Garage organization is a growing trend in home improvement, making it more than just a place to store the car.

There's a treasure trove of opportunity in the world of garage storage, and the riches to be derived are not from hosting garage sales. The opportunities exist for changing a homeowner's perceptions of the garage away from what I call the "landfill mentality" to integrating innovative design concepts and space planning for a garage that is a functional, organized space suitable for the entire family.

By using an inviting combination of cabinets, lighting and flooring, today's garage can become a comfortable center for family projects.

I think of the garage as today's "drive-in closet." Throughout America, there are 68.5 million owner-occupied homes with garages. Since 1992, the three-car garage has been a mainstay in many housing markets across the country. That trend continues, resulting from homeowners' need for greater garage storage solutions to account for a growing number of possessions.

Noticeably, many cars worth tens of thousands of dollars are relegated to the driveway, while mounds of clutter and unwanted items occupy space in the garage. Organization and simplification are strong motivators for today's homeowners, who are beginning to take a fresh look at their garage storage options. According to the National Association of Home Builders, Americans will spend $2 billion in 2004 for garage remodels. And, according to Dr. Gopal Ahluwalia, NAHB vice president for research, that figure will grow to $2.5 billion in 2005.

Ideas for a garage storage 'makeover'

Let's take a look at some possibilities for transforming garage sspace, depending on an individual homeowner's exact storage and space requirements.

* Add an ergonomically-designed workbench - A workbench that is constructed to be about 40 inches in height enables one to work on a project while standing erect and to avoid stooping. This eliminates the stress on the lower back that is caused by a typical workbench height of 30 or 36 inches. The taller design also creates more garage storage space underneath for larger items.

Such a workbench can become a family project center for hobbies and crafts. It is also furniture for the garage, with an integrated design and coordinating materials for an attractive appearance. The design can include drawers and cubbies on the wall above the work surface that create an easy-to-use organizing scheme.

I recommend designing a workbench as long as is practical for the space available. Leave at least one end free of cabinets--especially large pantry-sized cabinets--so as not to restrict the space and to accommodate working on projects that require long materials.

* Add enhanced lighting - Installation of track lighting, instead of the single exposed light bulb typically used in a garage, will create a more inviting environment. Similarly, under-cabinet lighting produces a more user-friendly, safer workspace.

* Add cabinets and pantry storage - Many closet organization system manufacturers are creating storage cabinet lines specifically for the garage. Materials include particleboard, MDF and melamine products in a variety of colors and woodgrains. Also on the market are tempered steel cabinets for a contemporary or theme design.

Cabinet layout can be designed to accommodate various storage categories, such as lawn and garden tools, sporting equipment, automotive parts and children's toys, to name a few. Again, it can be tailored to the specific homeowner's garage storage needs.

Shelving or cabinets can be placed higher on the wall, with storage space left underneath to accommodate large or odd-sized items.

Wall organization systems made from plastic extrusions, or MDF, are available in a variety of colors, including wood grain patterns. A beneficial system of this variety enables the homeowner to view stored items quickly and easily. In addition, each item has an identifiable place to which it is returned after use.

* Add a floor coating or covering - Epoxy coating, or a specially formulated polyvinyl floor covering, are often preferred over the standard concrete garage floor. Pale flooring colors create a more reflective space, especially when combined with enhanced lighting. This makes the garage a more pleasant and desirable room than the typical treatment.

* Add a garage annex - If you are involved in a garage remodel or new home before the construction phase begins, consider recommending to the homeowner the addition of an annex. Such an annex attaches to the outside wall of the garage and is designed to be architecturally compatible with the rest of the house. It provides additional room to store the lawn mower, snow blower, wheelbarrow or other large items that require a lot of garage storage space. (For a free set of plans and specifications, go to www.Garagez.com.)

Garage organization and remodeling companies are starting up throughout the United States and Canada. Some companies are national franchises or dealers. Others are startups at the local and regional levels. Garage storage also is an important part of the product mix for many traditional closet companies.

As this market niche continues to flourish, it brings opportunities, especially for companies that offer customers innovative ideas and encouragement to re-imagine the possibilities of this often ill-utilized area.

Bill West is author of the book "Your Garagenous Zone - Innovative Ideas for the Garage." He has written numerous articles about the garage and been featured in major newspapers and magazines for his ideas about transforming the garage into functional space. He is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and a charter member of the Colorado NAPO chapter. For more information, visit his Web site, www.Garagez.com.

If you have any difficult spaces that you need help designing or any general design questions or comments, contact David Engman in care of hkuhl@vancepublishing.com and he will respond in future issues. He also welcomes suggestions for future column topics.

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