A few years ago, when my husband Craig and I bought our first home, one of the first things he said was, “We should turn the garage into living space.” At the time, I brushed off the idea – it sounded like a huge undertaking, and we had plenty of other projects to tackle. But once I found out I was pregnant and our two-bedroom house was going to feel pretty cramped, I warmed up to the idea.
What started as a drawing on the back of a napkin turned into a beautiful new bedroom and bathroom that we built from the ground up. Today, I’m excited to share the details of our garage conversion journey, from the initial planning to the final reveal. Hopefully, this will inspire you to maximize the potential of your own garage and create the extra space your home needs.
Preparing the Garage
The first step in our garage conversion process was to clear out the space. We purchased a shed for the backyard to use for storage, which allowed us to move whatever was in the garage into either the shed or the basement. This freed up the entire garage for the renovation.
Next, Craig got to work on the subfloor. He built a sturdy foundation using 2×10 boards and a main beam down the center, anchoring it to the concrete with bolts. This was a crucial step to ensure a solid base for the rest of the construction.
After insulating the subfloor, Craig installed 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood, gluing it down for added stability. To create the lofted ceiling we wanted, he removed the existing ceiling joists and installed support beams made from three 2×10 boards.
Framing and Utility Rough-Ins
With the subfloor and ceiling framing complete, it was time to start building the interior walls and doors. We wanted to divide the space into a bedroom, bathroom, hallway, and separate staircase to the basement. This required some careful planning to ensure everything flowed together seamlessly.
Once the basic framing was in place, we scheduled the electrician and plumber to come in and do the rough-ins. The electricians installed the wiring for lighting and outlets, while the plumbers put in the rough plumbing for the shower, vanity sinks, and toilet. Having these major systems in place early on made the rest of the construction process much smoother.
Insulation, Drywall, and Finishes
For the ceiling insulation, we opted for spray foam, which is a fast and efficient solution. Craig then tackled the drywall, taping and plastering all the walls to create a smooth, durable finish.
When it came to the ceiling, we decided to go with a unique design – alternating 1×8 and 1×10 primed pine boards, which Craig then painted. He also installed a skylight in the bathroom to bring in natural light.
In the bathroom, the shower was one of the more challenging aspects. Craig built the walls to fit the pre-purchased shower pan, using cement board, stucco, and multiple layers of Venetian plaster for a seamless, waterproof finish. The rest of the bathroom was tiled with a gorgeous hand-painted Fireclay Tile, using a white grout.
Flooring, Fixtures, and Final Touches
After priming and painting the walls and ceiling, Craig installed the gorgeous pre-finished oak flooring. He then added the baseboards, window trim, and finally the bathroom vanity, sinks, toilet, and shower door.
The last step was installing the IKEA wardrobes in the bedroom. We measured the space carefully to maximize the storage, and even added some custom trim pieces to give it a more built-in look.
The Finished Product
The entire garage conversion project took us about 9 months, from start to finish. It was a significant undertaking, but the end result was well worth it. We now have a beautiful, functional bedroom and bathroom that has not only increased the livable space in our home, but also added significant value to our property.
This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and it’s convinced us that we can tackle a similar project in our Vermont home, which also has a garage we hope to convert. If you’re considering a garage conversion of your own, I encourage you to dive in – with careful planning and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform that underutilized space into something truly remarkable.
And of course, if you need any inspiration or guidance along the way, be sure to check out ABC Home – they have a wealth of resources and expert advice to help you achieve your home renovation goals.
