The best garage interiors go beyond parked cars.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, less than 10 percent of U.S. homes built in 2005 lacked a garage. Today's garages are larger than in the past, serving as thoughtfully designed and decorated multipurpose rooms. Homeowners customize their garages with both functionality and entertainment in mind, with the best interiors made for practical living, rather than mere car storage.
Display and Restoration
Antique and specialty car owners showcase their beloved vehicles in custom-made garages that play upon a desired theme and typically serve a dual purpose as a workshop and a museum. For some, this means surrounding tool cabinets and counter tops with 1950s-style wall hangings and bright neon lights, and maybe even a jukebox in the corner. For others, it's a showroom-like garage with shiny floors and bright spotlights to display Ferraris and Porsches.
For Gatherings
Gatherings and parties spill out into garages converted to game rooms equipped with wide-screen televisions, chairs, couches and pool tables. Garage screen doors -- with screens that fit directly into the door space without prevent the door(s) from opening and closing -- allow for an indoor picnic or barbecue, sans mosquitoes.
For Extra Storage
As the ratio of cars-to-owner increases, so does the need for extra storage. Instead of building larger or more garages, people look to lifts. Manual or motorized, standard lifts are strong enough to hold a car, ATVs, motorcycles or just about any other item the owner wants out of the way. Garage owners also use hoists to keep bicycles and ladders off the floor when not in use.
For Energy Efficiency
Electric or water radiant floor-heating systems prove efficient and warm, and provide an incentive to host parties or work on a car in wintertime. These heating systems do not use air so no dust and other particles blow around, leading to an overall cleaner garage. Additionally, properly insulated, well-sealed garages -- such as those with garage doors that fit snugly against the floor or that have weather stripping around windows and doors -- experience a decreased amount of heat loss compared to those without proper insulation.
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