If you’ve been daydreaming about what it would be like to relax in your garage with a bunch of people, serving them a drink from your wall tap, enjoying the big game, or hanging out without worrying about waking up your kids while they’re sleeping… then this project is probably the one for you.
Turning your garage into a bar is one of the most fun projects you can take on. It has tons of potential! You can literally make it look however you want, depending on if you want it to be more of a relaxing space or one for fun parties.
We promise, this will be enjoyable and not stressful! You don’t have to add on a whole other room and/or live inside a construction mess while the renovations are taking place. This will not only create memories afterward but while you’re doing the project, too.
Come along with us and follow the three-step process for building your dream bar. We’ll give you all the details to make this a successful project.
Shoot a game of pool and don’t worry about the noise! Image from Unsplash.
Step 1: Create Your Ideal “Blueprint”
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide on your end goal and what your budget is for getting there.
These decisions will influence the extent of your renovations. Depending on whether you want a simple or elaborate finish, your budget is going to play a big part.
A floor-to-ceiling makeover is going to take more time, energy, and money. If this is what you’re doing and if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the space, a new heating or air conditioning system is essential.
Cutting costs is something most people need to do, though. One of the easiest ways to save money is by simply adding a coat of paint to the walls. You’ll see a huge difference right away in the feel of the room.
If you’re a DIY-pro, taking on the majority of these tasks yourself will save you money, too. It takes patience and some elbow grease, but the reward is worth it.
Creating your budget from the get-go helps you be more prepared. Image from Unsplash.
IMPORTANT: If your renovation requires electric or plumbing work, DO NOT try to take this part on yourself. Leave it to the professionals who have permits and experience, so you aren’t stuck with accidents and repairs later.
Tips and Tricks
Think about the space you’ll have available, as well as how much money you can spend. This will give you an idea of the number of renovations you can do. Do some research to figure out your options.
Talk with others you know who have done a project like this. They might be able to give you their “lessons learned” so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes, and so you can do things the way that worked out for them.
Pinterest is a great source of inspiration! There are so many great man caves out there that you can piece together to get ideas for your unique space. Whether your vibe is a home theater or a game room, you’ll find something you love.
Step 2: Doing the Prep Work Actually Saves Time
Cleaning
We know, we know, you just want to jump right in and get going. But you definitely don’t want to put new, clean furniture or decorations on top of mildewy clothes or rusty paint cans, do you?
Pull everything out and get rid of whatever you no longer use. You’ll clear up some space for your new bar area and it will feel so much more open.
Now for the deep clean! If your garage is already finished, wipe down those shelves and clean out the refrigerator. You’ll be able to serve drinks and snacks without embarrassment! Once all the dust, mold, and spiderwebs are gone, you can work on the floor and walls.
Yikes, the floor has oil or paint stains on it? Sounds like a garage! It’s okay, you can use this article from Gilmour—a watering, gardening, and cleaning company—to learn how to properly clean the floor of your garage so you can use it as an entertaining space instead. No more eyesores or health hazards!
Insulation
Insulation is more important than people realize, whether or not your garage is finished. Insulation keeps you comfortable year-round and keeps air and moisture from getting into the garage through leaky windows, doors, or wall spaces.
Depending on if your space is attached or detached, your insulation needs will change. Have you heard of R-value? It means the level of thermal resistance—when you choose your materials, pay close attention to this label. The higher the R-value, the higher quality of the insulation.
There are many types to choose from: blown-in cellulose, rigid or spray foam, or traditional fiberglass. This website will give you more information about when you want to choose each type. Remember, insulation will keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and save you money no matter the month!
Garage Door
Picture this: reclining with your feet up, cold drink in hand, gazing out at the beauty of nature while your friends and family laugh happily by your side. Choose this all-glass California garage door (with a black aluminum frame) and that dream could be a reality.
Your garage door is actually a wall! This means that it needs insulation, so you’ll be thinking about that R-value again. Make sure that you choose one that keeps your garage comfortable and that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. You’ll also want to think about color, design, and style, since this will make up a quarter of the visual wall space.
Design and Windows
If your garage is visible from the street, your design choices will affect your curb appeal, and thus, the resale value of your home. But you don’t have to sacrifice style for thermal resistance or safety.
These days, homeowners and retail businesses alike are choosing all-glass doors for their garage projects. (You might have seen them at new restaurants with al-fresco dining!) If you need or want a lot of natural light, then this is a great choice. Tempered glass keeps things private when the door is shut, too.
If you live somewhere where it’s cold for a good portion of the year, then a garage door with more panels as opposed to windows might be a better fit. You can still have natural light, but you’ll have more insulation. A dehumidifier will help with the condensation, too.
