A garage can be the perfect addition to any property, but most of the time it is not used to its full potential. Garages usually tend to be used as store rooms for all the clutter from the home that you don’t need anymore but can’t bring yourself to bin. Home to all your garden accessories and seldom-used tools from a lawnmower to a ratchet set, it’s often the quietest, yet most cluttered part of your property. However, with a little inspiration, a lick of paint, a new garage door and some much needed love, it can also be the ideal place to turn into something out of the ordinary. A secret escape, a well-decorated luxury space to call your own, a man cave, office, games room, bar or even an additional guest room – the potential is almost unlimited if you’re prepared to do a little work!
A Study Area
It’s often hard to get away and relax within the confines of the home, but if you turn your garage into a reading room or study, you’ll certainly have the perfect place to curl up and relax in. One tip, however – don’t make it too dark – as garages tend to be fairly badly lit! Paint the walls with bright pastel colours and let in the light wherever possible. If you decorate using natural tones you’ll get a light and airy feel that makes for both a relaxing yet inspiring space. If you’re using the space for both relaxation and study, then make the mood adjustable with dimmer lighting to create the perfect atmosphere for any use. No longer will you squint at your sunday paper wondering exactly what the cricket score was, you will be able to see exactly what you are reading.
The Man Cave
Everyone needs their personal space free from the chaos of everyday life and the man cave is the ideal place for many men to invite their friends without encroaching on the rest of the family. Fill your garage with the things that make you happiest, whether that’s satellite TV, a games console, a mini fridge full of refreshments or a dartboard. When it comes to décor, go simple, but effective. Decorate your man space with your favourite sports team’s colours, or jazz up an old sofa with a throw. Accessorise with fun but simple games such as table football or a foldaway pool table and you’ll have everything you need to ensure you’ll never want to leave.
The Ultimate Office
For those that work from home, finding the space to accommodate all you need can be a struggle, so converting the garage into an office space may be the ideal solution. Give your garage a fresh lick of paint with warm tones and natural colours. Accessorise your space with the essentials – a computer, filing cabinet and comfy swivel chair – but don’t forget to add your personal touch, especially if you are going to spend a lot of time in there. Scatter around family photos, flowers and other personal items to brighten up the room and make work seem just that little bit easier.
Keeping Your Space Perfectly Safe
One of the reasons many people choose to keep their garages as they are (and lose out on creating a space that could really add to the home) is that the garage often seems the least secure part of the house. However, there are plenty of options out there to customise your garage in terms of security too. Whether you have an integral garage or separate building, window locks are the most obvious choice, but you can also add a customised garage door, complete with rock solid security features to ensure your most treasured possessions are perfectly safe.
Don’t leave your garage as the worst kept room in your home! Instead, use the space to it’s full potential and turn it into a room that complements the rest of your home.