30 Must-See Garage Conversions and Makeovers

Need more living space? Before you commit to a pricy home addition, consider the garage. This often sizable and underused space has loads of potential: as a recreation or crafting area, home office, workout room and more.

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By: Carrie Hamblin and Chelsey Bowen

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Carriage House Cottage

Once a neglected detached garage, this beautifully appointed guest suite now serves as a restive retreat. White walls and plush bedding give the space a clean, airy look and feel while three large windows and a custom garage door let in an abundance of natural light.

From: Christopher Architecture and Interiors

Modern Lounge Living

Multifunctional and oh-so-stylish, this garage is an escape-worthy lounge, dining area and garden workstation. Statement-making artwork adds bold color to the space while contemporary furnishings pull their hues from the abstract piece. Pairs of modern sofas, tufted leather armchairs and octagonal coffee tables combine for an intimate gathering and conversation spot.

See More Photos: Garage Pictures From HGTV Urban Oasis 2018

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Stylish Home Gym

In just two short weeks, stylist Jenny Reimold transformed her lackluster, cluttered garage into a refined, polished fitness studio that's brimming with modern style. She used peel-and-stick wallpaper as well as budget-friendly decor to pack a visual punch in the space. The best part? No construction was required for this transformation.

See More Photos: Transform Your Garage Into a Stylish Home Gym

Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Bright and airy, this garage-turned-living-room mixes comfort and style with midcentury modern furniture grounded by a shag area rug. For an extra dose of natural light, the typical garage door was traded out for one that creates an eye-catching wall of windows.

Palatial Pit Stop

When you really love cars, your garage is less for car storage and more like a car shrine. Where most people would make every effort to ensure no one can see into their garage, this home’s owner decided to put up glass walls as if the garage was a display case in the man cave. Two flat-screen televisions, a slick red bar and handsome leather furniture invite visitors to make this their favorite pit stop.

See More Photos: Ultimate Man Cave and Garage

From: Teresa Ryback

For the Kiddos

Dedicate a space for kids to get the wiggles out, especially for those days when outside play is not an option. Smart D2 Playrooms converted this three-car garage into a kid’s gym complete with climbing wall, climbing rope, tumble mats, saucer swings, art center and individual nooks for the kids.

See More Photos: The Do's and Don'ts of Family-Friendly Design

Home Office Update

"We had been using our garage as a dumping ground for tools, lawn equipment, toys and discarded furniture for years," says designer Suzanne Dingley. But when her husband started his own business, the couple realized they had the perfect spot for a home office. Replacing the overhead garage door with two sets of French doors allows natural light to flow in while contemporary furnishings and colors make the space an enjoyable place to work.

Dual Functionality

Rec room, workshop, home office or party pad, this home's freestanding double garage was designed with flexibility in mind. Beanbag chairs are a cozy conversation area and can be easily moved to accommodate a vehicle. A large tool chest ensures there's plenty of storage and also acts as a buffet for the dining table and chairs when entertaining. With a private screened-in porch on the back, this revamped building has ample room for working or hanging out.

See More Photos: Garage + Courtyard Pictures From HGTV Urban Oasis 2016

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Backyard Studio

Artist, writer and gardener Michelle Reynolds makes slipcovers and fabric art in her quaint-yet-funky backyard studio in Birmingham, Alabama. The garage studio sits behind her house and was given a bit of a modern vibe with its metal roof and glass garage door.

See More Photos: A Backyard Garage Becomes an Artist's Studio

Resale Redo

Sometimes, real estate brokers have to get creative to market a house. "This home was a tiny two-bedroom of about 900 square feet," says Jennifer Montague Clark. "To maximize resale value, we felt we had to show buyers the garage’s untapped potential. We painted it white to emphasize how light and bright it was, then staged a day bed and game table to illustrate potential uses."

Fun Hangout

Fun and functionality combine in this garage den and game room. A pool table sits front and center while a row of wooden cabinets offers plenty of storage. To cozy up the space, dark wood paneling and exposed brick were added to complement the garage's exposed ceiling beams.

From: House 2 Home Design & Build

Farmhouse Chic

To give a converted garage the modern-farmhouse style their clients craved, the team at Spazio LA specified built-in media cabinets with sliding doors and black metal hardware. A retractable projection screen and a popcorn maker help create a cozy and welcoming space, perfect for movie nights.

An Artist's Escape

The black-and-white ikat pattern is hand-painted and makes for a bold, graphic display in this tiny one-car garage that's found new life as an art studio. Instead of the typical garage bracketed shelves, a farmhouse buffet is a much more stylish storage option and houses garage necessities, like car-washing supplies, as well as the homeowner's art essentials.

See More Photos: Garage Pictures From HGTV Urban Oasis 2015

Ready for Guests

You might have trouble getting your friends to come to the main house when the guests' quarters are this chic. Complete with a kitchenette, dining area, living space and lofted bed, this converted 1920s garage is the perfect home away from home. When guests aren't visiting, it acts as a workspace for the homeowner.

See More Photos: Before and After: 8 Dramatic Garage Remodels

Room With a Groove

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn transformed an asymmetrical freestanding garage into this bright and breezy laidback lounge. Gallery walls with an eclectic mix of art surround the entire living space, which combines a modular midcentury modern sofa with stylish cabinetry. A record player, foosball table and flat-panel TV make the space ideal for playing games, listening to tunes or binge-watching the latest show.

