Archive for June, 2018

How do you use your garage? While lots of us use the garage to park our cars, only a quarter of homes with a garage actually store a car in it.

Part of the problem is that today’s cars have become wider whilst garages remain the same size. So actually parking your car in the garage can be extremely tight. To this end, most of us use our garages as extra storage space simply because we have too many possessions to fit into our home! But what are the most interesting ways to use the garage? We did some investigation work to come up with 12 interesting ideas.

Home offices

More of us work from home than ever before so turning your garage into a home office is an obvious choice. But have you thought about combining the office space requirements with storage? This would mean that you don’t need planning permission (in most cases) and get to incorporate storage solutions into the space as well which, in most houses, we are crying out for.

Man Cave or She-Shed?

Turn your garage into a haven for your hobby, space for your diy or even an area to have friends over to relax. Not exactly a new concept these days but one where you can really use the garage space for your favourite pastime.

Workshop

Garages have long been used as workshops for DIY or mechanics, but they are also used for other hobbies that need a lot of room, such as curtain making. We’ve even seen a garage used as a wheelchair repair centre!

Games room

The garage is perhaps the only room in the house big enough for a full size snooker table. It’s also a great place to set up a permanent dart board, table tennis table, or pinball zone.

Gym

So what do you do with all that gym equipment you buy on a whim? Put it in the garage, of course! We’ve seen many home gyms in garages, and they’re also used as dance and zumba studios.

Playroom or Kids’ den

Depending on how old your children are you may find they take over the garage. When they’re small, it’s an ideal place for all those ride-on toys and balls. And for teenagers the garage can be a great den for hanging out with friends, playing pool or table tennis and holding band practice. Just remember to soundproof your garage if you don’t want to annoy the neighbours!

Guest room / annexe / studio flat

Many a garage has become a permanent extra room – either for guests, or converted into a “granny flat” or studio for an adult son or daughter. Most of the time you don’t need planning permission if you are not changing the structure but of course, it is always better to check!

And now for some of the more unusual ideas …

A drive in cinema

We think this would be a great use of your garage because you’ll still be able to store your car – all you need is a flat screen TV on the back wall and a popcorn machine!

A golf driving range

With ever more sophisticated technology, we have seen garages set up as a driving range with the software portraying world famous courses such as Pebble Beach onto the wall. You not only get to practice your skills but actually feel you are playing the course.

Ten pin bowling alley

As with the snooker table, you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere else long enough to fit a skittle alley.

Spa room

We have heard about people using their garage to house a hot tub, which sounds like a fantastic idea, especially in a country where you can’t rely on the weather. We would suggest you install non-slip flooring though, and think about tiling the walls to prevent water damage.

And our favourite use of a garage …. an indoor skate park!

Sounds incredible but there really are people using their garages as skate parks. Let your kids hone their skateboarding skills in the garage, with a homemade half pipe made from plywood – there are even plans available on the internet!

Thanks for reading our article on 12 interesting ways to use the garage. If you would like to look into how we can help you sort out your garage then visit our website at oldwp.garageflex.co.uk