Many homeowners are opting to convert their garages into another room, creating more usable space within their home.
The typical one-car garage is between 264 square feet and 384 square feet, and two car garages can range from 360 sq ft to 484 sq ft. With a garage conversion, depth tends to be more important than width.
Homeowners have a variety of reasons for wanting to convert their garage. Making an extra bedroom for a family member, creating a home office or gym, making a space to entertain and relax.
Converting your garage can also add value to your home, bout 10 to 15 percent, according to a 2021 report by Virgin Money.
Below, we look at 14 innovative ideas for a garage conversion that will add more space and livable space to your home.
1. Home Office
One of the more popular garage conversion purposes is turning a garage into a home office. More people are working from home in the 2020s, so having a cozy home office is a priority. This renovation project allows family members to have one or more workstations at which to work. You might choose to invest in this project if your current home workspace is cramped or in a high-traffic area. Maximizing natural light will be a priority and soft-light floor lamps can help provide sufficient light by which to work. Investing in interior design can also help make this a productive work-from-home area.
2. Extra Bedroom / Guest Room
If you have family members staying at home or visiting often, turning your garage into an extra bedroom might be a solution for creating livable space. Adding an extra bedroom to your home is also likely to increase the value of your home. Many homeowners add room for a bed, small desk, dresser, and sometimes a kitchenette. Some garage to bedroom conversions integrate French doors or large windows to allow more natural light to illuminate the room.
3. Multi-Purpose Space
Some smaller one-car garages may be converted into a multi-purpose space that can be used as a small office, a reading nook, a library, or a small den. Narrow garages can work very well for this type of conversion. Using windows to capture natural light, adding necessary electrical and water lines, and some interior design can convert any small garage into a beautiful, useful multi-purpose room.
Image credit: Architect Your Home)
4. Home Gym
Many people work from home but have to drive to the gym. Why not convert your garage into a home gym? Many homeowners decide to do exactly that and transform their garage into a fitness center or home gym.
Keys to a successful garage to home gym conversion are using windows for natural light, hanging mirrors to reflect light, and making sure adequate ventilation is in place. Ductless mini-splits are a good choice for ventilation, heating, and cooling.
5. Playroom / Teen Hangout
Whether you have small children or teenagers, it’s useful for them to have their own space where they can hang out and have fun. When they are little, they can have a playroom with reading nooks, desks, and art stations, game tables, and library shelving.
As your kids get older you can convert this area into a teen hangout with couches, a TV and entertainment center, game consoles, mini-refrigerator, and wall art.
6. Additional Living Room
Have a growing family? You might need the extra room to have a second living room, and converting your garage can help make more room for your family. By adding insulation, building walls, beefing up the electrical wiring, adding flooring, furniture, shelving, a TV and book library, you can create a second living room, which can also increase the value of your home.
(Image credit: Isle of Mull Cottages)
7. Annex
An annex is a self-contained living space with a bed, kitchette, and a full bathroom. This conversion works best in a two-car garage or larger. You might be thinking of an annex or ADU if you have adult children living at home or parents who are living with you. These family members need their own space. An annex can also be used as a guest room if you have visitors staying over.
Things you’ll typically need in an annex: plumbing, insulation, electric, new flooring, windows, an outside door, as well as a stove and sink, working bathroom. A foldaway bed or couch will also help complete the annex room.
8. Home Cinema
A very popular garage conversion project is the home theater. Adding walls and insulation, upgrading the electricity, adding a big screen TV, interior decorations, and new flooring can make your current garage a destination entertainment room. You may consider soundproofing the room too, so neighbors aren’t bothered.
9. Home Bar or Entertainment Room
Many homeowners opt to turn their garage into a home bar or a man cave. Building the garage from the framework, adding insulation and flooring, adding decorative furnishings, a bar, custom cabinets or storage, leather armchairs, and vintage displays can transform any garage into a home bar or entertainment lounge. Fun for hosting parties or entertaining guests.
10. Music or Art Studio
Are you a musician? With noise insulation and electrical wiring, it is possible to turn your garage into a music studio. This could be a fun way to relax or hangout with friends.
If visual art is more your thing, you can also turn your garage into an art studio for painting or graphic design. It can be a peaceful place to create and a unique place to display your work.
11. Extra Kitchen / Dining Room
Though it isn’t as common as some other garage conversion ideas on this list, it is 100 percent feasible to convert your garage into a second kitchen or dining room. Why would you want to do this? Some families have multiple family members or guests staying so the kitchen is a busy hub and having a second kitchen makes it easier for everyone to cook.
Some features that would be incorporated into a garage to kitchen ADU would include, upgraded wiring, water and sewer lines, new flooring, windows for natural light, lighting fixtures, appliances like a stove and refrigerator, hood fan and ventilation, kitchen backsplash, sink and countertop, and storage cabinets. Call an experienced kitchen designer to help you with this ADU upgrade.
12. Lounge
Turn your old garage into a lounge or den with some planning with your remodeling company. Adding walls and insulation, adding interior wood paneling or paint, laying new flooring, and adding cabinets and furniture can create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility. You can use your brand new lounge for relaxing or working.
13. Crafts or Woodworking Studio
Some homeowners have woodworking or other crafts as a hobby, and they want to build a dedicated space to do arts and crafts, or practice woodworking. The garage conversion can incorporate shelving, cabinets, and carriage doors to allow natural light into the room.
14. Game Room / Billiards Room
Some homeowners opt to turn their garage into a games room, complete with a billiards table, elegant wood paneling and flooring, darts, a big screen TV and a home bar. Perfect for entertaining guests, or simply relaxing in the comfort of your own home. Featured lighting, interior design, hardwood laminate flooring, and decorative room accessories can turn your old garage into an atmospheric hangout spot.
What are Some Considerations for a Garage Conversion?
Often, improvements will need to be made to the garage to make it habitable and up to local building codes. These can include:
- Fortifying the foundation
- Adding insulation to the walls
- Adding water and sewer lines
- Upgrading the electrical wiring
- Replacing the roofing, if shingles are aging
Upgrading the garage to an ADU almost always adds significant value to the home and property. You will need a permit to do a garage conversion, and hiring a general contractor is a must.
Need a Garage Conversion in the Greater Sacramento Area?
If you need an experienced remodeling contractor in the Roseville or Sacramento area, Sacramento Remodeling Group has decades of combined organizational experience under one roof.
Whether you need a garage conversion specialist or fully licensed and bonded ADU builder, our team is here to help you. We’re based in Roseville, and we’ve helped scores of homeowners in Placer County and the Sacramento region with home remodeling and garage conversions.
If you’re thinking about a garage conversion, call the team at Sacramento Remodeling Group today at (916) 862-1444 for a free consultation. We can help you add more usable space to your home.