Garages are no longer just places to park cars and store clutter—they’ve evolved into functional, stylish, and high-end extensions of the home. However, there are things you should avoid doing to your garage, and things to jump into with both feet; we’re chatting about the latter. In our latest episode of The Real Estate Podcast, we sat down with James Secondina from Mint Garage to talk about the future of garage renovations, organization trends, and how homeowners are transforming these overlooked spaces into dream garages.

If you’ve ever considered upgrading your garage, adding smart storage solutions, or installing a sleek epoxy floor, this episode is packed with insights to help you turn your garage into a showpiece.

How a Side Hustle Turned Into a Thriving Business

James’ journey into garage renovations began by accident—literally. After transforming his own garage, neighbours took notice and asked if he could do the same for them. What started as a weekend project quickly turned into a full-time business. Now, Mint Garage has expanded across Canada, providing premium garage makeovers and even developing its own proprietary storage system.

💡 Key takeaway: The best businesses often start from passion and necessity—James saw a need for better garage organization and turned it into a thriving company.

Why Garage Upgrades Are More Popular Than Ever

During the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners started looking for extra space, and the garage became a natural solution. Instead of being a cold, dusty storage area, garages were brought to life as:

🏋️ Home gyms
🎮 Entertainment spaces & man caves
🔧 Workshops & hobby rooms
🛠️ High-end storage solutions for tools & equipment

A well-designed garage isn’t just about aesthetic appeal—it adds value to the home and improves daily functionality.

Epoxy Flooring: Is It Worth the Investment?

One of the most common garage upgrades is epoxy flooring, but not all epoxy floors are created equal.

🔹 What to watch out for:

• Cheap DIY kits from big box stores often fail due to poor adhesion and weak materials
• Many low-cost epoxy coatings lack moisture barriers, causing peeling and cracking over time
• Proper floor prep is essential—Mint Garage spends a full day grinding and preparing the concrete before applying high-quality coatings

📌 Cost breakdown:

• Single-car garage: ~$2,000–$3,000
• Two-car garage: ~$3,000–$4,000
• Three-car garage: ~$4,000–$5,000+

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re investing in epoxy flooring, make sure you’re getting industrial-grade materials and professional installation for long-lasting results.

Types of storage to consider for your garage makeover

Gone are the days of stacking bins and tripping over bikes—garage storage has evolved into a sleek, customizable system that makes the most of every square inch of space.

🚀 Popular garage storage upgrades:

• Slatwall systems: Flexible wall panels that hold everything from tools to sports equipment
• Ceiling-mounted storage: Perfect for seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear
• Cabinet systems: Built-in storage that hides clutter and creates a polished look

How Garage Upgrades Affect Home Value

Does a finished garage add value when selling my home?

Absolutely! Homes with organized, finished garages stand out in the market, and buyers love the added functionality.

🔹 Key benefits:
✔ Increases resale value—Buyers appreciate move-in-ready features
✔ Enhances curb appeal—A clean, well-lit garage makes a strong first impression
✔ Adds usable square footage—A finished garage can serve multiple purposes beyond parking

The biggest mistake when selling a house with an upgraded garage is …

While out showing houses for sale in Milton, Ontario and the surrounding areas, we often stumble across properties with stunning garage upgrades, storage galore, floors you could eat off of, retractable hoses and cables, car hoists, you name it… But we often weren’t made aware of it until we got into the home. Even then, a cluttered garage can hide some of these upgrades, or a buyer who’s in a rush might overlook them.

It’s crucial to include photos and in-home marketing to show people the garage and help them appreciate the added value of the upgrades you’ve spent money on; don’t leave it to chance.

💬 Would you upgrade your garage? Let us know in the comments!

Follow Mint Garage for More

Want to see amazing before-and-after garage makeovers? Follow @MintGarage on Instagram for project updates, design inspiration, and expert tips!

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to The Real Estate Podcast for more home improvement insights!