As the last week of January approaches, we thought it was a good time to take a look at the garage trends we think bear watching in 2018.
The economies in both the U.S. and Canada are strong right now. As a result, economists expect consumers in both countries to increase spending on home improvement projects in 2018.
Whereas it used to be an overlooked area of the home when it came to making improvements, more and more homeowners are discovering the importance of upgrading their garage space.
7 garage trends to get excited about
There are many opportunities available in the garage to make significant upgrades. There’s no need to settle for the status quo of drab garage spaces that lack character and enough storage space. Your garage has the potential to provide so much more than that.
From infusions of style to better functionality to the conveniences of modern technology, these are the exciting garage trends to keep an eye on in 2018.
Smart garage technology allows you to operate and monitor your garage door from anywhere with a smartphone.
1. Smart garage technology
Statista reports that 32% of U.S. homes currently use some form of smart home technology. By 2022, that’s expected to rise to 53.1%. Media research experts Nielsen report that in Canada, 46% of consumers either own or intend to purchase a smart home tech product in the next two years.
Smart home technology such as smart thermostats, wireless security cameras, and smart speakers with an integrated virtual assistant are rising in popularity for the convenient features they provide.
Smart garage technology is also becoming more popular. Nowadays, you can operate and monitor your garage door from anywhere via a smartphone app linked to your garage door opener. This technology has actually been around for a few years already with LiftMaster’s MyQ Technology.
You’ll also see homeowners enjoying increased connectivity between their garage and the rest of their house. Here are some examples of the smart garage tech products available:
- smoke detectors and fire alarms
- radon and carbon monoxide detectors
- moisture detectors
- garage lighting
2. Charging stations
Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more affordable each year. Government rebates in many parts of the U.S. and Canada also help to offset some of the vehicle cost for buyers.
The batteries in these high-tech vehicles are also being improved to provide further driving ranges on a full battery charge. All of these factors are making these cars a more attractive option for consumers.
If you own an electric vehicle, a home charging station is a must-have addition to your garage. Relying solely on public charging stations just isn’t practical or convenient.
It stands to reason, then, that the growing popularity of eco-friendly cars in 2018 will translate into higher demand for installations of home charging stations.
Home charging stations come in two main types:
- Level 1 chargers connected to a standard household outlet for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
- more powerful Level 2 chargers for battery electric vehicles
3. Modern garage doors
One of the most cost-effective ways to contemporize your home’s exterior look is to upgrade your garage doors.
Garage doors can account for up to a third of your home’s front exterior. The prominent role they play in your home’s exterior appearance means that faded garage doors with an outdated style won’t go unnoticed.
More and more homeowners are finding that one of the best ways to boost your curb appeal is with a modern garage door look. New garage doors also deliver one of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project.
Full view aluminum garage doors combine an aluminum frame with glass panels to provide a bold, eye-catching aesthetic.
Durable steel garage doors can also be designed with classy, modern touches, such as having beautiful window designs incorporated into the doors in a number of configurations.
4. High quality garage flooring
No list of modern garage trends would be complete without addressing the foundation of your garage – the floor. A lot of homeowners take their garage floor for granted and wouldn’t consider it a major priority when it comes to making garage upgrades.
Homeowners who are plugged into the current garage trends know better, however. Giving your garage floor a complete makeover with a modern polyaspartic coating makes a huge difference in how your garage looks and functions.
Polyaspartic garage floor coatings like Floortex™ enjoy several advantages over epoxy floor coatings:
- better application versatility (it can be applied even in cold weather)
- higher impact and abrasion resistance
- longer durability
- higher resistance to road salt and most household chemicals and automotive fluids
- faster application turnaround time
Don’t underestimate the huge upgrade in looks and functionality that a high quality garage floor coating provides.
5. Better garage energy efficiency
Eco-conscious homeowners are continuously looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the most impactful ways to do so is to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
If your garage’s energy efficiency has been an afterthought up until now for you, you’ll find lots of opportunities within the garage to make improvements.
Older garages either have little or no wall and ceiling insulation. Fully insulating your garage’s surroundings will have a major effect on your home’s energy efficiency and lower your monthly hydro bill.
And don’t forget about your garage door when it comes to insulation upgrades. You’ll find that today’s garage doors provide much better insulation than older garage doors did. You may also find yourself quite surprised at just many custom insulation options modern garage doors offer.
Additional upgrades to weatherstripping around your garage’s windows, main door, and access door to your heated living space will also contribute to better home energy efficiency.
6. Garage workshops
Because garages nowadays can be designed to look so much better, there’s an incentive to spend more time inside of them.
Garage workshops help you get even more functionality out of your garage space. If space allows, they’re the perfect spot for creating a workspace that allows you to indulge in your passion for woodworking, repairs, and general tinkering.
A private garage work area that lets you make more noise and more of a mess than in your basement is becoming increasingly common in homes. Garage cabinetry can even be designed with your workshop’s needs in mind.
If space is an issue, a functional garage workshop can even be set up by outfitting your garage with a foldaway workbench.
7. More garage storage space
Finding more garage storage space is one of the garage trends that really never goes out of style. It’s a valuable asset that all homeowners can never have enough of.
Clearing the clutter from your garage floor makes it easier to park vehicles inside. You’ll also minimize tripping hazards and be able to keep your garage more organized with less effort.
Two of the best garage storage ideas to help you achieve this are PVC slatwall panels for hanging items and overhead garage storage racks. They’re both designed to maximize your garage’s storage space, as well as its storage versatility.
Finding more room for garage storage (such as with these slatwall panels) is a garage trend that really never goes out of style.
Get onboard with 2018’s hot garage trends
Which of these hot 2018 garage trends appeal most to you? Will you prioritize better looks, functionality, or convenience when making improvements to your garage this year? Perhaps all three of them rank highly for you in terms of importance.
Creative, forward-thinking garage makeover professionals like Garage Living can transform your space by helping you get onboard with some of the exciting garage trends of 2018.
Schedule your free design consultation with us to get started.
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