When the Harris family signed up with a Melbourne-based homestay agency to host an international student, they had no idea how much the experience would reshape their home — and their hearts.
Like many suburban Aussie families, the Harrises had an underused garage that mostly served as a home for dusty tools, a treadmill no one used, and a collection of boxes long overdue for sorting.
But when the agency confirmed they’d be hosting Yuki, a 19-year-old university student from Tokyo, the Harrises were suddenly faced with a challenge:
Where would she stay?
The bedrooms were full. A renovation of the upper floor wasn’t an option. And squeezing an extra person into the kids’ room felt unfair to everyone involved.
That’s when the garage came into focus.
“It was just sitting there. Big space, decent structure, separate access from the side,” said Angela Harris. “We figured, why not make it liveable?”
A Functional Space with a Cold, Concrete Problem
At first glance, the garage seemed like a straightforward project.
But the moment they started clearing it out, the Harris family quickly realized what they were up against. The slab floor was stained with oil, cracked in places, and always freezing cold — no matter the time of day.
They considered carpet. Too dusty. Floating floorboards? Too risky in case of dampness. Tiles? Too expensive and brittle for a space like this.
It was their neighbour who suggested something unexpected: epoxy flooring.
“He’s in the automotive industry,” explained Matt Harris. “He said, ‘Mate, just epoxy it. I did mine and it looks like a showroom.’”
That suggestion kicked off a week-long rabbit hole of research. And what they discovered convinced them it was exactly what they needed.
Why Epoxy Made the Cut
The more the Harrises learned about epoxy, the more it made sense — especially for a garage that would double as a bedroom.
- Durability: Epoxy is resistant to scuffs, stains, and impact. Perfect for a high-use area that might see a bedframe dragged across it or the occasional suitcase dropped too hard.
- Hygiene: It’s non-porous, which means no dust, no mildew, no strange smells, and no old oil residue soaking through.
- Aesthetic: The finish can be glossy, matte, even decorative with colour flakes or patterns. It doesn’t have to feel “industrial.”
- Insulation boost: When paired with rugs or underfloor insulation panels, it holds room temperature better than bare concrete or tiles.
“Honestly, we were sold the minute we saw the sample,” Angela said. “It felt warm, clean, and modern — not like a garage at all.”
Prepping for the Arrival
With the flooring option locked in, the next two weeks were a flurry of activity.
They hired a local flooring contractor who specialised in epoxy and had the work done over three days:
- Day 1: The surface was cleaned, ground back to bare concrete, and all cracks were filled.
- Day 2: The epoxy base coat was applied, followed by decorative flakes and a clear top coat.
- Day 3: Curing and touch-ups.
The transformation was almost surreal. What was once a grimy, oil-stained slab now looked like a polished floor in a new apartment.
They added a cosy area rug, a desk, and a single bed with underbed storage. A small split system A/C unit went in above the door.
And finally, thick curtains, warm lights, and a welcome basket with Vegemite and Tim Tams sealed the deal.
First Impressions from the Other Side of the World
When Yuki arrived in Melbourne after a 9-hour flight and a sleepy ride from Tullamarine, she was prepared for the usual: a small, shared room, cold tile floors, and a polite but distant family.
What she found instead caught her completely off guard.
“I thought, ‘Wait… this is the garage?’” she laughed. “It was beautiful. So shiny, so warm. I loved the floor. I took my shoes off and walked around straight away.”
The room felt private and peaceful. The natural light from the side window reflected off the floor’s gentle sheen. And most importantly, it didn’t feel temporary.
More Than Just a Floor — It Set the Tone
As the weeks went by, the Harrises began to notice small things that made the investment in epoxy totally worth it.
- Cleaning was easy — Yuki simply wiped the surface with a damp cloth once a week.
- No smells or dust — which was important because Yuki had mild asthma.
- Warmth retention — once the room was warmed up in the evening, it stayed comfortable.
- Stylish aesthetic — the floor looked just as good as the main rooms inside the house.
“It gave us peace of mind too,” said Matt. “You don’t want someone feeling like they’ve been shoved into a shed. This floor gave it that ‘real room’ feel.”
The Ripple Effect
The success of the Harris family’s garage conversion caught the attention of others in their community.
Two neighbours asked about the process. Another family even booked the same contractor to convert their own garage into a teenage retreat.
The homestay agency that placed Yuki was so impressed that they started including garage conversion tips in their new host packs.
“It changed how we thought about our home,” Angela said. “We used to see that space as dead. Now it’s alive. And a big part of that was the floor.”
Epoxy Flooring and the New Definition of Home
In a post-COVID world where international students, remote work, and multi-use spaces are becoming the norm, epoxy flooring is quietly carving out a reputation for being more than just “garage paint.”
It’s clean, modern, hygienic, and adaptable. Whether you’re creating a home office, a guest suite, or a full-time homestay room, epoxy isn’t just a smart flooring choice — it’s a statement.
It tells your guest, your tenant, or your student:
This space matters. You matter.
Final Thoughts
Yuki has since returned to Japan, but she still keeps in touch with the Harrises. She says she misses Melbourne’s weather, Sunday roasts — and yes, the shiny floor in her Aussie room.
“It felt like home,” she wrote in her last message. “Thank you for making a garage feel like a little world of its own.”
And for the Harris family, that empty garage is now filled with memories, and ready for the next chapter — maybe even the next Yuki.