Five Ways You Could Be Using Your Garage

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Chances are, your garage is an unloved part of your house – if so, you’re certainly not alone. Many homeowners admit to using the garage simply as a “storage” room, rather than appreciating it for the space that it is. This shouldn’t be the case though, as having a garage space is not only extremely useful, but can even save you money! Here are five ways you could be using your garage, but definitely aren’t.

For working at home

Whether you’re self-employed, often work from home or are trying to set up your own business, your garage can make an excellent workspace. Relocating to the garage lets you avoid all the distractions of indoors without compromising on home comforts, like free coffee, reliable Wi-Fi and not having to worry about your laptop while you use the facilities.

Double check that your home Wi-Fi will actually stretch to the garage, and have a look to make sure you’ve got enough power points to get working. Once you’re used to working in your garage, you can always consider a full conversion, including insulation and a heater to keep you warm in winter months.

For your hobbies

Garages are perfect for housing that one hobby that doesn’t really fit indoors. Whether you want to practice your drums, weightlifting or painting skills, creating a studio in your garage lets you take your noise, equipment and mess outside of the main house, without having to find a space in town.

If you’re the only one using the studio then you don’t have to worry about always tidying up, either – just make sure that your expensive equipment is kept safe overnight. If you have windows then keep them locked and covered with curtains or blinds, and consider installing new doors for added protection (up and over garage doors are widely considered the most secure).

For peace and quiet

Are you longing for a place to unwind, but don’t have room in the house? Shift Christmas decorations and old bicycles to the attic and shed, and build yourself a man (or woman) cave in the garage. Revamping with comfy seating, a mini fridge and TV will give you an “adults only” zone to entertain friends, chill with your partner or have a couple of hours to yourself, without any unwanted interruptions.

Conversely, create a room for your kids to enjoy so that you get the house to yourself! Clear any potentially dangerous power tools and gardening equipment, then throw in some speakers, a TV and some bean bags. It’s an easy way to make sure you get some peace and quiet, and let your little ones (or not-so-little ones) feel like they’re getting their own space, too.

For extra living space

When growing families need more space, it’s quite common that they start looking for a whole new property, entirely overlooking the potential of their garage. Unless you’re desperate for a complete change of scenery, consider simply converting your garage into an extra living space or bedroom.

Not only do you save yourself the stress of relocating, in most cases you’ll save quite a bit of money compared to the costs of finding, purchasing and re-decorating a new home. Plus, when the time to move finally does arrive, a well-executed conversion will add value to your property.

For your Car

No surprises, a garage is a fantastic place to store your car. It’s literally a private parking space that saves you from the frustration of sourcing a convenient spot every time you come home. You also won’t have to deal with bird droppings, dirty marks from the rain or having to defrost your windscreen in winter. On top of all of that, you can save money by updating your insurance policy, which will look favourably on you for keeping your car somewhere secure overnight, reducing your insurance costs.

‘Woodside guest house.’ Cathy Schwabe Architecture, Oakland, CA. (Designed while at EHDD Architects.) Photo by David Wakely.

Many people claim that a big reason they don’t use their garage to park in (besides it being full of junk) is the hassle of opening and closing the door every time. If this sounds familiar, then maybe it’s time to consider having automatic doors installed, so you sidestep the inconvenience with the click of a button.

There’s really no excuse for using your garage as a storage room when there’s so much more it could be offering your family. Choose a sunny weekend, have a clear out and start making your garage work harder for you.