Reimagining this giant empty box – with its hard cement floors, no windows, and giant metal walls – as a refuge for relaxation or hobby hangout isn’t always easy. Fortunately, turning your garage into the ultimate gentleman's retreat is simple if you follow these garage man cave makeover ideas:
- Cover Up
- Let There Be Light
- Plug-In
- Take a Seat
- Lock It, Don’t Lose It
Keep reading for tips on how to transform your garage into a husband hideaway, fortress of bro-litude, or whatever you want to call your man cave.
Cover Up
Generally speaking, your garage is not an exciting or inviting space. It likely is a large, windowless room with metal doors along one wall and an entry door on another wall, if your garage is attached to the house. That’s actually a good thing because this means that you are working with a blank slate when it comes to your man cave makeover.
To help warm up the space, figurately not literally, start by resurfacing the floor. The cement slab is not very attractive, in fact, it’s downright ugly. And, if you previously used the garage for its intended purpose – to park your car – then the floor is probably stained with dirt, oil, and other substances, so you will definitely want to refinish it.
The simplest and easiest option is to paint it. This is also the most economical choice. Be sure to use a product designed specifically to cover cement and a primer to ensure the paint adheres properly and does not peel off. Another perk to paint is that it is available in pretty much every color you could ever want. What could be better than watching the game in a man cave color-coordinated to match your favorite team?
Carpeting is another choice. Again, like with paint, you have an almost endless limit of choices. But an all-season carpet could be your best bet if your garage is not weatherproof or climate-controlled. Area rugs over a painted floor (or even the cement slab) are another way to warm up the traditionally cold space of a garage.
Epoxy is another option to consider as well. It’s applied right over the cement slab and the three-layer application guarantees that your garage floor stays looking its best for many years. The solid colored and speckled finishes will enhance any man cave aesthetic.
After you’ve conquered the floor, it’s time to tackle the walls and ceiling. Paneling and drywall are the best ways to turn your garage into an actual, usable room. Plus, finishing the walls and ceiling will allow you to install insulation for soundproofing and temperature control. This is particularly important if you live in year-round warm weather climates like here in Arizona.
Another benefit of putting up proper walls is that you can paint the room and hang pictures or signs to decorate your man cave – not to mention this gives you something sturdy on which to mount your big screen TV.
If you are planning on converting the garage into a permanent man cave, you can even enclose the garage door behind drywall. If not, and you opt to keep the door exposed, be sure to seal around it to keep out any debris and critters as well as to help weatherproof your space.
Let There Be Light
Chances are your garage has only a single light to illuminate the entire space. That may be fine when it’s serving simply as a place to park your car and store your stuff, but if you don’t add additional lighting then your man cave will truly resemble a cave- dark and gloomy.
The solution is simple, says Designing Idea , just add additional lighting. They recommend swapping out the overhead light bulb for a more decorative, "drum style" fixture, preferably one that sits close to the ceiling. The next step is to illuminate the dark corners with a floor lamp. Finally, install task lighting. You have to admit, poker nights would be much more enjoyable if everyone could see their cards with the help of a pendant light hung over your game table.
Plug-In
Most garages are equipped with only one or two electrical outlets, so you will need to add more to turn your garage into a proper man cave. Running a bunch of extension cords around the room would really ruin your vibe – not to mention that it would be a safety and fire hazard.
It is best to figure out where you will want and need outlets before you install any drywall or paneling. Consider the room layout and where you plan on placing your TV, gaming console, refrigerator, etc.
Keep in mind, you can’t watch the big game if you don’t have access to cable or the internet for streaming. So, you will need to make sure that your plan includes installing a cable outlet or a Wi-Fi range extender.
Take a Seat
Now that you have built your man cave, it’s time to discuss how to decorate it. Years ago, men moved their ratty recliners out to the garage along with any other random pieces of furniture destined for the dump. But that is no longer the case.
Modern man caves are furnished with plenty of comfortable seating for the host and his friends to enjoy while hanging out. Sectional sofas are quite popular and stylish, but they don’t offer much room to really spread out. For maximum flexibility, you might want to consider a couch and a couple of side chairs. Everyone can have their own space and you can easily add a few more seats come Superbowl Sunday or March Madness season.
And don’t forget to include a coffee table and end tables. After all, you need some place to put all of your snacks and drinks. Plus, it'll be nice to put your feet up and get comfortable while binge-watching your favorite TV shows.
While many a man cave is filled with hand-me-down furniture, if you are lucky enough to be shopping for new pieces, you might want to consider buying outdoor furniture. Not only is it designed to tolerate the elements, making it ideal if your man cave is not climate controlled (meaning no AC), but the fabric is stain-resistant and waterproof. That means, spilling your beer or dropping salsa on the couch is no big deal.
Lock It, Don’t Lose It
This is probably something you never thought about, but now that your garage is home to a 75-inch TV, autographed sports memorabilia, and top-shelf liquor, you need to protect your prized possessions. Keep your man cave locked and secured with special garage door locks and a deadbolt if your garage has an outside access door. Additionally, research wiring your man cave into your home’s security system for added protection.
Conclusion
From poker nights to game days, man caves are playing a bigger role in entertaining these days. Many homeowners are converting the garage into a man cave because it’s really a blank canvas. At the same time, it’s just far enough removed from the rest of the house to offer plenty of privacy but still be within easy access to the kitchen and bathroom. If you follow the garage man cave makeover ideas outlined in this article and use a little imagination, then you can certainly create the ultimate retreat for you and your buddies.