5 Ways to Repurpose Your Garage Space
This article will outline some ideas to help you repurpose this valuable part of your property.
03/02/2023
While a double garage in an average-sized
home may represent almost
15% of the home’s
overall space, this prime piece of real estate
is often under-utilized in terms of its
potential. Over time, this extension of the
house can become little more than a storage
space for accumulating unused items and
household junk, so much so that according to
statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy
25% of homeowners with two-car garages can’t
park in them due to the excess clutter.
Making the most of your garage and the space it
offers not only makes it more functional for you
and your family but will also improve the
exterior appearance of your home, helping to
boost its curb appeal and overall value.
Repurposing your garage is one of the best ways
to maximize the usable space in your home and to
make the best use of this often-underutilized
area. This article will outline some ideas to
help you repurpose this valuable part of your
property.
Home office
As hybrid and remote working styles have
become more common in recent years, an
increasing number of people have started working
from home. A garage can be the ideal space to
set up a home office, providing a private and
undisturbed area that is separate from the main
activities in your home. As the garage is
sectioned off from the rest of the house, it
also offers you a dedicated workspace that you
leave at the end of the day, rather than
blurring the boundaries of your home and work
life.
To transform your garage into a
more habitable place to work, insulation and a
layer of drywall can be added to help maintain a
comfortable temperature and electrical outlets
and light fittings can be installed to increase
functionality. The walls can be
painted and
decorated with artwork and comfortable office
furniture introduced to complete the
transformation of your garage into a comfortable
and productive place to work.
Workshop
Repurposing your garage as a workshop will
offer you the perfect space for setting up a
workbench, storing tools and materials, and
conveniently carrying out DIY or hobbies
whenever you have the time or the desire to do
so. Whether you are building, fixing, or
repairing things, simply build a temporary wall
to create sound privacy and enable you to hammer
and drill without disturbing your family or your
neighbors. Garage walls can also be utilized to
hang tools and to install shelves to hold
additional items creating plenty of free wall
and floor space for a workbench and larger tools
and equipment.
Due to its cool
temperature and better ventilation compared to
most basements, a garage is an ideal environment
for working with materials such as wood.
Insulation can also be added to the ceiling and
walls to help keep the temperature steady in
extreme weather conditions.
Exercise Room
A garage can make the perfect choice for an
exercise room and can offer the ease and
convenience of
working out from home. The large
amount of space available in a garage can be
utilized for storing exercise equipment such as
a treadmill, exercise bike or cross trainer, or
even for hanging up a punching bag. Since it is
built to withstand the weight of a car, a garage
can easily hold heavy weights and exercise
machines without causing damage to the floor.
Rubber flooring is also an ideal option for
transforming your garage into a workout space,
as it is durable, easy to clean, and provides a
cushioned surface for absorbing shock during
your workouts. It also helps to reduce noise and
damage to the floor as well as add some color
and vibrancy to the space. To make the space
brighter and more suitable for exercise, mirrors
can be fitted to the walls and overhead lighting
and ventilation such as fans installed. Windows
can also be introduced to further aid
ventilation, allowing in fresh air and natural
light.
Entertainment Room
Transforming your garage into a home
entertainment room can free up space in the rest
of your house and offer a fun place for your
friends and family to hang out. This is the
ideal place to house your state-of-the-art home
theater systems, pool tables and game consoles
and furnish it according to your tastes.
Creating a dedicated space for entertainment and
leisure activities can also provide a separate
space for noisy activities, allowing the rest of
the home to remain peaceful and quiet. The
interior can be tastefully furnished with
comfortable couches and bar stools and a variety
of lighting ranging from wall sconces to LED
column lights can be introduced to create the
ambience and visual impact you desire.
Garage Conversion
One of the best ways to realize the value of
your garage space is through renting it out and
generating a stream of income. Adapting this
part of your property into a living space for
tenants through
a garage conversion can also
increase the overall value of your home, and
offer you the flexibility of using it as a guest
room or extension of your home during times when
it is not being rented out.
Adding
plumbing and electrical systems will allow
amenities such as a kitchenette and bathroom to
be fitted and for sufficient lighting to be
introduced into the converted garage. Heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
can also be installed to make the interior
comfortable and habitable, as well as windows or
skylights to let in natural light and fresh air.
Walls and ceilings can be insulated and painted
to make the space look bright and appealing,
while flooring such as hardwood, carpet or tile
can be fitted to give the garage a more homely
and inviting look.
No matter how you
decide to repurpose your garage, it is important
to bear in mind the safety and legal
requirements of any changes you make. This might
involve checking whether you need building
regulation approval beforehand to ensure that
your plans are compliant with local codes and
regulations. It is also worth consulting a
professional contractor to understand the scale
of the work involved as well as the costs and
timelines.