(NAPSA)—Makeroom, muscle car and mini-van—today’s power VAI garage is emerging as a room in its own right. Not just spinning its wheels as a parking slot, the contemporary garage is a space for auto enthusiasts, gardeners and sports buffs—complete with its own tech-cued furniture and storage must-haves. “The garage is fast becoming a favorite area for today’s multi-activity families,” says Doug Krieger, Today’s garage is a favorite area for a variety of family activities. forming the garage into an envi- sumers have a wide choice of handsome, hard-working options. In response to today’s great design director for Sauder. “Whether they’re customizing a car or potting plants, Americansare transronment for work and play.” Serious auto enthusiasts are driving the push toward well-ordered garages that can be shownoff with pride. Such auto aficionados are clear on how a garage should look, opting for finished walls andfloors, sleek furnishings, ample storage and durable work surfaces that add up to a cool place to work, and entertain fellow car buffs. It’s no wonderthey can’t keep the rest of the family out of the garage. Involvement in sports has risen almost 50 percent in the past two decades, according to the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research andeight out of ten—or 85 million—households in America include a family member who gardens, says the American Nursery and Landscape Association. These and a host of other leisure pursuits also beg for garage storage. “Today’s garage deserves the same thoughtful design approach as other rooms in the home,” says Krieger. “It demands furnishings that are both sturdy and stylish.” With designs like those from Sauder’s Hot Rod Garage and Garage Boss collections, con- garage expectations, Krieger and the Sauder design team suggest several tips for fashioning the contemporary garage into a multi-pur- pose space for the entire family. * Organize life’s multitude of must-have items—from drill bits to tennis gear to garden tools— with a mix of closed cabinets and open shelving. The sturdy, affordable Garage Boss organization system, for example, solves a host of clutter-busting issues for the entire family. Featuring a rugged graystone finish, storage cabinets with doors can instantly transform a catch all garage into an orderly space. Open shelf storage units are fine for frequently used items, such as soccer balls and watering cans. Mesh fronts keep items safely in place. * Customize the garage for the serious hobbyist. For example, the family’s dedicated car buff usually has very specific demands for a dream garage. Customize the setting by mixing components from the slick, functional Hot Rod Garage system, co-branded by Sauder and Primedia’s “Hot Rod Magazine.” Two-door and three- drawer storage cabinets, for example, can be combined and stacked to organize myriad small tools as well as larger-scaled equipment such as air compressors and battery chargers. With their high gloss red and silver pearl finish and chemical and dent resistant surfaces, these pieces add rugged good looks to the garage haven. A workbenchis to the garage what a sofa is to the living room. Sauder’s Hot Rod workbench, for instance, serves a wide range of hobbyists, with a solid, durable work surface, useful pegboard back, fluorescent light, handy upper storage shelf and electrical outlet. A mobile work island can be stowed under the workbench when not in use and readily rolled out to instantly double workspace. Increase comfort and flexibility with additional moveable storage units. The mobile Garage Boss storage cubby combines shelves and slots to organize everything in a minimum amount of space. Optional sturdy casters allow gear to be easily moved to a more convenient location. With thought and planning, consumers can readily fashion their garages into multi-purpose spaces for the entire family.
