Garage conversion ideas

If you’re looking for ways to maximise the space potential of your property, you’ve no doubt considered a garage conversion. Integral, attached, and even detached garages can all be converted into comfortable rooms and living spaces to suit a wide range of requirements, from storage areas to utility rooms and even bedsits. Whether you’ve recently converted your garage and are wondering what to do with it, have been considering a garage conversion for a while, or you simply want to know what the possibilities are, in this guide we’ll cover:

What is a garage conversion?
Small garage conversion ideas
- Garage conversion to bar
- Garage converted to gym
- Garage office conversion
Double garage conversion ideas
- Half or partial garage conversion
Converting a garage to a living space

What is a garage conversion?

Most garages are quite basic structures and designed to house cars only, and therefore they often have minimal amenities. So, how do you convert a garage into a room? The good news is that most garages in the UK are made from brick or cement. This means that only the interior will need converting in the majority of cases with the exception of adding side, rear or roof windows, swapping a flat roof for a pitched roof, or converting the garage door to an entry door.

One of the main priorities when turning a garage into a living space is working out how to make it as comfortable and cosy as the rest of your home. As part of the conversion, you’ll mostly have to address things like interior walls, insulation, damp-proofing, flooring, and carpeting, as well as work out how you’ll get power and heat to the garage.

When it comes to stand-alone detached garage conversions, the structures are separate from your home or the main building on the property — this makes them a popular option for guest houses and granny flats. However, because they’re independent, your conversion may require additional

building work to hook them up with power and, if fitting a kitchen, bathroom, or ensuite, water and plumbing.

Integral garage conversions are often cheaper and quicker to have done because they’re part of the property and the infrastructure is already there. Connecting them up to the electrics and plumbing (if required) is more straightforward than it is for working out how to get power over to a garage at the other end of the garden, for example.

You may be wondering whether you’ll need planning permission for a garage conversion. In many cases you won’t, but there are conditions — you can find out more in our guide. We also have a guide to how much a garage conversion can cost than can help you work out how much your project may set you back as well as how to keep costs low. Generally, garage conversions are cheaper than extensions, but not as cheap as some loft conversions.

Small garage conversion ideas

You may think that only double garages are worth converting, but there are plenty of single-car garage conversion ideas you can try that are ideal for smaller structures. Single car garages are generally cheaper, and a more achievable option if you’re considering a DIY garage conversion.

It’s even possible to turn your single-car converted garage into a bedroom, ideal for hosting guests for short visits, though you will need to acquire planning permission if your intention is to have people sleeping in your conversion. If you’re considering a one-car single garage conversion to a granny flat then this may be achievable depending on space, but this is a function more suited to a double garage conversion. If you want to increase the size of your garage, this follows the same rules as an ordinary extension.

Garage conversion to bar

Many people choose to kit out their sheds and outbuildings with fully stocked bars to create a place to escape the pressures of their homes. By doing this in a converted garage instead, you can not only build your own bar stocked with bottles of your favourite tipple, a variety of glasses, garnishes, and even a fridge to keep things cool, but you can create an entire lounge area with enough room for a pool table, dart board, or any other pastime you choose to enjoy along with your beverages.

Adding roof windows or even a roof lantern can turn a dingy garage into a bright, inviting space to enjoy a drink or activity during the day, allowing you to get the best of the outside while staying in. If your conversion is hooked up to electric, you can even fit a TV or projector to watch sports or movies on — in this case, your roof windows and skylights can be fitted with blinds so you can easily create dark conditions even when it’s light outside.

Garage converted to gym

Home gyms enjoyed a surge in popularity during the pandemic, but they’ve proven to be so convenient that they’re here to stay and are particularly sought after by people buying property. You can buy gym equipment and workout accessories quite cheaply, and by having a designated area to exercise in, you can customise it and utilise it the best way for your routine — plus, it may work out cheaper in the long run than a gym membership!

Home gyms are incredibly useful, especially if you don’t have time to visit an actual gym, but did you know that they may even raise your property value too? With a gym in your garage, exercise machines too large for other rooms in your home can easily be installed, and you can add some home comforts like a drinks’ fridge or even a shower to cool off in afterwards.

