Do you have a garage you don’t use? 

Well, don’t just leave it there, gathering dust! Whether you’re lacking guest spaces indoors, working from home or just need a quiet space for some valuable downtime, unused garages are perfect for way more than housing cars.  

Home offices, gyms, guest rooms – the list goes on, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with our guide to garage conversion ideas. If you’re lacking some inspiration, worry not. We’re here to help you out. 

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Is it a good idea to convert a garage?   

Here at Good Build Superstore, we think garages are an ideal spot for home upgrades. They increase space, functionality and home value while saving you money on extensions and renovations with expensive labour and material costs.  

Garage conversions are also endlessly versatile. You can continue your existing home aesthetic or try something completely new, ranging from small passion projects to complete renovations. There’s no limit on creativity. As long as you’re willing, you can turn your dull garage space into something beautiful. 

Before you start, however, there are a few factors you might want to think about. 

Garage ideas and space 

It’s worth noting that your garage conversion plans will differ depending on the space you have to hand. Some garages will have plenty of room to work with, whereas others may be on the narrower side. 

While often more expensive when it comes to electricity, water and gas, double garage conversion ideas generally have no limit. You can renovate your space into a kitchen, a music studio and even an annexed space with lodging. Single garage conversion ideas, on the other hand, might not offer you as much space. But this doesn’t mean you can’t create something amazing. Utility rooms, offices and libraries are all on the table, even when space is at a premium.  

Detached garage conversion ideas will also be less limited than integral garage conversions attached to your home. In these cases, think about noise levels – garage utility rooms can be noisy if too close to your living room, and garage offices might not be soundproofed enough if connected to loud communal areas in the home.  

Garage conversion cost in the UK

How much does a garage conversion cost? It’s hard to say as the overall price can vary from project to project and it heavily depends on the space you have, the work that needs doing and where in the UK you’re based. 

 According to recent market research, partial garage conversions can cost anywhere between £5000 and £9000, whereas whole garage conversions can vary up to £45,000.  However, this figure is liable to change based on whether your garage is single, double, integral or detached. 

Planning permission  

You might be asking yourself; do I need planning permission to convert a garage into a room? The answer is not always, but you should definitely check with the relevant local authorities to make sure. It often depends on the work that needs to be done. 

If the work is internal, uses similar building materials to the existing house, and the building doesn’t get bigger, you’ll likely comply with permitted development rights. However, flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, new developments, homes within a conservation area, and protected areas are often not covered. This is also the case for separate dwellings and conditions that stipulate your garage must be a parking space, so it’s best to look into these details beforehand. You can find the limits and conditions of permitted development rights in the planning portal.

You’ll usually need building regulations approval too, so submit a building notice to the council prior to any work. Regulations include but aren’t limited to the conversion being structurally sound, fire-safe and well-insulated. It is also recommended you look into freeholder consent, easements and covenants that might hinder your rights to convert your garage, and the Party Wall Act if your conversion affects the wall or structure you share with next door. 

Home with driveway and garage with a white garage door.

Guest room 

Hosting guests can be tricky enough as it is, but lacking the space and amenities for them only makes it harder. That’s why garages can make fantastic guest rooms for family, friends and even those looking for short getaways.  

While some garages might be good to go if only internal work is needed, others might need more thought and reconstruction. You should always ensure your garage is safe and well-insulated. The walls, floor and roof should be structurally sound and meet the relevant building standards, and any electricity, heating, windows and doors should be considered and accounted for.  

Once you get the nitty gritty out of the way, you can start the fun bits. Converting a garage into a room is a relatively easy process if your primary focus is furniture. Beds and dressers are a must and can help determine the overall aesthetic of the room, and from there you can start picking out complimentary accessories. Lighting, colour and furnishings can be crucial in making a room feel homely and inviting, so try to prioritise lamps, rugs and blankets, and any wallpaper or paint that matches the vibe.  

Extra living space

Converting a garage to a living space is a popular choice. It’s ideal for smaller homes with large families, for a designated adult space, for house guests, or even for when you can’t all decide on one film to watch in the lounge.  

Living spaces are all about comfort, so don’t shy away from cosy seating options with throws, pillows and warm lighting. Purchase or build a unit for entertainment and consoles, and maybe even slide in a bookshelf for those who love to read.  

Garages can also get cold, so think about heating and electricity. Plug sockets will be incredibly useful, not only for portable heaters but for phone chargers, televisions and lamps, and even for kettles. Making a tea and coffee station is super practical and a really nice touch, especially on cold winter evenings curled up with your favourite TV show or a film.  

Outdoor office

Over the last few years, the number of people working from home has grown exponentially. They don’t, however, all have the perfect means to do it. Small homes can lack the room for office spaces and working from the dining room table can prove tricky, especially when kids and pets are involved, so why not turn your garage into an outdoor office?  

