What are you doing with your garage? Most people just use it for storage, and they are wasting a lot of space. How great would it be to create a bar in the garage, so you can your friends can get together for drinks, games, etc.?
Don’t just imagine how fantastic it would be. Take the time to make it a reality. It’s easier than you might think to change your garage into a space where you can have some fun, unwind with a drink, and so much more.
The project can be fun, and it’s easier to upgrade and change the garage than it is to add an addition to the house or to renovate a room that you use all the time. Some of the jobs can even be done on your own, helping you save some money.
The process is easier than you might think. Follow our basic guidance and start putting together the perfect bar.
Here is a beautiful pool table in a garage. Pool is just the start, though! Think of all you could do. Image from Unsplash.
Step 1 – You Have to Start with a Plan
Anything that’s going to come to fruition needs to start with a plan. You need to know what you want to do with the space, and you need to know your budget.
Your wants and desires, along with how much you can spend, will determine what you can do with the garage. Keep in mind that you can dream big, but it might take some time to get all of the funds needed to get it completed. Know your budget and stick to it.
If you are making smaller changes, naturally it will take less time and cost less. If you have bigger plans for the garage, it will take longer and cost more. When planning, think about how much time you will be spending in the garage. You might want to have AC or heating installed, as well. This will not be something you can do on your own in most cases. If you have a portable heater or window AC unit, you can likely do it on your own.
Something you can do yourself, and that can change up the look of the garage quickly, is to paint the walls. Depending on how much experience you have, and the tools at your disposal, you might find there are other DIY projects you can handle.
To make the change to your garage easier, make sure you have a plan and budget in place when you start. Don’t start on a whim. Image from Unsplash.
Not only should you leave complex heating and AC installation to the professionals, but you should also leave any electrical and plumbing work to the pros.
Keep These Tips in Mind
It’s important to consider how much space you have available to make changes to your garage. This is just as important as knowing your budget. You want to get a good idea of how large your project will be. Everyone is different when it comes to their preferences.
If you know anyone who may have changed their garage, you should ask them if they have any tips, advice, or resources that they could let you know about. Of course, you can also head online to look for more ideas. Pinterest is a great place to do. Check out this link that has 50 other existing man caves to get some ideas. You are sure to find some ideas that will work well for you.
Step 2 – Make Sure the Garage Is Prepared
Clean Out the Garage
The garage tends to be the type of place where all of the things you don’t need go to spend eternity. If you are like a lot of people, there are old boxes of clothes, sports equipment, tools, and probably more than a few things you’ve forgotten about stuffed in your garage.
You need to clean out your garage. The first thing you want to do is remove everything from the garage to start. This will make it easier to clean and get rid of all of the things you don’t need. This makes organization easier, and it will make cleaning the space simpler, as well. You will finally have the room you need for your bar.
After you have gotten rid of things you don’t need, you have to deep clean the garage. Remove the dust, clean the floors, and make it presentable. If you have oil, rust, or paint stains on the garage floor, check out this article from Gilmour to learn how to take care of it. Once the garage is clean, it becomes much easier to keep it that way and to move on with the rest of your project.
Add Insulation to the Garage
Insulation in the garage is a good idea, as it will help to keep the temperatures comfortable. You don’t want to be too hot or too cold in your garage, especially if you are hanging out there with your friends. Good insulation will make all the difference in the world.
Depending on whether your garage is attached or detached, the amount of insulation will be different. Pay close attention to the R-value measures thermal resistance. The higher the value the greater the resistance. You can choose from a range of insulation types including rigid or sprayed foam, blown-in cellulose, fiberglass, etc. Check out this website, so you can get more information on the options available.
Here is a nice garage space with a view of the yard. Wouldn’t it be nice to relax here with a drink? This California all-glass garage door design with a Black aluminum frame could be a good fit for you.
The garage door is important to the overall space. It has its own R-value for added insulation, and it adds to the aesthetic style of the space. When you are choosing the door, consider the style, the windows, the color, etc. to be sure it’s the right one for you.
The Windows and the Design
Getting a new door can make your home look better, boosting your curb appeal. You might want to choose a traditional style door, or maybe you like the way that all-glass doors look. Ultimately, it’s up to you. If you do have a glass door, you might want to choose tempered glass. It provides privacy, but you will still get natural light.
