There are simple, easy ways to convert your garage into a man cave. The only riposte is that it should be empty and space can be used for the purpose. The first step to convert any space is to plan and decide on the look you are intending for which would match your budget. Don’t worry we are here to help you to manage it on the cheap.
To remodel a garage into a man cave, its design aesthetics need to be changed. The floor and the walls are the first to be repurposed. This is followed by heat and electricity utility connections. The lighting requires proper attention but can wait as the man cave is ready to be used according to one’s wishes.
The purpose to build the man cave in your garage should be clear. Once the interior is decided then the concept is sealed. So, moving on, the plan is divided into simple easy steps. In this article, we will discuss these steps to not just help you identify what budget you are on, but also help you out in having the right mix of creativity and planning. We will also suggest different options that you can profit from as you redesign your garage into “the man cave” of your dreams. So, without further adieu, let’s begin.
Step 1: Change the flooring
If you were thinking of leaving the garage floor as is, then there is a big NO! The flooring enhances the feel of the place and helps in showing off its spaciousness. Plus, no one likes messy oiled stained floors or marks of fallen tools. The first option that comes to mind is to get a comfortable plush carpet, as the texture itself invites comfort. However, your options do not end with a carpet, and thanks to manufacturing techniques, there has been so much progress in bringing you floors of your choice at a very reasonable price.
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
If you are working with cemented, uneven, cracked subfloor, which we usually expect in our garages, then this is your go-to product. These sheet vinyl floorings come in hundreds of different designs and many shades, both stone, and wood. They are durable and water-resistant. So, if you spill, get a mop and clean it. Yes! It is easy to do.
The only issue is that sheet tends to discolor by overexposure to the sun. Moreover, if you somehow tear it or burn it, as it is rubber and plastic, then it gets difficult to fix it. But then again, it is your best and cheapest option against that chipped, cracked, uneven floor of your garage. But then also if you maintain your place, then you have a good fifteen to twenty years of relationship with this sheet.
We recommend going with Achim Home Furnishings’ 12-Inch Vinyl Tiles. These wood medium tiles come in 12 x 12 inches square sheets and can be self-installed, as all you need to do is peel and stick. You should begin by clean drying the subfloor, and by the time you are done, you will have a stunning floor. Its wrinkled texture finish gives the sense of wood under your feet skin and manages the bumps on the floor. There is also a Dark Slate Marble offering that can catch your fancy. With this style, you can have that cave aesthetic that you wanted. Now, these floors are cheap, easily installed, and go a long way but gives the feel of a laminated floor, though. A 10×10 square foot room will require five boxes of the product, to be exact.
Luxury Vinyl Planks And Tiles
You don’t need to shop at the bottom of the bargain pile. There are options available for you with a small increase. As the name suggests, these luxury vinyl sheets come in the form of planks and times. So instead of spendy hefty prices for the real thing, you can go for these on budget alternatives. They can easily be installed by peeling from the back and sticking on the floor. What a marvel of technology.
These planks come in a variety of colors and are ideal for converting any floor into an experience. They can be bought in sets of 60 planks per box of 90 square feet. The plank sizes measure 6”x 36” and have a thickness of 1.2mm, and should be enough to cover all floor imperfections. Moreover, they are soft to touch and work great against humidity and moisture.
As it is an artificial product, it is not an eco-friendly choice and can be scratched or gouged by sharp objects. Too much sun exposure causes discoloration, so advised indoors. In addition, it is advised to use a commercial scale adhesive when applying any kind of peel and stick product. The commercial-scale adhesives extend the life and finish of the product at hand.
Laminated Flooring
If you are seeking a budget option that is low maintenance and can easily be cleaned, laminated flooring are your best bet. They have a variety of options to choose from, ranging from hardwood, cement, and stone flooring. They do not fade when exposed to the sun and provide resistance against mold and mildew.
While the laminated floorings will keep their colors, it will wear out faster than the other options we have shared here. It can be a problem and an issue to contend with. You will be back on the drawing board in five years’ time, putting you through the same exercise again. It also means you can redo the man cave in your image with a better idea of what you want.
Step 2: Finish the wall
A garage is usually ignored. You do not care about its interior as it is a means to an end. That will not be the case for long. It is time to upgrade, and its interiors will need some attention. No longer will it be a placeholder for parking your car and dumping a few extra storage boxes to clutter the place for no reason. We have talked about the flooring, and it is time to discuss the walls now.
The walls cannot be left dry and unfinished for long. They are what keep the aesthetics alive and make it lively. Along with the floor, the walls need equal attention. Painting the walls is an option, but as we are staying on budget, we will consider options that will last you at least five years, all the while being light on your wallet. Wallpapers were invented for this sole purpose, and they come in so many designs that your creativity will be blown away.
Peel and Stick Wallpapers
These wallpapers can brighten up any room, with all these elaborate designs that come with logos, patterns, textures, borders, and a wide variety of colors to pick and choose from. This made in USA wallpaper is washable, strippable, and even repositionable. From this, you can measure its durability, superior strength, and properties, which makes this wallpaper thicker and leave no sticky residue left behind upon removal.
This not only makes it a perfect choice for homeowners and renters equally. The natural fibers that make up this wallpaper blend in with any subsurface. In addition, with a length of 21 inches, a width of 3.13 inches, a thickness of 3mm, and a total weight of 1.6 pounds, it is waiting to be picked!!
