We have about 10 bikes that we hang from hooks on the ceiling. If you have small kids, I would not hang the bikes from hooks on the ceiling as it is hard or impossible for small kids to get them down themselves but they will still try and you can end up with a bike falling on a car or even the kid. I have heard that the bike hoists work well, but even with the hoist I'd be concerned about a small child trying to take it down themself and failing! For little kids' bikes, I think the best solution is to just lean them against the wall or have a space where they can park them with their kickstands or in a bike rack.

I'm open to streamlining some of my dishes, mugs, etc. However, my immediate concern is about the fridge, and how goofy it might look sticking out on the new wall. My current fridge is 32" deep. I paid $800 in 2006. I really want to get a much bigger one with the freezer on the bottom and the french doors on the top. I feel like I got my money's worth out of it, and will find a good home for it. I will have to masking-tape out the counter & fridge. I really want more freezer space (that's why I'm open to getting a new fridge). I even considered a small separate freezer but the smaller ones are not automatic-defrost, and I don't want to empty it twice a year, and deal with the water (not having a drain). As mentioned above, maybe a fridge that doesn't extend too much beyond the counter might be better, but I'm not sure how much more freezer space that will give me. I need to research how much capacity my current one is for reference. I looked through it's manual but don't see it referenced. I also need to use the ikea configurator and fully populate the space, and see how much room I want to allocate to trash in the corner. Thanks again for everyone's interest and great ideas! This forum has really been invaluable ! Mike

Even under the canopy, the bikes are going to get wet when it rains, unless the rain falls down absolutely perpendicular to the ground. And you have the added factor of the sun, beating down and drying out the seats, etc. Plus the risk of theft--I've heard of wheels and seats and water bottle racks being stolen, when the thief couldn't remove the entire bike. My brother has two of the racks you are thinking of in his sunroom, which doubles as his mudroom and bike repair room (it's got more bike parts than the local bike shop, if you ask me). He likes them; says it is very easy to get the bikes on and off.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I had never heard about the drug thing. Learn something new every day. Unfortunately it is too far to walk, just over 10 miles, but great for a bike ride. Company policy won't let you take the bike inside currently. And the way the camera was positioned they caught the guy walking away so no face view. Don't know how he got the chain and lock off, because he took that also. Replacement cost is under the deductible amount so no help from insurance. He has requested compensation for the loss from the company because felt that the bike was secure in that location or it is suppose to be. It is the only bike rack available and it is located adjacent to the employee entrance. Probably won't get him anything but worth a try. He sent HR a memo and here are some of the suggestions he made. "1) Install a bike rack outside the front entrance where there would be visibility to receptionist/security in the lobby. This would also be out of the way of non-employee foot traffic. 2) Provide a more secure bike rack, such as the bike lockers provided at train and light rail stations. 3) Secure inside bike parking. The area next to the stairwell, just inside that east entrance, appears ideal. All that would be needed would be to add rings attached to the wall to secure the bikes. 4) Add a security camera. I was surprised to learn that the area outside this entrance wasn't monitored by a security camera. Add fence and key card gates to the whole area including the employee picnic area. I've always thought it odd that, on days when the cafeteria has a barbeque there, that non-employees can pass through on their way to Starbucks and Quiznos. Also, late at night, this looks like an area where someone could lurk making is dangerous for late shift workers." I maybe biased but I think they are very good suggestions in regards to security for everyone. But I am sure it will get filed in the circular file. Clare