Converting a redundant garage into something more useful is a great way to add space and value to your home, without encroaching on the garden. From handy home offices to chic cocktail bars, the possibilities are endless. Just remember, while in some cases garage conversions fall under permitted development, if you're changing the use of the space, or enlarging or carrying out structural work, development may be subject to planning permission. Click or scroll on to be inspired by these brilliant real-life transformations...
These days, home offices are pretty much essential, with more people than ever working from home. And what could be better than your own private office retreat? This gorgeous, luxurious space was crafted by the makeover experts at HDR Remodeling. After almost a decade of neglect, this garage was severely damaged, but after extensive repairs and a roof reconstruction, it's now bright and beautiful. French doors were added to the entrance, clerestory windows to the walls and lovely timber cladding to the ceiling.
Could your garage be incorporated into your home and turned into a useful living space? Take inspiration from Rachel and Lola of DIY by the Sea, who did just that, transforming their old garage into a spacious and modern kitchen. While the project was full of challenges thanks to a long line of dodgy builders, the kitchen renovation is now a beautiful extension of their living space. It boasts gorgeous storage, a corner larder, a skylight, a Belfast sink and a range that the couple bought at an outlet.
If you're keen to create more living space but want to retain storage space and room for your car, then this incredible project is sure to inspire. Completed by ModernGrannyFlat and Losada Garcia Architects, the garage is now a versatile scheme that can easily be repurposed later. While still offering enough room for a car, the annexe space boasts a kitchenette, a pull-down Murphy bed and plenty of built-in storage. The original garage door remains, but its new glass panels help to flood the interior with light.
Garageflex, a company dedicated to bespoke storage systems, transformed a dark garage in London into a bespoke ballet and barre studio. Previously, it had a concrete floor and wasn't particularly welcoming, but following the conversion, the room is now bright and beautiful. The company installed graphite floor tiles, providing a robust surface for performing, while the company's unique built-in storage panels were added to two walls, providing nooks for paperwork and equipment.
This lovely guest suite was once an old brick garage with zero charm. Now, it's a luxurious retreat in Oakland, California that's available to rent on Airbnb. Owner Diana turned the micro space into a stunning, light-filled bedroom, complete with a queen-sized bed, a small desk, a kitchenette and a modern shower room, finished with a skylight. French doors open the garage up to the outdoor patio, while its high beamed ceiling makes the interior feel extra roomy.
If you've got kids and struggle to keep them entertained, especially during the summer months, then perhaps your garage could become the world's coolest play area. This simple but visually impressive design by Anne Renshaw of Petit Suite saw a boring old garage transformed into a whimsical play space. With exposed rafters, a clear corrugated roof, Japanese-inspired horizontal fencing and a sliding barn door, the room is big enough for indoor swings and plays sets, as well as the family car!
Who said your garage has to be completely unrecognisable? Undertaking a unique conversion like this one could result in an ultra-cool living space that still has functionality and offers a nod to the structure's origins. This garage in Texas, USA, has been turned into an auto-themed entertainment space, complete with a bar made from old car parts. Surrounded by vehicle memorabilia and industrial fixtures, the quirky scheme features a projector screen, a TV, a dining space and a kids' play zone.
Believe it or not, this incredibly cool home theatre designed by B+G Design was once a garage. Now used as a screening space, music room and home office, it can sleep up to six people and has proved a popular spot with the owners and their teenage kids too. If you're considering a similar scheme, make sure you get adequate soundproofing to avoid upsetting the neighbours.
Built in the 1920s, this 320-square-foot garage is located at bottom of a garden and was previously in a sorry state of decay. It needed new foundations as well as a total interior overhaul. To tackle this ambitious project, the owners called in SHED to create a functional tiny living space that felt open and spacious despite its small size. Now a studio apartment rental, the former garage boasts rigid foam insulation, salvaged wood cabinetry, a sitting area, a bathroom and a loft bedroom.
This stunning space was once an old, dilapidated garage that was home to possums. Located next to a large bus shelter, the old building didn't appeal to many buyers when it hit the market, but when Victor Zvinakis spotted the opportunity he knew he could turn the garage into something beautiful. He added a two-storey extension and updated the interior, retaining the garage's heritage feel. The characterful space is now a gallery and studio, complete with a sleeping loft and a living area for unwinding.
