It’s common knowledge that most homeowners don’t use their garages to store cars. Most home garages aren’t designed for modern vehicles, and this is especially true for older buildings.
With driveways and on-road parking, garages can often transform into an additional living space, offering a canvas of possibilities. They are not just storage spaces but flexible rooms that can be used for many purposes. This versatility can inspire homeowners to think outside the box and consider the potential of their garage as a unique living space. However, they do have the potential to become a cluttered storage area for seasonal items, outdoor equipment, and tools. But with a touch of creativity, they can be transformed into something truly unique.
If you want to avoid falling into this trap and having your garage booked like “that” closet from Friends, then you need these ideas of hippo yu to utilise the space as much as possible.
Storage
Let’s start with the most obvious and common use for garages besides housing a vehicle: storage. There’s no denying it’s a great space for this. Your garage can solve many houses’ storage problems. But you need to put some thought and organisation into your garage area before loading it with your belongings.
First, make sure it’s waterproof. Then, you need to look at your storage options, which will all depend on the type of items you will be storing there. Suppose you’re putting in storage boxes of, say, seasonal items like decorations for Christmas, Halloween, easter, etc. In that case, you might find that Tufferman shelves can offer you the storage solution you need for improved organisation. Ceiling storage can also be a great topic if you have a seller space and want to hang tubs from the ceiling in the garage to free up floor space. Or cabinets could work better for you. It’s about understanding your needs and finding the right solution for your garage.
Kids Playroom
If your garage has a doorway to the home from the inside, you could consider converting the space into a dedicated kids’ playroom. This can provide a sense of relief, as it offers a designated area for your children’s toys, reducing the chances of them invading other parts of the home. It’s a win-win situation for both you and your kids.
Look for soft flooring that protects them when they play, ensure it’s watertight, and add insulation if you wish, as well as heating to make it easy and comfortable for the winter months. Don’t forget to ensure the main garage door is secure, too, to prevent escapes and theft. This emphasis on comfort and security can reassure homeowners that their converted garage will be a safe and inviting space for their children to enjoy.
Home Office
If you work from home or you have a home-based business, your garage is a ready-made location for you to work from. All you need to do is check the rules around working from home, especially if you’re renting, and get the right permits if required (especially for food and beverage businesses or those providing childcare options). But if you need a space at home but away from home to give you somewhere to knuckle down and work, converting your garage to an office could be precisely what you need. Again, ensure you’re addressing any security and comfort factors to make it an inviting space to work from, but other than this, you have free reign to make the space exactly what you need it to be.
Utility/Pet Room
Ever fancied having a dedicated laundry room? A room to keep coats, shoes, and outdoor equipment away from the front door instead of cluttering space? Converting your garage into a purpose-built utility or laundry room can be exactly what you need. You can install plumbing to accommodate your washing machine and dryer and add storage for your laundry and cleaning supplies. Or how about installing shelving and a rack to fold clean laundry on or air dry it to free up space in your kitchen?
You can have a mud room where you put all of your outdoor gear and store kids’ bags, school essentials, shoes, coats, gloves, hats, etc., so it’s all in one place. When you find it around the house, you can put it away where it is supposed to be, as you can keep track of everything.
Creating a pet room could be a great option for your unused garage if you have pets instead of kids. They don’t need to be sleeping in there unless they want to, and it’s catering to their needs, i.e. soundproof so they don’t get spooked, warm, dry and safe so they can escape. But you can use it to store all your pet food, clothing and your pet’s walking accessories. Adding a pet room can be a great addition to your home, be it feeding equipment, a pet wardrobe, toy storage, or anything else you need for your beloved pooches.
Kitchen Extension
If you need a bigger living space, then extending your kitchen into your garage and converting it to increase living space can be a great option. If you’re not using it for anything else and need to make your home bigger to accommodate your family lifestyle, this can be a great space to use so it’s not sitting wasted. You can create a nice open plan space that balances functionality and allows you to comfortably feed your family, host guests and entertain family and friends.
Guest Room
Lastly, converting your garage to a guest room can give you a space to accommodate family and friends who need to sleep over at your home without having to play bed roulette and move everyone around. Whether you create a sleeping space only or you can turn your garage into a self-contained living area. The extra bedroom can be helpful for many different reasons, not just for guest accommodation. It can work for illnesses, injuries, growing families and more.
*Don’t forget to download my #FREE Lifestyle APP Live a Well-Designed Life