Watch the Video: Garage Tour From HGTV Urban Oasis 2017

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

The Perfect Space to DIY

This single-car garage went from a cluttered mess to a bright, welcoming workspace. With a small workbench and a separate area for potting, it's the perfect place to putter away long summer days.

Play Away

No bonus room? No problem. Make your garage the playroom. The arts-and-crafts desk spanning the length of the room is overseen by a gallery wall for displaying recent masterpieces. The ample floor space accommodates games and trains while a contemporary sofa gives parents a place to hang out while the kiddos are playing.

See More Photos: Before and After: 8 Dramatic Garage Remodels

A Groovy Kind of Space

This contemporary space feels like a blast from the past with a chic update. The brown-and-orange retro color scheme is warm and grounded, and fun elements fill the room, from the magazine-holder coffee table to the hanging globe chair in the corner.

Complete Living

The space above this garage was transformed into a useful, quaint studio apartment. Soft grays surround the room, which is divided into a full kitchen, living room and bedroom. A barn door on a rolling track can be pulled in front of the bed to provide privacy, and a small bathroom off the kitchen is painted lime green for a fun burst of color.

See More Photos: Living Large in Small Spaces: Garage Turned Studio Apartment

From: Noble Johnson Architects, LLC

Make Room for Crafting

When your hobby needs a designated space (and you don't want it to overtake your living room), turn to the garage. Pegboard, complete with shelves and bins for storage, is hung above the desk to keep the table surface uncluttered and ready for crafting. Comfy beanbags give kiddos a spot to relax, read and chat while you put your hot glue gun to work.

See More Photos: Before and After: A Garage Makeover the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Revved-Up Retreat

The owner of this multipurpose space wanted to use the garage for more than just vehicle storage. Designer Jeanne L. Griggs treated the room — which houses gym equipment, a dog kennel and space for two cars — to a mix of rich details, including custom cabinetry, a stainless steel refrigerator, granite countertops and a TV and sound system for workout entertainment.

Hold the Door

Some designers opt to replace the original overhead doors with sliding or French doors during a garage conversion. But here, designer Noz Nozawa opted to reference the previous identity of the space — while maximizing brightness — by specifying garage doors with clear panels. Simple natural materials, a richly patterned area rug and plenty of greenery create a welcoming indoor-outdoor flow.

From: Noz Nozawa

Make a Bold Statement

With art-loving clients and very little wall space, designer Mindi Freng enlisted the help of an artist to commemorate the homeowners' passions through murals painted on this garage attic. Between the pool and billiards tables, arcade games and dartboard, the space is ready for guests. Colorful hand-painted flooring and reclaimed wood ceiling boards contribute personality and add to the festive effect.

Days of Yore

Once upon a time, this former carriage house held horse-drawn carriages. Now, it's a cozy mountain cabin that makes the most of small living. Embracing its historic rustic wood, the kitchen is updated with classic red Shaker cabinets and marble countertops. Throughout the rest of the home, rooms are filled with antique and vintage pieces to create a timeless effect.

From: Amy Conner-Murphy

Drive-In Theater

If the garage doesn't get much use, consider opening up the space for a creative conversion. Here, the team at B + G Design transformed a Miami garage into a luxurious home theater, complete with upholstered seating, dramatic lighting and colorful artwork to brighten the space when there’s nothing on the screen.

Grandkids’ Haven

Embracing a fun-filled, vibrant color scheme, this kid-friendly garage was designed for a grandmother to enjoy projects, crafting and games with her grandchildren. Energizing colors such as yellow, orange and green brighten up the once-dark garage, making it a welcoming fun zone.

Teens Only

When you're looking to add extra living space to your home, the garage is an easy place to turn. Here, the garage is converted into a teen hangout. Ample seating for the teens and their friends includes a pair of slouchy chairs, a leather ottoman and a twin bed used as a sofa.

Moto Mojo

This garage was reborn as a spectacular sports sanctuary. Warm up on the speed bag or mini basketball hoop before turning to the main attraction: two quarter pipe ramps. A sofa (aka repurposed car bench seat) provides a good vantage point for the wall-mounted TV and can be rolled around as needed to make room for garage games.

Outdoor “Addition”

"When our client decided they needed more space, we took an unusual approach," says designer Kerrie Kelly. "We transformed their dated garage and turned it into a family-oriented lounge full of color and personality. The white rafters and ceiling keep it feeling open and spacious while the stripes add a fun sophistication."

Raising the Bar

Sure, a freestanding garage is a convenient spot for storage, but why not make it a mini getaway? Erin Bucy of Holland Remodeling & Building converted this garage into a fun and funky tiki bar using simple outdoor materials on the walls and some bright splashes of paint to add energy.

30 Must-See Garage Conversions and Makeovers

Related To:

Shop This Look

Carriage House Cottage

Modern Lounge Living

Stylish Home Gym

Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Palatial Pit Stop

For the Kiddos

Home Office Update

Dual Functionality

Backyard Studio

Resale Redo

Fun Hangout

Farmhouse Chic

An Artist's Escape

Ready for Guests

Room With a Groove

The Perfect Space to DIY

Play Away

A Groovy Kind of Space

Complete Living

Make Room for Crafting

Revved-Up Retreat

Hold the Door

Make a Bold Statement

Days of Yore

Drive-In Theater

Grandkids’ Haven

Teens Only

Moto Mojo

Outdoor “Addition”

Raising the Bar

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