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!
