You Have to See What HGTV's Chip Wade Did to Make the Garage the Best Room in the House

By Maggie Winterfeldt
Getty | Cindy Ord
Getty | Cindy Ord

"If you're not currently using your garage for its main purpose, why not turn it into an amazing living space?" says Chip Wade. The HGTV host and Liberty Mutual Insurance spokesman helped a family convert their dreary and rarely used garage into a superfun game and recreation room. While this project is more involved than your weekend DIY garage makeover, Chip says there's a way to keep the process fun and stress-free. It begins with setting a realistic budget. "I always suggest taking your original budget and adding a cushion of 15-20 percent so you can worry less if unexpected issues arise," he says. Keep reading to see the dramatic transformation and hear what other advice Chip has to offer.

Before

Before

Before Chip got his hands on the garage, it served as storage for outdoor equipment and deer busts. "This garage renovation was one of my favorites because the family recognized there garage was becoming a useless space and decided to transform it into a perfect room for entertaining," says Chip.

The finishsed project is every family's dream game room. It's bright and clean with polished floors, glossy white walls, and lots of fun games and lounging areas — it does not, however, have space for a car."For any home upgrade, I believe it all comes down to personal preference. Many people tend to stray away from out-of-the-box ideas when it comes to home renovations, but I say if it is a fit for you and your family then it's worth it," chip says, adding, "If you ever decide to sell your home down the road, it's all about showing prospective buyers your home's potential."

In addition to adding some padding to your budget for a major garage reno, Chip reminds home owners to re-evaluate their insurance coverage. "According to a report from Liberty Mutual Insurance, one in five Americans aren't aware that home improvements warrant a review of their coverage. A quick re-evaluation can save you from worrying down the road if something were to happen."