Latest Garage Makeover Ideas

Your garage is more than a place where you store your car and hide the holiday decor. It is a vast open expanse where you can do everything from enjoying your favorite hobbies to entertain guests. Whether you are on a budget or have oodles to spend, there is no shortage of possibilities for transforming your garage into your favorite room in the home.

Build a Bedroom

Build a Bedroom
Build a Bedroom
You should be able to have a budget on the type of opening mechanism you are planning to install in your garage. You should also consider the cost of purchase and the cost of maintenance you will incur on that particular system.

However, keep in mind that buying a cheap system might be expensive since these systems require more maintenance, which makes them less reliable.

Work Off the Weight

Work Off the Weight
Work off the Weight
If you are like a lot of folks these days, you have probably noticed you are snacking a lot more than usual. More snacks = more weight, and there is no better way to work off the weight than by going to the gym. Unfortunately, most gyms are still closed because of COVID-19, which means if you want to work out, your garage is your best bet.

For the cost of an annual membership to a gym, you can create your own in the garage. A basic gym can be set up by coating the floor in a layer of epoxy and a non-slip coating. Add in a weight bench with weights and barbells and a treadmill, and you are off to a good start. You can add as you go and include everything from an elliptical to punching bags as you desire. Cover the walls in posters and decor that motivate you, and you will never pay for a gym membership ever again.

To the Man Cave!

Man Cave
Man Cave

If you have always wanted a pool table, home theater, arcade games, bar, etc., look no further than your garage. There is plenty of room for you to create a comfortable space for you, your family, and your close friends to relax at the end of the day. When transforming your garage into a man cave, it is important to consider how much space you have and which features you want to include. You may have to prioritize the pool table over the bar, etc. Be careful not to cram so much into the space that you won’t have room to enjoy spending time in the room.



To transform your garage into a comfortable man cave, you will want to insulate and finish the walls. Crucially, you will want to choose a durable flooring material. Most people choose a high-traffic carpet, tile, or wood as these stand up well to the test of time. You will also want to add custom shelves, lighting, and decorations to match the theme and ambiance you want to create.

Build a Better Workshop

Better Workshop
Better Workshop
Garages are perfect spaces to transform your love of working with wood into a full-time hobby and potential source of income. This is one of the most effortless transformations as all you have to do to get started is to give the garage a thorough cleaning. Hosting a garage sale is a great way to get rid of clutter and generate cash to get you started. What doesn’t sell can be donated, and then you will be left with a blank canvas to build your custom woodworking shop.

It is a good idea to finish the walls and paint them a bright color. You will also want to add task, accent, and ambient lighting. The combination of painted walls and layered lighting will make it much easier to see what you are doing as you let your creative juices run wild. You will also want to add in custom-built counters, pegboards, and cabinets to help keep your tools organized and give you the space you need to create everything from tables to cabinets. Finally, choose a selection of table saws, band saws, drill presses, etc. designed to craft the finished products you want to build. This may mean you will also need to add in a few electrical sockets, and depending on which tools, you may want to make sure specific machines are on their own circuit breaker.

Get Crafty

Get Crafty
Get Crafty

Maybe you aren’t into woodworking, but you are into other types of crafting. If you are tired of having everything from scissors and paper to yarn and wire laying around the house, now is an excellent time to take a look at transforming your garage. Like garage to bedroom transformations, you will want to fully finish the room so that you can use it year-round. The more time and effort you invest in the transformation, the more comfortable the room will become.

You should choose a paint color that is vibrant and lively. This will help create a peaceful, creative ambiance. As with a woodworking shop, you will also want to include a combination of task, accent, and ambient lighting. This will help you see what you are doing and help you relax as you spend hours and hours assembling ship models, putting scrapbooks together, or knitting Christmas stockings for everyone in the family.

When you are designing the room, build it around the crafts you want to create. Install custom cabinets, drawers, tables, etc. large enough for your crafting supplies and the projects you want to create. Oh, and don’t forget to make sure you have electrical sockets positioned throughout the room. This will help prevent you from having to run power cords around the room as your hobbies evolve and the need for laminators, sewing machines, etc. changes.

Build Your Own Bar

Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name; other times, you want to go somewhere where the bar bill never comes as a surprise. The best way to get the best of both worlds is to create your own bar at home. Garages are ideally suited for this purpose. You can finish the room out to meet your specific design tastes and include a bar counter, taps, and all the decor you need to become the toast of the neighborhood.

Transforming your garage into a bar gives you space to include a bar counter, pool table, television for your favorite games, and much more. You can install speakers, custom lighting, and everything from kegerators to your own home brewing station where you can experiment and develop custom brews for friends and family to enjoy.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Home theaters are increasing in popularity. They are perfect whether you are tired of paying for overpriced popcorn and snacks or simply aren’t sure when the theaters are going to open back up. Moreover, as more and more studios realize that direct release to consumers is just as profitable as theater release, you can bet that there will be plenty of new movies you will be able to watch from home. This makes it a good investment for movie fans everywhere. 

