Some homeowners may consider converting their garage into liveable space. In the same way that finishing a basement or transforming an attic can increase your home’s usable square footage, so too can this option.
To make the most of your garage as a living space, though, you may first need to upgrade the internal environment if you’ve been using it for parking and storage. Finding a technique to control the temperature is essential if you plan to use your garage as a living space in addition to its current function.
Comfortable temperatures indoors are just the beginning, though. You’ll need to invest time and energy, in addition to money, to make it as functional as the rest of your house. The key question is whether or not you think the result was worthwhile. The professionals at Quality Overhead Door explain why it’s a good idea to convert your garage and give you some tips on how to get started.
FAQs About Garage Renovation
Is Converting A Garage A Good Idea?
“well-done” garage conversion to living space can give you up to an 80% ROI, HomeAdvisor reports. “The greatest increase in value and satisfaction will come from good design: building a space that flows naturally from the upstairs and looks like it’s part of the home,”
Can You Turn A Garage Into A Room Without Planning Permission?
Planning permission is not usually required to convert your garage into additional living space for your home, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.
Do You Have To Raise The Floor In A Garage Conversion?
In most cases, a garage conversion to a living space will require installing a new floor. Most garage floors consist of a single concrete slab that can be cracked, sloped or otherwise damaged by years of use and neglect. Additionally, garage floors tend to sit lower than the rest of the house.
How Much Value Does Converting A Garage Add?
20 per cent. A garage conversion could add up to 20 per cent to the value of your home, while you’ll gain valuable extra living space that’s less prone to planning complications. So if the cost of the project is less than the extra value added to your property, this works out as a cost-effective way to add more space.
How Long Does It Take To Convert A Garage?
In general, garage conversions are seen as a pretty quick job to do – as long as the existing garage building is in good structural condition. You can expect a standard, single garage conversion to take roughly 3 – 6 weeks. That’s the time it will take to turn it from a garage into a livable space.
The Pros And Cons Of Garage Door Conversion
Converting a garage is a home improvement project like any other, with its own set of pros and cons. Converting your garage into usable space is a less expensive option than moving or constructing a new extension if you need more room for your family.
This extra space is ideal for family activities like watching movies or doing chores. This could increase the selling price of your home when the time comes.
If you convert the area when most of the houses around you have garages, not only will you lose a place to store your gardening equipment, but your neighbours may start to look at your property with suspicion.
If you don’t have a secure place to park your car, you can face issues like break-ins, theft, icy driveways, and early vehicle deterioration.
DIY can turn into a nightmare if you don’t have the proper skills or equipment. If the benefits of converting your garage outweigh the drawbacks, you shouldn’t think twice about doing it.
The First Steps
Your garage may be a fantastic place to add living space if you don’t have a car or don’t use it often, or if you need more room but don’t want to dig up your yard or spend a lot of money on an addition. In addition to providing for your own needs, a self-sufficient home may be rented out to tourists.
Creating a habitable garage requires more than just paint and furniture. Start by sketching out some plans for the structure. You should have a sturdy framework in place before you go furniture shopping or instal art on the walls.
Get a building permit right away and make sure you comply with all zoning regulations in your area. The building’s compliance with building codes must be demonstrated, and comprehensive building drawings must be submitted.
The next step is to bring in a professional contractor. There’s a lot that goes into making your garage look as good as the rest of your house. You should prioritise the following items on your conversion checklist.
- Garages, in general, do not have the same quality walls and ceiling as the rest of the house. To make the area more comfortable to live in, full wall and ceiling insulation should be installed. Drywall installation is also required. You may decide to remove the wall that separates your garage from the rest of your house if you want the garage to feel like an extra room or if you want direct access to the garage from inside the house. An open floor layout can be achieved by removing the wall.
- Installing flooring over a concrete slab necessitates insulation, as with the walls. The height of your floor will go up when you instal insulation and flooring materials like tiles, linoleum, or hardwood. Minimum recommended clearance from finished floor to ceiling is 7.5 feet.
- There may not be enough natural light and ventilation in your garage if its current design is used. The zoning office in your area can tell you how many windows you need to instal.
