Garages have, understandably, mostly entered the public consciousness as a function of automobile protection. Besides the homes that they own, vehicles are probably the biggest budget-busters for most Americans. Back when stealing a car was just a matter of the right length of coat-hanger and a basic knowledge of electronics, this made a lot of sense; however, with all of the advances in automobile security like car alarms, Lo Jack, and remote engine shutdown, cars just don’t need the physical security of a garage like they used to. While they’ll always have their place as car housing, especially in the chilly months when its warmth saves ice-scraping time in the morning, more and more people are realizing the versatility that the spacious nature of a garage affords them. These are just a few of the niches garages are filling in everyday living.

Garages have always had their home as the handy man’s inner-sanctum. Car repair, basic electronics, around the house carpentry; all of these little chores can be lugged down to the garage for some peace, quiet, and much needed elbow room. That being said, lots of people let themselves get pigeonholed into the garage being only for these basic necessities. There are a vast number of hobbies that can only be taken up in the garage because of its size and relatively easy-to-clean environment. How many people would like to try their hand at home brewing, but feel at want for someplace to leave the fermenting wort? How many would take up crafts like scrap metal art or stained glass making, if only they had a work place for it? Garages provide a locale for a laundry list of big projects that only see neglect because of the constraints of time and space—and space is taken care of! All it requires is a little imagination to turn your garage into a factory for any number of fun and interesting crafts.

Furthermore on the subject of space, there is also a practical functionality to garages beyond what they can house. Over 70% of garages in America are attached garages, meaning that they are a doorway to your home. People don’t really expect the door between your home and garage to be as fashionable as the rest of those in your home, so it’s a fairly simple process to give yourself a wider girth there than in the front and back doors. How many headaches could be avoided by making furniture and appliances that much easier to fit into your home? You can even back your car right up to the door, cutting down even more on the irritation that comes with carrying and maneuvering large commodities into your house. Practical and fun, a garage might hold much more potential than the "storage space" you’re currently using it as—put your mind to it and you’ll find you had much more than four walls and a concrete floor.