Who doesn’t want more space in their own home? With housing prices rising across the country, people are looking to find ways to push their own spaces further. For some, this means converting a garage into a living space.

 

While this might seem like a great way to add extra room to your home, is it as stress-free as it sounds? Are there any disadvantages of giving up garage space? In this guide, we’ll uncover the pros and the cons of converting a garage to a living space in your home.

 

 

Is converting a garage into living space worth it

 

Why Convert Your Garage to a Living Space?

Why do people choose to convert their garage to a living space in the first place? While many people convert other parts of their home like the attic or basement, it’s possible to also convert your garage from a place for storage and vehicles into a bedroom or extra living space.

 

Many people choose to convert their garage to make space for a guestroom, kids room, office, rec room, or any other extra space that might not fit into their current floorplan. While garages might be dark, cold, and unattractive to begin with, there are a lot of ways to renovate them into perfectly normal living spaces.

 

 

Pros of Converting Your Garage to a Living Space

First, let’s talk about the pros of converting your garage to a living space. The most obvious benefit is that you gain more available space. This can add square footage to your home, possibly improving its value. Unlike “traditional” home add-on renovations, this space already exists. It’s much more affordable than building an entirely new room from scratch.

 

While the home will lose its garage, most families don’t have more than one car that can easily be left in the driveway. Because many families don’t end up using their garage for their vehicle, the garage often becomes a space full of storage boxes and unused items that are easily forgotten. Using this as a living space just is more practical.

 

A garage conversion is the only way to add living space to your home without an expensive overhaul or without losing on outdoor space. It’s easy to transform your garage into a comfortable space by sealing the door, adding insulation, and covering the flooring.

 

 

Cons of Converting the Garage to a Living Space

Now that you know the benefits of converting your garage, what’s the downside? The most obvious disadvantage is that by converting the space, you lose your ability to use the garage for storage or your vehicle. Anything you typically would store in the garage will now need to be stored somewhere else. If you don’t have a basement, storage shed, or additional closet space, this might not be practical.

 

You’ll also need to take your climate into consideration. Colder climates or climates prone to extreme weather often need a garage to protect the family car from the elements. In addition, any extremes in weather will lead to more work when converting the garage since more insulation, cooling, or heating will need to be installed. According to Angie’s List, a garage conversion will cost around $10,000 depending on the size. This is a pricey renovation that might not pay off in the long run.

 

Finally, while it’s true adding more square footage to your home will add to the value, you might lose just as much value by removing your garage. Garages are in-demand, especially in cold and warm climates. Many families love using these spaces for storage or handy working so they might not consider a property without a garage.

 

 

Should You Convert Your Garage?

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide for yourself if it’s worth converting the garage into a living space. If you plan to live in your home for a long time and you’re in desperate need of more space, it might be a great way to add that extra space you’ve been dreaming of.

 

On the other hand, if you don’t see yourself living in the home very long, it might be worth it to hold out until you’re able to buy a larger home with the space you’re looking for. Converting your garage into living space might not be as complicated as adding an entirely new room, but it’s still a large undertaking.