During the 1970s, most new homes here in the country only had one-car garages. And two years ago, about 63 percent of newly built homes had larger, more modern, easily delivered two-car garages. Perhaps the improvement in this home feature is due to the growing need to house larger cars and store more items. If you have an older home with a small garage, now is the right time to start remodeling your garage into a larger, more livable space.

Your current garage can be converted into another living space in a few simple steps. This structure already has the fundamental components of a solid structure: foundation, walls and roof. Therefore, transforming it into a more comfortable space other than to park your car is definitely possible. But there are some quick tips to keep in mind before doing any renovation. First of all, carefully examine your space. Review its original design so you can clearly plan its new look. Decide if you want an expansion or retention of the existing area.

Make a rough draft or sketch of your current look. Draw another design in front of it with your new design. Including the details of additional installations and reassignment of electrical wiring and plumbing is crucial in your initial plan. Seek the help of professionals like a home inspector or structural engineer so you can get a better overview of what needs immediate replacement or major repairs. Also, list all building materials, from small parts like nails and hooks to large hardware needed at the same time you review your design.

The next thing you have to do is prepare the budget for this project. It would be much more organized if you listed the remodeling items along with their prices. There are numerous sources of current price listings. You can get a free quote at your local sawmill, hardware store, or any home improvement store. These places usually have their respective websites that offer the same free quoting service. Also, allocate budget for labor. Calculate labor costs per handyman per hour. If you have a major construction job, you can save a few bucks by hiring a contractor. In addition, you avoid being overly stressed when you don’t have to think about every detail of purchasing the materials and individual checks based on the progress of the maintenance staff. However, you can’t be completely out of the project. Your input is invaluable to this project.

To make sure everything will go smoothly according to your plan, don’t forget to check if you need to get building permits. There are specific conditions where local building codes and regulations must be adhered to. Some of the construction jobs that need to get a permit are demolition of load-bearing walls, alteration of the roofline and space of the house, major installations, and new electrical wiring and plumbing.

The tasks mentioned above seem arduous. However, there are simple things you can do to instantly transform your garage into a more comfortable space. Let’s say your current garage has soundproofing and ventilation, all you need are a few additions here and there. Rearrange the items in this space. Place tall cabinets and freestanding dividers to clearly draw line boundaries for the parking area and your living room. In the living room, you can place potted plants of different sizes to create a fresher look. Add a table and chair set and adorn the latter with plush pillows. Designate a reading corner by placing small shelves for magazines, purses or photo albums. If there is still more space, hang a hammock on one side to establish your special place of relaxation. Use different colors of paint for the two areas. Choose calm, neutral colors to make the entire space look cozier.

As for massive renovations, include functional fixtures like a thin wall to totally separate the parking area and the living room. Aside from the garage door, add a patio door and/or large windows to allow more light into this space. A kitchenette is also an innovative feature to add to this area. If your budget allows, a detached garage will add to the curb appeal of your property. With this type of garage, you can opt for a two-tier structure. The mezzanine or second floor can only serve as your office, workshop, hobby area, or entertainment room.

This effort opens you up to the opportunity to organize your belongings, give your vehicle greater protection, and have additional living space. This can turn out to be a successful experience despite all the expenses.