IT’S THAT PART OF YOUR HOUSE THAT YOU INTENTIONALLY IGNORE, YOU KNOW THE CATCHALL FOR THOSE UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS, POWER TOOLS OR THAT BENCH PRESS YOU NEVER GOT AROUND TO USING. But these days, people are transforming their garage into something more than a home for their cars. With a little paint, elbow grease and some help from your local retailer you too can convert your garage into the entertainment room, workshop or home theatre of your dreams.

We spoke to Tony Varghese, garage guru and manager of Gladiator GarageWorks, a company that specializes in modular garage storage systems about the rising trend of garage remodeling.

Why do you think garages are becoming the new “it” place to renovate in the home?

I think during these challenging economic times, people are starting to look at the different ways to build value into their homes. A lot of people are converting their garages into either an entertainment area or a workshop or somewhere the kids can store their sports equipment. Whatever it may be it’s starting to become a very valuable space and building equity into the home.

What important questions should you ask yourself before taking on this type of project?

You should really ask yourself what you want to do with your garage. Is it going to be a place for storage? Is it a place that’s very disorganized now and you just want to clean it up? Or are you looking for an entertainment area? Everyone has different needs but I think you have to start with that.

How long does it usually take to remodel a garage?

It really depends on the size of the garage and what you’re trying to achieve. It can be as basic as setting up a few hooks for some power tools, which would take less than an hour. But if you’re going to do a mass renovation, that’s going to take a little more time.

What are the top improvements people can make to their garage?

Typically it’s de-cluttering, that would be the number one improvement. People are realizing the potential of their unused space and are looking to cleanup their act, re-organize and create some usable space.

What can you do yourself? And what should you leave to the professionals?

I think anyone who has some handy skills will see that a garage makeover can be a very do-it-yourself friendly type of project. What takes time is the actual planning of the garage. On our website we have a blueprint estimator that helps you enter the size of your garage.

What would you say is the most common mistake people make when trying to transform their garage?

People often try to transform their garage without de-cluttering first.

They try to work around that, but by emptying the garage you can see the available space and actually plan that properly.

NO RENOVATION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT SOME KEY PIECES. DEPENDING ON YOUR THEME, HERE ARE SOME BASIC COSTS TO RETROFIT YOUR GARAGE: GAME ROOM: Haul in a pingpong table and an arcade game for a competitive time.
• Ping pong table $179.99
• Foosball Table $99.99
• Air hockey/ Billiard table swivel table $399.99 SPORTS ROOM: Sports fanatic? Why not create a room devoted entirely to your favourite sport.
• Air hockey table $399.99
• Basketball net $199
• Hockey net $36.99 GYM: Dumbbells, bench-press and a treadmill are prefect for this spot.
• Bench press and weights $139.99
• Home gym $299.99
• Activity floor tile $55.99 HOME MOVIE THEATRE: Bring in a couch, a fl at screen TV and some surround sound for a private movie theatre experience.
• RCA 40-in. LCD HDTV $799.99
• Convertible couch $59.99
• Samsung home theatre system $249.99 Source: Canadian Tire

IF YOUR GARAGE IS IN DIRE NEED OF A FACELIFT BUT YOU’RE NOT QUITE SURE WHERE TO START, THEN CHOOSE A GARAGE PACKAGE

- - IT OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS AND IS CUSTOMIZED TO FIT YOUR NEEDS. Your dream garage is closer than you think! Start with storage from under $100 or get a complete transformation for $2,000.
Here are some options offered by Gladiator GarageWorks.
Basic Storage: Looking to organize? This starter package will help you start on the right foot with shelving units and storage systems.
Total Storage Reclaimer: Never lose a thing with this solution. Get what you need now and add the rest later.
The Complete package: This is the ultimate garage transformation.
Everything you need is included in this package. This is for the absolute garage-enthusiast!

5 STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR CLUTTERED GARAGE INTO AN ORGANIZED OASIS Care of Gladiator GarageWorks NO RENOVATION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT SOME KEY PIECES. DEPENDING ON YOUR THEME, HERE ARE SOME BASIC COSTS TO RETROFIT YOUR GARAGE: GAME ROOM: Haul in a pingpong table and an arcade game for a competitive time.

• Ping pong table $179.99

• Foosball Table $99.99

• Air hockey/ Billiard table swivel table $399.99 SPORTS ROOM: Sports fanatic? Why not create a room devoted entirely to your favourite sport.

• Air hockey table $399.99

• Basketball net $199

• Hockey net $36.99 GYM: Dumbbells, bench-press and a treadmill are prefect for this spot.

• Bench press and weights $139.99

• Home gym $299.99

• Activity fl oor tile $55.99 HOME MOVIE THEATRE: Bring in a couch, a fl at screen TV and some surround sound for a private movie theatre experience.

• RCA 40-in. LCD HDTV $799.99

• Convertible couch $59.99

• Samsung home theatre system $249.99 Source: Canadian Tire IF YOUR GARAGE IS IN DIRE NEED OF A FACELIFT BUT YOU’RE NOT QUITE SURE WHERE TO START, THEN CHOOSE A GARAGE PACKAGE

- - IT OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS AND IS CUSTOMIZED TO FIT YOUR NEEDS. Your dream garage is closer than you think! Start with storage from under $100 or get a complete transformation for $2,000.

Here are some options offered by Gladiator GarageWorks.

Basic Storage: Looking to organize? This starter package will help you start on the right foot with shelving units and storage systems.

Total Storage Reclaimer: Never lose a thing with this solution. Get what you need now and add the rest later.

The Complete package: This is the ultimate garage transformation.

Everything you need is included in this package. This is for the absolute garage-enthusiast!

1 TAKE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE GARAGE - Clearing out the entire garage forces you to decide to keep or toss each item.

2 DIVIDE AND CONQUER - “Keep or toss” decisions are easier when items are separated into smaller groups of similar items.

3 KEEP THE BEST - Let’s face it, some items have sentimental value. Hang on to these memories. What stays? What goes? What items are headed to the trash heap?

4 INSTALL AN ORGANIZING SYSTEM - Install an organizing system - Select a system that meets your lifestyle and place items you want to keep in cabinets, on walls and in bins for easy access. Pick a system that can grow and change as your family’s interests evolve, like Gladiator GarageWorks.

5 ROTATE SEASONAL ITEMS OUT OF STORAGE - Family members will have easy access to items they need and the garage becomes a stress-free zone.

Gladiator GarageWorks is available through the Sears catalogue, at Lowe’s across the country and select retailers. For more information please visit www.gladiatorgw.com