Most of us would probably like to park our cars in the garage. A few of us even manage to declutter it enough to actually do it! What if though, our garages could be more than just a giant junk drawer, or a place to stow our cars?
Many people opt to use the garage as a REC space instead. I’ve been to artist studios, home gyms, poker rooms, smoking lounges, and more located in a room that many of us have; the garage! Garages are typically large rooms with sturdy floors, and that don’t have a lot of architecture and built in décor that we are concerned about damaging with any of the equipment that comes with those activities. Garages boast open floor space, with plenty of room to play with layout for couches, game tables, and more!
There are a few things that you can do to your garage space that can make it as a REC room as comfortable as possible. After all, a big room just for fun is great unless it’s dark as a cave, freezing in the winter, or boiling hot in the summer. Probably the most effective thing you can do to transform your room is to replace your garage door. This can be expensive, as I recommend replacing your current door with a highly insulated one. Clopay makes Polyurethane insulated doors with R-values of either 12.9 or 18.4. Replacing your current door with one with a high R-value will make it so much easier (and cheaper in the long run) to have a controlled temperature in that space. I recommend replacing it instead of just removing it and covering the space with a wall because you can open and close the door if you need more, or less light in the room. Having a garage door means that you can open it up for gatherings in the summer if you feel like it. Another plus for replacing your door is that the doors with higher insulation are often times more attractive on the inside than less un-insulated or completely uninsulated doors are. If you wanted to go really big, ask your garage door dealer about pricing to powder coat your track and hinges the color you want!
Another thing to consider is your lighting. Consider getting lamps, or installing softer lighting in the ceiling. Most garages that I’ve seen either have fluorescent lighting or naked bulbs which can be aggravating to your eyes. Harsh lighting makes it more difficult to feel relaxed, so the simple addition of a few statement lamps, or just better overhead lighting can really make the place feel cheerier and more relaxed.
Make sure to add in comfy elements so that the space is more inviting. Garages are often so bare that it’s important to add in pieces that can help you to feel happy and relaxed. If you’re turning your space into a rec room you want to make sure that it is as comfortable as possible! REC room furniture doesn’t always have to be fancy or expensive, keep an eye out for thrifted couches that are in reasonable condition. You can always add throw pillows or blankets to customize the furniture. Look for old or inexpensive area rugs to make the floor feel warmer and softer to stand or sit on.
After you add in some of the bigger elements to make the space functional and comfortable, you can start playing with the decorative elements! Find artwork, interesting knick-knacks, and those throw pillows I was talking about. You can style the room in the same way as the rest of your home, or you can go for a totally different feel. It just depends on what you want to do!