Every Father’s Day gift guide online gives you the same list. A new grill. A novelty mug. A gift card he’ll spend on something practical and forget you gave him.
These are all great ideas. But if you’re looking for something different this year, something he’ll actually live in every single morning and every single weekend, we have a different kind of list.
At Hometown Restyling, we work with homeowners across Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, North Liberty, and throughout Eastern Iowa who are finally ready to invest in the spaces they’ve been putting off. And this time of year, we hear from spouses and adult kids who want to do something genuinely memorable for dad.
Not a thing he’ll set on a shelf. A space that’s really his.
In this week’s StraightTALK, we’re sharing five home upgrades worth giving dad this Father’s Day. Whether he’s the type who loves entertaining in the backyard, retreating to the garage, or unwinding in a dedicated indoor space, there’s something here worth planning for.
What home upgrade makes the best Father’s Day gift?
The best Father’s Day home upgrade is one that gives dad a space designed around how he actually spends his time, whether that’s outdoors, in the garage, in the basement, or in the bathroom (OK, we’ll steer clear of that joke). Unlike a gift that gets used once, a well-planned home upgrade improves his daily life for years and adds lasting value to the home.
Why “A Space of His Own” Is the Right Frame
Think about the rooms and spaces in your home where Dad actually spends time. Maybe it’s the garage, where projects live in various states of progress. Maybe it’s the backyard, where he fires up the grill every weekend from May through October. Maybe it’s the basement, which has been “someday” territory for about six years now.
The upgrades below are built around a simple idea: give him a space designed for him, not borrowed or shared by default. His.
That’s a different kind of Father’s Day gift.
Why These Upgrades Work in Eastern Iowa
Homeowners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, the Quad Cities, and the surrounding communities deal with real four-season realities: freezing winters, humid summers, spring storms, and everything in between. The best upgrades for Eastern Iowa dads aren’t just about aesthetics. They’re about building spaces that hold up and perform year-round, whether that means a garage screen system that handles Iowa humidity or a deck structure engineered for our freeze-thaw cycles.
The upgrades below were chosen with that climate in mind.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
If you’re gifting a home upgrade this Father’s Day, the gift doesn’t have to be a finished room. It can be a confirmed consultation. Schedule the appointment, tell him what’s coming, and let the planning be part of the experience. Most of these projects require a design conversation before work begins, so starting early is starting right.
Can you turn a garage into a man cave with motorized screen systems?
Yes. Motorized retractable screen systems can transform an open garage into a comfortable, usable living space without permanently closing it off. These systems allow homeowners to enclose the garage opening with screens that roll down at the touch of a button, keeping bugs out while allowing airflow, natural light, and the open-air feel that makes garage hangouts enjoyable. For Eastern Iowa dads who already love spending time in the garage, it’s one of the highest-impact upgrades available.
Why Garage Screen Systems Are So Popular Right Now
The garage has always been where a lot of dads spend their time. Tools, projects, a mini-fridge, maybe a TV mounted on the wall. There may even be a very comfortable chair that somehow migrated from the living room years ago and never came back. The problem is always the same: in the summer, the bugs move in the moment the door goes up. In the spring and fall, it cools down fast once the sun drops.
A motorized screen system solves the first problem almost entirely. With the screen down, the garage feels like an enclosed room, protected from mosquitoes, flies, and whatever else is buzzing around Eastern Iowa in July, while still letting in the breeze. It’s the garage man cave upgrade that doesn’t require drywall or a permit.
What to Look for in a Quality Motorized Screen System
For a garage in Eastern Iowa, key features worth asking about include:
- Heavy-duty screen material that resists tearing and handles Iowa wind and humidity
- Smooth motorized operation that doesn’t bind or jam with regular use
- UV-resistant mesh that won’t degrade after a few seasons of sun exposure
- Side channels or tension systems that keep the screen taut and sealed at the edges
The quality of the installation matters just as much as the screen itself. A screen that’s properly anchored to the garage frame will perform reliably for years. One that’s installed without adequate tension or anchoring will flap, gap, and frustrate everyone involved.
