If you’re anything like most homeowners, your garage has a lot of untapped potential. It can be so much more than a final resting place for dusty holiday decorations and that bike that you swear you’re going to fix. Here are just a few ways to start converting your garage into a useful and stylish space.

Think About Functions and Features

Your first step is deciding what kind of garage that you’d like to have. If you’re creating a high-tech man cave, you’ll need to wire it for your televisions and game consoles. If you want a living space for in-laws or college kids, you’ll need lights, sinks, drains and HVAC connections. Sketch out some blueprints of your ideal garage before you start swinging a hammer and remodeling it.

Utilize Your Vertical Space

Since garages are limited in square footage, you’ll want to maximize the efficiency of your floor space. One of the best ways to do this is by stacking and shelving things vertically. You have four walls and a ceiling that can be used for organization, so don’t be afraid to hang hooks, baskets, cabinets and pin boards wherever there’s room. You can even install metal rods in the ceiling to hang plastic tubs above your head.

Remain Practical

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but before you hollow out your walls for a surround sound system, make sure that your budget can cover all of the essentials. For example, if your garage door is looking a little rusty, you can repair it with new materials or upgrade it with the latest locks and sensors. Contacting a professional can help you find the right hardware for you and your budget.

Invest in Multipurpose Furniture

Like the name suggests, multipurpose furniture can be used or stored in multiple ways. For a mother-in-law apartment, you can save space with beds and ironing boards that fold into the wall. For a workspace, you can buy a mobile work bench that doubles as a tool box. Creative furniture designs can be a godsend for small rooms, so scope them out and see what might work for you.

Your garage doesn’t have to be a dirty, cramped place where you park your car and nothing else. It can become anything from a show room to a set of living quarters—the sky is the limit. All it will take is a little elbow grease to build the garage that you’ve always wanted. However, if you’d like to make upgrades but not completely change your garage space, consult a professional like Edelen Door for the best services and products for your situation!