Ideas for your garage conversion

Garage conversions are an excellent way to get extra space for your home without the hassle of relocating and spending thousands of pounds on additional costs and fees.

More and more homeowners are looking to improve their property and benefit from additional living space. Common ways the extra space is achieved is either with an extension in the form of a conservatory, or a conversion of the loft or garage.
Garage conversion
With a garage, the infrastructure is already in place which will save you money straight away in comparison to adding a conservatory. Not only this, but you won’t need to eat into your garden by converting your garage.

When a conversion is completed by a reputable contractor it’ll be a practical and affordable way to expand living space. Of course, the garage has seemingly become redundant in recent years with people reluctant to use it for car storage. Instead, the garage is filled with old furniture and cabinets of tools.

So why not consider converting the garage and start seeing the instant benefits associated with a conversion.
Why convert your garage?

If you have been considering the possibilities of extending your home, you probably have a purpose in mind. With a garage conversion there’s the opportunity to use the space more effectively than with a conservatory and there are more possibilities, listed below:

  • Bedroom (with or without en-suite)
  • Bathroom
  • Living room/lounge
  • Dining area
  • Children’s playroom
  • Utility room
  • Home office
  • Home gym
  • Small home cinema/games room
  • Family room

With a garage conversion you don’t just have to create a completely new room entirely. In fact, you could knock down the wall which is an excellent way to open up a kitchen/diner area or extend your lounge.

Essentially there are endless opportunities open to you and the space can fit any purpose. Of course, there will be different utilities needed depending on the use, such as electricity and water lines. Insulation and damp proofing will also need to comply with Building Regulations and generally speaking you’ll need at least one window.

One of the more popular options for the garage conversion is the use of an extra lounge area. Despite it appearing a strange choice, if you have older children you’ll certainly know the benefits of this. When you get back from work you can relax, whilst they play on the Xbox or listen to loud music in another part of your home. Even younger children would be able to use the space as a playroom.

In a world where everything is transferring online, many homeowners look to utilise the extra space as an office. There are no limits to electricity supply so you can easily run your PC and office equipment.

Should I have a partial or full garage conversion?

Garage conversion
This is a debate with a lot of mileage and essentially will boil down to your own personal needs. Of course the type of garage you have originally will also play a large part in the decision making. For those who choose a part conversion, the front will be converted and the rear part used for storage of lawnmowers, tools and bikes.

The partial garage conversion is mostly suitable for those seeking the extra living room in their home but still wanting to retain part of the old garage space too. Of course, in order to do this you’ll need to have a fairly large garage to start with to make it worthwhile. For smaller areas a full construction will be advised if you want more space.

As you’d expect, a small conversion will cost slightly less and could be more suitable for those on a tight budget. Don’t expect to see a hugely significant difference in pricing though and the majority of the saving will be on materials such as flooring and insulation.

Parts of the conversion such as power points will need installing no matter the size, so to avoid paying out more than you need to later on, think carefully about your requirements when creating your budget.

Converting your garage doesn’t need to be a stressful time in your life and you can let a reputable company take over and sort out all the paperwork such as Building Regulations and planning permission. Remember to compare quotes from garage conversion specialists in order to get the best deal in your area.

 

Facts & Figures You’ll Love To Share

  • A garage conversion will add thousands of pounds to your home’s value and bring much needed space to the property.
  • Unless the exterior is altered, on most occasions you won’t need planning permission to convert your garage.
  • Garage conversions are a cheaper alternative to moving home which could set you back thousands of pounds in fees and charges.
  • A garage conversion can be used for whatever your home needs, including an extra bedroom or bathroom, or an extension to the kitchen.

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.