Convert a Garage to Living Space With These 24 Garage Remodel Ideas

Do you daydream about more space to escape the daily work-from-home grind, or wish you had somewhere more private to relax and unwind? You’re certainly not the only one. Thanks partly to high interest rates and an unrelenting housing shortage over the last few years, many people are turning to remodeling rather than purchasing a new home. And one space that you can really transform? The garage. If you’re wanting to convert your garage to a living space, here are 24 garage remodel ideas to help you determine how to best transform your car’s room into one the whole family can enjoy.

24 Garage Remodel Ideas and Considerations

Converting your garage into a full-on “Man Cave”? Or perhaps just a larger area to enjoy time with your friends and family? Regardless of the end goal — whether it’s billed as football season’s headquarters or the dining room you’ve always dreamed of for holiday gatherings — you’ll want to design it specifically for that purpose. And you definitely won't want to skimp on the comfort factor, including temperature control, upgraded lighting, and floor finishes. Here’s some advice and inspiration to help you get started. 

Don’t want your den to be the football-watching headquarters? Convert your garage to a “Man Cave.”

1. Look Up Zoning Regulations Before Converting a Garage to a Living Space.

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Do you need permission to convert a garage to living space? That depends on where you live. This is why you may want to work with a licensed contractor or architect if you’re planning for a more substantial garage remodel. They’ll know if permits need to be obtained and how to adhere to local building codes and ordinances.

It’s also important to note that this garage conversion may affect your home value and your property taxes. Check with your county assessor to get an estimate of the increase.

2. Decide If You’ll DIY or Use Professionals for Your Garage Remodel.

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What is the cheapest way to turn a garage into a room? The easiest answer is eliminating labor costs. But just because that answer is easy doesn’t mean the work is easy, too.

Converting a garage into a functional, comfortable, and attractive living space takes some know-how, but depending on how extensive the renovation is, some experienced DIY home improvement enthusiasts will have what it takes to get the job done. For most people, however, hiring professionals to transform a typical 600-square-foot, two-car garage is the best way to go. 

3. Consider Hiring an Interior Designer for Your Garage Renovation.

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If you happily plead guilty to spending hours curating Pinterest boards (hey, there’s no shame in a strong design game!) collecting ideas for your renovation, you already know that carefully planning the room’s design elements — like a new foot traffic pattern, a new color palette, new furniture, and finishing touches like rugs and window coverings — can take your converted space from uninspired to aspirational. 

Don’t know a Pinterest board from an ironing board? You may want to hire a professional interior designer or decorator to bring your vision to life and get the most out of your decorating budget. After all, if you’re already investing in the property, it makes sense to work with a pro to guarantee you’ll love every inch of your new space — especially if you’ve decided on an open living concept and want to remove a wall that leads into the main house.

Converting a garage to a living space costs an average of $16,500.

4. Research Garage Remodel Costs and Set a Budget.

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Garage conversions are attractive to homeowners because they’re often less expensive than new additions, but they’re not as affordable as you might think. HomeAdvisor reports that converting a garage into a living space will cost around $16,500, on average.

And if you plan to go high-end, HGTV-style and seamlessly transform the garage space so it looks like the room was originally built with the house, you’ll spend more money — closer to $60,000 — to update the architecture, structure, and design of your home’s exterior, as well. 

During the reno, you’ll probably have lots of materials and equipment you’ll need to store. And you’ll also need somewhere to stash your everyday garage items until you find a permanent solution. The perfect temporary solution — even if you do end up having to extend that timeline? Consider storing your home remodeling items or garage gear in a PODS portable storage container. 

Before the project starts, PODS can deliver the container to your driveway, where you’ll always have easy access to your supplies. Keep it as long as you need, and PODS will pick up the container when you're done. 

Pro Tip: Before deciding to permanently remove your car from the garage, consider your local weather and climate. Will snow plows bury your vehicles? Do you live in a zone with extreme heat and paint-blistering sunshine? Is hail a common storm concern?

