The garage door plays a critical role in ensuring your home or business is safe from potential intruders while also protecting your belongings. However, the door shouldn’t be the only part of the garage that offers functionality. Here are four ways to make your garage more user-friendly and valuable.

1. Create Storage Space

Garages often become dumping grounds when space becomes a precious commodity elsewhere. Avoid this issue by creating storage room with cabinets and shelves. Designate separate areas for different belongings, like shelving for holiday stuff and cabinets for sports equipment. Leave space to add specialized racks for kayaks or bicycles or longer items like landscaping tools, hockey sticks, and fishing poles.

2. Upgrade the Garage Door Opener

If your garage door is 10 or so years old, it may be nearing the end of its lifetime and soon begin requiring frequent repairs. Consider upgrading to a new opener to gain the convenience, reliability, and security of a more recently manufactured system.

3. Install a Workbench 

Does someone in your family enjoy working on cars or dabbling in carpentry? If so, set up a workbench where they can saw, hammer, and glue. Families with a smaller garage may want to make a folding workbench with hinges that allow it to be collapsed when not in use. Add a pegboard above the workspace for easy access to tools and hardware.

4. Encourage Safe Parking

Many people struggle to park without bumping into things in their garage. Make this process easier and less stressful by creating safe parking tools. For example, hang a piece of string with a tennis ball at the end from the ceiling to indicate how far forward to pull the car in. Cut pool noodles in half and nail them to the wall as bumpers in case you get a little too close—you’ll save the headlights and prevent potential wall damage. Also, be sure there’s ample lighting so you can easily maneuver after dark on foot and in the vehicle.

If you need professional garage door maintenance or an opener upgrade, contact MAC Garage Door Company, Inc. in Davidson County, NC. Their team offers a two-year installation warranty and has been in business for over 40 years providing repairs, installations, and maintenance for homes and businesses. Call the Lexington-area company at (336) 731-7849 or visit the website for information on their residential and commercial garage door products to keep your family, staff, and property safe and secure.