Working from home is non-negotiable for many people, so it’s important that you have an appropriate space to do so. Having a dedicated workspace can help keep your work life and personal life separate, reducing the likelihood of experiencing burnout.
If you’re struggling to find a room in the house that you can transform into a home office, consider converting your garage if you don’t find that you use it enough. In this article, we’ll be discussing a few tips and tricks on how you can turn this space into a productive haven.
Structure
The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure that your garage is structurally sound. You can do so by reinforcing the structure using plywood and other durable materials.
You can seek the help of an architect or surveyor who can advise whether your garage will be suitable to convert. If it’s poorly built and outdated, it may be cheaper to knock it down and start from scratch.
As garages are not typically designed for home working spaces, you’ll need to plasterboard, insulate and decorate the walls to ensure it follows building regulations and can become a habitable space.
Plan the basics
To make your home office comfortable, you’ll need to ensure you plan the heating, plumbing and electrics accordingly. Heating will come in handy during the cold winter months, especially if your garage is a standalone unit.
Having a hot and cold water supply in your garage is ideal if you’re wanting to install a toilet and basin. And, you’ll need enough electronic points for lighting and to power your PC and other tech gadgets. These will also be needed for various appliances, including a kettle and microwave, so you have easy access to hot drinks and snacks should you need them while working.
Check planning permission
Generally, planning permission won’t be required if you’re just doing internal work on your property and not causing disruption. You need to check with your local council for any restrictions before beginning the work to see if you have Permitted Development rights.
If you do need to take it up with the council, you’ll have to apply for full planning permission before you can convert your garage.
Enlist help where you need to
If you don’t have the relevant skills, it’s not worth trying to do everything yourself as you could make costly mistakes.
Seeking help from a local builder or construction company can help you turn your converted garage vision into a reality. Or, an architect can help you with the entire planning process, ensuring you can maximise the full potential of the space so it blends seamlessly with your existing home aesthetic.
