We are moving right along with our Fall in Love project – the barn garage.
Our next big undertaking was painting those amazing rolling workbenches. I asked your opinions last week – I was waffling between red and navy and grey.
I ended up choosing navy – or Behr Starless Night, to be exact.
I really like this color (we also have it on our exterior door). It’s a bit of a dustier navy. This paint I used was Behr MARQUEE Semi-Gloss and the finish is perfect – smooth and shiny. I hope this will make it easy to keep clean and dust free. (No promises.)
I could have very easily left those workbenches their natural wood color. But that would have been no fun. Right?
Plus, the tops were made of MDF and were pretty raw and textured. I thought the paint could even that out, and it does look a TON better now. (But I’ve already tried to convince Ryan that it would be SO RAD to have a piece of sheet metal cut for the tops of each of the three workbenches. He’s currently unconvinced.)
While we were at it, I convinced Ryan to install these barn lights from Menards along this wall. I think it makes it feel more like a workspace. (There will eventually be three installed, but our local Menards didn’t have a third fixture.)
I think they are begging to be red. But that’s currently on the back burner.
I also picked up these lamp guards at Menards (similar to these at Amazon, but a fraction of the price). They mask the fact that there are 20 hideous bare light bulbs in the garage. They also protect the bulbs from getting smashed by boards or other things that smash light bulbs. (Let’s be honest, I really only care about the looks.) For a couple bucks, it feels like it’s more intentional than a bare bulb. Now to convince Ryan to replace all those bulbs with something prettier …
The third solo workbench sits on the other wall. This will be the main tool workbench, and I hope to use the wall above to hang tools, too.
These work benches are really going to give us so many options –
- Store all our stuff on the bottom.
- Provide an expansive workspace on the top.
- Give us tons of space to entertain.
- Look awesome.
I love how this barn is coming together.
Now. Now, is the ugly part. Figuring out how to actually get everything organized and put away. This is what’s currently living in the barn. And that’s about 20 percent of what we have to store.
Send prayers. Send man power. Send coffee.
I’m going to need it. All of it.
Any tips for getting all this junk under control?
Thanks to Behr Paint for providing the Behr MARQUEE paint for this project. And thanks to you for supporting sponsors who make projects like this possible.
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emily @ go haus go says
This looks so good. Are you going to use this as a garage or additional living space? It looks HUGE!
Kim Woodward says
Just for a workshop/mudroom/laundry/car storage. So, yes. I guess we are.
Jaime Costiglio says
Love it even more now knowing what your first floor looks like. So wish I had that space!
Kim Woodward says
It’s definitely going to come in handy, I think!
Kelly says
Looks so look good! How about locker room type baskets for all the extension cords etc…just an idea.don’t have a source to offer, but you’re a savvy shopper, you could find some.out, better yet, have sweet darlin hubs build some rollish(is that a word?) Type drawers. Anyhoo, looks fabulous as always.
Kim Woodward says
Great ideas! I badly need storage solutions and we’re working on getting everything properly corralled.
Gretchen says
I don’t envy the organizing task you have ahead of you. But at least you have lovely (and useful, even!) workbenches! Forget about organizing and just stare at those for awhile.
Emily says
Perfect color choice!!! I love this navy- so pretty with the metal walls too. I totally think that there should be sheet metal on the tops- get on that Ryan, it’s for the blog. Come on 😉 This little space is looking so lovely!
Kim Woodward says
Hahaha…. he may have a few other things on his mind right now, but I’m certain I can convince him.
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
Hell yes!!! That looks awesome! The wire bulb guards are genius. I think just regular halogen bulbs that look like incandescent would be great. I get these halogen bulbs at Menards (Feit brand) and they are awesomely bright for less wattage. The tables are awesome, I think the barn lights are cool silver but a red paint job would be beautiful. Funny, your garage looks a lot like our family room right now! Whaa whaa.
Kim Woodward says
I totally agree with you on the halogen bulbs. Ryan put these ugly ones in and they are driving me crazy. I’ll check out the Feit brand.
As for the light fixtures, if I paint them it will be in the winter when I’m going stir crazy. Too much going on right now to add a “fun” project.
Trisha D. says
Ohmygosh that bench! I’ve been digging the glossy look (ever since a recent Ikea trip) but equally nervous to paint with semi-gloss or *gasp* regular gloss but if it can look that good- I’m in! And dude, those light protectors- I had NO IDEA they existed- they look pretty but hot dang we’d go through a bagillion less lightbulbs in our short basement. Off to pick some up STAT! Your room’s coming along so well!
P.S. I vote red on those lights and metal on the top of those workbenches! You know in case you were opening the polls!
Kim Woodward says
Totally opened the polls. Especially for you. I hope to go red for sure and the metal could be a long-term idea. Right now, we have about a million things on our plates. But I don’t forget my ideas easily.
Ann says
LOVE the work benches and LOVE the walls! Please tell Ryan I’m also 100% on board with the sheet metal layer on top. I think that would make them POP (even more, if that’s even possible), AND it would be super functional for projects!! Regardless, they look amazing, and as always, I’m entirely impressed. Well done you guys!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Love the color!
michelle@decorandthedog says
Okay, fine. You were right. Navy trumps the red.
Kim Woodward says
Can I get that in writing?
cassie says
hello gorgeous! i LOVE that color. i know you are totally shocked. 😉