Give dad a space in the garage for his special day

Continuing with great home improvement gift ideas for Father’s Day, which is coming up in just a couple of weeks, and taking the time to renovate the garage is a thoughtful way to show dad you care by providing him an organized space for his own activities. Whether or not dad is the tinkering type, the garage is an ideal place to get away from it all for a few hours, and having a space that’s not cluttered with family storage and Christmas decorations can be much appreciated. Not everyone will be able to completely convert the garage into dad’s personal refuge (also known to some as a man cave) but clearing away enough space for a workbench and a comfortable chair can be all you need to make dad feel special.

Organize the garage

First, if your garage is disorganized it will look and feel much more spacious once useless clutter is removed. Go through the things in your garage and get donate or sell anything you do not use (be honest!). Once only the things you actually want to keep are in the garage, organize them into labeled boxes or storage bins. Consider getting a garage storage system with tall shelves to take advantage of all the vertical space garages have and clear up that floor space. If you can make enough room to fit dad’s car in the garage he’ll feel even more special not having to park on the street.

Put the things dad likes most in the garage

Second, clear enough space for dad to have a relaxing area. Whether this is just a workbench, a recliner and old TV, or even the rest of the floor space, sweep and wash the area to make it feel more like a living area than a gross leftover area. Although dad might not be the next up and coming interior designer it doesn’t mean he won’t appreciate a little decoration in his garage space. If you found some of his old bachelor pad decorations that don’t fit in the house set them up around his space, along with any new artwork or decorative pieces he’d like. It also wouldn’t hurt to set up an entertainment area in the garage, whether that means an iPod docking station, a TV or computer, to make him feel at home. Keep the tools and gadgets he’s likely to use most within arm’s reach to make it a comfortable area.

Decorate the garage just for dad

Finally, set up things dad would like in his personal garage retreat. If he never gets control over the remote, maybe a small couch and TV would be a good idea. If he’s always taking things apart or trying to fix or upgrade items around the house, a few drop cloths and a sturdy bench with all of his tools in neatly organized bins and peg boards might be the way to go. Or, if just escaping from the home for an hour to read a book or magazine sounds like the best retreat for dad, a comfortable recliner and good lamp can be all he needs. The point is to draw on what he likes and would most want for himself and create it for him.

Replace the garage door

If dad spends a good amount of time in the garage, or at least is going to be now that it’s his own personal space, you probably want to consider the temperature of the garage. Getting into summer, chances are the garage will be a great temperature, but once it starts getting colder the garage will be an inhospitable place and dad might be less likely to use his space like he wants. If your garage doesn’t have insulation you might consider replacing the garage door to help regulate the garage temperature. Weather stripping on the bottom of the garage door will keep drafts at bay while an insulated garage door will keep it warmer at all times. Plus, a better insulated garage door will reduce the costs associated with heating the garage, something that may be happening anyway when the whole house is heated.

Giving dad a space of his own, even a small portion of the garage, can make him feel appreciated and loved. Plus, a clean and organized garage will be helpful for the whole family, and dad is sure to be happy when the family is happy.

Tweet