A garage gym conversion may even be better than a loft gym conversion, as you won’t have to worry about reinforcing the floors or soundproofing the floor below. It’s recommended that you soundproof the walls of your garage, however, so your neighbours aren’t bothered by any noisy machines or equipment. Rubber flooring can also help absorb noise and protect your equipment from shock.

Garage office conversion

Working from home is another trend that flourished during the pandemic but is here to stay, with a quarter of workplaces now offering remote working options that didn’t before (ONS). Garage conversions make fantastic home offices, because they’re a designated workspace that’s separate to the rest of your home. This makes them more private, meaning you’re less likely to be disturbed while you work, but also makes it easier to switch off at the end of the day as you physically close the door to your office behind you and head into your main home to relax for the evening.

Even if you don’t work from home for your main job, converting your garage to an office could give you a great place to run a small business as a side hustle, do homework, or even just get in a few private hours of undisturbed gaming. All you need to do on top of converting your garage is make sure it has electricity, WiFi, and whatever furniture or equipment you need to do your job. Many garage conversions may also have room for a break area in which to relax, make a coffee, and rest your eyes for a few moments.

Double garage conversion ideas

It’s even possible to turn your single car converted garage into a bedroom, ideal for hosting guests for short visits, though you will need to acquire planning permission if your intention is to have people sleeping in your conversion. If you’re considering a one-car single garage conversion to a granny flat then this may be achievable depending on space, but this is a function more suited to a double garage conversion. If you want to increase the size of your garage, this follows the same rules as an ordinary extension.

Half or partial garage conversion

Some large garages, particularly double garages, can be half or partially converted. This allows you to create a room in your garage while still retaining a parking space, usually with a partition wall. It’s also possible to create a partial conversion by building a room above the garage, height permitting. These rooms likely won’t be very large, but they’re ideal for use as utility rooms, offices, or perhaps single bedrooms.

Convert garage to living space

Integral garages are often turned into bedrooms, easily providing you with an additional room albeit at the expense of your parking space. You’ll just need to follow building regulations when converting your integral garage to make sure the space is habitable, and building work shouldn’t take too long or be too disruptive. You may also have to consider unique storage solutions.

Detached garages, however, are slightly trickier from a logistics point of view as they’re separate from the rest of the home, and so don’t have easy access to washing and toilet facilities. Unless you add an ensuite as part of your conversion, for bedrooms in detached garages it’s best to only have a couple or single person occupying them on a short-term basis as they’ll have to get up and enter the main building to use the facilities.

In single detached garages, you might have room for a double bed and perhaps an ensuite toilet, however, it likely won’t be as comfortable as a double garage when used as a permanent bedroom. A single integral garage may be fine as a box room for a single person or perhaps with bunk beds for children. Government guidance advises that bedrooms should be at least 6.52 square metres for one person and 10.23 sq. m for two persons — this is only enforced when renting out your property, but it’s a good metric to bear in mind when considering whether your garage is suitable for conversion.

If you want someone to take up permanent residence in your garage, for example an elderly relative, it’s better to convert a two-car garage into a living space as this will be much more comfortable and more akin to a studio apartment — these are known as a ‘granny annexe’ or ‘granny flat’. You’ll be more likely have room for a bedroom, a small bathroom or ensuite, and a kitchen/living area too.

Garages are very useful structures, but if you don’t need yours for parking purposes, why not turn them into a spare bedroom, hobby room, gymnasium, office, or any other kind of area you need? Converting a garage can be very cheap, quick, and easy — just remember to check whether you need planning permission and work out how much it will cost before you begin.

At RW4Y, we can provide you with high-quality roof windows, skylights, and even lantern roofs that can turn a dark, dingy garage into a light, airy space to entertain and relax in. We can provide roof window accessories and much more for any home improvement project, including loft conversions and extensions too, so why not get in touch and see what we can do for you? Email us at digital@fakrogb.com or phone us at 0333 600 9090

Browse the rest of our knowledge hub to find even more roof window advice, interior design tips, and home and property news.