6. Remove the Garage Door To Create a New Wall.

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You want to convert your garage to a living space, but what do you do about that big garage door? There are some creative ways to work the door into your design plan, but if you’d rather have it removed altogether, you can create a frame for the opening, cover it with exterior siding on the outside and drywall on the inside, and then finish with paint. Here’s a more detailed explanation.

7. Soundproof the Garage Walls and Doors.

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If sound reverberates through the space, add acoustic blankets, panels, or tiles to prevent echoing. This will improve sound quality within the space, reduce external noise transmission, and even block out some sound. 

Source: Pinterest

8. Add Insulation to Your Garage Remodeling Checklist.

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Chances are, your garage walls are fine for storage but not equipped to encompass a living space. You'll need to add insulation to ensure that heating or air conditioning stays in the room and doesn’t escape through the walls. In addition to the sound panel installation, this will also aid in sound quality. 

9. Strengthen the Garage Framework.

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Before converting your garage into a living space, you’ll want to strengthen its framework to ensure structural integrity and safety. If you have woodworking and construction experience, you may be able to do this yourself by inspecting for signs of damage and repairing or replacing compromised elements. 

10. Raise the Garage Ceiling and/or Floor.

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Often, garages have ceilings that are below standard building code, which is fine if you’re using the space as a traditional garage but frowned upon (to put it lightly) if you’re converting the garage to a living space, as it goes against residential building codes. Additionally, you may need to raise the floor, too, to create more cohesion with the rest of your home.

12. Camouflage the Garage Fixtures and Appliances.

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Currently using your garage as a laundry room? Is there a water heater in the space that can’t be removed? Don’t let a few appliances and systems slow you down. Put a board over your washer and dryer, then cover the bottom with a curtain. As for the water heater, keep it out of sight and create a place to store cleaning supplies with this DIY storage unit.

13. Turn the Garage Door Into a Window.

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Don’t want to go to the trouble of removing and drywalling over your garage door? No problem! Transform your garage door into an oversized window. If you’re worried about that much glass leading to nosy neighbors, use frosted glass to let in some lovely rays of natural light without the unwanted side of intrusion.

14. Create a Living Area Outside the Garage.

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Since you’re no longer parking a car in your garage, ask yourself if you still need the driveway area leading into the space. Concrete and asphalt can be uninviting and plain. Why not spruce up the areas outside your new living space with grass, a little garden, a small patio, or a cobblestone entryway?

15. Maximize Vertical Space in Your Garage Renovation.

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Don’t want to add a closet to your garage but still need storage space? You can build a few rolling storage cabinets or install shelving instead. Not a DIY enthusiast? You can buy a prefab storage system, like this one from IKEA. Don’t forget there’s space above your head, too, that can be used to stash your lesser-used stuff. 

16. Install New Flooring.

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17. Paint, Panel, or Paper the Walls.

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Your options for garage wall colors are endless, but if you want the living room to feel calm and relaxing, go for a soothing blue, moss green, or foggy gray. If you want the space to feel more open, you can go with a stark white, which allows sunlight to naturally reflect off the walls, and choose an eggshell or satin finish. Want a wall covering with a little more character? Choose a fun wallpaper or add paneling.

18. Give the Exterior a Makeover, Too.

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If your garage is a prominent feature on the front of your house, you may want to add the exterior to your garage remodeling plan. That way, the room will blend more seamlessly with the rest of your home. 

19. Create a Home Gym.

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One of the most popular garage remodel ideas is converting your garage into a home gym. Perhaps this is because the garage-to-gym garage renovation usually doesn’t require drywall, insulation, door removal, etc. All you need to do is install some new flooring on top of the existing floors, move in your equipment, and — voila! — instant home fitness.

20. Convert the Garage to a Bedroom for Guests.

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A garage guest bedroom can serve a multitude of functions. It can be a secluded spot for those frequently visiting in-laws, it’s perfect for kids or their friends who are home from college, or you could even rent out the room. 

