Should I turn my garage into game room in STR?

Manchester, New Hampshire
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Should I turn my garage into game room in STR?

Kyle Jacques
Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes

We have a heated garage at our STR. We currently have a pool table and foosball table for guests in first floor living space, but was thinking of adding a ping pong table in garage. Does it help if we have PS5 or not a good idea for added amenities. I am a new STR investor , so trying to figure what's worth it and what is not.

Thanks 

Kyle

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
1y

Neither of these are money money. Try them and see if it moves the needle. Add a pull out couch for additional sleeping. That will likely help the most.

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Hey @Kyle Jacques! So I would look at that for sure. You would have to finish it out to look good but that shouldn't be too hard.

    What about adding a sleeping area in there as well? Is the garage big enough to have a full queen bed in there with some furniture for an extra sleeping area.

    I would also add the PS5 or maybe a Switch or Wii? We have a Wii in the kids bunk room and it gets used all the time. The PS5 is quite a bit more money and the games are more expensive and could be prone to walking away from time to time.

    So, how big is the garage and do you have any pics?

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    1y

    Neither of these are money money. Try them and see if it moves the needle. Add a pull out couch for additional sleeping. That will likely help the most.

    2Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    If you are going to do a game room and want it to move the needle then you need to really do it.  Just adding a ping pong table in the garage is not going to get you there. You need to decorate it, load it up with arcade games, put in a sleeper sofa across from a big screen with an Xbox or PS5 attached.  I have Xbox units installed in all my cabins and the kids love it. 

    If you have room put up a projector screen / projector that is opposite the sleeper sofa and hook up the game console to that.  How many kids get to play minecraft or COD on a big projector screen right? Then decorate the place up, nice lighting, signs, etc.

    Then you can move the needle. 

    1Reply
  • James Carlson
    Real Estate Agent · Colorado | stan.store/JamesCarlson · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Agree with everyone above, especially @Ken Boone. If you're doing it, then do it up big. Finish out the space with carpet or flooring, drywall and couches around the game area. 

    Adding a second (or maybe third) living space can add value to most vacation rentals. Just throwing a ping pong table on a concrete slab in the garage is marginal.

    I had an STR buyer in Conifer, in the mountains outside of Denver, turn a massive unfinished walk-in closet into a little arcade area with two comfy lounge chairs and two vintage arcade games. I don't have exact numbers, but he said his occupancy and ADR went up.

    0Reply
  • Kyle Jacques
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:

    Hey @Kyle Jacques! So I would look at that for sure. You would have to finish it out to look good but that shouldn't be too hard.

    What about adding a sleeping area in there as well? Is the garage big enough to have a full queen bed in there with some furniture for an extra sleeping area.

    I would also add the PS5 or maybe a Switch or Wii? We have a Wii in the kids bunk room and it gets used all the time. The PS5 is quite a bit more money and the games are more expensive and could be prone to walking away from time to time.

    So, how big is the garage and do you have any pics?

    I’ll have to get pictures , not sure size . It’s not huge , it’s a single car garage if that helps 
    0Reply
  • Kyle Jacques
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes
    1y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Neither of these are money money. Try them and see if it moves the needle. Add a pull out couch for additional sleeping. That will likely help the most.

     Noted! Thank you 

    0Reply
  • Kyle Jacques
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ken Boone:

    If you are going to do a game room and want it to move the needle then you need to really do it.  Just adding a ping pong table in the garage is not going to get you there. You need to decorate it, load it up with arcade games, put in a sleeper sofa across from a big screen with an Xbox or PS5 attached.  I have Xbox units installed in all my cabins and the kids love it. 

    If you have room put up a projector screen / projector that is opposite the sleeper sofa and hook up the game console to that.  How many kids get to play minecraft or COD on a big projector screen right? Then decorate the place up, nice lighting, signs, etc.

    Then you can move the needle. 


     This sounds good, I’m going to see if we can make this work

    thanks

    Kyle

    1Reply
  • Madri Koppe
    Interior Decorator · CA · Member since 2020 · 78 posts · 30 votes
    1y

    If the garage isn’t being used, turning it into a dedicated game room should add some value particularly if you are targeting families or larger parties. I would be sure to fully decorate it out so it is an actual destination and selling point. Don’t forget the extra space in the living area gained by moving everything to the garage, make sure this looks good and maybe take advantage by adding a sleeper couch if you don’t have one already. 

    1Reply
  • Christopher Robert Noland
    Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2023 · 87 posts · 44 votes
    1y

    Special features are what set Airbnb apart. Analyze the cost vs new profit and see if it is worth doing. But usually Airbnb with some specialty will rent over one that doesn’t. 

    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Kyle Jacques:
    I’ll have to get pictures , not sure size . It’s not huge , it’s a single car garage if that helps

    Well that is pretty small. I might not do a ping pong table like @Ken Boone said. I would do more of a kid friendly space. We have a dedicated bunk room with a Wii and 2 bunk beds. All setup for kids away from the adults.

    It is one of our biggest draws.

    Maybe hang a 75"+ TV. Black Friday is coming up so there will be deals on some big screens. I am not sure you have the room for a projector unless you do a ultra short throw. With 85" screens really coming down, that might be a better choice.

    Add a few Arcade1Up machines. It would be a cool place. I am betting that there aren't that many STRs that offer a setup like that in your area.

    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    I have a few garage conversions and usually turn them in to flex space - i.e. projector, PS5, Pull out or modular couches etc.  Something to try to appeal to more than just 1 segment i.e. ping pong enthusiasts :)

    [email protected]813-563-0877
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    1Reply
  • Jon Martin
    Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Kyle Jacques:

    9' shuffleboard table would fit a single car garage nicely, but be sure to dress it up the rest of the garage as already mentioned. TV, Neon LED lights, and some other fun decorations. Multicade would also be great and could probably fit as well. 

    1Reply
  • Kyle Jacques
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

    I have a few garage conversions and usually turn them in to flex space - i.e. projector, PS5, Pull out or modular couches etc.  Something to try to appeal to more than just 1 segment i.e. ping pong enthusiasts :)


     I love ping pong, so that might be more done with my interest and not guests. Your idea makes sene.

    1Reply
  • Kyle Jacques
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 46 posts · 17 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Quote from @Kyle Jacques:
    I’ll have to get pictures , not sure size . It’s not huge , it’s a single car garage if that helps

    Well that is pretty small. I might not do a ping pong table like @Ken Boone said. I would do more of a kid friendly space. We have a dedicated bunk room with a Wii and 2 bunk beds. All setup for kids away from the adults.

    It is one of our biggest draws.

    Maybe hang a 75"+ TV. Black Friday is coming up so there will be deals on some big screens. I am not sure you have the room for a projector unless you do a ultra short throw. With 85" screens really coming down, that might be a better choice.

    Add a few Arcade1Up machines. It would be a cool place. I am betting that there aren't that many STRs that offer a setup like that in your area.


     noted, I am starting the process to analyze . I got a ton of good info and great idea with starting separate posts for different topics. 

    1Reply
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