In a recent interview with Aaron Cash, the co-founder of Garage Living, we delved into garage transformations. Garage Living specializes in turning ordinary garages into functional and stylish spaces catering to homeowners’ evolving needs. With 43 franchised locations across Canada and the United States, Garage Living is leading the way in redefining the purpose of garages.

Garage Living began in 2005 when Aaron Cash and his team set out to provide custom garage solutions for residential homeowners. “In 2015, we began marketing our franchise offering, which is essentially the same business that we started in 2005, as a local company that focuses on custom garage solutions for residential homeowners,” Cash says. “And quickly, we’ve basically become the leader in the space focused on the extension of a customer’s lifestyle and the finishes within the interior of the home into the garage space.”

Garage Living’s approach to garage transformations is built on customization and versatility. Each project is tailored to the client’s specific needs, making use of a wide range of products and services. These services typically involve wall organization, exclusive cabinetry, and a proprietary poly aspartic coating that distinguishes Garage Living from traditional epoxy floors.

“Primarily, we do a wall organization system; we have four lines of exclusive Garage Living cabinetry. And then we offer a proprietary Floortex coating product that’s a poly aspartic material,” he notes. “In addition to that, we offer organizational solutions, like overhead storage, car lifts, and different racks and products that help our homeowners get everything they can off the floor, and either on the walls behind closed doors or into overhead storage that basically maximizes the space of the garage.”

Multi-purpose garage trend
One of the most fascinating trends in garages is their transition from merely serving as car storage spaces to becoming multi-purpose hubs. Homeowners are reimagining their garages, making them versatile and adaptable to various activities.

Storage and Organization: Many homeowners start by using their garages as storage spaces for gardening equipment, toys, and household items. Garage Living’s organization products help keep these items neatly tucked away.

Entertainment Centers: Some choose to transform their garages into entertainment centers, complete with couches, tables, and even ping-pong tables. It’s the perfect spot to watch the Super Bowl or host gatherings with friends.

Home Gyms: The garage offers an ideal location for a home gym. With the right equipment and organization solutions, homeowners can maintain a healthy lifestyle without compromising their living space.

Indoor-Outdoor Fusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of an enclosed outdoor space within the garage became immensely popular. Homeowners hosted gatherings, set up tables for food, and created a sheltered space for outdoor activities.

What makes these transformations even more enticing for homeowners is the flexibility they offer. The garage can easily switch from one purpose to another, ensuring that it remains a dynamic part of the home.

Adapting to climate and location
As the climate varies across the United States and Canada, Garage Living takes into account factors such as temperature and location when designing and transforming garages. For instance, in areas with warmer climates, air conditioning may be necessary for a garage that’s being converted into a home office. In contrast, colder climates may require heating to ensure year-round comfort.

Customization and future trends
One of the anticipated trends is the incorporation of electric vehicle charging solutions. With the rise in electric vehicle ownership, garages will become increasingly equipped with the necessary infrastructure to charge electric cars.

“Utilities for electric vehicle charging are going to continue to be something both new construction builders incorporate into their projects, as well as homeowners who are retrofitting their garages will look to incorporate just because of the significant rise of electric vehicle ownership. So that’s something that’s going to continue to play an increasingly important role in some of the projects that we do and what the clients require.”

As for overall trends, Cash says that he doesn’t see one specific product or service becoming dominant.

“The overall trend that’s going to continue to grow and become even more prevalent is just going to be the recognition that the garage space is significantly valuable. As such, people are really going to be evaluating how they want to use this space, how they can improve it, and how they can literally incorporate it into their lifestyle. The garage is, you know, becoming known as North America’s front door.”

Most homeowners use the garage as the primary entrance, with the front door as a secondary entrance for guests. “So, when people arrive home, or when they leave every day, they want the space to be clean and functional. Disorganization causes stress. So, any way that you can improve your space, make it comfortable, make it attractive, make it bright and clean is going to continue to be a fast-growing trend,” Cash says.

As the cost of homeownership increases, people will be moving less and investing more into their current home, and the garage will be one of those areas that continue to get attention, he adds. With that focus on the garage, homeowners are increasingly demanding more space from builders.

For more information about garage trends, visit garageliving.com.