- There should be enough plugs in the wall such that no extension chord needs to be longer than six feet. Even though your garage usually already has one overhead light and a wall switch, you may want to instal additional lighting or replace the existing fixture to make the space more comfortable to work in. To accommodate the increased power use, you may need to do electrical wiring or perhaps upgrade your electric service.
- There are a variety of heating and cooling systems available to ensure your comfort all year round. You can either instal a garage heater or connect it to your home’s HVAC system.
- Remodeling your plumbing is essential if you want to instal a home bar, renovate your bathroom, or update your kitchen. Use the preexisting plumbing or dig new holes for the water and sewage lines.
- Upgrading the decor of a garage can make it feel more like a living area than a garage. Cover up ugly pipes with non-load-bearing walls. The next step is to complete any remaining carpentry and paint the inside.
- Constituents of the layout: Hiring an architect can assist you in creating a place that gives the impression that it has always been a part of your home. Garages can be greatly improved by installing new windows, especially dormer windows.
- To the garage: You can keep the warm air inside your garage and still have easy access to the outside with the aid of a stylish, insulated garage door that won’t clash with the rest of your home’s decor.
- Once you transform your garage into living space, you can no longer use the covered parking spaces within. Create a new parking and storage space on your property. Converting a garage into storage space is one option, as is constructing a garden shed.
Once you’ve taken care of the basics of converting your garage, you can start thinking about the unique touches that will make the room your own. Accessibility should be a top priority when designing a space for an elderly relative to live in.
Some homes have dedicated game or theatre rooms, which have unique power needs. Tell me about the perfect layout in your mind. With any luck, one of these garage-to-room concepts will strike your fancy.
Man Cave Or Mom Cave
Building a man cave out of a spare bedroom is probably the most typical application for such a space. It’s up to you to decide what’s most important when designing your lounge. You probably want a big screen TV to watch the game on and some of your favourite jerseys hung up on the wall if you’re a sports fan.
Incorporating a bar and some card tables can guarantee financial success for any casino. Or you could make it look like a cabin by adding a pool table, fireplace, and some rustic furniture. Your private space is your sanctuary, and you get to decide what belongs there.
In the same vein, “mum caves” have become increasingly popular in recent years as a sanctuary for the homemaker. Create a tranquil space where you may unwind at the end of a busy day. Make a plan for how you’ll relax, whether it’s by engaging in a favourite pastime or reading a book.
Put in some good lighting and some comfortable furniture like a sofa, chair, or daybed. Add some of your favourite colours and prints to make the room seem more like home. Beverage preparations, such as placing a bar cart with liquor bottles or a corner with tea accessories, require careful consideration.
The point of creating a “man cave” or “mum cave” is the same: to relax and pamper oneself.
Crafting Area
Some people might feel more fulfilled if they had a space set aside just for their hobby or profession. Spreading out your tools and settling in to focus on a single task makes every hobby, from scrapbooking and knitting to putting together model aeroplanes and woodworking.
A converted garage is a blank slate on which to unleash your creativity. A few well-chosen containers for storing your materials, a large table, and well-balanced lighting are all you need to get started on your next passion project.
The importance of good lighting in a home art studio cannot be overstated. Install windows to let in natural light, and outfit your garage with energy-efficient light bulbs for those late-night painting sessions.
Even if you don’t have a dedicated space for your photography business, you may easily transform your garage into a functional and comfortable work space. Setting up a backdrop and arranging your studio lighting equipment is a breeze, and you’ll have plenty of area to store the furniture or accessories you need. Dedicate some space to your inspiration.
Game Room
Many people today want a game room added to their home for many reasons. A safe refuge where young adults can spend endless hours playing video games and role-playing games is a common fantasy.
Board game storage and weekend play is something that many families with kids would appreciate. Electricity and a steady internet connection are necessary prerequisites.
Make sure there’s lots of room on the table and comfortable places to sit for your game session. Create storage space for your figurines, cards, pamphlets, tools, and other items by putting up shelves. If you have video game consoles, you should use them with a large, high-quality television set.
Then there’s the matter of accessories that reflect your favourite pastime. Make it feel more like a gamer’s retreat by painting a Mario mural, hanging up some old board game ads, or setting out your Pokémon toys.
