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Garages/Workshops Design Dilemma

Garage Conversion Help

26 days ago

We need more space for an in-law suite & home office. We are considering converting the garage but I am struggling with how to make it look intentionally designed with windows. Other idea was to extend out the other direction but the garage conversion seemed more cost effective since we don’t use our garage for anything but storage. How would you make the exterior look seamless?

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Comments (5)

PRO
Norwood Architects
26 days ago
Is the garage floor lower than the rest of the house? If so, it might be difficult for older people to navigate steps. Just something to keep in mind.
mcarroll16
26 days ago
Do you have a rough sketch of the interior plans? Because that will drive your options for door and window placement. Do you want a separate entry for the inlaw suite? For the home office?
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The door by the laundry in the first one would lead to a small courtyard in our side yard. We don’t need access to it but it’s kind of unused side yard space otherwise, so we could link to it and turn it into a nicer area. We do have a powder room in the other part of the house but it would be nice if this one could also be accessed by the main area (doesn’t need to be in the nursery). We have a king size bed, and ideally the nursery could eventually hold at least a full size bed if needed. The French doors lead to our backyard and we want them to be accessible without being in the master. The connection to the house is on the side of the kitchen by the pantry. It could potentially move east (up in the picture) but we’d have to reconfigure the pantry and a closet in the existing house. I’ll draw up another picture that shows what’s inside when I get back from vacation next weekend. Thank you for your help!
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I can't tell you how much I dislike garages that are in my face in front of an entry to make the front of the house all garage as the first thing you see. But that said I do not like bedrooms above garages either. A garage is not living space so you will need to dempolish the garage and then build an addition just like any other addition. Can you do what you want where you live there are often rules about sq footage of living space in proportion o the lot. As for cost that can only be decided after getting all the info you need and then quotes from contractors in your area. IMO you also need an architect since IMO additions are best when they look like they have always been there
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My house has windows more like this along the front, stretching almost from corner to corner and at the ceiling line to a sill height of about 66" or so. This is because my house is right on the sidewalk. It lets a lot of light in and they are high enough that there is privacy without any window covering (all you can see outside is the ceiling pretty much). And we have a great view of trees and skyline but not the cars parked right out front. A lot of people may think this does not look as nice as a full length window, but the neighboring houses with full length windows keep them fully covered almost all of the time for privacy.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
26 days ago
last modified: 26 days ago
Leave the windows as is. Add fixed panel doors in the garage door openings.

IMO you can do more than the studio apt with bath in a standard two car garage. No room for an office really.
kandrewspa
26 days ago
I think a garage conversion on a house this size would really negatively impact your resale value unless you build another garage after the conversion. If this isn't a concern for you, then Beverly's idea is attractive. However, I don't see how you're going to get a home office, bedroom and bathroom in a two car garage. Of course I don't know exactly how large your garage is, or how large you were hoping to make these spaces. You really need to consult an architect.
millworkman
26 days ago
" You really need to consult an architect "

As well as the building dept to make sure the conversion is legal in your area.

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