Do you need more space in your home? Are you unable to afford the funds or the physical space to build an extension to your house? Do not worry; there are alternatives! You might already have the answer in your garage.
Consider your garage. It’s a simple structure, a vast space that can be whatever you want. Whether connected or not, the garage doesn’t have to serve as a space to store your car tools or storage. Garages are flexible areas where you may use your imagination and ingenuity. You can enlist the help of a design-build team to figure out how to best use the space you have to accommodate your family’s needs.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Garage into a Living Space?
One of the most well-known ways to maximize the space is to turn your garage into a living room. We suggest converting the garage to a comfortable room for those looking for or requiring more space to host family or friends’ activities. Compared to constructing an entirely new house, converting your garage could make it easier to complete the building process leaving you with more money for finishes and features than for building the building. It can also keep you from losing a portion of your yard and make the area of your home more efficient.
3 Reasons to Make Your Garage Livable
- Your family should be able to accommodate more family members. Many families transform their garages into in-law suites to give Grandma and Grandpa. Due to the benefits of assisted-living homes, their own space to live near the rest of their family members.
- You require office space as well as a family room and guest rooms.
- You’re looking to earn some extra cash. You can let out for Your new home rent.
Let’s look at what you’ll need to do to make an inviting space within your garage.
Requirements for Garage Living Spaces
- Windows – Windows isn’t just an excellent idea for the garage living area windows get required in any bedroom space. Beyond the building code, the natural light and airflow are not overlooked and can help make your home feel more spacious.
- Heating and Air – Your newly converted space must have reliable air conditioning and heating system, especially during our Ottawa winters. The existing structure and funding should negotiate the heating system type with your contractor. Baseboard heaters, wall unit heating vents, propane heading, and many others have short and long-term advantages for your comfort and budget.
- Insulation – You’ll need to keep the garage at a comfortable temperature of 70˚ F during the coldest times throughout the entire year. Garages get built to hold out warm air. Insulation is the best friend for efficiency and comfort, especially in garage living spaces. Insulation doesn’t have to be the familiar soft pink items. It is essential to ensure that your windows and doors are sealed and well-insulated to safeguard your home from weather and other elements.
- Electrical and Lighting – It may seem obvious. Still, the garage you’ve converted will require lighting and a way to manage the lighting. It is usually something that needs to get added to garages that already exist. If you are making plans for your budget and project, ensure that you talk to an electrician about safety-conscious wiring and access. There’s nothing worse than running extension cords throughout the room. Make sure the space you are converting has outlets evenly distributed over the entire wall.
- Plumbing – Suppose your garage does not include plumbing, like most homes. In that case, this is an absolute necessity for your newly renovated living space. It isn’t a good idea to walk into your main home to grab an ice cube or to use the bathroom. Suppose you’re planning to build your garage as an additional living space, such as an in-law apartment. In that case, you’ll have to estimate the distance and the cost of an entire kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen and bathroom do not require a vast space. However, they must be functional. The more closely you design your plumbing and upgrade to the plumbing you already have, the more affordable you’ll pay.
Creative Solutions to Make a Cozy and Stylish Garage Living Area
1: Make Your Garage Door Look More Attractive
What do you intend to accomplish with your garage door? Consult with your contractor on designs here. It will affect the rest of the work. So, make sure you take this first. The floor plan, structure, and function will be based on this choice. Be aware that garage doors can take up quite a bit of space, about a fourth of the wall, and aren’t sealed or insulated properly. If you wish to preserve freedom in your garage for parking, then keeping the garage door opener is essential. Do you want to have an alternative entry point for your living space?
2: Have Fun with Floor Choices
Engage an architect or design-build company to look at the flooring options. We’ve seen some genuinely excellent concrete floors that were painted and sealed. The standard concrete floors for garages get intended to be soft or warm for barefoot walkers. Many of our customers see the advantages of traditional flooring choices for comfort and style to enhance the look of their house.
3: Tape Off Different Floor Plans
Perhaps you have enough room for a studio-style apartment. Maybe you’d like to make a bedroom completely separated from the other rooms. What layout is most suitable for your budget when planning windows, plumbing, HVAC, or entry points? Are you planning to construct an outdoor deck to expand your living area? Are you looking to create the space to double as office space at home and the movie theater? Discuss with your contractor the size of the room you’ll require to fit your requirements, and think about how you can envision the space. You can also tape furniture and walls to see how everything will work.
4: Hide the Undesirables
You might consider adding closets or walls around appliances like furnaces or water heaters to make your space feel more home-like. A fresh coat of drywall and a new coat of paint will help make your home appear more inviting and less like a garage. It can also help to block out unwanted sounds.
Let’s Begin Your Garage Project
For questions about other home addition projects or transforming your garage into a living space, get in touch with us! Call Ottawa Home Pros at (613) 288-9145 or email at info@ottawahomepros.com for your garage addition project. We are always ready to assist.
