How to Turn Your Garage into the Ultimate Home Office

Could you use more room at home for focusing on work? Whether you’re connecting with the team from work remotely, starting a home-based business, or just in need of a spot to pay the bills, your garage could be just the ticket for creating the space you’re dreaming about. 

But I’m Garageless!

If you’re in need of a space and you don’t have a garage to convert, or if you simply can’t bear to relinquish it, there are other options. If you have even a small amount of uncommitted yard, consider adding a structure that can become your garage, or that can absorb enough items from your existing garage to make way for your desk. Not only will it provide the elbow room or storage needed for your transition, it can raise your home’s value. 

Contemplate your available land, as well as how much you can spend on the structure. The Nest points out that a proper building budget will include a solid floor plan and will take into account things like the slope of the land, plumbing, wiring, and so forth. Also consider different building materials to determine what would suit your needs. 

Wood and steel are popular materials for outbuildings, and each has its own advantages. Steel is handsome, durable, easy upkeep, and is impervious to the elements. A wooden pole barn-style construction can be less expensive to build and will look nice enough, but wood can be damaged by pests, weather, and wear. Think through your long-term needs and objectives for your best bet. 

Know Your Needs

Recognizing you need a new office space is one thing, but deciding exactly what that should include is another. It’s important to take how you work into account. Your objectives will dictate much of the arrangement; you may, for instance, focus on installing a business line, bringing in ergonomic furniture that will increase your productivity, and so forth. 

Think about whether you will meet clients there or if the space is just for you, and whether you need another entrance or parking for visitors. Similarly, will you need a space for production, or to accept deliveries? Consider the whole scope of your goals when making plans.

Create a Livable Space

If your garage is on the rough side, your first steps might be creating a more livable space with heating and cooling, electricity, plumbing, and drywall, and some locations might require a building permit. 

A garage lends itself naturally to the industrial look, so you might be able to make some of that roughness work out well for you. Allow a brick wall and some hardware show, and it’ll just enhance the space. Happily, making upgrades to an existing garage will typically boost your home’s value, so not only will you enjoy the work area, it’s money well spent if you sell later on. 

Be Well-Equipped

Start making notes about how you will furnish and equip your space. Think about things like whether you need a bathroom added for yourself or visitors, internet service, and whether or not you need to establish ground rules for your family. After all, if you’re in the midst of a meeting, the last thing you want is the after school crowd running through on their way to the backyard. 

Tailored Specifications

Don’t limit yourself to sketching on a pencil and paper, since there are plenty of free apps available to help you with your floor plan. If space is extremely tight, you might need to gather some specific measurements to create a realistic design. Your desk will likely occupy a large portion of the space, and you’ll want some elbow room for your chair, as well as any shelves, files, and supplies, and if you need seating for guests that should be taken into account. 

Turning a garage into a home office can mean boosting your productivity, and it can also mean boosting your home’s value. Think through what will meet your needs best and how to create a space that will function well for your work. With some planning and strategizing, you’ll be all set up to work, whether you’re just paying the water bill or launching your new startup.