8 Garage to Office Conversion Tips to Help Create Your Dream Home Office
Do you have an unused garage with lots of potential? It might just be the ideal place for that brand-new home office you've wanted for a while.
In this guide, you'll learn how a garage-to-office conversion can help you achieve the perfect workspace, as well as what to consider when designing your home office.
Why Convert a Garage into a Home Office?
There are lots of ways in which you could incorporate a new office space into your home, like repurposing an unused space or even adding a home extension.
Garage-office conversion is a very popular option due to several factors:
Privacy
A garage office can help give you a little bit more privacy during working hours. The thick walls help create a clear separation between working and living space so you can have an easier time relaxing at the end of the day. You'll also face fewer distractions which will boost your productivity.
Convenience
If you've got an unused garage and want to maximise the space, using it to create a home office is a no-brainer. You won't have to sacrifice other rooms in your house or go through the hassle of home extension.
Increased Home Value
Garage conversion involves lots of improvements to the space, including flooring, insulation, lighting, and many more. All these additions can help increase your home's resale value down the line, so you’ll reap the benefits of a garage conversion long-term.
8 Things to Consider When Creating the Ideal Home Office
With flexible working becoming more and more common, having a home office has gone from luxury to necessity. So how can you make sure your cluttered garage gets transformed into a relaxing workspace that maximises both functionality and atmosphere?
Planning Permissions
When it comes to home improvement, it can be a bit stressful dealing with planning permissions and building regulations. Luckily, garage conversion doesn't usually require planning permissions, except in a few select cases:
if the work involves house extension
if permitted development rights have been removed from the property
if your home is a listed building, in a conservation area, or a new housing development
If you're unsure whether you need planning permissions to convert your garage into office space, contact your local planning authority or chat with our experts at Ray White Builders - we'll provide all the guidance you need.
Insulation
In order to convert your garage into a liveable space, you'll need to consider adding proper insulation, starting with replacing the garage doors. This will help you keep the room warm when it's cold outside, or keep it cool during the warmer season. You'll also need to consider connecting the room to your house's central heating and electrical infrastructure, adding electrical sockets if needed.
A properly insulated room will also greatly reduce energy consumption, and can even provide much-needed noise proofing to reduce distractions.
Flooring
Most garages come with cold, concrete flooring, which might make the overall space uncomfortable to work in. Simply updating your flooring will greatly change the overall feel of your garage, making it more homely and relaxing - perfect for a productive workspace.
Lighting
When setting up your dedicated home office, you'll also need to consider the kind of lighting you need. Adding adequate lighting will reduce eye strain and make it easy for you to work for longer periods of time.
Some great options are LED lights, fluorescent lamps, and hanging lights. You can even install new windows. which not only adds natural light but also improves airflow.
Internet Access
When working from home, you'll likely need access to good internet. If your garage is too far away from your router and the wi-fi signal is too low, you might need to invest in a long ethernet cable, a wi-fi extender, or even a newer router.
Wall Painting
If you want to transform the space and breathe a whole new life into it, a fresh coat of paint might just be what it needs. Paint the walls white for a neutral colour scheme, or go bold with the colours if you want a more creative, vibrant working space.
Furnishing
No matter if you use your home office for remote work or personal projects, you'll spend a lot of time there, so it's best to invest in high-quality, comfortable furniture made to last.
For a proper office set-up, you'll need an ergonomic office chair and a functional desk, as well as plenty of storage space such as cabinets or shelves.
Add a Personal Touch
Once your garage conversion is done and your working station is properly set up, it's time to add a personal touch to it. This step is all up to personal preference, as you can add wall accessories, personal photos, potted plants, and anything else that makes the space feel more like you.
How much does garage conversion cost?
According to Checkatrade, the average cost for converting an integrated or detached garage in the UK is around £10,000 - £20,000. However, the costs will depend on the specifics of each project. For example, double garage conversions (approx. 36m²) could range between £20,500 - £45,000.
To compare, a basic house extension can reach an average cost of £40,000. If you’re weighing your options for a new home office build, a single garage conversion is definitely the more budget-friendly option and a worthwhile investment.
Ray White Builders Helps You Create your Ideal Working Space
An unused garage has lots of potential not just as a home office, but can even be turned into a home gym, a playroom for the children, or an additional storage room.
Whether you want to turn your unused garage space into a home office or use it for other personal projects like a home gym or children's playroom, Ray White Builders will assist you every step of the way. Contact us to discuss any garage to office conversion needs, and bring your home office vision to life.