Just like taste in music, the way we typically use our garage is unique to each household. Some garages are super organized for maximum use, and others are really full of toys and tools and tubs for storage while some are hubs of productivity. Either way, we know that the word garage comes from the French word "Garer" which means to shelter, and however you choose to use the space, your garage doors should shelter you, your family, and your home.

This often underappreciated space takes on a variety of uses, but employing its best use is more important today than ever as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantines. Capitalizing on our available square-footage has become critical! Though you may need to amend your electric and insulation for some desired uses, you can gain more satisfaction with a little prioritization and consideration of how you will enjoy your garage.

We appreciate that old adage that "creativity is often born of constraint", and today we have to be more clever and efficient than before, so let's take a look at how to make the most of your space.

How do you use it today, and how would you like to use it tomorrow? Often times we take for granted this space as simply the place to park a car (if there is room) and hide our stuff. At Fimbel ADS, we challenge this thinking and ask you to visualize what you wish the space could be! In all forms of continuous improvement, which is how we operate, a clear vision based on goals and values is always the first place to start.

• Is your family growing as you welcome more children? Or are you facing the opportunity of an empty nest to reclaim the garage?
• Have you aspired to bring new hobbies or side-hustles to your daily routine?
• Do you need to escape to a garage based 'man cave' or 'she shed'?
• Or do you simply need it to bring more function to a chaotic lifestyle?

Answering these questions should point you to a few ideas, but if you need to get the thinking-gears-a-turnin', there are some suggestions below to inspire you.

Consider a few things as you get started. What is working well today and what proves to be a nuisance? Start by assessing the current use of the space and availability for change. Be sure there is space for safety and comfort. Establishing a value system is key. Unless you're considering a renovation, the space is fixed in its capacity and may not accommodate all of the aspirations you hold. But understanding what brings the most satisfaction will help make the best decision for your unique situation. While some people love to keep the garbage bin right by the door for easy access others would be appalled and choose to keep any aromas farther away though adding additional effort to the regular chore. Life is all about decisions, creativity, and preparation!

Some ideas for unique and effective ways to use your garage are listed below, but be sure to apply your own spin and make it your own!

• Storage: Consider the methods you will use for safe and repeatable storage: racks, bins, labels (Oh...how I love my label maker), zones, color coding, and more! Check out our Pinterest page for more organization ideas!
• Workshop: Consider the right workbench, tools, electrical availability, lighting, and storage to all your craftsmanship to shine!
• Entertainment: Consider the electrical needs for a home movie theater, the water and electric for a home bar, soundproofing for band practice or a performance, and don't forget the comfy seating!
• Craft and Art Space: Consider your favorite hobbies and prepare for the organization, implementation, and cleanup to make crafting a breeze. Don't forget to account for necessary insulation and lighting to allow for year round creativity!
• Greenhouse: Consider the climate of your desired horticultural endeavour and work with the lighting, electric, ventilation, and irrigation of your target!
• Beer Brewing (or wine or spirits): Consider the climate control needed, the electrical needs, and the storage for your desired libations!

For example, if your vision has you aspiring to create a classroom to teach an art class, is it also reasonable to fit both cars in the garage? Will the space allow both cars to enter easily and move in and out of the doors unobstructed? If this is the case and the art class is the priority, a shift in focus may be needed. Perhaps one car may find its home outside of the garage during classes. Perhaps a protective coating is used on the floor to allow for easy cleanup of paint or dirt dripped from the cars. Perhaps using clever storage options such as rolling racks for easels and rolling carts for supplies provides enough agility to have it all effortlessly! Perhaps you really can have it all!

For many, this requires a purge of the stuff you keep. It may be hard to let go of keepsakes or old bikes, but establishing your garage as a functional space requires decluttering. You can read along with this blog we wrote on organizing your garage!

You have made the decisions and done the work, so be sure the garage and the garage door support the lifestyle you have just built. After accommodating any insulation or electrical needs, be sure the garage door offers effortless maintenance, solid insulation, and lasting satisfaction.

Our organization hangs our hat on safety and quality not only in how we make our products, but we want you to feel the benefits of that. Fimbel doors are manufactured to be safety first. You, your family, your home, and yOur doors are engineered for durability! We know that poorly fitted doors are not only unsightly but also allow unwanted openings. Since we can match nearly any opening, weather, burglars, and bugs will not have access to your home through the garage door!

Fimbel doors offer you a low-maintenance lifestyle. The clean appearance of the door should last for years to come with a gentle clean with mild soap and water. No harsh abrasives or undue elbow grease necessary. This aspect may be overlooked, but when we consider the supply chain for cleaning products, the time and effort to implement the cleaning, and the residual waste moving into the earth, we see our processes make way for sustainability.

Another way that we encourage sustainability is in the benefits you will feel toward energy efficiency! To get a basic idea, the older the door the more likely it is that money is seeping out through it. Our doors are made with insulation that is laminated and completely fill the cavity inside the door to keep air from moving around and through the door. A well-insulated door will reduce energy costs as well as maintain temperatures set in the garage. We want to help you keep cool air in during the summer and cold air out during the winter!

One of the longest lasting aspects of our doors is the contribution made upon purchase. For every door we sell, we work with our partners at One Tree Planted to plant a tree on your behalf. We know the resources generously given my Mother Nature need replenishing, and we want to pay it forward!

All of this points to a Fimbel door where we have built a legacy and our lifestyle around your satisfaction. From the materials we choose to the culture we create to the operations that guide our practices, we want to bring you quality that endures. We run on solar and plant a tree for every door sold, so we know we are dedicated to making life work for all. All Fimbel products come fully insulated with offerings for insulated glass packages to help control temperature and noise.

Let us welcome you to a garage lifestyle that satisfies!

Find a dealer through our Dealer Locator to get started! 

For more tips and tricks, check out the gems in "The Ultimate Garage Storage Guide" our friends at Porch.com.

2020 has certainly taught us the value of our space - for better or for worse. As quarantine set in and the walls became a little closer and the delivery boxes piled higher, the valuable real estate in the garage became precious. For many the garage tends to act as a collection and storage unit which is great, but the garage is indeed intended for parking vehicles. Don't endure another winter parking the car outside the comfort of the garage.

Below are some simple tips to support your project of reclaiming the garage in a way that will last with limited maintenance year after year. Just like our doors, we want you to enjoy life in a low-maintenance, quality way.