Garage conversions are a great way to expand a home's existing footprint, but what if you still need a garage for its original purpose? We love this garage-turned-stylish-workshop project by Home Made by Carmona. After carrying out repairs to the walls and ceiling, she installed essentials like insulation, air conditioning and a ventilation system. Bespoke storage cupboards, racks and carts ensure everything has a place, while a chic new colour palette of black, pine and steel tones elevates the space.
Homestyle Glasgow's garage was located at the side of the house, but it just wasn't being put to good use. So, they decided to make the space part of their home by installing a doorway and turning it into a dining room. After making the garage waterproof and adding insulation, it was time to decorate. Modern and chic, with neutral grey tones, chic wood cladding on the walls and pendant lighting above the table, it's the perfect space for hosting and dining as a family.
By adding an extra extension to the rear of the property, this garage conversion has cleverly become three rooms in one. The main garage is now a utility space and shower room, while the extra square footage at the back was utilised for a home office/playroom. The team at Architect Your Home also managed to rearrange the layout to add plenty of storage, which is vital in a narrow space. For this project planning permission was likely needed as the footprint of the garage was altered.
Proving that a garage can be an inviting and cosy space, this stunning hideout was transformed by the team at Essential Home. Thanks to a lick of paint, some wood panelling and mid-century modern furnishings and homeware, the once-dingy garage is now a comfortable and stylish space that's perfect for escaping the kids or enjoying some alone time.
This spacious double garage in Texas, USA, has plenty of space for storing cars and other toys. There's a projector screen and room for bean bags or seats, built-in storage for tools and equipment, and a multi-level car lift for those all-important vehicles. This garage also has a workspace, a bar and cabinets filled with car memorabilia.
Another creation by Anne at Petit Suite, this bright and beautiful laundry room and pantry replaced a single-car garage, providing the family with extra inside space. The pantry boasts a laundry set-up, a wine rack and reams of easy-access storage for tucking away everything that doesn't need to be on display. There's even a powder room and an extra little nook for the family cat’s comfort station.
Architects Fala Atelier have transformed a windowless garage in Lisbon into a bright and contemporary living space that still has room for a car. Ultra-minimal with a poured concrete floor, white walls and skylights, the whole space is completely open-plan (except for two small bathrooms), with living zones divided by thick, colourful curtains. The ingenious entrance consists of the original garage doors, which allow the owner's car to be driven into the living zone.
This standalone backyard garage owned by @dove_and_lolly has been transformed into a contemporary outdoor home office that blends seamlessly into the landscaped garden. French doors and roof windows flood the small space with light, while spotlights highlight the wooden oak wood exterior panelling. The finish is ultra-professional and high-end.
An 85-year-old Atlanta home was in need of a revamp, so its garage was transformed from a sad storage space into a woodcarving studio by Handcrafted Homes. Large carriage doors allow plenty of light into the studio while the owner works, as well as making it easy to transport tools and pieces of wood in and out of the studio.
This garage transformation is pretty genius. Instead of turning the space into another room in the house, Grove Restorations has blurred the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living with a shady covered terrace that acts as a garden living room. We especially love the cement tiles and painted wooden rafters, which create a cool monochrome look that’s easy to keep clean as well as weatherproof.
Interior designer Kerrie Kelly worked on this garage conversion in Sacramento, California for HGTV, transforming the redundant outbuilding into a welcoming lounge complete with a faux fireplace. Wood cladding was added to the interior and painted with smart horizontal stripes to increase the sense of space, while a concrete chimney breast and electric fire warm the room and offer a cosy focal point.
In need of somewhere to work and relax, Larra decided to turn her unused, pebble-dashed garage into a space that better suited her lifestyle. Now a home office and cocktail bar, the space was cleared of clutter and a framework was installed to house insulation. Screed then went down for the walls and floor, before Larra got painting. She finished the space with vintage-inspired furnishings, a bar built from old scaffold boards and custom shelving.
For this makeover, Anne at Petit Suite was tasked with turning a small garage into a liveable space. Thanks to a compact mezzanine level, the 500-square-foot space now comes equipped with a kitchen, dining area, sleeping loft and bathroom, complete with a double Jacuzzi tub. To keep the tiny home nice and toasty, underfloor heating was installed, while skylights help to bathe the interior in natural light and provide ventilation.
This old, concrete garage has been lovingly transformed by owner Mark Baldwin into the perfect home office and studio for both work and play. The project took Mark a few months to complete, during which time he stripped the interior, clad the walls with timber, painted the exposed beams on the ceiling and laid some new flooring. Now a tranquil and cosy space for working and relaxing, it's the ultimate garage hideaway.
