Your garage man cave is a gathering place to unwind in a comfortable environment. It would only make sense that a great location for this is your garage, but how do you transform a garage into a man cave?
Here are 6 steps for designing the ultimate garage man cave:
- Revamp Your Garage Floor
- Install The Right Lighting
- Bring in Comfortable and Functional Furniture
- Add Some Character
- Don’t Forget About Texture
- Keep Your Garage Organized
Learn the ins and outs of designing your very own garage man cave below!
Revamp Your Garage Flooring
If there's one thing for certain, it's that the most important element of your garage man cave makeover is the flooring. It often becomes the overall focal point of any design project. With so many eye-catching options available, it’s no wonder. Seasoned home advice site Bob Vila lists a number of common flooring choices to consider.
Interlocking tiles (also known as Swisstrax) are a popular choice. Simply snap them in place and cover up any existing imperfections. One of the top reasons Swisstrax is so popular is the lack of maintenance it requires.
Perhaps you enjoy the natural look of concrete for your garage floor. One option is to apply a concrete stain to it. Translucent in appearance, a concrete stain will give your concrete garage floor the look of natural stone. After a couple of coats of stain and clear sealer, your floor will look marble-like and glossy.
If you prefer, you could always paint your garage floor. Maybe you recently completed a project and have a gallon of paint leftover. The only drawback is that you will need to reapply a coat or two every few years.
Install The Right Lighting
Many times, garages are places that are dark and dreary since there are no windows. Even though you don’t likely want your man cave to be overly bright, it does need to have several lighting options. Remember, it's first and foremost a garage so you need to see what you're doing which is where overhead lights come in.
Consider hanging a couple of pendant lights around as well. They're the perfect complement for placing over a poker table or a pool table. Maybe you decided to build a bar within your man cave, in which case task lighting can be incorporated as well.
Bring In Comfortable and Functional Furniture
When it comes to man cave furniture, comfort is the number one priority. For instance, picture an overstuffed leather sofa alongside a mini-fridge. Ottomans are great to have for sitting and double as a table. Of course, you'll also want to have a nice big TV hanging in your garage man cave. If you decided to put in a bar, don’t forget the barstools! Make sure that your guests have a place to set their drinks so that liquids don’t get spilled all over your new floor.
Add in Some Character
When it comes to decorating your man cave, let your personality really shine through. This is the space where you truly get to be yourself. Display your sports memorabilia, any personal accomplishments, and items that make you feel happy and relaxed.
Paint the walls a color that really sets off the space. Since color is a very personal choice, stick with one that resonates with you. In regards to decorative accents, pick out a few character pieces that add significant visual interest to the space.
Don’t Forget About Texture
When creating a man cave in your garage, one element you should never forget to display is texture. Try to include it wherever you can. One perfect way to insert texture is to install Slatwall racks. Not only are they aesthetically appealing, but they are also highly functional. You'll be able to hang an endless number of tools and accessories and adjust them whenever the need arises.
Keep Your Garage Organized
Keep in mind that no matter how great your man cave is, it still exists within a functioning garage, meaning everything you have stored there needs to be kept in order. Having cabinets and a workbench is certainly useful for organizational purposes. Investing in a tool chest may make sense if you have a large collection and wish to create a mini-workshop.
Attach hooks to your walls to hold large items such as rakes and shovels. Attachable baskets and bins are perfect for mounting to Slatwall racks. Fill them with whatever else in your garage needs a home. To learn tricks and tips about keeping this area of your home shipshape, check out this article by Connecticut Closets & Garages - How to Organize A Messy Garage.
Final Thoughts
Transforming your space doesn’t have to break the bank. It just takes a bit of organization and creativity. Put in the right floor, light it up a bit, make it comfortable and before you know it, your garage man cave will be the ultimate at-home retreat!
