How to Convert Your Garage into a Living Space
If your garage is simply lying in wait, holding items that you no longer need and that you may never use again, you should think about converting it into a living space. To do this, there are a number of things that you can do, and some of them don’t even cost a lot of money. Take a look at some of the steps that you can take to convert your car into a safe, comfortable, and functional living space, all without spending too much money.
De-clutter Thoroughly
The very first step that you should take when you want to make your garage a living space is to de-clutter the space thoroughly. This will make it a lot easier for you to find the best way to organize the space. It’s also going to make the space a lot more manageable and give you a chance to set it up in a functional way. Take a weekend or two to collect everything that you no longer need, either dumping it or donating it, and only leave behind what you need. If you have a particularly large quantity of items, then finding a dumpster drop off in your area might be the best choice, as you’ll be able to get rid of the items quickly without repeat trips to the dump. When you have fewer items to deal with, you can be sure that it’s going to be a lot easier for you to store them in an attractive way.
Give the Floor New Life
The floor of the garage can play a very big role when it comes to the overall look and comfort of the space. This is the main reason why you should think about it when working on a garage remodel. If the current floor is made of concrete, keep in mind that most concrete can last for over 100 years, especially if it’s taken care of properly. That said, if you want to maintain your concrete floor, it’s best that you call concrete professionals to maintain it and fix any damage that it may have suffered. They may apply a protective coating on top of it that’s also going to improve its appearance, and this will be a definite plus.
Replace the Garage Door
Remember that the garage is actually one of the potential entries into your house. It can also affect your ability to keep the indoors at a comfortable temperature all year long. That said, if it’s old or damaged, you should call your local garage door company to help you either fix it or replace it. To give you an idea of what they may suggest, keep in mind that most garage doors will last between 15 and 30 years, according to Fortune Business Insights. If yours has reached this age, look into possible replacements so that you’re ready to do the right thing for the garage and the whole house in general.
Think About Safety
Safety is yet another crucial detail for you to think about, and that’s why you need to make sure that the garage is secure. You can do this by replacing or repairing the garage door as mentioned and taking additional measures, such as getting good locks for other points of entry, such as windows, if there are some in the garage. That’s because around 95% of all home invasions actually call for some kind of forceful entry, and that could be picking a lock, breaking a window, or even kicking in a door.
Work on the Insulation
Finally, make sure that the garage is insulated properly so that it can be an amazing livable space. If there are any gaps in the insulation, make the repairs after consulting with a professional. Once you get a safe and efficient job done in this space, you can be sure that the rest of the house will benefit as well.
These are the main steps that you should take if you want to make your garage a livable space. With a good plan and a realistic budget, you should be able to convert your garage into a cozy space. You can use this space for any of a number of reasons, including as a guest suite or even a children’s home schoolroom.
