Convert your garage: An office in four easy steps

How often do you use your garage? It’s a startling statistic but 82% of British homes have a two-car garage, yet only 15% of people actually park in there.

This information comes from the National Association of Home Builders and shows plenty of garage space is simply being wasted.

So why not start making the most of your garage by converting the space into a handy office area. Working from home is becoming more frequent as technology has advanced, so by converting the garage you have a dedicated place to work in peace without being disturbed.

Plenty of companies now offer work-from-home days and whilst this is appealing, it’s so easy to get distracted by the TV or something else you wouldn’t find in a usual working environment.

Garage conversion

Converting the garage is a fantastic idea if you want to create a secluded space away from the main house. And even if you do still need the garage for a vehicle or storage space, you could even consider a half-conversion.

However you decide to proceed with the conversion, good news is your daily life won’t be disrupted. On top of this, once completed you’ll have added some much needed value to your home, which is great in the modern day.
So let’s take a look at the four easy steps for converting your garage.

Step one: Speak to the experts

Before you start going ahead with the plans and spending money, make sure you speak with experts in the field to ensure your project can go ahead. Some garages will need extra structural support which you might not factor into the cost and the last thing you want is your budget to balloon before you’ve even begun. An architect can be useful to help with the plans too.

Step two: Consider the design

Once this conversion has been completed you won’t want it to look like a garage. Instead you’ll want the design to look seamless with the rest of your home and a designer is best placed to do this for you. You might want to consider dormers and a sloping roofline to create the best aesthetic appeal.

Step three: Think about the interior

A great idea is for this conversion to be multipurpose, otherwise when you’re not working it’s space simply going to waste. As such you might want it to act as a second living room or even a space for the kids to play when you want them out of your hair. Built-in storage for instance can help to keep your work stored away when not needed.

  • Make sure you plan for electrical points and phone lines. You’ll want enough plugs for your appliances rather than having extension cables snaking around
  • Also consider plumbing to add more value to the home. In the future it can certainly act as a selling point for potential buyers.

Step four: Connect the conversion to your home

The chances are your original garage isn’t connected to your home so you’ll want to make some changes here. A covered walkway or simple door can easily give you access to the office from another room in your home.

 

Facts & Figures You’ll Love To Share

  • Convert your garage into a bedroom and add up to £55,000 worth of value to your home.
  • A garage conversion will add welcome space to your home and can help you avoid the cost of relocating.
  • Garage conversions can be turned into whatever you need. This includes a bathroom, bedroom, dining room or even living room.

Evy Coe

Evy works for Quotatis as a Content Marketing Executive. She loves to write about interior design and help homeowners with their DIY projects.