Can you put peel and stick directly onto concrete?

I'm using a bay of one of our garages now, and have been for 3 years. I have just now started to organize it so that the space is used more efficiently. Also, I now know that the concrete floor is impossible to keep clean. Even after I sweep or vacuum, there is dust on it, and, of course, my quilts find it or it finds them.

DH and I went to Lowes and bought a 12 x 14 piece of vinyl flooring and rolled it onto the floor. We put double sticky tape on the ends to hold it down. It's lighter in color than the cement floor, and looks so much better!

Best of all, I can use a dust mop to clean up the lint! I even bought a 'special' dust mop that will only be used in there. DH thinks I'm nuts, but I told him that he doesn't have to understand why I bought it, he just has to NEVER use it anywhere but on that vinyl floor. When he 'borrows' things, I usually have to hunt for them because he forgets to put them back where he found them. We all know that I've never done that with his stuff - yeah, sure, LOL!

I'm lucky that the garage is both heated and air conditioned, has a full sized window and the walls are finished. There's even a full bath in the garage. If I put a bed, a dorm fridge and a microwave in it, I could lalmost live in it.

Get some hot pink duct tape and put some strips of it around your new dustmop. That way there's never a question about who it belongs to and where it is to be used. Men forget.

Chasing Hawks Ideas are good for the walls. Insulation will be a key factor in your comfort. Instead of heavy drywall, though, I would get some inexpensive paneling and put that up. That's much lighter in weight and therefore more manageable as a do-it-yourself project. Around the windows, get some insulbright or foam insulation and wrap it with fabric, then fasten it around the windows as a frame. Make sure you like the fabric as it will be there as long as you use the garage for your sewing room! You could even get a fabric that looks like wood grain, which would make it less noticeable.

Good idea! You're right. And it would make it easier to spot when he uses it in spite of the hot pink duct tape!

I've had to put a permanent marker 'reminder' on my dustpan in hopes that it makes him return it. We've got three of them, but I can't find the other two. So far, the reminder has worked, but it's only been 6 months...

How sweet! and the floor reminds you of his love for you every time you walk into the room. Can't ask for more than that.

Well, Im back - the original poster of this sewing room/garage makeover. When I bought the house, the seller told me that the temp was consistent year 'round and they never needed a heater or air conditioner.......uhhhhh......NOT the case. With this winter, I could hang a deer in there - it is soooooooooooooooo cold! It has been painted - took about 4 to 5 coats to cover. Had to move in all my sewing treasures and just wonder how I am going to finish the floors!! This move has cost me MUCH more that I had anticipated (DANG).......................I need a man...............You have so many great ideas - I hope I can do some of them - my floor to ceiling shelf ideas to hold the totes and get them off the floor might have to fall by the wayside - - - - is Spring going to come this year or will we get summer in May like last year??..................this is depressing - I think I will have a cupcake for now and take a nap......................

Sad to say, moving always costs more than expected.

The winter we have been enduring this year is particularly COLD, certainly not typical. Since it is so cold in the garage, I suggest that you install some kind of radiant heat in the floor. It'll cost more initially, but the garage will be usable in the winter. I'd say hot water radiant heat, but then you have to install some kind of water heater. If you can afford to put a tile floor in, you can put electric radiant heat in. If that's too expensive for the entire room, then put some kind of radiant heat where you sew and/or in the most used path around the room. That's what I plan to do when we remove the ugly carpet from our bedroom and replace it with a beautiful hardwood.

I've read that some people have used insulbright as backing on curtains to block the cold and the heat and that it works well. You could also make a little foot warmer bag (with insulbright batting) to use when sewing.

Wow the potential! Paint first & then start scouring flea markets, yard sales, etc. for finds. You can usually get large rugs very inexpensive. What fun!!

If you have a Habitat Restore in your area, check them out for cabinets, flooring etc. Also, in our area, we have several flea markets that carry building materials cheaper. Painting the floor seems like a good option. My friends had their garage floor epoxied but it was pretty pricey.
Good luck with all your renovations.

With the miserable weather we have been having, it is really hard to even walk in the area now. It is PACKED (and not even half of my treasures are in yet) and ICE COLD - so much for the previous owner says it stayed one consistant temperature year round - The dirty concrete is like standing on ice - the freeze goes right up the legs! Whenever I get everything hooked up, I will try to take a picture of what the room looks like now - - - - - maybe not! When the weather breaks, I will have to clean one portion of the floor at a time, 'cause I surely cannot clear the floor my moving all the treasures outside! Is there such a product as "cushioned vinyl flooring?" Thanks!