Roll Wall Paper
Hopefully, you are picking wallpaper over paint as the smell, and the work it requires to fix the wall with all those imperfections would take time and cost you money. This new product comes in a roll of 11 yards length and width of 20.8 inches. It can easily cover a 57 square foot long area. However, it is always recommended to measure the area before ordering so as to order the correct amount in order to avoid a slight color difference.
The 3D design range takes you to a whole new level—a wide variety to pick and choose from. Choosing bright and subtle colors makes the place spacious and blends with most of the decor. After all, after fixing the floor and wall, it’s a furnishing that needs your primary attention.
Step 3: Get New Lighting
You’ve come along way to convert this garage into a man cave. Hopefully, you would have one or two bulbs hanging in that space already. Don’t just stop here. Adding lights will not only visually enhance the feel of the space but also make it look more like a room that is part of the home. This man cave is your number one go-to corner when you want to unwind. The lights always add spice to the overall aura of the space. So let’s make every light count!!!
Bulbs Room Bar Decoration
This sturdy retro vintage design can blend in with any theme you are going with. It has a metal frame in the shape of a water pipe. The bronze metal and the 5 x E26 bulbs that are held in hanging drop pendant lamp holders bring with it a rustic look. These bronze metal lights come in the size of 65 * 7.5 cm / 25.6 * 3 in (L * W). The best thing about these lights is not just their appeal but also the fact that on receiving your package, you will not only have a lamp base, a bracket but also a set of components to fix the product manually. The bulbs are not included, and you will have to buy them. Use any regular E26 bulbs, and it should be enough to light up every nook and cranny.
Industrial Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Another oil rubbed bronze finished product that should naturally blend in perfectly. The style of the light is inspired by simple geometric forms holding two bulbs placed adjacent to each other. Again, the bulbs are not included in the packaging for similar reasons mentioned earlier. Even so, the light bulbs are supported with fully dimmable dimmer switches. So, you can play with the intensity of light according to your mood and company. The vintage design is carefully patterned in a trapezoidal prism, which allows the light to shine through freely. Its hardwire connections make it easy to install by anyone at work.
Led Strip Lights
Now, these strips get handy in highlighting any area in mind. These flexible LED light strips are remotely operated and come in colors of red, green, and blue. With a total of 180 lights under your control, it could charm up any corner of your choice. These strips come with a length of 7 feet and can stick to any surface as it works on the easy principle of peel and stick. Moreover, the strips can be cut into any length, as mentioned on the directions. Easy installation, can be plugged into a USB port directly and can also use a power bank for working.
Voila, and it’s done! These sneaky lights can be arranged into shapes or writing styles to spice up the overall look of the space. With a power source of 5V, you would not mind leaving them switched on all the time but do not do it. These LED strips have the ability to convert any atmosphere into a soothing experience and a life of 40,000 hours; they will last you for a long time.
Step 4: Add Custom Shelves
We are all set with the ambiance of the space; let’s move further. The next step is adding in custom shelves that will hold your needs and add life to the man cave. These shelves are not just built for their looks but increase the storage of your man cave as well. These shelves can be used to hold items ranging from souvenirs to holding the TV, movies, Beer keg, or whatever else you want in there.
Finding the type of shelve that adds value to your man cave accessories is the real objective we are focusing on here. You can go wild in picking the varieties that are available out there in the market. Some are mentioned below. This man cave is your canvas; spread your creativity and build something for yourself here.
Shot Glass Hinged Display Case
These display cases measure 18 inches x 16.5 inches x 3 inches. They come in black and a variety of other color options for you to pick from. Consider the blending of the shelves with the rest of the interior. Picking out neutral or solid colors always end you up to be on the safer side. However, if you know what you are doing, then there are other bold colors that you can pick and choose from. The front door features shatter-resistant plexiglass. Safe and strong choice if you want to hold some pricy stuff to show off. Its durable solid wood frame has a sleek finish and can hold up to 28 shot glasses, with each opening 3.5 inches tall. This cabinet is supposed to be mounted on the wall on hinges.
Floating U Shelves
These floating U shaped shelves have taken the internet with a complete aww moment. They blend in with almost all sorts of settings. Can hold objects for a display to objects of regular use. They come in sets of three with three different sizes. Large-16.85 x 4 x 4. Medium-12.87 x 4 x 3.5. Small-9 x 4 x 2.83 inches. You can arrange them however you like. Decorative and functional for your space. These shelves come in a variety of color choices, go bold, go daring, go fearless with them as they assure you a good look for your home, office, room, or man cave. These shelves are such an example of being multi-purpose that they can easily be utilized as gifts. Trust me, anyone who receives it will not repack it and forward it.
Step 5: Bring in the Furniture and the Accessories
Crossing out the list, we have reached the end. The last and challenging part of the conversion for the man cave is the furniture and the accessories. You got the place fixed; the site is screaming ready. What are we waiting for now? Express yourself in the man cave. Lift away anything present there that reminds you of the garage it was before. Bring in that gaming table, the music system, those electronics, those couches that you will spend so many aimless nights or days of unwinding. Put on those vintage signs that will remind you of your goals up ahead. Things that will help you relax. Lighten those wood smelling scented candles. Open those beer bottles. Arrange those shots that are ready to be shared by the company you are expecting. It’s time to show off and brags about the space you successfully converted into and, most importantly, did it by being within the budget.