Garage conversion is the process of converting your home’s garage into an additional living space. A garage remodel can increase your home's curb appeal, but it involves time, energy, and planning. In general, converting your home's garage is quite a simpler and cheaper option than building an entirely new addition.
Factors like home storage, parking availability, and permits are required to be considered before beginning this conversion. A permit may be needed to convert a garage to a livable space. It is always good to get an overview of the building and zoning codes from your local authorities before planning this kind of project. You will be required to change the door according to the garage conversion idea you choose.
3 REASONS TO CONVERT A GARAGE
Carrying out home improvements is extremely popular in the UK. Moreover, converting garages into an extra room of your preferred choice is quite trending these days. This is one of the best home improvements that you can do to enhance your living space, especially if your garage has become a stockroom for piles of junk.
Here are some great reasons to convert your garage:
BEST 20 GARAGE CONVERSION IDEAS
Garages are often seen being converted into gyms, home offices or playrooms. But the options are not limited to these. There are around 20 garage conversion ideas for your convenience. Let's have a look at them below.
EXTRA BEDROOM
An extra bedroom improves the functionality of your home and leads to happier guests who would be tired of crashing on the couch. However, before converting your garage into a bedroom, there are certain things to consider, such as soundproofing the walls, building a layered ceiling, wiring your ceiling, etc.
Soundproofing is a critical factor to consider, especially if your renovated garage bedroom faces a nearby alley or street. No one wants to be woken up by traffic noise, right? You can also divide the room into segmented areas like a sleeping space, reading or sitting nook, and a meditation corner.
ENLARGED KITCHEN
An enlarged and spacious kitchen is still a dream for many. This dream can come true by converting your garage into an enlarged kitchen. All you have to do is start with planning the layout and remodel the space accordingly.
With an enlarged kitchen, you can now store all the fancy appliances you’ve always wanted but couldn’t due to limited space. Your old kitchen can be put to other use, such as making it a dining space for your home. If you happen to have a garden near your garage, you can grow your own organic fruits and vegetables.
HOME OFFICE
Home offices are not just trending but have also become a necessity since the rise of the pandemic. As many of us are still working from home and spending more and more time at our desks, having a quiet and peaceful environment to work would be really helpful.
A home office is required to be both functional and comfortable, and what could be better than a calm office in the garage space?! Ensure to enhance the wifi signals, as connectivity can be really low in garage spaces. If you prefer listening to music while you work, you could add music systems. Focus on your techs and office chair too.
SPACIOUS BATHROOM
Everyone prefers a luxurious bathroom for a relaxing bath after a tiring day. Converting garage space into a bathroom gives room for a spacious and luxurious one. Make sure that your garage converted bathroom gets proper ventilation to avoid dampness and moisture.
A de-stress bath requires investing in a good quality bathtub too. You will have to focus on the plumbing, ventilation, flooring, and electricals. Install floor heaters to keep your bathroom warm during cold months. Don’t forget to add essential oils and bath salts to make your bath more peaceful and relaxing.
ADDITIONAL LIVING ROOM/ LOUNGE ROOM
You can never have enough space to sit back and relax in your home. Converting a garage into a living room to turn out to be a second family room. Add enough windows for natural light and air. If your garage is built on a lower level than your house, you could elevate the flooring to match the level accordingly.
Conversation pits are back in style. Create a sunken pit in the centre of your garage and add comfy sectional couches or bean bags around it. Or an alternate option is to add a fireplace mantel in the garage and a television set above it. Traditional homes in the UK still have fireplace mantels in their living rooms.
INDOOR GYM
Many of us work from home, but only a few of us have access to indoor gyms to work out at home. By setting up an indoor gym in your garage, there will be no excuses to workout daily! Converting your garage into a gym pushes you to focus on your health and well being.
Flooring is the main thing to focus on here. Garage flooring is usually concrete and not suitable for an indoor gym as it often leads to muscle and joint sprains. Rubber flooring or epoxy coating is well suited for indoor gyms as they are water-resistant, easy to clean and maintain and allow you to exercise easily. Add a mirrored wall for your workouts and decorate your gym with coloured dumbbells and yoga mats.