Of course, for those who live in areas where it gets cold, having fewer windows and more panels might be a better idea. Having even a few windows can let in some light, but the panels ensure a greater level of insulation.
This Princeton P-13 Design in Desert Sand Color has clear panoramic windows along the top panel can be a good option for those who will be spending a lot of time in the garage. The large windows allow for a lot of natural light.
Maintaining the Door
No matter how little or often you open and close the garage door, you need to be sure it’s maintained properly. Check to be sure it’s in proper working condition, and have professionals come and provide annual maintenance.
If you have weatherstripping that’s been damaged, there could be gaps that let in water, debris, and potentially rodents and bugs into the garage. That’s the last thing you need. Make sure you get it fixed if you have weatherstripping issues.
Choose a company in your area that provides maintenance services.
What Type of Lighting Do You Need?
Lighting is important for creating the right look and ambiance in your garage. If you are using it for a hobby that needs a lot of light, make sure it’s available. If you want a darker and more intimate space for your bar, make sure you get the right type of lighting. Ideally, you will have options to change the level of light in the garage based on what you are doing at the time.
If you need some more information on lighting, be sure to explore this article from Juniper. Typically, you will want warmer, indirect light for a home theater, bar, or other space where you relax. Brighter light provides you with better visibility when it is needed.
Additionally, you need to be sure you have outlets on all of the walls. Having more than you think you might need is a good idea, so you never run out of outlets.
Getting the Right Garage Floor
You could keep your concrete floor for the bar if you choose. However, there are a lot of options you can choose to make it a bit different. Here’s a list of different alternatives from Family Handyman.
● Concrete floor paint
● Stain
● Sealer
● Epoxy
● Rollout mats
● Rigid or flexible tiles
Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you can see which one will be best for your needs.
Step 3 – Getting the Décor Right in Your Garage Bar
This is what most people get excited about when it comes to turning their garage into a bar. You have a lot of options to create your dream bar.
The Bar
Of course, this is likely to be the center point of the garage. You have a few options. You can make a bar on your own if you have the skills and tools. Check out this guide for some help on building your bar. Of course, you can also opt to buy a customized bar that’s built for you, or a prefab bar if you want something a bit easier.
In addition to the bar, you will want to have a mini-fridge, liquor cabinets, perhaps a coffee machine, etc. You might even want to have a soft drink dispenser. You have a lot of options.
A Television
Many people will want to have a TV set up with their bar. It should be a nice, large flatscreen, and you may want to have surround sound. This will be great for watching sports, or anything else that you might like.
Explore different ideas of home cinemas on Pinterest according to your preferences!
Games
You should also consider some games that you can add to the bar. The types of games will vary based on what you like of course. You could choose dartboards, pool tables, videogame consoles, arcade games, board games, etc. Think about what you and your friends might enjoy.
Accessories
What else might you want to add to the garage? You could add some fun signs, neon, a jukebox, seating, lighting, etc. Everyone will have their own idea of what they need to “complete” the bar and make it their own. You might even want to name your bar and have the name done up in neon or carved into wood.
Here’s something to keep in mind. If the garage is close to another room in the house, you may want to soundproof the garage. This will keep any sounds from the garage from disturbing others in the house.
Get a New Garage Door
If you have an older garage door that should be replaced to better match your space, you’ll want to get something new. It’s time that you talked to the professionals in your area about getting the perfect garage door.
Of course, with all of the options when it comes to design, color, and hardware, it can be hard to know what to choose. When you work with Georgian Door & Gate, we make things easier on you. We can help you with the decision process thanks to our image gallery, which is separated into 3 main styles:
● Traditional has designs that are simple and classic; you can’t go wrong here.
● Contemporary options are perfect for those who want something a bit more modern.
● Carriage House designs work well for those who want a rustic appearance.
Here is a California full-view garage door, 12' x 7', Black aluminum frame, Clear glass. It’s a nice look.
Get a free quote from us today.
Spend some time with the Design Centre, where it’s easy to see what a garage door will look like on your house. It’s easy to customize the door. We will give you a free email quotation. This will give you a better idea of how your budget stacks up.
Talk with us for some more help! Please contact Georgian Door & Gate at 705-733-1211.
We’re ready to help you with your new garage door or opener.
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