Home Gym
Having the motivation to get fit is fantastic. It might be costly to join a gym, and early morning runs aren’t always conducive to good weather. Converting your garage into a home gym could be the answer if you’re finding it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle for reasons beyond your control.
Rubber mats can protect the floor from damage and help you get the most out of your workouts. Then, stock the space with standard gym equipment like barbells, weight plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, a jump rope, a medicine ball, and the like.
Most of these things are cheap and can be used for a number of different routines. Those who have the financial means should take it a step further and invest in fitness equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes, and pull-up bars.
What else can you expect to find in a standard fitness centre besides high-tech exercise equipment? Have full-length mirrors, a supply of water for staying hydrated, and perhaps some inspirational posters.
All of these items would be great additions to a home gym, as they would allow you to perfect your form, track your progress, and push you to go out for a little longer. It’s possible you’ll want a stereo system, rather than just headphones, to listen to your favourite upbeat music.
Office Space
The trend of working from home is here to stay, so whether you’re a freelancer or beginning the next great success story from your garage, you’ll need a dedicated office.
There are a few things you need in your home office to be productive in addition to deciding when you’ll work and what you’ll do during that time with your loved ones.
To get started, look for a desk that has the features you need, such as a keyboard tray, lots of storage space, or the option to be converted into a standing desk. If you take a lot of calls during the day, you should invest in a computer with high-speed internet access and a multi-functional printer.
You should have a supportive chair and your computer equipment should be set up in an ergonomic fashion. Then, sprinkle in some individual touches such as framed photos, potted plants, or other treasured knickknacks.
Always have a notebook or planner handy for making plans and taking notes. Keep a enough supply of the office goods you use most regularly on hand to avoid making repeated trips to the store.
It’s possible to perk up a dreary workday by using vibrant hues. A garbage can is a necessity, and a paper shredder or filing cabinet may be helpful depending on the nature of your work. If you plan on selling goods, you’ll need to arrange shelving for storage and a designated location for processing orders.
Home Theater
Having one’s own private movie theatre is the ultimate dream of any movie fan or cinephile. Not only will you feel good about yourself, but your friends and family will appreciate being able to come over and watch a movie with you for much less money than a night out at the local theatre. The most important factors are a large screen, excellent sound, and plenty of seats.
With the continuing decline in the cost of electronics, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a television or projection system that will work in your home theatre. Connect it to a stereo and the sound will be clear enough for people in the back row to hear every word.
Don’t scrimp on the sofas and armchairs you buy if you want to be comfy when viewing a single movie or gearing up for a movie marathon. Then, add some personality to the space by doing things like painting a starry ceiling or hanging up framed movie posters.
Guest Bedroom
Your parents or college buddies may come to see you multiple times a year if they live far away. Repurpose your garage into a bedroom for guests instead of making them stay in an expensive hotel.
First and foremost, ensure they have a soft place to sleep, and then make the space look and feel like it belongs to them with some warm and welcoming touches.
If you have the funds, you may take it a step further and transform it into a full-fledged guest house or in-law apartment, complete with its own bathroom and kitchen. You can keep it basic with only a toilet, shower, small fridge, and microwave, or you can splurge on a place with a tub, a stove, and lots of counter space for cooking.
The installation of electricity, plumbing, and natural gas would be crucial for this choice. But if you’re prepared to put in the effort for such a refurbishment, you can turn their visit into a mini-vacation.
Playroom For The Kids
You may ask any parent and they will tell you that their child has boundless amounts of energy. Creating a playroom in the garage can be an attractive option when you need to keep kids from running amok in the kitchen or eavesdropping on your phone calls.
A toy town complete with a supermarket, diner, and schoolhouse would provide hours of entertainment. It’s like killing two birds with one stone if you can keep them busy and stimulate their developing minds at the same time.
Alternately, you might set up a special playground for them by installing swings, monkey bars, and a few gym mats on the floor.
Bring in some of their favourite games and activities for when they need a break from running about. With little hard work, you can make this the ideal spot for your kids to play in any season.
Home Brewery
In their man caves, some men desire something more than just a bar. They’re looking for something with a touch of class that reflects their wide-ranging understanding of liquor.