How This Upgrade Fits the Way He Uses the Space
If dad already has a fridge out there, a workbench, and a place to sit, the screen is the missing piece that turns it into a room rather than a driveway. Add a ceiling fan, a decent sound system, and that screen system, and the garage quietly becomes the best room in the house from April through October. The family will start showing up out there, too. Fair warning.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
If the garage faces west or southwest, afternoon sun can make the space uncomfortably warm even with a screen. Ask about solar shade screen options that reduce heat and glare while still allowing airflow. A small planning detail at the start makes a big difference in comfort all summer long.
What does it take to add a bar to a finished or unfinished basement?
Adding a bar to a basement involves designing and building a dedicated entertainment area that typically includes a counter surface, cabinetry or shelving, a sink, refrigeration, and appropriate lighting. The complexity and cost depend on whether the basement is already finished, whether plumbing needs to be run, and how custom the design is. For many Eastern Iowa homeowners, a basement bar is the upgrade that transforms an underused space into the go-to destination for game days, gatherings, and every Friday night in between.
Why the Basement Bar Is Such a Compelling Upgrade
There’s something specific about a basement bar that a living room TV setup just can’t replicate. It’s a dedicated space. It has a purpose. When people come over, they end up there naturally, almost like gravity. And when it’s just dad watching the game, it feels like a room built for exactly that moment.
The other reason it works: the basement is often already the informal gathering space in an Eastern Iowa home. People end up down there during storms, during big games, during the holidays. A bar area formalizes what’s already happening and makes the space significantly more functional. You’re not creating new behavior, you’re just finally giving it a home.
What a Basement Bar Actually Includes
A well-designed basement bar typically involves several components worth understanding before planning begins:
- Countertop and base structure: The bar surface itself, often with bar-height seating on the guest side and lower counter space on the working side
- Cabinetry and storage: Cabinets below and open shelving above for bottles, glasses, and supplies
- A sink and plumbing: Requires running a water line and drain to the bar location, which is one of the biggest cost variables
- Refrigeration: A dedicated bar fridge or wine cooler, which may require a dedicated electrical circuit
- Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting and pendant lights above the bar make a significant aesthetic difference
Does the Basement Need to Be Finished First?
Not necessarily, but it helps. In an unfinished basement, a bar can be built as part of a broader finishing project that includes insulation, drywall, flooring, and egress requirements. In an already-finished basement, adding a bar is a more targeted project, though running plumbing through a finished ceiling can add complexity.
The key variable is plumbing. A wet bar with a sink requires a plumber and adds cost. A dry bar (counter, shelving, a fridge, but no sink) is simpler and often sufficient for a space that’s primarily used for entertaining. A lot of great basement bars are dry bars, and nobody misses the sink once the setup is right.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
If budget is a constraint, start with the structure: a well-built counter, cabinetry, and a bar fridge. Plumbing can be added later if the bar is positioned correctly from the start. Talk to your remodeling team about rough-in options that make a future sink addition easier and less expensive.
What is a double-headed shower, and is it worth the upgrade?
A double-headed shower is a shower system that includes two separate showerheads, typically one fixed overhead (often a rainfall-style head) and one adjustable handheld or wall-mounted secondary head. It allows two people to shower simultaneously or gives a single user the flexibility to switch between a relaxing soak and a targeted rinse. For dads who start their day in the shower or want a bathroom that finally feels like a real upgrade, it’s one of the most practical bathroom improvements available.
Why Double-Head Showers Are So Popular Right Now
The bathroom is often the last room in the house that gets attention. Kitchens and living spaces tend to get the investment; bathrooms get postponed. “We’ll get to it” is basically a bathroom remodel’s natural habitat. But the reality is that the shower gets used every single day, often twice. An upgrade there pays off in daily quality of life in a way that a new piece of furniture simply doesn’t.
