5 Tips for Transforming Your Garage

When it comes to purchasing a property, the dream location can often mean that we end up compromising on other aspects of the home – and all too often, many of us end up settling for a smaller floorplan. Nevertheless, with single-storey home extensions thought to provide homeowners with a healthy return on their investment, there’s every reason to add the space that you need and want to your home.

With single-storey extensions setting you back anywhere between £39-000 – £65,000, the savviest of homeowners are adding space and value to their properties by utilising what they already have. That’s why today, we’re looking at how you can add up to 10% to your property’s value by overhauling your unused garage into a room that’s just as useable as anywhere else in the house. So, whether you’ll be creating a water-resistant utility room or transforming the space into a downstairs bedroom, you can get the best value from your home by making your garage fully liveable.

1. Think one step ahead

Whether you’re creating a sizable store room or an extra living space, combining practical aspects with stylish designs in this room means that you won’t need to limit the interior to one purpose in the future. Water resistant tiles, for instance, will suit the wet conditions of a utility room, however by opting for a versatile design of floor tiles, you’ll have the option of transforming your garage conversion into a spacious living area – without the need to dramatically change the interior decor.

2. Start from the bottom

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From natural stone floor tiles to an ornate mosaic pattern, the floor will always be what sets off the design of an interior – making a fashionable design just as important as floor functionality. While the decor will depend on the purpose of the room, opting for stone floor tiles in your garage means that you can install underfloor heating in this room – and with heat from the house tending not to transfer into garage areas, this means you can reduce the risk of damp in this lesser insulated section of the home. Garage floor tiles are easy to clean too – so whether it’s a children’s playroom or a well-organised mudroom, you can ensure that your durable floor gleams for years to come.

3. Be savvy with storage

From utility rooms and home gyms to additional bedrooms, whatever the purpose is for your garage conversion, finding space to store your bric-a-brac means that you can keep your tools organised – without distracting from the overall aesthetic. With garages often built with high ceilings, taking full advantage of the overhead space means that you can create a feeling of minimalism – without having to say goodbye to your much-needed gadgets. From storing fishing rods on an overhead rack to cladding the walls with floor-to-ceiling shelving units, investing in storage solutions means that you can ensure your converted garage appears functional, yet clutter-free.

4. Let there be light

While many garages are built with windows, light can often be limited in this section of the home – which means when it comes to giving your garage a makeover, lighting will be crucial. Paler toned walls and floors will encourage natural light to be reflected around the room, so for a fresh and airy feel, adorn the space with a neutral colour scheme. When it comes to rewiring the garage for lights, remember that the household mains are fused at 100 amps – so consider which light fittings will give you the light you will actually need in this room, rather than focusing on choosing lamp shades with ambience in mind.

5. Insulation

Transforming your garage into a liveable room means that you’ll need to ensure that the space conforms to building regulations and standards – which is likely to mean that you’ll need to increase the levels of insulation in and around the walls, windows, floor and roof. While utility rooms may require less insulation than bedrooms and home offices, investing in sealed double-glazed windows means that you can ensure you won’t waste money when it comes to heating. Dry-lining the walls and using polystyrene floor insulation will help your garage meet the required U-values – which measure the rate of heat loss through the particular element – or for an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home, why not explore the option of sheep wool insulation?

So there you have it: with the installation of a stylish floor, improved insulation and a touch of TLC, you could transform your garage into a functional space that’s just as useable as any other area of the home.

With summer just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to add value to your property, so get started today by browsing our range of long-lasting garage floor tiles. UK-based, Tiles Direct is fully committed to bringing you the highest quality wall and floor tiles directly to your door.