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When it comes to adding onto your house, there’s no space that’s more ideal for a build-out than the area above your garage. However, while building an addition above your garage is a great idea, figuring out how to best utilize that new space can be difficult.
There are several different avenues you can take, and ultimately, the decision will depend on your family and/or lifestyle. But, if you need some inspiration, here are a few ideas and tips to help you when building an addition above your garage.
Design a Dream Master Suite
The original footprint of your house is OK and you’ve lived with your current master bedroom for several years. But if you had it your way, you’d do things differently. You’d create a larger bedroom space with two separate closets and include a luxurious in-suite bathroom.
If your home has room to grow above your garage, this can be an excellent opportunity to build the master suite you’ve always wanted. Meanwhile, your old bedroom will make a great guest room or a bedroom upgrade for your oldest child who is about to hit their teen years.
Work from a Home Office
Have you ever hid in the bathroom to find a quiet space to take a conference call from home? If so, it’s time to consider creating a devoted work space. An above-garage addition is the perfect way to do it. The wonderful thing about this kind of addition is that the level of expense will be up to you. You can really rock out your home office by adding in a small kitchen or bathroom, or keep costs low by sticking with a more basic design. Either way, presenting sales numbers while someone bangs on the door because they have to go will be a thing of the past!
Get Fit with a Personal Gym
Your significant other was delighted when you announced your new commitment to work out every day. That excitement lasted until the first morning you got moving, treating your family to a half hour of jumps and thumps as you did plyometrics in the upstairs bedroom. With the addition of an above-garage home gym, you’ll have the space to commit to get fit … and your family will be spared the racket.
Tips for Building an Addition Above Your Garage
Even when you’re excited about building onto your garage, the process can seem daunting. To streamline the process, make sure you get on board with an experienced contractor right from the start. They’ll discuss the project and give you a realistic estimate that will help you figure out the best way to secure financing for the renovation.
Your contractor will also help you avoid some of the common mistakes that homeowners make when taking on a renovation project. In addition to helping you lay out the project and stick to a reasonable budget, they’ll discuss your needs and help you develop a clear idea of what you want the finished project to look like. They’ll also take the overall layout of your home into consideration, designing something that flows well and looks good with the existing structure.
Because it will likely be hard for you to visualize the final build-out, your contractor may use 3D digital renderings to give you a real-world view of the design they have in mind. This stage of the process will give you the opportunity to make changes to anything that doesn’t fit in with your wishes for the build-out.
Be open and communicative with your contractor. If something they suggest isn’t to your liking, tell them so they can make changes to deliver the renovation you want. When it comes to building an addition above your garage, your contractor’s goal is to customize a design that will work best for you, your home, and your family.