A double-headed setup specifically solves a common frustration: the standard single showerhead doesn’t do everything well. The overhead rainfall head delivers that full-coverage, relaxing experience, but it doesn’t work well for rinsing or for people who don’t want to get their hair wet every morning. The secondary handheld or adjustable head fills that gap. Together, they cover every scenario.
What the Installation Actually Involves
Adding a second showerhead to an existing shower requires:
- A volume valve or thermostatic valve that controls both heads independently or together (this is the key plumbing component)
- A dedicated water line for the second head
- Appropriate water pressure, since homes with lower pressure may need a pressure-boosting valve to run both heads simultaneously without losing performance
- Adequate hot water supply, as a second head increases water demand, and older water heaters should be evaluated.
If the shower is being renovated as part of a broader bathroom remodel, this is the right time to add a double-head system. The plumbing work happens before tile, and everything gets designed together from the start.
What About Shower Size?
A double-headed shower works best in a stall that’s designed for it. If the existing shower is a standard 3×3 or 3×4 alcove, a second showerhead can still be added, but the experience is better in a larger walk-in configuration. If a bathroom remodel is on the horizon anyway, it’s worth discussing whether expanding the shower footprint makes sense alongside the showerhead upgrade.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
Ask your plumber or remodeling team to check your home’s water pressure before finalizing a two-head system. In Eastern Iowa homes with older plumbing or municipal systems that see seasonal pressure fluctuation, a pressure-balancing valve is worth the investment. Running two heads at reduced pressure defeats the whole purpose, and Dad will notice.
What’s the best outdoor upgrade for a dad who loves grilling and entertaining?
The best outdoor upgrade for a dad who loves grilling and entertaining is a dedicated grill deck or a pergola with a defined outdoor living area, depending on whether he prefers a functional built-out cooking space or a shaded, comfortable gathering spot. In Eastern Iowa, where outdoor living season runs roughly from May through October, the right outdoor upgrade doesn’t just look good on day one. It becomes the centerpiece of how his family uses the backyard for years to come.
The Grill Deck: A Dedicated Space Built Around the Grill
Most grills sit in a corner of the deck or patio as an afterthought, sort of parked there between uses. A grill deck flips that idea, building the outdoor space around the grill itself. Done well, this can include:
- A dedicated grilling surface with built-in counter space on either side for prep and plating
- Weather-resistant cabinetry for storage, keeping grill tools, seasonings, and accessories outside and actually accessible.
- A pergola or overhead cover above the grill area to provide shade and make the space usable even when it’s partly overcast
- Composite decking materials that stand up to grease, heat exposure, and Eastern Iowa’s seasonal swings without staining or warping
- A dedicated natural gas line run directly to the grill location for a permanent hookup, so dad never has to make another last-minute propane run in the middle of a cookout
That last one is worth calling out specifically. Running a natural gas line to the grill area is something a lot of homeowners don’t think to ask about until after the deck is built, and it’s much easier to plan for during construction than to add later. For dads who grill regularly, it’s one of those upgrades that feels small until you have it, and then you can’t imagine going back.
The Pergola: Shade, Structure, and Season-Long Usability
For dads who love being outside but lack space for heating or afternoon sun, a pergola changes the outdoor equation entirely. A well-designed pergola creates a defined outdoor room with overhead structure: shade on hot summer afternoons, a natural anchor for furniture, and a framework that can support string lights, a ceiling fan, or a retractable shade panel for full coverage.
In Eastern Iowa, pergolas built for our climate need to be engineered for wind loads and seasonal use. Aluminum pergolas with powder-coated finishes or composite-framed structures hold up significantly better over time than wood pergolas that require annual staining and sealing.
A pergola pairs exceptionally well with a grill deck. The deck handles the cooking and entertaining footprint, and the pergola covers and defines the space above it. Together, they turn a backyard into a destination rather than just a yard.
Which Is the Right Choice?