You may instal wine racks on the walls and instal specialised wine coolers to transform your garage into a high-end wine storage facility.
That way, you may always be well-prepared for any unexpected guests or special events. Having wine that is just at the right temperature is a great way to commemorate any occasion.
A home brewery doesn’t have to be limited to the confines of an actual bar; the garage can serve dual purposes as both a brewing facility and a drinking establishment. After all, if you live in a household with two people or more, the federal government allows you to make up to 200 gallons of homemade beer.
Make a home brewing kit and try out your finished products as a new hobby. After a long day at the office, invite some friends over to see your new skills in action and to take advantage of this excellent stress reliever.
Laundry Room Or Living Room
It’s possible you think your home is great as-is, save for one minor detail. Perhaps you are pressed for space in the living room, or you lack a basement in which to conceal your washing machine and dryer. Possible rescue measures include implementing these garage conversion concepts.
Particularly in households with multiple kids, a garage can serve admirably as a dedicated laundry room. Making use of your garage for a washing room might not be the most thrilling use for it, but it is one of the most practical! There is no need to fold clean clothes or store large household items.
Floating shelves provide a convenient location for laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and other cleaning supplies, while separate wires or drying racks accommodate damp garments. If you need a visual reminder of how to treat stains, how long to wash clothes, or anything else related to maintaining the quality of your textiles, you may always construct a sign.
Perhaps you and yours don’t watch TV or movies very often, but you’d still like to have a place to host guests. Make your garage into the ultimate chillout space with some creative remodelling!
With just a few couches, loveseats, and an artfully camouflaged audio system, your home could become the talk of the neighbourhood. Don’t be afraid to create a bar area just because you want to keep it family-friendly. After all, soft drinks and snacks can be served just as easily from the counter and fridge as alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
Without sacrificing any yard area or spending a fortune on a basement remodel, you may increase your home’s value and living space by transforming an unused, dusty garage into a more practical room.
There is a wide range of possible uses, from glamorous cocktail bars to convenient home offices to spare bedrooms.
Keep in mind that although converting a garage into a habitable area may be considered authorised development in some situations, if you are expanding the space or making any structural changes, you may need to obtain building permits for the project.
Content Summary
- Some homeowners may consider converting their garage into liveable space.
- To make the most of your garage as a living space, though, you may first need to upgrade the internal environment if you’ve been using it for parking and storage.
- Finding a technique to control the temperature is essential if you plan to use your garage as a living space in addition to its current function.
- You’ll need to invest time and energy, in addition to money, to make it as functional as the rest of your house.
- The professionals at Quality Overhead Door explain why it’s a good idea to convert your garage and give you some tips on how to get started.
- The Pros And Cons Of Garage Door Conversion Converting a garage is a home improvement project like any other, with its own set of pros and cons.
- Converting your garage into usable space is a less expensive option than moving or constructing a new extension if you need more room for your family.
- If the benefits of converting your garage outweigh the drawbacks, you shouldn’t think twice about doing it.
- The First StepsYour garage may be a fantastic place to add living space if you don’t have a car or don’t use it often, or if you need more room but don’t want to dig up your yard or spend a lot of money on an addition.
- Creating a habitable garage requires more than just paint and furniture.
- Start by sketching out some plans for the structure.
- Get a building permit right away and make sure you comply with all zoning regulations in your area.
- To make the area more comfortable to live in, full wall and ceiling insulation should be installed.
- Drywall installation is also required.
- An open floor layout can be achieved by removing the wall.
- Installing flooring over a concrete slab necessitates insulation, as with the walls.
- Minimum recommended clearance from finished floor to ceiling is 7.5 feet.
- Even though your garage usually already has one overhead light and a wall switch, you may want to instal additional lighting or replace the existing fixture to make the space more comfortable to work in.
- To accommodate the increased power use, you may need to do electrical wiring or perhaps upgrade your electric service.
- You can either instal a garage heater or connect it to your home’s HVAC system.
- Upgrading the decor of a garage can make it feel more like a living area than a garage.
- Cover up ugly pipes with non-load-bearing walls.
- Once you transform your garage into living space, you can no longer use the covered parking spaces within.