STUDY ROOM
Garages tend to get very cold in the winters and very hot in the summers. If converting into a study room, consider adding insulation to walls, ceiling, and the garage door to maintain a stable temperature in the room. Soundproofing your garage is also a major factor to consider.
Garages don’t just work great for home offices, but are also suitable for your kid’s study. To make the study room more inviting and peaceful, let your kids add a few personal touches to the room. Once you have remodelled the garage space, bring in study tables for your kids to do their homework.
GAME ROOM
Before converting your garage into a game room, it is important to take a minute and think about what kind of game room you want. Do you prefer a home arcade with classic video games? Or maybe you want a traditional game room with a foosball table and dartboards? You may need more electrical outlets if you are making an arcade room.
You could also create a showcase to display your rare and valuable collectables in your game room. These collectables could include vintage video games, miniature action figures, posters, and much more.
HOME THEATRE
With movies streaming online these days, it's a perfect time to set up a home theatre to enjoy movies and web series with your family. Make sure that you block the outside light when remodelling a garage into a home theatre.
Hanging a projector is important for a home theatre, so ensure that you have a flat surface for a projector. If you have a large blank wall, having a screen for your projector is optional.
LAUNDRY ROOM
Converting a garage into a laundry room is a decade-old phenomenon. Unfortunately, many homes don’t have room for practical laundry needs. With adequate space in the garage, this regular chore becomes less hectic and burdensome.
It is always practical to have an extra pair of washing machines and a dryer for clothes with specific requirements. Add an island to separate and fold your laundry. This not just looks fancy but is very feasible too. Also, you could spare some space for adding a clothesline in the laundry room.
ART STUDIO
Today, art is not just a statement of luxury but a beneficial addition to homes in the UK. Installing track lighting in your art studio focuses more on your art pieces. A dark room works perfect for art studios, so you don’t need to install windows in your garage.
If you are looking to add more creativity to your art studio, use one wall as a mural wall. We recommend the fifth wall (ceiling). A clear panelled overhead door works just perfect for an art studio.
HOBBY WORKSHOP
If you are fond of carrying out various DIY projects, converting your garage into a workshop is just perfect for you. Have an equal amount of ground space and island space so that you can work freely. If your hobby includes the use of machineries such as saws and cutters, keep them out of children’s reach.
If you are planning to place large power tools in your workshop, ensure that you have ample space for them. Adding shelves and cabinets to store all your tools and small machines would make your work way easier.
VINTAGE COLLECTIBLE ROOM
By converting a garage into a vintage collectable room, you could display all your prized collectables and awards, such as medals, certificates, and trophies. Paint the walls in bright and lively colours to create a playful aura.
Delicate and costly items such as your china and vintage antiques can be stored here. But ensure to add a cabinet with locks for all these. Though you are putting all your vintage items on display, you must safeguard these items properly.
GUEST HOUSE
Converting a garage into a guest house is an amazing option for your guests. This way, they get to enjoy their privacy, even by staying near you. Add a comfy bed and a small bathroom in the guest house. You can also add a television set if you have ample space left.
Adding a doorbell to your guest house will feel more private and serene as this way, your guests will know your arrival. Also, add a security camera outdoors for additional security purposes.
TEENAGE HIDEOUT DEN
As your kids get older, they will want their own space to chill and hang out. What could be a better option than remodelling your garage into a teenage hideout den? This way, your teenage kids will prefer staying in and partying rather than wandering outside.
Place items like a mini-fridge, loudspeakers for their parties, a television set, video games and comfy furniture. Teenagers love their freedom, so soundproofing the walls and doors would also be required here.
CONTEMPORARY LIBRARY
If you are looking for a place to display your book collection, transforming your garage into a library is just perfect for you. Add extra-long shelves that touch the ceiling, and keep a ladder nearby.