The honest answer depends on how Dad uses the backyard and what the existing space looks like. A few questions worth asking:
- Does he already have a deck? If so, a pergola addition may be the right upgrade.
- Is the existing deck small or poorly positioned? A grill deck addition or full deck rebuild may make more sense.
- Is shade the primary pain point? Pergola.
- Is counter space and storage the frustration? Grill deck with built-in features.
At Hometown Restyling, our team helps homeowners across Eastern Iowa work through exactly these questions during the consultation process. The right outdoor upgrade isn’t about what looks best in a photo. It’s about how the space will actually be used on a regular Tuesday in August.
StraightTALK Remodeling Tip
If a pergola is on the list, talk to your remodeling team about engineered footings. In Eastern Iowa, freeze-thaw cycles can shift and heave structures that aren’t properly anchored. A pergola with properly engineered concrete footings stays level and secure for decades. One that’s surface-mounted or improperly footed starts shifting within a few seasons, and that’s a headache nobody wants.
StraightTALK Wrap-Up
The best Father’s Day gift isn’t something he’ll set on a shelf. It’s a space that’s built around the way he actually lives. Whether that means firing up the grill on a covered deck, hanging out in a screened-in garage, watching the game from a real basement bar, or starting the morning in a shower that was designed to be great, the right home upgrade changes his daily experience for years.
Any of these five upgrades delivers exactly that:
- A motorized garage screen system that turns the garage into a real room from spring through fall
- A basement bar that makes the lower level the most popular spot in the house
- A double-headed shower that finally makes the bathroom worth spending time in
- A grill deck built around how he actually cooks and entertains
- A pergola that gives him a shaded, defined outdoor space worth using all season long
At Hometown Restyling, we’ve been working with Eastern Iowa homeowners since 1986. We know that the best home improvements aren’t just about adding square footage. They’re about building spaces that fit the way people actually live in their homes.
If you’re ready to start planning, reach out to schedule a consultation. We’ll walk through what’s possible, what fits the space, and how to get it done in time to enjoy all summer long.
And if you’re exploring outdoor living options, check out our related guides on pergola costs in Eastern Iowa and how to make the most of your deck this summer for more straight answers on what these projects actually involve.
1. What home upgrade makes the best Father’s Day gift?
The best Father’s Day home upgrade is one that gives dad a space designed around how he actually spends his time, whether that’s outdoors, in the garage, in the basement, or in the bathroom. Unlike a gift that gets used once, a well-planned home upgrade improves his daily life for years and adds lasting value to the home.
2. Can you turn a garage into a man cave with motorized screen systems?
Yes. Motorized retractable screen systems can transform an open garage into a comfortable, usable living space without permanently closing it off. These systems allow homeowners to enclose the garage opening with screens that roll down at the touch of a button, keeping bugs out while allowing airflow, natural light, and the open-air feel that makes garage hangouts enjoyable.
3. What does it take to add a bar to a finished or unfinished basement?
Adding a bar to a basement involves designing and building a dedicated entertainment area that typically includes a counter surface, cabinetry or shelving, a sink, refrigeration, and appropriate lighting. The complexity and cost depend on whether the basement is already finished, whether plumbing needs to be run, and how custom the design is.
4. What is a double-headed shower, and is it worth the upgrade?
A double-headed shower is a shower system that includes two separate showerheads, typically one fixed overhead and one adjustable handheld or wall-mounted secondary head. It allows two people to shower simultaneously or gives a single user the flexibility to switch between a relaxing soak and a targeted rinse. For dads who start their day in the shower or want a bathroom that finally feels like a real upgrade, it’s one of the most practical and satisfying bathroom improvements available.
5. What’s the best outdoor upgrade for a dad who loves grilling and entertaining?
The best outdoor upgrade for a dad who loves grilling and entertaining is a dedicated grill deck or a pergola with a defined outdoor living area, depending on whether he prefers a functional built-out cooking space or a shaded, comfortable gathering spot.