Transform Your Garage Into a Man Cave
With These 4 Helpful Tips
Most people who search for and ultimately buy a house are interested in having a garage. Yet research shows that 25 percent of homeowners have a garage that’s too cluttered to fit their car. In other words, it’s filled with junk. (Chalk it up as useless square footage.) But what if you could convert this garage space into something more practical - like a man cave?
4 Tips for a Garage Man Cave
If a garage is acting as useless square space - or isn’t being utilized to its best and highest purpose - transforming it into a man cave could be a great way to get more enjoyment and value out of this flexible space. The question is, where do you start?
While it all depends on the type of garage you have, what it’s currently being used for, and what the intended use is, here are some helpful tips you can use to make this transition smooth and efficient:
1. Change the Flooring
Most garages have worn out flooring, complete with oil stains, cracked concrete, and other imperfections. (And who wants to spend time in a room with a nasty floor?)
One of the most cost-effective upgrades is to pour epoxy flooring directly over your concrete pad to quickly transform the floor and make it feel like a clean and usable space. (This also makes the floor slip-resistant and comfortable to walk on.)
2. Plan for Extreme Temperatures
One of the biggest challenges with turning a garage into usable square footage is figuring out how to deal with extreme temperatures. Whether it’s blistering heat in August or freezing temperatures in January, you must have ways to offset some of these extremes in a room where insulation might not be up to par with the rest of the house.
During the summer, you should have a fan (at the very least). A window AC unit might be good if temperatures get really high and you plan to spend a lot of time in your man cave during these months.
As for the winter, a space heater is your best bet. The trickiest part is figuring out which one to buy and install.
According to eFireplaceStore, “Space heaters either use electricity or gas fuel. The selection of gas space heaters falls into three main categories: vent-free, direct vent, and b-vent. Keep in mind that these heaters are more like a furnace than a fireplace. Whether you prefer vented or vent-free gas heaters, the primary function is efficiency over flame aesthetic, and in some cases, the feature of a visible flame is not available at all.”
Your decision will be determined, at least partially, by your garage’s square footage, placement, and venting options. When in doubt, consult with a professional to get a better idea of which option will work best for you.
3. Touch Up the Walls
Another good idea is to clean up and/or finish the walls. If your garage currently has drywall, it’s possible that it’s become worn over the years. This might include holes, stains, rips, tears, and discoloration. Even a brick wall can lose some of its luster over time.
There’s certainly something appealing about having a little bit of a rustic flare in a garage man cave, but now is a great time to deal with any glaring imperfections and clean things up to your liking.
4. Be Smart With Storage
You’ll have to decide whether you’ll be clearing everything that’s currently in your garage out, or if your man cave will double as storage space. If it’s the latter - and for most people it is - get strategic with how you store tools and equipment.
Vertical storage is typically a great option in a garage, but you might not want a bunch of personal items hanging around in your man cave space (particularly if you use this area to entertain). In this case, built-in cabinets may seamlessly integrate with the style of your space.
Give Your Garage New Life
Transform your garage from a junk storage facility into a man cave that you can be proud of. Whether it’s for tinkering with tools, watching sports, socializing with friends, or playing games, a garage man cave can serve any purpose you desire. Make it your own and have fun doing it!
