1) First step is a
thorough cleaning, especially the floor! Some of the chemicals
needed for this are very toxic, so DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF!
Sweet talk a non-pregnant person to do this for you! Please!
2) Measure where the door
stops when opened. Just a few inches behind this point is where
a new playroom begins. It may not be large, but it can be very
functional and safe.
3) You will need plywood
to make a new secure wall at this point. Straight across the
garage so that the front part of the garage can hold all the
things you need, but never want your kids to get near! This
section is only accessible by opening the front of the garage.
4) With helpful
information from your local home improvement store, you can
build the necessary wall. I would simply paint this side in a
color that will work with your home when opened and visible to
the street. Several coats to make it look decent and keep it
durable. The studs used on this side can be perfect as supports
for small shelves for items needing to be put up high and/or for
neatness and visibility. If you prefer, use sheet rock over the
studs for a finished look and shelving that is free standing. It
depends on your storage needs.
5) Now to the inside! If
the budget allows, I would put in drywall all the way around and
make the back section totally finished. You want to paint the
ceiling for sure, and if the drywall is out of the question,
paint the entire inside with colors that will work for you and
your kids.
6) For the walls, a
Saturday at some yard sales could yield some older colorful
comforters that can be used as "buffers" on the lower
parts of the concrete walls. Or try your local
"Goodwill" store. Think wainscoting. A simple trim to
divide the upper painted walls from the lower walls with
comforters cut to fit as the bottom treatment for the walls. Use
the same trim at the base to keep the fabric securely on the
walls.
7) Where your furnace and
water heater are located, you must build an enclosure to keep
the kids out. Very important! If nothing else, use sturdy
painted lattice to enclose this area. Again, your local home
improvement store can give you all the information you need to
do this safely.
8) If your electrical box
is in this area, you can make a wooden "box" to hang
over top of this to protect your kids. Never underestimate a
child's ability to reach things they should not!
9) Take a look around at
any other possible trouble spots you may need to cover,
disguise, or make enclosures for!
10) Now you can begin to
decorate. Using the quilts as a colorful lower wall, you simply
measure and cut to fit. Sew the various edges together to make a
continuous wrap around lower wall. With the trim painted to
coordinate, you secure the trim over the comforter edges. Top
and bottom! I would use heavy duty glue to affix the fabric to
the walls first, making the whole thing more child proof. Be
sure to go around the areas where the kids will play, which is
any area that you have not put in an enclosure!
11) For the floor, comb
the carpet stores for any large carpeting piece that they have
pulled from someone's home. If they don't cooperate, check out
the dumpsters at night! I have and have found perfectly
wonderful carpeting! If you aren't that brave, just call all
carpet places in your area until you find one willing to let you
have the next replaced carpet! You still have plenty of time so
it may well be worth waiting! The other option is to buy
inexpensive carpet to cover the floor. If your garage is not too
large, a remnant would work at a reasonable price. Or even
several remnant pieces sewn together! The colors may be all
shades of beige, but if you concentrate on colorful walls with
colorful comforters, the beiges work! It's a playroom, not your
living room!
12) Finishing touches
should include shelving for toys and books, toy boxes,
decorative stencils on the walls, and of course, the toys!
Final note: if you are in
a cold climate, you will have to plan for some safe heating!
Running your existing air ducts over the garage may not be as
expensive as you think! If you are a do-it-yourselfer and local
code allows it, you can do this on your own. If this is out of
the budget, check again with the home improvement store and see
what kind of heaters could be added mounted on high shelves!
Happy
Decorating!
We hope that you have
enjoyed our decorating / home related tips! Our goal is to
help people understand the process of maintaining and updating
decorating ideas throughout the home!
