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How to Convert Your Garage into a Second Living Room
By Jessica Stockton
Not everyone needs a garage; in many suburbs parking space is not so much of an issue as extra space within the house for entertaining friends and family, holding a party, or storing excess furniture that you just can’t bear to throw away. Taking the car outside and putting chairs and tables in its place is the obvious solution, but if you think having a full-scale second living room is a luxury you just can’t afford, think again. Here are some relatively simple steps to help you turn that old garage into a worthy living space even on a tight budget: • After a thorough cleaning, give the room a cozy appearance by covering the floor with serviceable carpets and rugs and covering the walls with light-colored wallpaper or an extra coat of bright paint. Place large metal wall hangings over the sofa and on the closed garage outer door for a modern look, and hang a few mirrors and family portraits on narrower wall spaces. • Space limitations usually make it hard to find a place for home entertainment equipment, so use small items whenever possible. Flat-screen TVs are perfect for this purpose, so take the time to check out older models of LCD or Plasma screens and you’ll be watching your favorite movies from the garage in no time without hurting your budget. • A living room full of antiques looks both sophisticated and important, so put those stored-away treasures to good use. If you have none, never fear. There are lots of good-quality antiques that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Try browsing through online classifieds and you’ll be surprised at how cheap some items can get, especially during times when they are temporarily out of style. Thrift stores and garage sales are other great places to look, and with a little haggling and a lot of patience you might even get them at a bargain. Because of the low prices, expect some of these antique pieces to be in need of repair, so be prepared to shell out just a little more extra cash. • Good lighting makes a lot of difference in creating a room’s ambiance. Install a few colored wall lights in every corner to highlight your wooden furniture and large metal wall hangings and to focus attention on various home decor that you have put on display. Ceiling lights with adjustable brightness can make the room useful for multiple functions. • Add some indoor plants for a soothing effect and ensure a fresh supply of oxygen at the same time. Several species of plants require very little maintenance, and putting them inside glass vases with colored “jelly” cubes not only eliminates the need to add water but also adds an exciting element to the room’s interior design. With these few practical tips, you don’t have to spend much to have that extra living space you’ve always wanted. Just make sure to keep everything mobile for the time you might need to use it as a garage once more.With these few practical tips, you don’t have to spend much to have that extra living space you’ve always wanted Photo from Flickr - "CA Los Angeles 1871" courtesy of Monta Elkins .
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