What about making the garage door a design wall. Heavy magnets could hang sheet of flannel for design wall. I have something similar. Painted walls and added shelving along one wall for fabrics over base of cabinets and counter top. Went to restore and found great kitchen cabinets and great counter top placed over cabinets. Spent very little money except for coated wire shelving which are adjustable the base cabinets are finished and counter so heavy did not have to be attached to cabinets. Placed 2 smaller cabinets in middle of room and topped with finished flush door for sewing table. Door knob hole makes perfect place for machine cord. It is amazing what re-stores have and very inexpensive. Good luck and post pictures

Yes to cushioned vinyl flooring. Some very pretty. I went to discount dealer and found padded low pile outdoor carpet. I did not glue it down. It vacuums very easily with broom vacuum and takes out lot of cold. Have some cushioned pads in front of long arm. Can be moved to cutting areas very easily

If would like to , put a wall with a door in front of garage door about 4 or 5 feet in. leaves big door, warmer, easier to remove. and adds a storage closet.
Still can use garage door for 2nd access and fire escape. I like the front for moving stuff in and out .

Oh what fun you must be having. Don't get discouraged...you've already done a lot (moving, etc.). Do what needs to be done first to make it bearable and useful for you (maybe figuring out heat/air conditioning). The other things can come along as you find the deals and discounts. It is a work in progress. Please post pictures if you can so we can share in your joy!

I would go on Craigslist and check for cabinets that people are taking out. SOme are free. On the same site, go to "wanted" and let them know you are looking for items. Your sitting down table should be as high as your elbows, and your standing, cutting table should be at your elbows when you are standing. On one of your walls or on the side of a cabinet I would install a piece of peg board to hang up your rulers, etc. where they are handy. You would have to put pieces of boards here and there behind it so your hooks have room to go in. I have collected some of the white cheap cabinets over the years and I like them very much to put my fabric on. Fabric can slide on them and not get stuck on real wood or those wire shelves. Will be waiting to see the pics. Good luck.

In case it hasn't been mentioned, be sure to check the Habitat for Humanity Restore shop if you have one. They have great deals sometimes.

Original postings were 2014..........anyone know how this "story" has progressed so far.......

Ideas for turning...........
 

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm afraid my garage has been at a standstill for some time. With the winters, it actually froze the gallon of paint I've had in there and that's saying alot because I was using a space heater! It is soooooo packed with sewing and quilting stash that I can't even walk through it. There are racks along all walls crammed with fabric.
I have come to the realization that I will just have to use it for sewing storage and move what I need accordingly to the inside of my home. With increasing health issues and family problems, the energy has burst from my enthusiasum bubble. On the good note tho, I have finaly sold my other house after 2 1/2 years which is one big relief. I may start slowly selling what I think I may not use in the spring.
Thanks for your interest.

We put laminate flooring in our basement on a cement floor and it's wonderful! We got the cheapest laminate Home Depot had, but got the priciest underlayment, and I'm glad we did. It's got some give to it and makes walking on it really comfortable. You'll need to make sure your floor stays dry, but the flooring is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

You can also take down your garage door and "wall in" the hole it leaves behind. This will give you more wall space.

Have fun fun with your project!

My friend cut panels of solid foil backed insulation and stuck them to her garage door, and then added a large piece of batting over that for a design wall

my boyfriend loves to cook, and I'm of course a quilter, so when we first talked about moving in together (which hasn't yet happened), I claimed the garage of the as-yet-to-be-chosen house. He then argued that HE claimed the garage for his extended kitchen, so I think the discussion has been tabled for now. No use arguing over an as-yet-to-be-determined space. But I'm saying right now, the garage is MINE!!!

I agree with Neesie. You'll need insulation for sure and climate controls (heat and a/c). I would definitely replace those doors if you can. They will leak like crazy and run up your electric or gas bills. I'd do a good flooring with some padding. Standing on concrete is killer on the legs

A friend did that. Has a portable heat pump for heat and ac, vented out thru the wall instead of window , for security reasons. She insulated the garage door and hung batting on it for a design wall. Had power added as outlets were scarce. We use it uear round.