Creating a home theater is one of the pricier garage remodel ideas. On the low end, you can start with a basic set-up for between $1,000 to $2,000. On the high end, you can easily end up spending between $50,000 to $100,000. At a minimum, you will want to insulate and soundproof the walls, install durable flooring, add some comfortable seating, and of course, choose your screen and speakers.

When it comes to home theater design, the features you can include, and the creativity you can incorporate are limited only by your budget. But, you want to be careful about getting too creative. The more customized the decor in your home theater, the harder it will be to find a buyer down the road who appreciates Star Wars, The Godfather, Ghostbusters, etc. as much as you do. Likewise, you will want to install your speakers, projectors, screens, etc. so that they can be switched out and upgraded as technology evolves. This is crucial because you will want to incorporate everything from motion emulators, scent generators, speakers, lights, etc. as they become available and affordable to the general public.

Get Ready to Relax

Everyone needs a little rest and relaxation, and one of the best ways to get a break is to create a break room right at home. Transforming your garage into your personal spa is a beautiful way to find your balance and reset after a long week. Converting your garage into a home spa is a big project, but it’s well worth the time and effort invested.

First things first, you’ll need to decide what you want to include. Do you want a hot tub? Sauna? Small Pool? If you do, you will need to have the room plumbed for these features. You may also need to upgrade your hot water tank to deliver the hot water these features require. You will also need to upgrade your electrical wiring to provide the juice each requires. Finally, be sure to choose the right insulation for the walls and ceilings. You will want to choose a moisture-resistant material, and then make sure that your drywall, paint, etc. are also able to resist the moisture from splishing, splashing, and steaming.

Finally, make sure to illuminate the space. For the best results, you will want to incorporate a combination of soft light fixtures and natural light. If you can, add skylights as these will create a warm glow within the room. You can also incorporate everything from beach chairs and chaise lounges to yoga or tatami mats to help you stretch out and relax.

Make Room to Make Money

Got a side hustle? Maybe you have a blossoming eBay storefront or are ready to start producing widgets for whatever purpose? Some of the most profitable businesses in American history have started in the garage. It’s the perfect place to store inventory, package and ship products, and even manage the books for your blooming business.

When transforming your garage into a business venture, make sure your home is properly zoned for your intended purpose. This is crucial because the last thing you want is lawyers sending you cease and desist letters. Once you are set, clear out the garage and install the workspaces, shelves, tables, etc. you need do to the job. The more organization you incorporate, the better. Think carefully about how best to facilitate your work and keep everything flowing smoothly from the point of order to the point your products ship out the front door.

The Home Office is Fashionable Again

Well, the home office never really went out of fashion. But, it did become a luxury that was less important than extra bedrooms and storage space. With COVID-19 closing offices and businesses down across the country, home offices are prime real estate that is experiencing a resurgence not seen since the 1950s. Moreover, as many companies realize that working from home doesn’t negatively affect their workforce and positively impacts the bottom line, you can bet that home offices are here to stay.

The process of converting your garage into a home office is almost identical to transforming it into a bedroom. However, you will want to pay particular attention to the inclusion of Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, shelving, and spaces for any necessary office equipment (i.e., printers, copiers, drafting tables, computers, etc.) You will also want to dedicate a breaker or two for the office in order to guard against any electrical disruptions. Finally, choose your paint, accent, and task lights carefully. You want to create a comfortable ambiance that helps you focus and stay relaxed as you get your work done. If you have young children or live on a busy street, it’s good to invest in soundproofing.

Before Getting Started

There are plenty of things to consider before you can transform your garage into the space you desire—the more time you spend preparing and planning, the better the finished result. As a general rule, the following are some things you will want to consider with each of the suggestions we have made. 

1. Budget. Always set a budget before breaking ground. As a general rule, you don’t want to spend more than you are comfortable spending or more than you can reasonably recover when you decide to sell your home down the road.
2. Building Codes. Most projects won’t require approval from the building inspector. However, anytime you are making structural alterations, adding wiring/plumbing, etc. you will want to secure the proper permits and have the work performed by a trained professional. Always verify what permits you will need before you start the project and make sure that your plans won’t run afoul of any HOA rules and regulations.
3. Timeline. Some projects can be finished in a few days; others can take a few weeks (or months) to complete. Establishing a timeframe can help you create a schedule that can keep you on track towards your completion date.
4. Long-Term Utility. Is this really the room transformation you want? Always consider how much utility the change will bring to your life. Choose an option that will give you and your family the most enjoyment. Remember, some options can be converted later on as your needs change. For example, home offices can be converted to bedrooms or craft rooms when you retire.
5. Choose Contractors Carefully. Cheap and fast aren’t always best. Choose your contractor based on their abilities and experience with the transformation you want to achieve. Always verify references and make sure they carry sufficient workers’ compensation insurance and other coverages so that you’re not left footing the bill if an accident or property damage occurs.