Do you have a garage that you’re not using to house your vehicles?  Maybe you have a separate out-building where you keep your cars, or perhaps you simply would prefer to use your garage space as living space.  One popular way to use a garage is to convert it into a media room, game room or man cave.  Garages typically have high ceilings, a large square footage and a symmetrical square or rectangular shape, which lends well to using the area as a multipurpose room.  A garage can be used as living space for many months of the year, depending on how the climate is in your area, even without expensive and time-consuming construction of the outside walls.  Here are 3 ideas for creating what you want out of your garage:

• FlooringGarages, by their very natures, tend to be more humid than the rest of the house.  Particularly if you are planning on keeping the same type of your door on your garage and using the space with the door open some of the time, you will want something that won’t be damaged by moisture.  Most garages come with cement floors, which can stand up to moisture and the elements, but which tend to lack aesthetic appeal.  They also can become stained fairly easily.  Hardwood and carpet are not usually feasible due to the moisture that a garage might experience.  Epoxy garage flooring is a popular option; choose between epoxy tiles or coatings.  This material is glossy like a car dealership’s showroom floor, and it’s stain-resistant and skid-resistant.  One consideration will be whether you will want to someday convert your garage back into a garage; laminate and vinyl flooring wouldn’t stand up to the challenges of hot tires and dripping fluids, but epoxy and cement would be.

• Storage AreasMedia rooms and man caves can still function as storage areas along the walls.  Put in dedicated stand-alone storage units to keep tools and other items stored in the garage out of sight.  You could also hang wall racks or put up shelving to keep everything within easy reach if you don’t mind seeing it all out in the open.  If your garage’s ceilings are high, consider overhead storage as well; this will keep items stored safely out of the way, and won’t get into your line of sight most of the time.

• FurnitureWhen choosing furniture for your garage-turned-living-area, consider the elements of your garage. You must keep humidity in mind if you aren’t putting the garage under air conditioning.  Also, temperature extremes are possible, depending on how well-insulated your garage is.  It might be wise to avoid wooden furniture as well as materials that may crack.  Many homeowners choose to keep refrigerators and freezers in their garages.  This might be a great way to keep everyone in the garage happy without them having to trek in and out of the kitchen.