Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Modern garage decor ideas everyone will love

When you’re planning a serious interior-design makeover, you should definitely consider your garage. It’s spacious and practically a clean canvas, and you can experiment with some modern garage ideas that would totally transform it. With our list, you will discover new ways to brighten the space and find inventive ways to improve its look while storing personal items — as well as organizing your space. Our end goal is to help make your garage feel more like a true extension of your home instead of just an overlooked storage area.

garage storage and organization
Don Mason/Getty Images

Track lights

Instead of conventional fluorescent lights or hanging shop lights, you can modernize your garage with track lights. We recommend going for long, straight bars with smaller bulbs. Choose a black powder or chrome finish in lieu of brass, white powder, or nickel. Track lights not only look very cool, they allow you to adjust the mini spotlights around to where you need illumination the most.

Hang the tracks as close to the ceiling as possible for a cleaner look and higher clearance for vehicles.

LED or neon lights

On the same note, LED lights look incredibly futuristic and modern. Install them in straight lines across ceilings and walls to give your garage a stylish edge. LED bulbs use less power but still give you just as much visibility. You can create geometric shapes or a design of your own with multiple narrow tubes, making them a focal point in the garage if you mount them on a prominent wall.

By contrast, you can custom order a neon sign for a more personalized take on garage lights. Spell out your family name, your favorite phrase, or any meaningful word that comes to mind. You can also order signs that depict an object or person. A neon car sign is on the nose, but we won’t judge you for ordering a life-size neon outline of your favorite car — it’s your garage, after all. Choose a sign in a color other than white to break up the brightness of metallic decor and to warm up the space.

Floor-to-ceiling industrial cabinets in a bold color

Industrial cabinets pack the most punch when it comes to garage decor that is super functional. These tall and expansive storage solutions are usually available in stainless steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Since most feature a modular design — separate compartments you can stack, arrange, or display any way you like — you have more creative control when it comes to your garage.

Gray, black, and chrome are popular choices. We recommend going for a bold color like red or cobalt blue, especially if the rest of the room is neutral. 

Reclaimed wood wall

Is clean, shiny, and metallic not really your style? We hear you. For more organic-centric homes, a reclaimed wood wall offers a timeless look that complements just about any space. Wood features rarely go out of fashion, so don’t be afraid to go all out on a custom wall. Additionally, most reclaimed wood comes from barn siding and doors, which make them very durable.

Get in touch with local woodworkers or a woodshop, even if it’s just to ask for leads on a good lumber source. If you’re going it alone, search for sellers through trusted sites like eBay, Etsy, and even large stores like Home Depot. We suggest darker types like chestnut, red oak, or walnut. However, a varnish treatment is a quick DIY, especially if you’re going to cover a whole wall with reclaimed wood.

Checkered tiles covered in epoxy

While technically not a decor idea, per se, showing your garage floor some love can drastically improve its final outcome. A modern take on the garage floor includes some tile, epoxy paint, and no foot traffic for a few days. Before you know it, you’ll have a very future-forward floor that can withstand spills, stains, and heavy use.

Black-and-white tiles in a checker pattern is a classic choice, but if your garage might need some more color, substitute another color for black. Switching out white for a different color is also effective.

Right now, your garage may be dusty and full of clear plastic storage bins haphazardly stacked on top of one another. Fortunately, modernizing this space is pretty painless. To start, consider what your stance is on modern decor, whether it’s futuristic and chrome, natural and wood-clad, or bare and minimal. Whichever style you choose, we hope our short-but-sweet list of garage decor ideas helps guide your way.

Editors' Recommendations

Tom Warnick
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom has worked been a writer and editor for several years, working at the Starlog Group, Billboard, Bed Bath & Beyond…
This Christmas decor idea for your front door and windows is super inexpensive (and fun to experiment with!)
Looking for a unique Christmas door decoration that isn't a wreath? Check out this idea from Tiktok
house exterior with christmas lights display

From traditional Christmas wreaths to the large winterscape window coverings, the holiday season ushers in several opportunities for decorating our doors and windows. However, some ideas have become exhausted after several years of use. After all, you can only change up the classic wreath so many times.

So, if you’re looking for creative and inexpensive Christmas door or window decorations this year, then you need to check out this unique idea.

Read more
These coffee table Christmas decor ideas put a modern spin on old favorites
Try these simple holiday decor ideas to modernize your seasonal design
Candles and glass vase on coffee table for Christmas decor

As Christmas nears and holidays encourage us to deck the halls, you may be wondering what to do with your coffee table. It’s easy to add pieces that are too big and make the space feel clunky. Or, you add something too small, which makes your coffee table feel bland and empty. Here are some of the best Christmas decor ideas to add to your coffee table that honors the season while maintaining a modern feel.

Try a simple wood bowl filled with ornaments
Modern home design favors the sleek and simple, so this year, take a cue from the modern book and use a simple wood bowl for your decor. Place a wooden bowl in the center of the coffee table and fill it with stunning gold and silver ornaments for a gentle yet elegant look. This is best done on a glass coffee table. However, if you have a wooden table in your home, add a small plaid or winter-themed placemat underneath to break up the look of the space. For a more rustic look, layer two placemats beneath the bowl and swap out the ornaments for pine cones.

Read more
5 clever Christmas tree decorating ideas that will wow your friends and family
Your guests will be impressed with your unique Christmas tree
Christmas tree in living room surrounded by presents

If you want to shake things up with your Christmas tree decorations this year, then we’ve got just the list for you! Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the things we look forward to the most during the holidays. It’s a chance to show off your personality and blend tradition with items passed down through generations. So, if you’re struggling to come up with the perfect way to wow your friends and family this year, check out our top five Christmas tree decorating ideas.

Add your holiday cards to your Christmas tree
Each year, families receive holiday cards by the dozens. This tradition has transcended the digital age and proven to be a nostalgic and heartwarming experience for many. If you have a few holiday cards sitting around on your table or mantel, why not put them to use as part of your tree decoration?
Place them on your tree
One simple way you can use holiday cards on your Christmas tree is by nestling them between the branches. Scatter them around the tree alongside ornaments and garland to create a beautiful and cohesive look. This option is excellent for those who are running short on time but still want to add something special to their tree. And just think, when your family and friends come around for a holiday get-together, they’ll be overjoyed that you put their cards on display.
Turn them into ornaments
If you'd prefer something smaller — or are looking for a way to repurpose the beautiful cards you got last year, you can always turn them into ornaments. Pick up some flat wood discs from your local craft store, some glitter, glue, and twine. Cut the card a bit smaller than the disc, glue it, and trim the edge with glitter. Once you glue a loop of twine to the back, it'll be ready for your tree.
Create garland
Alternatively, you could create a fun garland out of your holiday cards. If you want to get crafty (and have plenty of cards and a little time on your hands), gather up the necessary supplies to create a holiday card garland.

Read more