Party Garage

This neighborhood hot spot also serves as a workshop and garden station, and it still holds two cars.

Photography by Howard Lee Puckett

Party Garage

Contractor’s paper on a clever custom-built roll can be used for crafts or for a temporary
table runner.

A family that loves to entertain and needs functional storage areas looked to their garage for all the answers. Their inventive solution: Transform the space into a hardworking room that pulls double duty as a party pad.
In addition to its role as a fun gathering place, the garage had to neatly store tools, gardening supplies, and sports equipment. To meet their goals, the homeowners incorporated storage systems designed
for both entertaining and everyday tasks. And best of all, thanks to careful planning and creative solutions, they still have plenty of room to park the cars.

A craft table works well for do-it-yourself projects. It also can serve as a food and beverage cart for parties. Find detailed instructions for building this table here.

Cool Conversion
  1. The homeowner installed a garage-door screen that can be rolled up when not in use; it allows the fresh air in while keeping the bugs out. A clear rope light at the garage’s entrance adds a festive touch.
  2. Casters can be attached to the heavy-duty garage storage units for easy mobility. The workbench features a solid maple top and steel legs. A cabinet with hinged doors houses the TV. To find instructions for building the cabinet, go to TV Cabinet in Garage.
  3. The refrigerator with beverage center contains cubbies for sodas and bottled water. A keg tap in the door allows guests to easily fill their glasses.
Game Time!
  1. Hooks and bins on the track system keep gear organized. Metal shelves with a dark gray finish also are installed on the track system to keep items off the floor. An in-stock oak cabinet is finished with a cabinet pull and blue and dark brown paint around the front panel.
  2. The wall cabinet hides a dartboard. The inside of the door provides a spot to mark scores, thanks to chalkboard paint.
  3. A standard truck box gets two new roles. Not only does it house outdoor equipment, but it also provides extra seating for party guests. Bolting the box to the wall adds extra stability.

The concrete floor gets a spiffy new look. The homeowners applied gray epoxy garage-floor coating and added the optional color flakes included with the kit.

Shades of blue are used throughout the garage. The craft table’s countertop, the front panels of the oak cabinets, and the large storage containers enhance the color scheme.

In the corners of the craft table’s countertop, circles were cut out to hold terra-cotta pots—perfect for tools or party supplies.

“This room converts from work to play in a snap.”

Folding chairs and tables are at the ready for entertaining. When not in use, they neatly tuck into cubbies.

  1. This area created from in-stock items—such as the cabinets, laminate countertop, and faucet—serves as a handy place for pruning and watering plants. When there’s a party on the agenda, it turns into beverage central.
  2. Filled with ice, the large tub-style utility sink becomes the perfect spot to chill sodas and other drinks.
  3. The homeowners used cleverly placed blinds to conceal tools organized on the track system.
Lowe's Installation Available.

Lowe's Installation GuaranteedLowe’s can provide guaranteed professional installation of sinks, faucets, countertops, lighting, blinds, and ceiling fans.

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Project Details
Skill level: Advanced
Rough cost estimate: $6,620*

Cabinets, countertop, and hardware: $515
Lumber and millwork: $90
Lighting and electrical: $680
Flooring: $120
Fashion plumbing: $225
Appliances: $1,120
Home organization: $2,500
Paint: $405
Accessories: $965

Cabinets, Countertop, and Hardware
  • cabinets for sink area (24-inch base, #138644; 36-inch base, #140866)
  • cabinet for dartboard (24-inch, #140879)
  • laminate countertop for sink area (Belanger, Labrador Granite, #201969)
  • cabinet pulls (3-inch, Amerock, #101581)
Lumber and Millwork
  • lumber for window valances, 1 x 10 x 4s***
  • casing for window valances, 3 1/4- x 1-inch x 12-foot
Lighting and Electrical
  • track fixtures (Portfolio, #233131)
  • ceiling fans (42-inch, Harbor Breeze, Calera, #135207)
  • in-wall speakers (Onsia, Special Order)
  • rope light (Portfolio, #146219) recessed lights
Flooring
  • interlocking tiles (Flexi-Tile, gray, #260637)
Fashion Plumbing
  • utility sink (Crane, Model L7100, Special Order)
  • pullout faucet (Moen, Renzo, #71566)
Appliances
  • refrigerator with beverage center (Frigidaire, Silver Mist, Model FRTB7B4EMB, Special Order)
  • countertop microwave (GE, #88833)
Home Organization
  • garage storage units (Gladiator; 6-foot modular workbenches, #217376; base cabinets, #30622; wall cabinet with open shelf, #29844; caster kits, #28754)
  • track system (Gladiator, GearTrack Channels, #182183)
  • track system accessories (Gladiator; 48-inch shelves, #217376; small-item bins, #155360; 24-inch mesh basket, #129717; small-item hooks, #160115; big hook, #217378; cradle hooks, #129721; tool hooks, #168370; utility hooks, #168775; 18-inch wire basket, #129718; end caps, #27461; small-item hooks loop, #217378)
  • storage containers (Rubbermaid; 31-gallon, #109998; 10-gallon, #63079; 12-quart, #63081)
Paint
  • walls (Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Linen EB12-2, satin)
  • cabinet accent (Valspar Signature Colors, Seaside Retreat, York Beach SR1206, satin)
  • cabinet accent (Valspar Ultra Premium, Fired Earth 6011-1, satin)
  • epoxy garage-floor coating (Quikrete, gray)
  • chalkboard paint (Valspar, #203261)
Accessories
  • folding chairs (#52894)
  • folding tables (#183929)
  • stools (natural, #117636)
  • blinds (Levolor, white faux wood; #194894; #167420)
  • garage-door screen (Kitty Mac, Special Order)
  • truck box (KOBALT, #209649)
  • brackets for window valance (black, #262448)
Rough time estimate: 2 weeks**

*Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

**Does not include lead time for Special Order materials.

***Availability varies by market.

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