Insert windows in between your bookshelves to bring in the illusion of natural daylight. Add comfy armchairs and a coffee table in your library. Showcase your favourite books by highlighting them on a different wall.
KIDS PLAYROOM
If your kids are getting out of control inside the house, converting a garage into a playroom for them would be a perfect solution. When the kids are given their own space to play and explore, they become more imaginative and creative. This further improves their focus and thinking capabilities.
Add a climbing wall, homework stations, a few books, reading nooks, board games, and a few game tables for the kids to have fun. If you own a pet, adding a few pet essentials would also do wonders as your kids and your pet can get along well in the playroom.
MAN CAVE
This could be an ideal space for the people who are smokers and need to have space to smoke. This garage conversion idea invites hanging out with cocktails and beers even if you don't smoke.
Adding a minibar along with a mini-fridge would be a perfect option to relax and unwind. Also, a table tennis table or a pool table would be an excellent addition.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR GARDEN
Having a private garden with all our favorite flowers has been a dream for many of us. You can grow a variety of plants inside the garage and grow your organic vegetables on the outside driveway. This garage conversion idea is pretty good as it helps maintain the balance between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Paint your walls with earthy terracotta colours (combination of orange and brown) and contrast them with bright white windows. Proper ventilation is necessary for the plants to grow freely, so ensure that there is plenty. Place a small cabinet in the garage room for all the gardening equipment as well.
STORE ROOM
It is not always necessary to convert your garage into something fancy. If you happen to have extra pieces of furniture in your home, you could always store them up in your garage. For converting a garage into a storeroom, you do not have to make too many additional changes to your garage.
The major thing to focus on is the security of the storeroom. As this room is outside your house, it requires 24x7 security from thieves and burglars. Avoid using glass doors and windows for this room. Always ensure that this room is locked properly when not in use. Also, install a security camera outdoors for additional safety purposes.
3 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CONVERTING A GARAGE
If you are planning to convert your garage into a living space, there are some factors that you need to consider.
VEHICLE
This is the most important factor to be considered before converting a garage. If you do not own a vehicle, then this question doesn’t arise. But if you have one, where will you park it? And what if you are planning to own one in the future?
GARAGE DOOR
Every living space requires a specific door type. You will have to change the garage door as per the requirements of the garage conversion idea you select. This could be from horizontal to vertical doors, single to double doors, certain glass doors, etc. If you are opting for fire doors, ensure to check the regulations before proceeding further.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Before remodelling your garage, it is always advisable to check the legal permissions and zonal codes in your locality and obtain the permit accordingly. Not all localities require permits for garage remodelling, but some do.
CONCLUSION
Your garage conversion idea shouldn’t be a headache unless you own a car. Instead, it should bring you joy and relieve your stress. With the above mentioned amazing garage conversion ideas, transform your garage into a beautiful living space.
GARAGE CONVERSION FAQS
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CONVERT A GARAGE INTO A ROOM?
The cost of converting a garage depends upon the project you select. Converting your garage into a living room would be more costly than converting it into a storeroom. Same way, a kitchen remodel costs more than a bedroom remodel. Including permit charges, you could expect your garage conversion to cost around £12,000 roughly.
DO YOU NEED PERMISSION TO TURN A GARAGE INTO A ROOM?
You will need a conversion permit when converting your garage into any room of your preference. Depending on the garage conversion idea selected, you would have to obtain electric works or plumbing permits.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY DRIVEWAY AFTER A GARAGE CONVERSION?
There are many ways to repurpose your driveway after converting your garage into a living space. If you own a vehicle, you can create a covered parking area. Whereas, if you don’t own a vehicle, you can plant saplings all over your driveway path.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SHABANA KAUSER
Shabana Kauser is the dynamic owner of Emerald Doors, the famous door-selling company in the UK with immense knowledge and experience in working with architecture, interior design, and home decor. She continues to share tips and technical know-how of balancing interior elements, door fittings, room aesthetics, and the like. Personally, she loves coffee, always dabbling with several blends.
