Transform Your Garage into Home Theater

Watching television and looking through magazines can make you very envious of those who have a home theater, especially if you are a movie fanatic yourself or love listening to music.  Can't afford to add a room on to your home?  If your garage is used mostly as a storage space or is just cluttered and you don't use it for your car, it's a great place to consider for your own home theater! 

Not only can you finally get some use out of that cluttered garage, you can even make some extra money by having a garage or carport sale to get rid of the things you no longer want or need.  The extra money you make would be a great investment in your new theater.

It's a good idea to check with your local building authority to make sure that you can transform your garage into an interior room.  Most cities allow this, but check just to be on the safe side.

The best thing you can do is remove it and wall in the door area as a part of your home theater. By walling in the area instead of opting for an interior build-out, the room will be better insulated from cold air and drafts.  Your home theater will be comfy and cozy, perfect for those evenings when all you want to do is lounge around and watch television. 

Once you have the garage emptied out it's time to start considering the plumbing and electrical systems.  You want to determine where your pipes, circuit boxes and other important building components will be so that you don't make the mistake of placing your big screen television or other electronics directly in front of the control panel that may need to be easily accessed. 

Additionally, you will want to add outlets to accommodate all of the equipment that will be plugged in, and upgrade any electric or plumbing to code.

Next you will want to inspect your walls so that you can replace any deteriorating or rotten drywall.  If the insulation in your garage is inadequate, this would be the perfect time to upgrade so that the room stays warm and comfortable.  Also consider sound absorbing insulation so that no matter how loud you play the television or stereo, you won't bother other members of the family - or the neighbors. 

Once you have inspected the walls and installed the proper insulation, it's time to paint!  For this part of the project you can choose any color you like, whether dark and rich, neutral or bright.  You may opt for lighting that can be adjusted from dim to bright with a single knob. 

Consult with a flooring expert to determine what type of flooring would be best for your needs.  Concrete is very hard on the feet, and holds the cold temperatures as well. Garage floors are usually sloped, and must be leveled. It may be that your floor needs a special insulating board beneath the carpet or tile you choose, so that it holds in the heat better and keeps the room (and your feet) more comfortable.

Now you get to the most fun part of all - decorating your new home theater!  You may opt for theater seating, or simply use a couple of sofas and recliners on which you and your guests can enjoy the show.  

You may want to consider setting up a mini-kitchen in one corner of the room where you can keep a mini-fridge and microwave, so that when you're ready to enjoy the show you will have soft drinks, popcorn and other snacks readily available. 

Your home theater is a room you will definitely enjoy and spend hours of time in, so decorate it to your hearts content.  Never in your wildest dreams would you have thought that a junked up garage could be transformed into a room that is enjoyed immensely by the entire family!