With more and more people now working flexibly and an increasing amount working solely from home, the space for a dedicated home office is becoming a must-have in residences across the globe. The options are limitless when it comes to creating a home office space, but if you’re looking to create a dedicated home office that’s away from the main household, the garage is the perfect option for you.

One of the great things about garage conversions is that they don’t usually require any planning permission (although we’d advise you to check with your local planning department just to be on the safe side). 
 

Getting started

Transforming your garage into a home office is a task that needs careful planning, so the first thing you’ll need to consider is whether or not the garage is actually fit for purpose. An architect will be able to advise you whether or not your garage is suitable to convert. Some older garages may have a lot of problems or be poorly built, so it’s always worth consulting a professional before undertaking any work. Once you have the green light, you can start converting your garage into a home office. 

Typically, most garages are built without insulation, so your first step would be to get this upgraded. With so many options to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice, but your builder should be able to recommend the best type for you. 
 

Heating and electrics

If you’re going to be using your garage as an office five days a week, you’ll want to make sure it’s comfortable all year round, which is why planning your heating and electrics is crucial. A plumber will likely be able to extend your home’s central heating system or you could install wall-mounted electric heaters as another cost-effective option.

As you’ll be working in the room, make sure you have a sufficient number of electrical sockets and access to a phone line should you need one. As with most work, internet access is key, so ensure you can safely run the internet to the garage, either with an ethernet cable or a strong wireless connection. 
 

Light and ventilation 

Most garages offer very little in the way of natural light, so you’ll need to spend some time having a think about how you’re going to bring this in to play. Replacing the garage door with glass panels or sliding doors can be a way to bring in natural light, whilst increasing ventilation and transforming the space into a stylish area to work. Another popular option is installing lighting to the roof. As always, consult a structural engineer before carrying out any big work. 
 

Decoration and furniture 

Once you’ve sorted the structure of your home office, you can start to think about decoration. A neutral colour scheme can help bring an element of calm to our ever-busy work lives, while a pop of colour can help alleviate your mood on a dark day. Think about the vibe you’re trying to create and create an online mood-board to help you visualise your ideas. 

Furnishing your home office can be a daunting task but you’ll want to start with the essentials; a desk, chair and sufficient storage. Once you have the basics in place, you can focus on decoration – find the pieces that work for you and which allow you to remain comfortable and organised.

More on the topic: Move Rooms, not homes
 

Make use of extra storage space

If you need extra space now you’ve converted your garage or are simply looking for somewhere to store bits and pieces whilst you’re renovating, then one of our self storage units could be the perfect option for you. With  storage prices as low as a few pounds per week, you can safely and conveniently access your belongings any time you need them. With over 40 different room sizes available, extra storage has never been so easy to come by! 

If you’re thinking of using self storage, get in touch with us and one of our team members will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.