Photo for reference—that’s not my garage.

My house was built in the 50s and the garage is unfinished. Being built in the 50s it’s also on the small side, so every inch counts. Been debating about options/costs for making it nicer and creating better workshop/tinkering area. Being in SoCal it also gets hot as hell much of the year, so I’m also wondering about some temperature control.

Came across this photo and it didn’t occur to me that you could just finish the walls and not do the ceiling. My garage has beams and an open ceiling like this photo, so gives me an approximation of what it would look like (I also like the look and feel of the old exposed wood). Obviously only partially finishing is cheaper, but what might be the drawbacks of only finishing the walls? Wouldn’t lots dust, dead bugs, and other junk accumulate down between the studs behind the drywall, or is there something on top to prevent things from going down in there?

Thanks!