The time is now — we’ve begun the most exciting project at our house so far: converting the garage into a bright, functional playroom. This new space will open directly to the backyard, making it perfect for kids and gatherings, and it will let our dog Arlo run in and out year-round. It will also double as my creative workspace, something our home has been missing.
We’re keeping the renovation minimal and reversible in case future owners decide to return it to a garage. The previous owner had already partially converted the space with drywall and a sliding door to the yard, but it still lacked insulation, finished flooring, and a weatherproof entry. Those are the main improvements we’ve focused on so far. Below are some before photos and a summary of our plans and progress, including the new flooring we chose from Home Depot, who partnered with us on this project.
Home Depot offers a wide range of attractive, budget-friendly flooring options, and their prices are hard to beat. I’m excited to share what we selected — it’s exactly what this space needed.
Easy and Affordable Flooring Update
When we bought the house, the space had been partially finished but still needed important upgrades. The first step was adding insulation and making sure all electrical outlets met code. After that, we turned our attention to the floor.
The garage had plain, unfinished concrete, which isn’t ideal for a playroom. We didn’t want to invest in permanent hardwoods or use glued-down materials, so we looked for an option that was easy to install, durable, and visually light to support photos and work projects in the room.
We chose LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring in the “Driftwood Beach” shade. It installs easily over concrete thanks to a drop-and-lock system that requires no glue or extensive prep. The surface includes a ScratchProtect coating to resist scuffs and stains, which is great for an active play and work area. The color is bright and clean with a subtle cool undertone that stayed true to what we wanted — not too gray, just light and airy.
Creating a Storage Space
We still need part of the garage for storage, so we sectioned off the front portion. That required removing the old garage door and its track, which once ran through most of the space. Our contractor built a custom bi-fold door to close off the storage area neatly.
Behind that door we’re installing a faux wall with built-in-style shelving to make the storage feel intentional and tidy. We’ll leave a clear pathway for access and use vertical shelving to maximize the available space.
The built-ins will store toys, art supplies, and craft materials. In front of the storage wall we’ll place a large work table for my daytime projects and for craft time with Arlo on evenings and weekends.
We also discovered usable storage above the garage, which is an unexpected bonus. We plan to add sliding doors for easy access to items stored up there.
We’ll keep the rest of the room furnishings minimal to preserve open floor space for play. The piano will sit under the smaller window, and a sofa will go along the far wall — beyond that, we want plenty of open area for activities.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
I love that photo of Arlo and the piano — it always makes me laugh.
In my next update I’ll share the design inspiration and color palette we’re using, so stay tuned. If you’re researching flooring options for a renovation, Home Depot carries a wide variety of current styles and competitive prices.
This post was created in partnership with The Home Depot. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep Studio DIY going. Read more about my editorial policies on the site.