Image by Carlos Irineu da Costa on Unsplash
Let’s make your passion your job – your garage may be a space within your home that you may not think about much, but you use it as much or more than any other room in your house. That’s why we’ve compiled a list highlighting the different possibilities that can make your garage your new favorite area of your home.
Children’s Playroom
Need a little extra space where the little ones can play non-stop? A garage can be a perfect makeshift playroom. Of course, you’ll want to make sure anything dangerous is out of reach, and you don’t want to leave the little ones unattended, especially during the cold winter weather.
First, lay down a comfortable rug or play mat designed to cushion hard surfaces. Then, customize the room to your child’s age and interests. You may even have multiple children – having separate areas for different activities can make this playroom the envy of the neighborhood.
A custom workbench table with drawers and chairs can be placed next to craft materials on shelves and in plastic bins. Legos, blocks, and other building toys need a firm surface, so instead of using the floor (which can be cold year-round), lay a large piece of plywood (sanding the sides first so there are no splinters) on the part of the carpeted area and have bins of building toys within reach.
One of the best parts of a garage playroom is that there are no windows or valuables to break, so it can be the perfect space for younger kids to throw and kick soft rubber balls (be careful, though: harder or stronger balls can damage garage doors).
You can even put a few pillows on the floor next to a small bookshelf to create your own reading space. Especially if you don’t have a basement for the kids to play in, a garage playroom can be a winter lifesaver for active bodies (and for mom and dad!).
Home Gym
You don’t need a lot of space to make your own home gym, even if you have half the garage, you can equip it in such a way that it will be enough for what you are looking for.
First, you can put down insulation panels on the floor to give it extra cushioning. If you have an all-in-one weight-lifting machine and a treadmill, you can have a home gym. You can set up a place for push-ups and sit-ups. Use a stool as a step stool or a sturdy box for stair exercises. A yoga mat can give you tons of options, and with a little creativity, you can get a good workout out of almost any object.
Don’t forget the music! You can always use headphones and the playlist on your phone, but if you still want to hear what’s going on around you, get some small speakers for your playlist (some even connect via Bluetooth to your phone) and listen to your favorite music while you work your body. All this from the comfort of your own home – and without that expensive gym membership!
Office
Tired of working on the couch or in bed? Your garage could be the perfect space to set up a home office.
A large folding table for a desk and a wheelchair that glides easily over your garage floor (with five supports for proper posture) may be sufficient. Important files can be stored in lockable metal filing cabinets, and plastic containers for office supplies can be purchased.
Make sure you can access the Internet in your garage – if not, reconfigure your wireless router or get a booster to increase the strength of your wireless signal.
A laptop can easily be transported to the workspace when you need it, although a properly secured and heated garage can also accommodate a desk without any problems. The best part about an office in your garage, especially if you frequently work from home or your company allows you to telecommute, is that you can feel like it is separate from your home: you are going to “go to work” and can separate your work life from your home life – without the stress and hassle of a commute.
Meeting Place
Whether you’re hosting a book club or just want to set up a gathering area when you’re having meetings with friends, your garage can be a great place to host a get-together.
To create this area, get a rug or mat and a good number of comfortable chairs and/or old couches and arrange them in a tight circle to facilitate conversation. Make sure you have good lighting for reading handouts and taking notes. If the meetings are going to be more formal, get a table and chairs. Ideally, make room for both! Then, think about what else your group will need. Will they enjoy glasses of wine and snacks during the meeting? You can add side tables and even a mini-fridge or wine rack. Make it a place where your group and your passion can flourish.
Sports Shelter
A sports room can be a great room for a house where big sports fans live. First of all, a big screen TV that has a sports package is almost a necessity so you can watch all the big football matches.
Next priority: comfortable seating. Old sofas and lounge chairs are probably best, but for a budget option, you can use folding garden chairs.
Final top priority: access to snacks. Whether you get a mini fridge (or even a good-sized one, too) and stock it with drinks or just have a cooler or two that you fill with ice on match days. Going in search of a drink means you might miss a game-winning goal – so you better have drinks handy. Side tables are also important so spectators have a spot near drinks and snacks when it’s time to cheer. And if you really want to liven things up, decorate with memorabilia from your favorite team. Banners, flags, and season tickets can really make a difference.
