Previously, we explored right sizing your garage design to enable functionality. It’s amazing what a few extra feet can mean for your garage usage.
To further enhance usability and function, here are addtional tips and questions you need to ask before you build:
Plan Electrical and Lighting
Remember to include outlets for the workbench area, the second frig or freezer, recharging an electric battery, and for plugging in the vacuum to clean the car. And for those of you that spend time tinkering at the workbench, include a ceiling fan or a wall mounted oscillating fan to keep you cool in the summer and don’t forget the cable jack!
Include enough lighting to illuminate the main portion of the garage and specify lighting over the workbench to avoid having to work in your own shadow. Remember to include a switch to turn on the main lighting near the man-door entrance for convenience and safety when entering the garage from the outside.
Think sink
In warmer climates, a sink in the garage provides a great location to clean paintbrushes, litter boxes, grill grates, etc. For even greater functionality, include a pullout sprayer as part of the fixtures. It will make cleaning many 
items easier (including the sink itself). And so you can see what you’re cleaning, put a light above the sink. You’ll be glad you did.
Create a Place for Everything
Will you need storage for bicycles, sports equipment, and toys? One way to store bikes it to hang them from the ceiling using a pulley system. One way to store bikes is to hang 
them from the ceiling using a pulley system. One such system, along with several other bike racks and sports equipment organizers, is produced by Racor. Visit www.racorinc.com for more information.
Gain more storage space by putting the garage walls to work. Using this prime real estate is made even easier with products such as the HouseWall® system pictured here. This system offers many options for wall-mounted storage. Read more at www.housewall.com.
Plan for garage cabinets or shelving to house tools, paint, extra tile, etc. (You’ll want to make sure that car doors and cabinet doors have room to open comfortably.) Lower cabinets with a countertop may be the perfect place to corral your recycling bins. And how about locating a combination bench/shoe storage unit beside the door leading into the house as pictured here?
Decide on the location for your potting area and/or workbench. Will you need pegboard and upper cabinets for additional storage?
You may also want to consider having a closet built into your garage — a great place to keep the lawn mover and other yard equipment and tools behind doors.
The best time to create a functional and organized garage is when it’s still on paper. Including the design of the garage in your home planning will help insure this multi-purpose room meets your families’ unique needs.
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