garage
July: Yard, shed, garage and tools. Being outdoors in midsummer makes this a good time to get outdoor tools and equipment in order. Get rid of broken tools and those you no longer need Sort through gardening supplies Toss worn-out outdoor furnishings and decor If you’ve been collecting items to sell, hold a yard sale this month. At the end of the day, take unsold items to a charity donation center Habit to cultivate: Keep everything in your garage or shed on shelving, not on the floor. This helps prevent accumulating a pileup of junk and keeps your gear cleaner.
On-Trend Transitional Modern meets traditional in this style. Think sustainable elements, natural materials and options like a pitched roof, as well as clean lines. Garage doors with black aluminum frames and frosted glass, as seen here, work well, as do simple wood or faux-wood designs. “I would stick to something simple and sleek, and leave out the hardware,” McCurdy says. Oursler echoes the focus on simplicity, favoring unfussy traditional doors for transitional-style homes. “You want your garage door to complement your home, not work against it,” she says. With so many design and material options to choose from, you can easily find a garage door that complements your house’s architectural style. And “matching your garage door to your home affects curb appeal in the best way possible,” McCurdy says.
Refined Rustic Natural materials such as hand-hewn stone and wood merge with earthy hues in this aesthetic. McCurdy suggests a wood or faux-wood garage door. A carriage house style in a rich wood tone such as redwood, cedar or hemlock works well. And “for rustic, I might choose a solid door versus one with windows in it,” she says. The home seen here sports custom handcrafted wood doors with crossbucks for a frontier feel. To achieve the look of real wood without the upkeep, select high-quality wood-effect composite. This durable material resists moisture and won’t rot, warp or crack. Tip: In its 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, which you can download free, the website Remodeling reports that a garage door upgrade brings a 95% return on investment, on average. Clopay, a garage door manufacturer, reports that it can also increase a home’s list price by up to 4%. Check with your real estate agent for local information.
Classic Craftsman Does your home feature tapered columns and a low-pitched roof, along with natural, neutral colors and mixed materials such as brick or stone? If so, try a garage door with clean vertical lines, rectangular windows and handcrafted-look details, as seen here. Mimic your home’s window grilles for an authentic touch. “Wood or faux wood is best,” says McCurdy, who owns her eponymous firm near Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. Natural wood offers a wide array of species, so look to your surroundings for inspiration; there’s also a wide variety of stains available. If you decide on a painted color instead, match it to your home’s exterior trim, says Oursler, who owns Marnie Custom Homes in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Tip: Consider budget, upkeep and your region’s climate when choosing a garage door. Insulated composite and steel can withstand extreme temperature changes, with moisture- and UV-resistant composite performing better than steel in coastal locales.
BinTRACKS
Yard Tool Corner Storage Rack $29.59 $45.59
Urban Outfitters SaveEmail Caged Pendant, Gold - $39 Cage lights have a decidedly industrial feel, but I love the way the antique gold finish on this one from Urban Outfitters lends a touch of sophistication.
Lowe's SaveEmail Volume International Jelly Jar Antique Brass Outdoor Wall Light - $16.08 Who says lighting has to break the bank? This adorable little Jelly Jar light with an antique brass base would be a perfect sconce in many indoor applications. I could see them in a line down a hallway or on either side of a bathroom mirror. They’re just so cute and so cheap — two of my favorite things!
Clean out the garage. Can you park your car in your garage? If not (or if it’s a tight fit), it may be time to make some more space. Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them. (If you’re not sure where to go, search Earth911 to find a center near you.) Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.
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