This unwanted garage at the bottom of a garden has been transformed into an architect-designed, beachside cottage. The space was slightly extended and fully redesigned by Irons McDuff Architecture, and now boasts an open-plan living room and kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and an office nook. There's even an undercover entertaining space outside. The amazing micro home makes use of every inch of space and shows that a garage can be far more than somewhere to just park a car.
Have you ever wanted to create a vacation retreat to generate extra income, but just don't have the room or the finances? Well, your garage could be the answer to your prayers. This compact stone garage was converted in 2022 and is now a chic and cosy holiday studio, ideal for two adults. Inside, there's a double bed, a bathroom, a small kitchen, a dining zone and a sitting area. Skylights and French doors draw plenty of light inside, while the vaulted ceiling adds to the impression of space.
This garage extension and conversion in Merseyside, UK, was undertaken by Baltic Bespoke Garden Rooms. Now a luxurious games room, it's perfect for socialising and benefits from a handmade bar, a sitting area, a TV, pool table and dart board. Interior design-wise, the space was finished with chic cedar cladding, anthracite French doors and windows, feature lighting and underfloor heating to keep the room warm and cosy all year round.
Philadelphia, Dubai and London-based interior design firm Melissa + Miller Interiors enhanced and elevated a client’s garage to offer a well-ventilated approach to hosting. The once-redundant space has been completely transformed into a luxurious dining area that can be opened up to the elements in the warmer months.
Converting a garage is an ideal way to give growing children their own space. A large family in North Carolina needed somewhere for their sons and their friends to relax without getting under their parent's feet, so Christina Britt Lewis, founder of The Redesign Company, helped them turn their detached double garage into a clubhouse. The neutral white and grey canvas is filled with repurposed furniture. Using old beds as sofas means the cool conversion makes a great camp for sleepovers too.
In need of a space to paint and fulfill her creative potential, one California-based artist transformed an old, dark garage into a colourful, cosy and sustainable art studio. Brought to life by Sol Haus Design, both the artist and her builder spent days on Craigslist searching out materials to upcycle, meaning everything in the new studio apart from two structural beams was sustainably sourced.
Proving you can have a multifunctional garage with space for storage and room for entertaining, this amazing 1950s-style American diner lies in Maldon, a town in Victoria, Australia. The main house was formerly a historic corner store and this amazing homemade diner and bar was once just a two-car garage. Formed from corrugated steel, the building was given a DIY makeover and it's now home to a burger booth, bar and plenty of vintage memorabilia.
Make your garage conversion work harder by transforming it into a holiday let. There are many converted carports on Airbnb that are now beautiful boltholes. However, if your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required, so it's advisable to speak to your local planning authority. This open-plan guest suite for two in Devon, UK could be coined a 'Gottage' as it comes complete with a split stable door, cute characterful windows and a country kitchenette.
We all need a space to escape to every now and again, so why not transform your otherwise redundant garage into the ultimate games cave or craft shed? Give the room a clear out, paint the walls and fill it with games, sports memorabilia, and maybe even a bar, and suddenly you've got yourself the perfect place to relax and unwind. Planning permission is not usually required for a project like this, provided the work is internal.
For families who spend lots of time outdoors, a garage with a boot room like this one by Yolanda Cubitt makes perfect sense. The stylish space has built-in storage with a bench, vintage-style statement floor tiles and double barn-style doors painted a soothing silvery olive green. It's pretty, practical and we love it!
This beautiful garage conversion was undertaken by Brad Pitt and the Property Brothers, Jonathan and Drew Scott, for HGTV's makeover show, Celebrity IOU. Pitt helped the Scotts to convert a grimy, 400-square-foot garage into a guest retreat over a three-week period. The tiny, purpose-built space now boasts a Murphy bed, which can be folded away to save on floor space, as well as a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and a secret door bookshelf that leads to a walk-in closet.
Shanty Wijaya, founder of LA boutique real estate renovation firm Allprace, converted a two-car garage in California, USA into a chic ADU complete with a kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom. The snug space has plumbing, electrics and a HVAC system, so comfort is guaranteed. The striking black exterior complements the modern backyard, while internal white shiplap walls increase the sense of space in the 400-square-foot annexe. According to Forbes, the rising popularity of house sharing has, in some communities, made garage conversion permits more difficult to obtain. Before beginning a similar project in the US, look into local requirements for turning vehicle space into habitable space.
