How to Convert a Garage Into a Homeoffice

Add windows to the garage door to get more light in your home office.

Convert your garage to a home office with a little time and effort. Take advantage of the extra space and utilize the garage as a way to entertain clients without having them traipsing through your private space. The garage gives you more space than a spare bedroom and, if it's attached to the home, it's a convenient option for a home office.

Things You'll Need

• Construction adhesive
• Ceiling tiles
• White paint
• Carpet or vinyl floor tiles
• Window toppers
• Desk
• Computer
• Book shelves
• File cabinets
• 2 chairs
• Silk plants
• Artwork
• 3 artist canvases
• Paint
• Love seat or sofa
• Throw pillows

Instructions

1. Finish the ceiling. If you don't have a ceiling, use construction adhesive to secure ceiling tiles to the rafters. If you have a ceiling, paint it a bright white color to chase away the gloom that's typical of garages.

2. Paint the walls of the garage and the door that goes into the house. Choose a color you like and want to be surrounded by all day. If you'll be having clients in your office, choose a neutral color like white, beige or light gray.

3. Install tiles on the garage floor. Choose adhesive tiles that are either carpet tiles or vinyl tiles. Opt for tiles over sheeting so you can easily remove any that are damaged.

4. Clean the windows inside and out. Hang a topper on the windows so the bottom hem just covers the top of the window. This allows the most amount of light to enter the space while giving the visual appearance of larger windows. If you can, add window panels to the garage door for added light.

5. Look at your electrical options and decide where to set up your work space. Set your desk and computer up so you have access to electrical power. Face the desk away from the wall.

6. Line one wall with storage. Choose bookshelves if you don't require file storage. Go for two-drawer file cabinets and top them with three-shelf bookshelves to store both books, papers and files. Make sure all the finishes match. Look for wood tones to bring richness and warmth to the garage turned office space.

7. Set some comfortable chairs in front of your desk. It's nice for clients, guests and family members.

8. If you have room, bring in a love seat or a sofa. Moving about your office and working from a different location, such as a sofa, helps you feel less trapped and more creative and productive. Add colorful throw pillows to make the space pretty.

9. Bring in silk plants. Use greenery on top of your shelves and fill corners with tall silk trees filled with twinkle lights. It helps brighten the space and it helps polish the space as well.

10. Hang artwork. Keep the artwork related to the work you do or make abstract art for a budget friendly option. Purchase large canvases and lay them next to each other. Paint random stripes across all of the panels and when they're dry, hang them on the wall with a few inches in between each panel.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't make any changes to the garage that can't be undone. When it comes time to sell your home, you'll want to turn your office back into a garage with little effort or expense.

• Pick up a couple of small space heaters for winter months and use a dehumidifier in the summer to help control the temperature in your new office.

• Make sure your garage is waterproof before turning it into an office. Water and computer equipment do not mix.

• Choose space heaters that stay cool to the touch for safety.