How To Turn Your Garage Into A Cozy Office
When working from home, it’s nice to have a space to focus on what you need to get done. That’s why more and more people are converting their garage spaces into comfortable home offices.
But turning a garage into an office isn’t the same as converting a spare room. Garages don’t always have what you need. It’s not all fun decorative work – you need to do some planning ahead of time.
Fortunately, it’s not too hard to turn your dingy garage into a cozy home office for you to do your work. There are ways to make that space as comfortable as possible.
Here are different things to consider if you want to turn a garage into an office:
1. Structure
Start with the basics – what’s the structure of your garage? And how might you need to alter it when trying to turn your garage into an office?
But before doing anything, planning is crucial! What’s necessary for this office? What are your current job requirements, and what might they be in the future? Write down everything you’ll need – it’ll come in handy in the following steps to turn a garage into an office.
Next, empty everything and see how the space currently looks. Plan where you want to put your things and think about what kinds of structural changes will be necessary.
The garage door is the most vital part of the room and often the only lighting. You might want to replace it with a garage door that’s easier on the eyes or hire a remodeling service to get it torn out and replaced with a typical front door.
You’ll probably want to update the flooring. No one likes bland stone concrete in an office. You can throw down a few cute rugs or get something entirely new. You have multiple renovation or remodeling options. You can get something built over the floor or pull it out and start again.
And if you still need the garage, you can construct a small office in a corner if the space is large enough. Putting up walls isn’t too difficult and will give you an area to work in in a mini room addition.
You might want to expand the roof of your garage for more storage space. A spacious ceiling can make an office comfortable even if you don’t need to store anything tall.
Also, think about your safety and security. If the structure isn’t sound, you might want a few upgrades. You’ll also likely be storing expensive items inside, so upgrade your garage locks.
One great way to make the space pretty is to disguise various fixtures or tear them out. You can place something over the garage door track, garage door button, or water heater.
2. Environment
Garages aren’t built with the idea that someone will spend significant time in them, so they can get uncomfortable. Here’s how to fix that and turn a garage into an office you feel cozy inside.
Try to insulate the space properly. You can install fiberglass in the walls and over the door. You can also do the flooring and walls. Be sure to be thorough.
You might need a dehumidifier for the summer months. A quality dehumidifier can really make a difference in the heat.
Finally, think of your AC. You can get portable space heaters and fans or install an entire AC system if you want to save space or get high-tech.
3. Electronics
When turning a garage into an office, you’ll most likely want more ways to access electricity running into your garage than currently is available.
You probably need more lighting. This lighting can be desk lights, window installations, or even overhead hanging lights. Think about how best to brighten up your space.
Do you need Wi-Fi to turn your garage into an office? If so, do you have a Wi-Fi connection in your garage? If not, you can get a portable router to fix that. But you might prefer ethernet cables to increase internet speed.
These electronics are adding up, and that’s not even considering you’ll probably need a computer, too. You can get an outlet extension cord or install new, conveniently placed outlets with professional technicians.
4. Customization
Now for the fun part – you get to make a beautiful space for yourself. You don’t just turn a garage into an office – you’re turning it into a place you’ll want to use.
Your furniture can be the bare essentials, like a chair and a desk, but you can also throw in extra tables, rugs, bookshelves, and whatever else comes to mind.
Corner desks are a good idea if you’re trying to save space. You might also want a desk on wheels so your office can be mobile and not necessarily confined to this space.
Think about what you need to store, and get storage furniture like cabinets, file cabinets, and hanging shelves. You might even glue files on walls for easy access.
You should personalize the space to make it more comfortable. Find some wall art and books you like. Put some curtains over the garage door. Paint colors that go well together on the walls. You can even paint fun patterns, like stripes or dots. Don’t forget to paint the ceiling to match the walls.
FAQs
What are some small garage office design ideas?
The main thing you need to do is lighting – try installing overhanging lights or a few well-placed desk lamps. Try painting the walls with dynamic and bright colors. Cover the garage door track and water heater with furniture items for a cozier look.
How do you build a small office in your garage?
First, you need to figure out how you’ll use the space. Then you should gather what you need, empty everything out, and replace it with what’s necessary for your office.
How do you turn a garage into an office space?
You may need to install power outlets and some better lighting or get Wi-Fi/Ethernet working inside your garage. Beyond that, it’s a matter of clearing out what you don’t need and putting in what you do.
Conclusion
You can turn a garage into an office using a variety of strategies. Your garage might feel dingy and uninviting now, but there are many ways to completely transform it into something cozy and nice. Having a more livable garage is always a good thing, and now you might even enter it for fun!
When you turn a garage into an office, the choices can sometimes seem overwhelming. Consider your options, and don’t be afraid to get creative when transforming your space. But most of all, have fun!