The word ‘garage’ is derived originally from the French word ‘garer’, which means ‘to store’. Garages are somewhat of a modern day twist on the original carriage houses, whose purpose was to house the horse carriages and equipment. In recent years, they have been considered simply for that purpose and that purpose only – to store.

Though times they are changin’. First came the open plan kitchens, the loft conversion, outdoor living areas and now post lockdown and with the cost of living rising and the house prices mimicking their steep ascent, there really never has been a better time to turn the garage into an extra room. 

There are many different purposes that your garage can be converted and we run through a list of the top 4 garage conversions. Not only does a conversion allow for extra space in the home, but it could add some big numbers onto the price tag of your home as well. Oh and as a rule of thumb,  you don’t need planning permission  as long as there are no external changes (but always check) – seems like a no brainer!

Converting your Garage to more Living Space

This is becoming more and more common in the UK. With the weather in the UK being so nightmare-ishly unpredictable, it really isn’t hard to see why. 

Without having to change the exterior look of your home by adding an extension, a window can be added to your garage, the interior transformed and just like that you have an extension of the living space that you have available. Be that a snug, an office, a library ‘wing’, you have creative control and you will not be short of finding inspiration on the internet on ideas of converting your garage into extra living space.

Oftentimes the garage flooring is lower than that in the home. If you hope to create a seamless extension of an area in your home by utilising the garage, then you will need to consider raising the floor – if the ceiling allows for it. This can add a bit more to the cost, but has a dramatic effect on the space and function.

Converting your Garage to a Spare Room / Holiday Let

If you have always dreamed of running an Air bnb or just want a place for your family and friends to stay when they visit then converting your garage into a spare room could be just the ticket. 

The design options for a spare room conversion really are endless, but on trend could be a cottage style, granny flat, a cosy space or an open plan dream with a kitchenette that gives that added independence to the space.

If you have a larger than average garage, then you could consider a double storey conversion. A kitchen and lounge below and then a spiral staircase leading to a cosy loft style bed, you could also add in a window to the roof to make the space light and airy.

Converting your Garage to a Kids PlayRoom

If you are tired of all of the toys that are crowding the houses, tripping over them and you feel like you have run out of space, then considering converting the garage into a kids playroom could be a great option for you. 

If the kids are a bit older, even better, put a pool table in and you will be sure to have the garage getting a lot of use. 

There are so many options when it comes to a playroom conversion, no matter the age of the children. Functional and bespoke, space enlarging options are on trend at the moment and here, the world really is your oyster when it comes to design.

A Simple Utility Space

This is the ultimate conversion for improving and simplifying family life. If your garage joins the home near the kitchen or halfway, you could create the laundry of your dreams. You could have that extra space for wellies, costs and umbrellas, or split the garage and have space for the car and a utility. There are so many options here. If you are considering a utility, make sure that you have great ventilation for drying to ensure no unwanted mould and if you want that extra luxury feel, then underfloor heating is a great way to have a warm and welcoming utility area.

One thing you can do to create more usable space is to install a space saving roller garage door in your garage. The beauty of a roller door is that it does not swing open in the same way as an up and over garage door. Because the door opens and closes up and down vertical rails it does not need clearance in front or behind the door. Furthermore, the door rolls into a small box that is fixed to the wall above the door opening, so it means you have more ceiling space too.

A Home Office Garage Conversion

With the rise in businesses adapting to post covid’s ‘work from home’ model. You might be like the thousands of others in the UK that are working from the kitchen or the living room. Why not consider converting your garage to a home office? 

Adding in windows or skylights is essential for a comfortable office space, in saying this it is also advised to invest in blinds for the space as well. Ensure that you have sufficient heating in the new home office as well and just like that, your life working from home just got a thousand times better. Add in a sofa bed and this conversion will be multipurpose for family and friends coming to stay. 

So Why Should You Convert Your Garage?

The reality of garages is that they are a poor utilisation of valuable space in the home. The average cost for a garage conversion UK is £7000- £20,000 depending on your vision and method.