Finding the right work-life balance can make a world of difference in your daily routine. If you are lucky enough to work from home, you should take the time to carve out a dedicated space just for you. Not only does it afford you the privacy to focus without interruption, but you’re keeping your workspace separate from your leisure time. If you have empty space in your garage, why not maximize your space and creativity and consider turning it into a home office? Whether you need the office space or simply want a room to yourself, transforming the garage can be a cost-effective way to add an office without all the hassle and expense of a home renovation or addition. In today’s blog post we share our team’s tips for transforming your garage into your dream office.

WHY USE YOUR GARAGE AS AN OFFICE?

Many people believe that garages are only good for storing cars, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’re not maximizing your garage’s potential as a storage zone, it only makes sense to transform it into a room that you’ll actually use.

Garages are ideal for home offices because they’re usually somewhat set apart from the rest of your household, which helps with creating some healthy distance between your work and home life. It’s also much cheaper to renovate an existing space in your home than it is to build an entire new room. Converting the garage into a home office gives you all the benefits of an extension without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money and endure months of construction.

Even if you don’t want to completely renovate and repurpose your garage, think about turning just a corner of the space into an office. A good desk and chair along with some lamps, rugs, and space dividers can go a long way toward creating a cozy office nook right in your garage.

STEPS FOR TURNING YOUR GARAGE INTO AN OFFICE

Although it’s easier and cheaper than an addition, transforming your garage into an office requires some time and effort. Keep in mind that all the work on your garage will need to be done with the proper permits and in compliance with the building codes in your city or county. You’ll also need to make sure your finished garage is up to municipal standards for habitable spaces.

 After obtaining the necessary permits, here are the next steps you should take toward completing your garage office:

1.  Clean out the space

To create your dream office, you first need to clear out everything you currently keep in the garage. Find new places to store things like bikes, garden tools, car accessories, and holiday decorations, or neatly pack them away in boxes that can be discreetly kept in your new workspace. You’ll also want to give the garage a thorough cleaning before doing anything else—make sure there aren’t any lingering cobwebs or car grease stains when you start to assemble your office.

2. Think about insulation

Since most garages aren’t climate controlled, you’ll need to consider how you’re going to heat and cool your home office. Although it can be expensive, it’s a good idea to look into the possibility of connecting your garage to your home’s HVAC system. Adding extra insulation to the walls is also an option.

If you plan on spending a lot of time in your garage office, you’ll also want to invest in a well-insulated garage door for reasons of comfort and energy efficiency. A garage door’s R-value measures its insulation value and resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better protected your garage will be against fluctuations in temperature. At NationServe, we recommend getting a garage doors with an R-value of higher than R14 if you plan on spending extended amounts of time in your garage.

3.  Decide on lighting

Most garages don’t receive much natural light, so it’s essential that you invest in plenty of lamps and overhead lighting to make the space into a bright, productive space.

While the lack of natural light often deters people from turning their garage into a habitable space, it’s a problem that can be easily fixed. At NationServe, many of our Wayne Dalton garage doors can be customized with windows. You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of styles and tinting options as well as where the windows should be placed in the door.

For even more natural light, why not choose a modern glass garage door? These sleek and stylish doors are an excellent choice for garages that have been converted into living spaces. And, if you live in a region with a more temperate climate, you can even open the door when the weather’s nice so you can feel as if you are working outside.

4.  Furnish and decorate

Adding the right decor is the final, crucial step in converting your garage from a functional storage space into an appealing, comfortable room that will keep you motivated and inspired. Take the time to choose the perfect chair and desk and a few other key pieces of furniture, such as a small couch, bookshelf, filing cabinet, or armchair.

To make the space more inviting, consider covering the concrete floors with rugs or maybe even investing in hardwood or laminate flooring. Painting the walls in light colors is also a good way to make the space feel brighter and more spacious.

Be sure to personalize your garage office with a few final touches, such as hanging artwork on the walls, bringing in a few tasteful decorations and putting up some pictures of your family.