A quick walk from your front door, garage office conversions are ideal for working from home while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You can get the peace and quiet you need for company calls and focus-driven tasks, head back inside for lunch breaks, and still be home in time for dinner. 

Outdoor offices don’t have to be expensive and time-consuming, either. Depending on the work required, it might not be so different to converting an ordinary room. Start with the basics and add a desk for your monitors and a nice chair for extra comfort, then slowly branch out with shelving and storage units for files and folders. You might want to think about enhancing the natural light by adding windows, upgrading insulation and installing heaters for the winter.  

Close up of a wooden desk with a mouse pad, mouse, plant, mug and laptop with a keyboard.

Playroom

When you have kids, space can very quickly become limited. Toys and games start to pile up and, before you know it, you’re tripping over Barbie on the way to breakfast and stepping on Lego bricks before you go to bed. If you’re looking for some organisation, a garage playroom might be right up your street. 

Storage boxes and crates make perfect homes for toys, making them easy to get out and put away. You could also lay down soft rugs and play mats on the floor and add a table for other activities, like boardgames, painting and building. 

Home cinema

This one’s a little out there, but film buffs will love it. 

Garages are often well-prepped for home cinemas with low amounts of lighting. With a few comfy chairs, a television or projector, and a table for drinks, popcorn and snacks, it doesn’t have to be the most difficult project going.  

Electricity and plug sockets are a must here, and it’s worth soundproofing the space to avoid noise complaints. You might also want to invest in curtains or blinds to black out any existing windows or new windows you plan on installing. These might be a key component if you want to double up this space during the daytime. 

Gym space

Working out isn’t always easy. Peak times make it tricky to use the equipment you require, gyms can be too far to walk to, and you might feel insecure in front of a room of strangers. That’s why an at-home gym is a fantastic way to convert your garage space. 

Home gyms save you stress, time and money wasted on trips back and forth, monthly memberships and busy evenings following long workdays. Your garage gym will be quick to get to, easy to customise and free of prying eyes. Add in fitness mats, weights and larger equipment like treadmills for a comprehensive workout whenever you wish. You can even leave it all set up exactly how you like it, ready for the next time.  

Private library

Avid readers know how hard it can be to store books. Sometimes a couple of shelves really isn’t enough, but you don’t have space for whole shelving units.  

Garages can make fantastic home libraries with no disruptions, no checkouts and no returns. They’re also easy to create – the only essentials will be book storage, which can take the form of shelves, shelving units, collapsable boxes, and whatever else tickles your fancy. If you’re looking for small garage conversion ideas, a library is a great choice with the amount of space-saving furniture available. But if you have a book collection big enough to start a library, it might prove a little more difficult. 

If you have the extra space, think about a cosy reading chair and a little side table for your tea and coffee. A lamp is also worthwhile if you’re a nighttime reader, or maybe even some funky colour-changing lighting strips to set the mood before you delve into the world hiding behind the pages of your favourite novel.  

Wooden bookshelf with books and potted plants.

Home studio 

If you’re creative, a lover of art or just someone who enjoys trying new hobbies, why not transform your garage into a dedicated home studio?  

Whether your passion is pottery, painting, crotchet or carpentry, there are so many things you can do with your garage. Storage is essential, as well as desks and workspace. Plug sockets should be installed where required, and you might want to improve insulation and heating for when it’s cold, but your space will otherwise be pretty good to go. 

New doors and windows

If you’re not looking for a complete conversion for your garage, there are still ways of updating your space and making it match the rest of your property. 

New doors and windows are an excellent way of modernising your garage and giving it a little extra sparkle. Creating a cohesive appearance can really make a difference in terms of looks and practicality, especially if your garage is integral and leads into your home. If you’re not looking for complete replacements, garage doors are easy to match to gates and front doors with simple changes like colour. 

Garage upgrade

When turning your garage into something else isn’t entirely practical, or just not up your street, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of garage conversion ideas for your home in the UK that can upgrade your space while keeping it suitable for parking, whether that includes painting walls, laying down new tiling and flooring or changing doors and adding windows. 

Shelves. Shelves are always an easy one. They’re super useful, too. Adding shelves to garage walls keeps the area open for your car while adding space for home storage, décor elements that make it a little less industrial, and even a designated spot for tools and equipment. Hooks are ideal for hanging plants and winter coats, and storage units can be used for almost anything. 

If your space is big enough, there might even be ways of adding a bathroom or utility space without sacrificing your parking spot. Sliding doors save space and partition walls can disguise small corner areas without completely changing your layout, so never say never.  

Final Thoughts

After delving into our article, we trust you’ll have realised your unused garage holds untapped potential. Whether you decide to turn it into an extra workspace, a home gym, or something we’ve never even thought of, we have faith that you’ll successfully enhance its functionality as well as improve the value of your home.  

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