- Create a new parking and storage space on your property.
- Once you’ve taken care of the basics of converting your garage, you can start thinking about the unique touches that will make the room your own.
- Tell me about the perfect layout in your mind.
- Man Cave Or Mom CaveBuilding a man cave out of a spare bedroom is probably the most typical application for such a space.
- Your private space is your sanctuary, and you get to decide what belongs there.
- Create a tranquil space where you may unwind at the end of a busy day.
- Make a plan for how you’ll relax, whether it’s by engaging in a favourite pastime or reading a book.
- Add some of your favourite colours and prints to make the room seem more like home.
- The point of creating a “man cave” or “mum cave” is the same: to relax and pamper oneself.
- The importance of good lighting in a home art studio cannot be overstated.
- Install windows to let in natural light, and outfit your garage with energy-efficient light bulbs for those late-night painting sessions.
- Even if you don’t have a dedicated space for your photography business, you may easily transform your garage into a functional and comfortable work space.
- Setting up a backdrop and arranging your studio lighting equipment is a breeze, and you’ll have plenty of area to store the furniture or accessories you need.
- Dedicate some space to your inspiration.
- Game RoomMany people today want a game room added to their home for many reasons.
- Make sure there’s lots of room on the table and comfortable places to sit for your game session.
- Create storage space for your figurines, cards, pamphlets, tools, and other items by putting up shelves.
- Converting your garage into a home gym could be the answer if you’re finding it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle for reasons beyond your control.
- There are a few things you need in your home office to be productive in addition to deciding when you’ll work and what you’ll do during that time with your loved ones.
- To get started, look for a desk that has the features you need, such as a keyboard tray, lots of storage space, or the option to be converted into a standing desk.
- You should have a supportive chair and your computer equipment should be set up in an ergonomic fashion.
- Keep a enough supply of the office goods you use most regularly on hand to avoid making repeated trips to the store.
- Home TheaterHaving one’s own private movie theatre is the ultimate dream of any movie fan or cinephile.
- Not only will you feel good about yourself, but your friends and family will appreciate being able to come over and watch a movie with you for much less money than a night out at the local theatre.
- With the continuing decline in the cost of electronics, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a television or projection system that will work in your home theatre.
- Repurpose your garage into a bedroom for guests instead of making them stay in an expensive hotel.
- If you have the funds, you may take it a step further and transform it into a full-fledged guest house or in-law apartment, complete with its own bathroom and kitchen.
- Creating a playroom in the garage can be an attractive option when you need to keep kids from running amok in the kitchen or eavesdropping on your phone calls.
- Bring in some of their favourite games and activities for when they need a break from running about.
- With little hard work, you can make this the ideal spot for your kids to play in any season.
- You may instal wine racks on the walls and instal specialised wine coolers to transform your garage into a high-end wine storage facility.
- A home brewery doesn’t have to be limited to the confines of an actual bar; the garage can serve dual purposes as both a brewing facility and a drinking establishment.
- Make a home brewing kit and try out your finished products as a new hobby.
- Laundry Room Or Living RoomIt’s possible you think your home is great as-is, save for one minor detail.
- Perhaps you are pressed for space in the living room, or you lack a basement in which to conceal your washing machine and dryer.
- Possible rescue measures include implementing these garage conversion concepts.
- Particularly in households with multiple kids, a garage can serve admirably as a dedicated laundry room.
- Making use of your garage for a washing room might not be the most thrilling use for it, but it is one of the most practical!
- Make your garage into the ultimate chillout space with some creative remodelling!With just a few couches, loveseats, and an artfully camouflaged audio system, your home could become the talk of the neighbourhood.
- Don’t be afraid to create a bar area just because you want to keep it family-friendly.
- ConclusionWithout sacrificing any yard area or spending a fortune on a basement remodel, you may increase your home’s value and living space by transforming an unused, dusty garage into a more practical room.
- There is a wide range of possible uses, from glamorous cocktail bars to convenient home offices to spare bedrooms.
- Keep in mind that although converting a garage into a habitable area may be considered authorised development in some situations, if you are expanding the space or making any structural changes, you may need to obtain building permits for the project.