Very few families use their garage for more than storing lawn equipment and junk that should have been thrown away years ago.  If you are considering increasing your living area by building an addition or buying a new home, renovating your garage can be another option worth considering.  By turning your garage into a multi-functional living area you can get more enjoyment from your home.

Many people choose to turn their garage into a bedroom for an older child, an in-law suite, or the ever popular ‘man cave’.  Regardless of the type of room you choose, there are many modifications that can be made so that it feels less like a garage.  The following tips will help you clarify the different kinds of renovations that you can make.

Finding an Alternative to the Garage Door

Removing the garage door is the best way for your new living space to blend flawlessly with the rest of your home.  A popular choice for this area is a patio door or a large bay window, which can be installed in place of your garage door.  Either option will help to brighten the room and give it a more welcoming feeling.

Installing New Flooring

Adding new flooring, like hardwood, tile, or carpet, is a great way to replace the dull concrete found in most garages.  Before you cover the existing floor, make sure that it is level.  If the floor is sloped in one direction or another, you may need to hire a contractor to level it before you can do anything else.  Depending on your climate, you may also want to consider adding insulation under your new flooring.

Choosing Your Heating System

Before you heat your new room, the roof and walls of your garage need to be insulated.  Especially if you have an older home, this could save a great deal of money in energy costs.  If your new room is still chilly in the coldest months of the year, extending your heating ducts may help.  Electrical baseboards can also be used to add warmth to the room if needed.

Lighting Your New Room

Your style of lighting can go a long way in creating the type of atmosphere that you want for your new space.  Track lighting is a good option for modern-looking spaces, while contemporary light fixtures will provide the comfortable atmosphere found in most homes.  If your garage does not have electricity, you will want to extend electrical wires from the main part of your home.  An electrician is the best person for this job if you do not have a lot of experience with electrical work.

Matching Your New Space to the Rest of the House

Renovating the exterior of your garage is just as important as the work you put into remodeling the inside of it.  Matching the color and style of the siding, window panels, and doors will help make it match the rest of your house.  Once you have a cohesive interior and exterior, people will never believe that your new living space was once your garage.

Now that you have decided to turn your garage into a newly renovated space, there are many choices that you will need to consider.  You may find that adding insulation and changing the type of flooring will be enough to turn your garage into a multi-functional living area.  If you would like to get rid of the garage-feel entirely, you can also replace the garage door with a patio door or a bay window.  Not only will these changes improve the look of your home, it will also increase its resale value. Whatever you choose to do, your new living area will add more space and comfort to your home.

No matter if you need to renovate an old garage or build a new garage, Great Lakes Garage Builders is here to help.  Contact us today!

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