If your garage is converted into an enjoyable bar or entertainment space, you’ll get much more use out of it! This Princeton P-13 Design with clear panoramic windows and Desert Sand paint color on the doors and overlays adds a warm, inviting touch.
Maintenance
You probably won’t be opening and closing your garage door as often now that it’s not car storage, but you’ll still need to keep up with maintenance. You should regularly check all components of the garage door system.
If your weatherstripping is damaged, it can leave gaps that allow for moisture, leaves, dirt, and vermin to get into your new bar space! No one wants that. If you notice this problem, get it fixed as soon as possible so problems don’t start.
Most local garage door companies offer maintenance services or check-ups. The professional technicians will make sure that your door and system are working properly so you don’t end up with expensive, costly repair projects down the road.
Lighting and Electricity
Lighting brings a room to life! It gives ambiance and creates whichever type of atmosphere you desire, whether you want a bright, airy daytime space or a darker, more nighttime bar-type feel.
If you don’t know the first thing about lighting, we’ve got you covered. This article from Juniper—a US-based design and manufacturing studio—gives a great rundown on the results of different types of lighting.
● Warm, indirect lighting creates a relaxing environment
● Bright, direct lighting creates better visibility
You’ll also want to make sure that you have available outlets on each and every wall. No matter what you end up using your space for, there are things you’ll need to plug in! You never want to be without an outlet for that electric blanket, extra gaming console, or phone charger.
IMPORTANT: If you live in a place where temperatures get extreme, you need to think about a heating and/or air conditioning system. This will reduce humidity levels and keep your garage-bar space much more comfortable.
Flooring
You’re doing all these fun renovations… who wants a boring, concrete floor? Paint or coverings with a beautiful, long-lasting finish will give that perfect touch to your new bar space. Here is a list of choices from Family Handyman.
● Paint, sealer, or stain for a concrete floor
● Epoxy
● Rollout mats
● Flexible or rigid tiles
Think about the pros and cons of each before deciding which you’ll put onto your DIY-bar floor.
Step 3: What You’ve Been Waiting For: Decorating!
This is everyone’s favorite part! You can get creative, pull out all the stops, and make the space your own. Use neon signs, LED lights, blacklight posters, or even a wall-mounted tap! This will make your space exactly how you want.
● Beverage bar
This doesn’t have to be an expensive, premade piece of furniture. You don’t even have to have someone else build it! This handy guide will teach you how to make your own custom bar. You probably have many of the tools and materials already and can easily acquire the others. The tips and tricks found in this guide will give you a piece to be proud of.
Once it’s built, you can add a mini-fridge or a liquor cupboard to store all your ingredients for any type of gathering.
● Flat-Screen Television or Projector
If your space is also going to be used for visual entertainment, you want to have space to mount an oversized tv or projector screen. You’ll also want the setup for a good sound system while limiting ambient light so that you don’t get a glare on that killer screen.
IMPORTANT: If your garage is attached to your home with a shared wall in a space that you like to have quiet, think about soundproofing your new garage area. You can replace the shared wall or add another layer of drywall.
Do you want to curl up and binge Netflix all day? Or marathon your favorite movie series? Furniture is important to staying comfortable! Make a choice that you’ll want to sit on for a long while that won’t give you back pain.
Again, Pinterest is the home for all your design inspiration: home cinema, bar, game room, you name it!
● Gaming
Do you like to shoot pool, play old-school arcade games, win a few bucks at poker, or play darts? Fill your new garage space with the activities you love—the memories will make themselves!
All these things can be purchased at your local retail chains, second-hand from friends or family, or on your neighborhood marketplace.
Add a New Garage Door for the Final Touch
If you want your new DIY garage to blend in well with the rest of your home, while staying practical, you’ll want a new garage door. Give your local specialists a call so they can help you figure out what you need based on their past experience.
There are myriad designs, hardware, and color choices available. This can be confusing, so here at North Country Door Systems, we pride ourselves on making the decision-making process easy for you! Our image gallery is divided into three styles:
● Traditional: never goes out of style
● Contemporary: clean, modern lines
● Carriage House: rustic, farmhouse charm
If this catches your eye, you’ll want the California all-glass garage door. This one is a 12’x7’size with clear glass and a black aluminum frame.
Receive a free quote so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Check out our Design Centre for inspiration on customizing your space. You can even see what the choices will look like on your exact garage or home. We offer free email quotes so you can determine how much you’ll have for the other aspects of your DIY bar.
Get help from those in the know: garage door experts.
If you need or want more information, give us a call at 518-562-8310!
Whatever you need help with—garage door sizes, insulation materials, maintenance requests, etc.— North Country Door Systems skilled technicians will be more than happy to guide you through your project.
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