I’ve brought it back and this time it’s even better! Mallory’s Garage Workshop is here and ready to support the rest of the Monarch Colonial Revival.
Everything I loved about the original Mallory’s Workshop in our new house, but I took the time to make this space even better to support all the renovations coming up for the rest of this year (and beyond).
Today on the blog, I’m thrilled to show you Part One of Mallory’s Garage Workshop Reveal! Everything I loved about the original Mallory’s Workshop is back, plus even more organization for this complete home renovation.
The Story Behind Mallory’s Workshop
So, how did Mallory’s Workshop come to be? Honestly, it all started when my passion for home design and DIY projects started taking off. I needed a dedicated space for all the tools, materials, and creative chaos that comes with constantly having a new project to work on. That’s when the idea for Mallory’s Workshop was born—a place where I could have all my supplies organized, while also leaving room for everyday garage storage.
When creating Mallory’s Workshop in the Monarch Revival, I thought this would be my forever space and that I had designed it for forever use. While I was more than happy to pack it all up and move to our new home with a fresh start, I replicated a lot of the original ideas because it worked so well for my creative brain.
What’s In Phase One Of Mallory’s Garage Workshop:
- Garage flooring tiles
- Installed + painted new cabinets
- Painted the walls
- Tool organization for future renovations
- Leaving room for regular garage storage
- Adding in a few styling elements
Installing Our Garage Flooring Tiles
One of the first big changes we tackled was updating the flooring. We used the Flex Nitro Tiles are flexible PVC tiles because they’re durable, easy to clean, and really bring a polished look to the space. Not only do the tiles make the garage look neat and put together, but they also protect the concrete underneath. Total win!
The design of these tiles is meant to be DIY-friendly. Each tile clicks together (yes, you can hear the clicking sound) and then they’re locked in place. You can lay down your garage flooring from start to finish in just a few hours. Truly, it’s so simple to snap them together and have a gorgeous end result.
Of course, I had to add my love of the classic checkered pattern into the garage, but with a twist on the traditional black and white color. Instead, I went for a gorgeous taupe brown and white and it’s absolutely gorgeous. To read all about my garage flooring tiles, click here.
New Cabinet Installation + Painting
For the cabinets, we decided to go with RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets. If you haven’t heard of them, they’re essentially cabinets that come flat-packed and are super easy to put together yourself. Not only were they affordable, but the assembly process was really straightforward. We’ve installed them time and time again in our homes and loved how great they look every time. To see a post completed dedicated to RTA cabinets, click here.
Once the cabinets were up, I gave them a fresh coat of paint in a gorgeous beige color (Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige) to tie everything together. The clean color scheme instantly made the space feel more polished and functional.
Fresh Coat of Paint On The Walls
Speaking of paint, the walls also got a makeover! I wanted the workshop to feel clean and fresh, so I went with a true bright white that complements the garage tiles and cabinets. A fresh coat of paint can truly transform any room—and the garage is no exception! Now, the whole space feels bigger, cleaner, and smells brand new.
Tool Organization
One of my all-time favorite things I did in the original Mallory’s Workshop was create an organization system that I could stick with. I’ve played around with drawers for storage (and I still use them for bulkier items), but I learned that nothing worked better for me than hanging up the things I reach for frequently on a pegboard. This way, everything has its place and it stays that way.
If you’re curious to see the organization I swear by for your garage, here’s the list of everything in Mallory’s Workshop that keeps everything in order:
- Label Maker
- Hanging Storage Rack
- Wood Drawer Dividers
- 24-Drawer Storage Cabinet
- Clear Stackable Storage Bins
- 23-Drawer Tool Chest
- Sports Rack
Leaving Room For Regular Garage Storage
Even through a complete renovation, I try to create a liveable space for my family that can be semi-functional. Although the garage is partially Mallory’s Workshop and none of my family members care about garage space, I still need a usable storage area that would work for daily life.
From our previous garage, I had these amazing black industrial storage cabinets that worked PERFECTLY to store absolutely everything we needed without any fuss. I brought them over into our new house and included a plain storage rack for extra stock of cleaning supplies for easy accessibility.
Adding In A Few Styling Elements
While this space is primarily used to serve a storage purpose, there are still great ways to make it feel like a part of your home. Yes, even our garage gets a little love when it comes to decorating!
One of my favorite personal touches in this garage is a project I did a few years ago. I printed out black-and-white photos of each home we’ve lived in, framed them, and hung them on the garage wall.
From our tiny New York apartment to our dream home in Tennessee, each house has been part of our story. I truly believe in leaving a home better than you found it, and each one of these places has left its mark on me and my family. We’ve grown together in each of these homes, faced challenges, celebrated successes, and made so many memories along the way.
To add a little extra warmth, I brought back the same gorgeous brick-colored runners I loved from our previous garage for the walkway into our home. Since the color is darker, they don’t show dirt at all, plus it gets my boys to stomp their feet off before walking into the house. Little touches like a runner in your garage will make a utility space feel like an extension of your home.
While Part One Of The Garage Workshop Is Finished, There’s Still A Whole Lot To Do!
I am thrilled Part One of Mallory’s Garage Workshop is complete, but half the garage still needs attention. With our entire house still in renovation, I needed at least part of our garage organized enough so that I could breathe and finally find everything I needed.
While this lifestyle (and all the renovation debris) isn’t for everyone, there’s nothing more refreshing to me than a space waiting for something creative to be brought in! I can’t wait to see what Part Two and the rest of the Monarch Colonial Renovation turn out to be.
Would you ever put a workshop in your garage? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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