For most of us, the garage is little more than a place to park our cars, or somewhere that we can store all of our excess junk. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. It can actually be turned into the perfect scrapbooking workshop with just a little bit of help.
Below, we’ll run down a checklist of what you need to do in order to transform your garage. Imagine having all the space you need to work, while relaxing on a warm summer day with the garage door open to the neighborhood.
What You Need to Do First
Here, we’ll run through a brief list of what you need to consider (and accomplish) before you can start using your garage as a scrapbooking workshop.
Consider the Lighting: Lighting is one of the most important considerations. You’ll need to make sure you have the right color lights, as well as the right level of light to see what you’re doing. In addition to the overall lighting created by overhead fixtures, you’ll also need to consider how and where you’ll add supplemental light, as this can help you be more productive in the evening and at night. If you scrapbook during the day, consider the amount of natural light allowed in by the windows.
Consider Power: Take a quick look at the number and placement of the electrical outlets in your garage. You might find that you need to add more, or that you need one or two in particular locations to make your work easier. Make sure that you have enough outlets that you can avoid overloading them by connecting too many devices at the same time. You should also avoid using extension cords whenever possible – your devices should never be operated with a cord longer than about five feet.
Consider Work Surfaces: Where will you do your work? Do you want something as simple as a table, or would you be better served with a work bench? What height is best for you? Do you prefer to sit down while scrapbooking, or is standing a better choice for you? Make sure that the work surface is smooth and that it can be easily cleaned.
Consider Storage and Shelving: Scrapbookers need a lot of supplies, and you can’t have them spread out over your worktable. You’ll need to make sure you have the right solution to keep those supplies organized at all times, which means considering storage and shelving options. You can opt for open or closed shelves if you want. You can even invest in standing shelving units with wire racks. Go as big or small as your budget will allow, but make sure that you have enough space in your garage to store all of your scrapbooking supplies easily.
As a note, garages tend to be quite humid during the summer, so you might want to invest in some airtight storage tubs or totes to store your papers and other items that might be damaged by moisture. The best way to get started here is to measure your available space, and then diagram the layout that you want on a piece of paper so that you can ensure that each inch of space is used wisely.
Consider Your Work Chair: Even if you prefer to stand for some of your scrapbooking, you’ll need a chair from time to time. Pay close attention to the chair you choose – it should offer good support for the lower back, should provide enough padding that you’re comfortable, and should be adjustable enough to allow you to accomplish whatever tasks might be at hand.
Consider the Flooring: You might think that leaving the concrete garage floor alone is the best option, and that’s true for most of your space. However, standing for long periods on concrete can cause significant foot, leg and back pain. At the very least, you should invest in mats or padding in front of the work table. Even something as simple as a throw rug can make a difference. However, make sure that you never run an extension cord under the floor covering unless it’s properly grounded, or you run the risk of serious injury.
Consider Your Ventilation: How will you keep warm in the winter or cool in the summer? How will you ventilate the space to protect you from sprays, glue vapors and other threats?
These are just a few of the things you’ll need to consider when transforming your garage into a scrapbooking workshop.
Don’t Forget the Garage Door
Pay attention to your garage door, as well. If it’s in need of repair or maintenance, or complete replacement, you can contact us at 613-749-2138. We’re also happy to provide you a quote via email, or to pay a visit to your home in person. Looking for replacement inspiration? Visit our design center or browse our image gallery.
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