If you want a comfortable, inspiring office for working from home, the garage could be the perfect place. By creating a home office in your garage, you get all the perks of remote work—convenience, no commute, and cost savings being a few of them. The kicker is that you also get a space that is separate from the main living areas, which can mean fewer distractions and better meetings with clients.

Does converting your garage into your office sound a bit crazy? Does it seem like it would just be way too much work? Well, if you evaluate your space, think about what you want, and make a solid plan before you dive in, you can make the process much less overwhelming. And Dream Builderz has some tips for how you can get a strong start!

Make Sure You’re Committed
First, take time to confirm that your garage is where you want to work. You will always be able to use your garage for various activities once you turn it into a livable space, but it will also require a good amount of work if you ever choose to turn it back in your vehicle’s home!

Also, check to see if you will get tax deductions by working in your garage office. Depending on where you live and what type of work you do, among other factors, you may be able to qualify for deducting certain business expenses on your tax return through the home office deduction. Click here to learn more.

Seal the Space
You are going to want your home office to be comfortable year-round. And if you typically get cold winters and hot summers where you live, it’s essential that your garage is well-sealed. Evaluate every nook and cranny of the space, including the garage door. You may need to add insulation to the walls or fix gaps around your garage door. 

By making sure the space is sealed, you can expect your HVAC, air conditioners, and space heaters to do less work, which means lower energy bills and more temperature control!

Paint the Walls
You will need to clear your garage of any clutter and do some deep cleaning of the space before designing your home office. Once that is finished, throw a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors, and trim. While some people benefit from having more vibrant colors, consider painting a light gray or white if you want to make the space look bigger. Plus, lighter colors tend to make better backgrounds for virtual meetings.

Get the Lighting Right
Lighting is another big deal when it comes to your home office. Most garages do not have windows, but since natural light is ideal for work environments, assess your budget to see if you can have windows installed. With or without windows, however, you will need to add floor lamps, desk lamps, and potentially hanging lamps to ensure that you will be able to see your work with minimal eye strain.

Bring in the Comfort
Perhaps the most fun part of transforming a garage into a home office is decorating. You want your home office to look professional while also presenting a little bit of your personality. And you want it to be comfortable!

If you are going to have clients and other visitors over to your office regularly, make sure there are chairs and tables for them to visit comfortably. You can find all kinds of quality second-hand furniture at a great price through online marketplaces like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace. Look for fun decor that compliments your office’s appeal, and consider putting in some extra amenities like a mini-fridge, a coffee station, and baskets of snacks.

The perfect space for your home office might have been right under your nose this whole time! Consider the possibility of converting your garage into your office, and if you choose to do so, hash out a detailed plan for getting it done. The tips above will get you off to a great start. But remember to look online for inspirational ideas and other advice for making your transformation a smooth process.

Are you looking for a reputable, dedicated general contractor in Braintree, MA? Contact DreamBuilderz.com today! (617) 448-9802