When you need a hangout space for teenagers more than you need a place to park the car, it’s time to repurpose that 2-car garage.

This house is home to Matt and Tara Armbruster, and their daughters Abbey and Mary Paige.

Matt and Tara are the founders of a faith-based nonprofit organization and Matt has driven for Uber as a side-hustle while Tara has tackled some home improvement projects that included removing a load-bearing wall in the kitchen!

Well, the couple are leaving their garage makeover to the professionals — and that includes some old cabinets from that kitchen project. 

We’re converting their garage into a multipurpose room perfect for shooting pool, watching TV and throwing darts.


The Projects

Nook for father's tools includes cabinets and shelves hidden with a drop cloth curtain
This ‘Dad Curtain’ is perfect for hiding Matt’s tools — and Matt, if he wants to check on his kids!

Building a Dad Corner

Before we can convert the garage into a hangout space, we have to empty it so Matt can pressure wash the concrete floor.

Next, we install cabinets for a ‘Dad Corner’ that will house tools and a workbench with an old piece of laminate countertop, which we revived with a coat of polyurethane.

A rustic “Dad Curtain” will keep Matt’s tools, and him, out of sight when the girls entertain.

Dartboard in the garage; installed on a wooden pallet accent wall
This accent backdrop made from pallet boards makes the dartboard become a piece of wall art when not in use.

Adding an Accent Wall

After two days of work in Matt and Tara’s garage, the walls and cabinets are ready for paint.

While the family tackles that chore, we create an accent wall from pallets — it’ll be a nice backdrop for the girls’ dartboard. Especially after we apply a polyurethane coating that gives it a rich look without changing the color.

Bistro set in a corner of the room with wall art hanging on adjoining walls and a rack for pool sticks
It doesn’t take much to transform a dead corner into a cozy cafe with a bistro set and some wall art.

Creating a Cozy Cafe

This room is all about fun, so the attractive and functional pallet background for the dartboard is a perfect fit. And a cafe table and new light fixture transform a dead corner into a cozy spot ideal for enjoying snacks and light meals.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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