This double garage conversion feels like a real home thanks to a few carefully selected details. Bachelorette Pad Flip gave the exterior a monochrome makeover in collaboration with Home Depot. Decaying garage doors were replaced with energy-efficient, black patio doors and new crisp white siding, while a black and white striped awning imparts plenty of kerb appeal.
The need for a home office has soared in recent years, so converting your garage into a work zone can be a clever use of space. However, if your garage is windowless, extra thought may be needed to make it work. This IKEA studio garage, owned by set designer and stylist Chloé Fleury, features bright white walls and bright bursts of colour. There's an array of stations for different projects, while the desk is on wheels so it can be relocated to allow the garage door to open fully when needed.
This former garage, previously listed on Airbnb, has been converted into the perfect bolthole for a holiday, thanks to some clever tiny home-inspired design. Recycled materials have been used wherever possible, including for the cute kitchen cabinetry. Within the open-plan space, there's also a sofa, a cosy log-burner and a two-seater breakfast bar, along with a mezzanine bedroom. Plus, squirrelled away somewhere there's a fully-plumbed bathroom with a mini clawfoot bath!
This standalone double garage has been transformed into a luxurious movie theatre by the experts at Rayleigh Hi Fi. The separate home cinema and entertainment room boasts a state-of-the-art TV screen and sound system and has a fully-equipped bar to the side. The dark and dramatic decorating scheme, combined with rows of comfortable recliner seats, makes this the ultimate movie house that's sure to impress.
Instead of bringing dirt and grime into your home through the front door, convert your garage into a mudroom that you can use after long walks and outdoor activities. This design in a Cornish beach house includes a small laundry space, making a perfect multipurpose room.
Converting the garage into an extra bedroom can be a practical and low-cost solution for growing families. Teenagers will love the added independence of feeling detached from the main bedrooms, plus clerestory windows will create a den-like atmosphere that's cosy as well as cool. This stylish design by IKEA shows that even with minimal space you can achieve maximum results.
Here's another stylish example of adding a mezzanine floor into the eaves of a double garage. This multifunctional study and lounge area features fitted furniture by Neville Johnson, creating a practical and stylish living space. The Juliette balcony and skylights ensure the new room is flooded with light. Again, with any project like this involving structural amendments, it is advisable to consult a structural engineer and architect and the project may be subject to approval.
This stylish bathroom by Petit Suite is part of a 158-square-foot garage conversion in Ontario, Canada. The designer has created a plush room for relaxation and the luxurious retreat even has enough space for a sizable bathtub and even a washing machine. It couldn't look further from a dusty, cold garage!
You don't need to completely remodel a garage to make it liveable and stylish. Designer Mark Lewis has used existing industrial fixtures and fittings to create a rustic bedroom that oozes cool. Exposed brick walls add texture, while original garage doors have been modified with shiplap to create an oversized headboard. From the outside, you would never know that this is no longer a garage.
Set over 2,900 square feet, this incredible two-bedroom conversion project is hidden behind blue garage doors on a residential London street. As well as a huge, fully-equipped living space with a wood-burning stove, it also houses an art and photography studio at the rear.
A French freelance photographer was struggling to find an affordable home until he found a decrepit garage on a small lane in Bordeaux, France. He tasked architects Fabre de Marien with turning the garage into a gorgeous one-bedroom bachelor pad. Featured on Home Blings, the formerly dilapidated space now offers a courtyard, a white-and-chrome kitchen, a dining area, living area, office, toilet, shower room, dressing room and even a sleeping area in the loft. Any project like this involving changing a garage into habitable space may be subject to approvals and permits.
Even as a garage, this period building has plenty of charm, with its gabled roof and mini clock tower, but we have to say that this custom kitchen really takes the space to the next level. Designed by deVOL Kitchens, the clean monochrome palette and restrained design creates a bright and airy space for cooking, eating and living. We love the Crittall French doors too!
Are you a petrolhead with a love of all things fast? Then perhaps your garage could be turned into the ultimate chop shop or auto repair space for all of your favourite toys. This amazing garage in Texas, USA, is both practical and cool, thanks to its authentic auto shop features and modern design. It comes with a car lift, a body painting station and a fully functional mechanic area.
Loved this? Take a look at more incredible converted homes