Caution, this project has all the feels! The time has come to transform the first home of the DIY Huntress YouTube Channel into a happy place for the guy who helped me make it happen. My dad and I built this 12×12 shed shop from the ground up about 6 years ago and there have been so many happy memories here. But now that I have a new bigger shop in my own garage it’s time to give this space back to my dad and turn it into the ultimate man cave for him. It’s bittersweet but I loved this project!
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Want to see this build in action? You can watch my build video here (+ make sure to subscribe to my channel)!
Tools + Materials
Tools
Materials
Decor
- Decking Panels
- Bistro Set
- Planters
- Bar Set
- Bar Stools
- Charcoal Grill
- String Lights
- String Light Poles
If you want to see my whole shed shop series on YouTube you can check it out here!
Here’s how we took my shed shop and turned it into my dad’s dream man cave!
1. Reminisce and Move Out the Rest of My Stuff
I really am so proud of this space. It was my happy place and where I made so many awesome projects.
Once I got the rest of my things loaded up and over to my shop it was time to get to work.
2. Demo the Door
I wanted to give my dad a new door that would let a lot of light in. Spoiler, I am super jealous of the way it turned out and wish it had been here when this was still my shop!
3. Get Extra Help to Install the Door
This door was a monster, love it, but we really needed some reinforcements to get it installed.
Thankfully my good friend Lindsay from @wood_brain was in town for an event and she was happy to come give us a hand. If you don’t know Lindsay, you should! She is an incredibly talented maker from California who brings fun and excitement everywhere she goes.
These doors look beautiful but what a job to get them installed, so grateful Lindsay was there to help.
4. Prep the Space
At the end of that first day we did some spackling to prep the walls for the next day.
On the second day I got started by cutting some trim pieces on my miter saw.
While Lindsay got to sanding down the walls. Aren’t maker friends the best?
The floor trim and window trim went up with my brad nailer and expert supervision by Lindsay.
5. Assemble Furniture & Decor
Next Lindsay assembled the bar and I assembled the bar stools. My dad is the whole reason I got into making and he loves tinkering and classic cars so he wanted his man cave to have a classic car theme.
Every good man cave needs a TV so I used a level to align the bracket on the wall and then mounted the TV.
We got special permission from my dad to raid his garage and take some decor from his walls. This really gave the space his personal touch.
6. Gallery Wall
Lindsay has such a good eye for decor so I assigned her to the gallery wall while I raided my parents house for more plants, sorry mom!
7. Staining & Finishing the Door
While Lindsay finished up the inside, I headed outside to apply stain and finishing touches to the door.
8. Make the Outside into an Entertainment Space
Besides the classic car theme my dad also wanted the outside of the shed to feel like a great space to entertain. So we made that happen for him, starting with these decking panels that we leveled into the gravel out front.
9. Finishing Touches
The door frame got some trim and paint to really finish it up.
Then I hung some string lights from the top of the shed and attached them to these string light poles to really make it twinkle.
Added these planters as well because you know that no project is complete without plants.
This bistro set really made it inviting, now you can’t help but want to hang out here!
But the charcoal grill is what really made it the ultimate outdoor entertainment space.
10. Surprising Dad!
Fair to say I think he likes it! This project really helped me turn the page on the shed shop. I’ve always been proud of this shed but this was another level. I can’t say that I didn’t get emotional knowing that this truly was my last project in this shop, but customizing the space for my dad and making something special for the guy who started my love for making really helped me find the closure I needed. I’m so excited for where DIY Huntress is headed and all of the projects to come in my new garage shop and I can’t wait to share them with all of you. So proud of what we’ve created and I couldn’t have done it with out your support, so thank you. So until our next project, happy DIYing friends!
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Looks really good considering. Should’ve put some plastic or membrane under the wall plates so that the concrete slab doesn’t wick water up into your walls and rot them out. Love the decorative details and paint colors. Good job!