21. Build a Garage Office Pod.

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Stop working at the kitchen table, get that laptop off the couch, and make yourself a proper workspace. If you work from home or need a secluded spot for your crafts, hobbies, and other creative pursuits, create your very own garage office pod. This is one of our favorite single-car garage conversion ideas because you don’t need an abundance of space for your desk and office equipment.

22. Give the Kids a New Rec Room.

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If toys are lying all around your home and your kids are turning your kitchen table into their own personal studio, it’s time to give them a dedicated playroom. If your garage is close to your backyard, you may want to keep the door intact and operational, so you can open it up and turn the space into an indoor/outdoor playtime extravaganza. 

23. Be Theatrical With Your Garage Conversion.

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Does a home theater sound like a rare residential luxury? You’d be surprised how attainable they are, if you’re interested in converting your garage into a living space. The room is large enough for oversized, comfortable seating, and the expansive, blank walls are perfect for a projection screen.

24. Give Your Garage Remodel Some Style.

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If your garage renovation still leaves it looking like, well, a garage, there’s still a way to give it a warmer look and feel. A cozy rug, a few tall houseplants, and some wall art and decor will make your garage look like a proper living space in no time.

Frequently Asked Garage Remodel Questions

1. Is It Worth Converting a Garage to Living Space?

In many cases, losing protected parking and storage isn’t a wise financial decision, especially if you’re not currently living in your forever home. But if you live in a city like San Francisco, where square footage is a premium commodity and real estate is cut-throat, a garage conversion could be the answer to your prayers for more living space.

Other Scenarios When a Garage Renovation Could Be a Good Investment:

• You want to earn rental income by turning the garage into an apartment.
• Your family embraces multigenerational living.
• You don’t plan to sell your house.

Regardless, if you’re considering the upgrade, it’s smart to consult with a local real estate agent who knows the value of a garage in your neighborhood. They can tell you about the return on investment (or ROI) you can expect if you decide to sell your home in the future. 

2. Are There Other Garage Remodel Ideas Besides Going All-In?

You might not be ready to give up your parking spaces and lawn and sports equipment storage. Don't worry; there are other ways to convert your garage into a living space. 

Of course, a finished basement is always a good choice, but would an apartment or large space over the garage satisfy the need for more room to roam? Or if you happen to have a two- or three-car garage, a partial renovation could do the trick — especially if you’re hoping to gain a home office or garage gym. You’ll get the best of both options with a combined space. Plus, you could keep more money in your bank account with a smaller renovation. 

3. What Are the Pros and Cons of a Garage Remodel? 

If you need a little more help deciding whether or not to plan a garage remodel, we’ve summarized the main pros and cons for you here: 

Pros of a Garage Remodel:

• Provides more livable and customized space
• Is potentially less expensive than an addition
• Has income potential
• Saves yard space
• Has some DIY components

Cons of a Garage Remodel:

• Is likely to lower home value
• Has similar problems as traditional additions: cost, time, difficulty
• Creates need for new parking spaces
• Requires another storage option for garage items
• Is expensive and difficult to build without looking like “a converted garage”

4. Does a Garage Remodel Make Sense for My Specific Situation?

It makes sense to think about turning a garage into living space, especially during a real estate cycle, when finding and buying a new home with more square footage is challenging. However, a conversion isn’t always the best option. You’ll have to evaluate your lifestyle, budget, and commitment to the process before deciding to give up your garage space — not only for your cars but for your beer fridge, power tools, holiday decorations, and home improvement supplies. 

Are you thinking you might stick with your garage but could use some savvy organization tips to free up space instead? Check out these budget-friendly garage organization ideas on the PODS Blog. 

Dawn M. Smith writes about most home topics, including relocation, real estate, and home improvement. As a military spouse, she knows all too well the ups and downs of creating a new home after each move. From scouting the best neighborhoods and packing last-minute to choosing the perfect paint color, she gets it all done (usually in a hurry) with her family and Golden Retriever in tow. Dawn shares her lessons learned with the PODS Blog and other outlets like Angi, HomeAdvisor, and MilitaryByOwner. 

(Source for image featured at top: Curtis Adams via Pexels)