I get it — people want safe spaces these days, so we don’t have to hear ideas we don’t like. To some, this idiom has become synonymous with college students who have issues articulating valid arguments — and are far too easily offended. Maslow’s hierarchy even ranks it No. 2 on his scale of basic human needs. For me, my garage is that space where I don’t have to hear ideas I don’t like, especially if they happen to be true!  I just ask Alexa to turn up the music [volume].

I started my garage ideas when I was about 8 years old, helping my dad change the oil in his car. I marveled at the amount of junk (treasures to my dad) that he had lying around when he’d ask me to hand him that ⅝-inch socket wrench. I’ve always felt the need for organization — not sure where I got that gene from, but it wasn’t my dad (though he taught me many other things)!

My wife, Junko, and I bought our first home in Olive Branch, MS, in 2011 after moving from city to city during the first six years of our marriage. After I had completed a lot of other projects first, I decided I couldn’t do any more without an organized garage from which to stage and work. That’s why, when we moved to Halle in April of 2022, organizing the garage was one of my top priorities. I learned from the first house that many of the projects I did would have been accomplished better and faster had I done that first.

Like any other room you may organize, one needs to get rid of things that are seldom used, especially bulky items like those spare rims you removed from your SUV when you bought new ones or the extra bikes no one rides… If you need them for guests, borrow some from your neighbors! You’ll then want to come up with a plan for where things you are keeping will "live." Next, you’ll want to remove any old shelving that you know you’ll replace, phish exposed garage door-safety-sensor wiring and rough in more electrical outlets in choice places for in-cabinet charging, workbench power, TV mounting, fridge, extra lighting in the ceiling — do that now, even if you’ll wait until later to purchase those items. If you need to move your sprinkler controller for a cleaner install or rough in Ethernet cable for a wireless access point, again, do that now so all the walls and ceilings can be patched, smoothed and painted. Then decide on your flooring — epoxy with flakes can look amazing and is easy to clean. However, even with a slight grit produced by the decorative flakes laid into the clear coat, I found it can still be slick when wet and requires periodic clear-coating to prevent degradation (about every three to four years). I selected vented modular tiles for my Halle garage from RaceDeck.com. Made in the USA, easily installed by even the most beginner-level DIYer, they look amazing, can be driven on by an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle), always look clean, have a 20-year warranty and are half the cost of epoxy.

Once floors are in, you can shift your focus to the cabinets. I chose the ProSlat Fusion line from ProSlat.com, based in Montreal. They are not cheap, nor are they as expensive as the Bald Head line found in many upscale car magazines. Make sure you order the cabinets well ahead of when you’ll need them, as lead times are stretching to six to nine months at the moment, and you only need to put 20% down.

After cabinets, I’d highly recommend putting in SafeRacks from SafeRacks.com for bulky items to be hidden from sight when the garage door is up but can be easily accessed. And finally, the best part — making your garage ridiculously yours. Example: I built a rolling beverage center with a butcher block top with the assistance of my favorite finish carpenter, Billy Wilson. We bought a Tesla and had a home charger installed about four months ago. So, of course, I had to call the amazing artist and fellow Halle resident and friend, Brooke Stefanelli, to ask if she could paint a Tesla Supercharger in 3D around our home charger. It looks amazing and provides a lot of conversations, smiles and enjoyment!

I hope my safe space has inspired you to build your own. Not only is it a joy to pull into every night, but it’s also functional, organized, fun and helps us have the best cove parties making memories with our beloved neighbors. Stop by anytime you see the garage open — especially when there’s a party going on!