you with dread, but you aren’t quite willing to let anyone else clean it for you. After all, your garage is your man cave, your private space, and you don’t like anyone messing with your stuff – even if it could use some messing-with. As such, the job of clearing out your garage to make it suitable for leisure and privacy is up to you. Fortunately, it isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think – so long as you take the time to plan ahead, and set goals for yourself!

A Plan of Attack 

First, plan to set aside a whole weekend for the project. Tell your friends you aren’t available, make sure you don’t make any engagements with your partner, and if you have kids, get them out of the house! If you have a television show you like to watch, set up the DVR, because this weekend is all about you and your garage. Yes, trying to do everything at once can be intimidating, but the truth is that you aren’t going to spend the next 48 hours on the garage; it’s really only a few hours, spaced out over two days. You’ll take frequent breaks, and in the end you’ll be happier for it.

Next, purchase some solid-shelving units. Whatever you decide to keep from your garage, you will want to be able to organize and store it quickly and easily. No more piles! Get plastic containers for the shelving unit so that things can easily be stored there.

Finally, you’ll need three large containers for the actual cleaning process. One container is for trash – anything that can be thrown away. The next container is for donating; everything that ends up in that container goes to a charitable organization, and everyone will be better off for it. Finally, the last container is for “action items.” Action items are things you borrowed and need to return, things that need repairing, and things that should go elsewhere in your home beyond your garage.

The Real Work Begins 

Now it’s time to actually clean the garage. The first thing you have to do is empty the garage – entirely. Everything from the tiniest nail to the largest equipment should be taken out of the garage and put onto the driveway. (Obviously, you want to do this on a weekend when good weather is forecasted.) Sort your belongings into their designated containers; it is important to stay as organized as possible at this stage of the garage cleaning.

With your garage emptied out, you can begin to clean the garage itself. You may be surprised at just how dirty the garage has gotten over the years; grim, dust, dirt, and other detritus can build up under all of your stuff, making it an allergenic nightmare. Use a broom, then use a vacuum, then use a mop, then let it dry and start the process all over again! The floors, the windows, the walls, the ceiling – everything needs a good workover.

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With the garage hygienically clean, you can make it organizationally neat and tidy by installing your storage units. Shelves, drawers, whatever you may need. This is a good time to make changes to your garage to make it more amenable to your purposes; maybe you want a man cave for yourself, or a workshop. At this point, you’re free to do as you please to the garage’s layout and design.

Once you’ve rearranged your garage, you can begin filtering everything back inside. Whatever didn’t end up in a donation/trash/actionable item container can go back to the garage. Make certain, however, that you were very strict in what actually goes back in and what doesn’t need to be donated, moved elsewhere, or thrown away! Weakness now will only lead to more garage-cleaning later, which means more lost weekends. With your garage clean and organized, you can start to use it as the haven and private space you always meant it to be!