If you work from home, you know how important it is to have a dedicated space for your office. But if you don’t have an extra room in your house, where can you set up shop for working at home?
Your garage is a great option for a home office. It’s usually a large, empty space that can be easily divided into a work area and a storage area. Plus, there’s no need to worry about disturbing the rest of the family when you’re working in the garage. Or being disturbed by them.
A garage home office is a great way to get the best of both worlds – a dedicated workspace that’s separate from the rest of your house while being close to home. And with a few simple modifications, you can create a comfortable and stylish garage home office that meets all your needs.
A home office is a must if you work from home. If you work from home all the time, it is essential, and if you work in a hybrid model it, too, is important. But what if you don’t have an extra room to spare? Then go outside and inside again and enter your garage.
A garage home office might be the perfect solution for you if you want to set up a nice workplace near your house. Here are some of the most important benefits of a garage home office.
There are many benefits to having a garage home office. One benefit is that you can have a dedicated space for your work. This can help you stay focused and be more productive. But this benefit is essentially the same with all home offices. However, being in the garage you are even more distanced from distractions. That is a good thing.
Another benefit is that you can customize your space to fit your needs. You can add shelves, a desk, and other furniture to make your office more comfortable and efficient. Doing all of this in your garage typically allows you more room than a room in your house does. That gives you even more opportunities like setting up a home gym along with your home office in the garage. Or maybe a home cinema?
If you are considering that you can read more about having a TV in the home office here.
Overall, a garage home office offers so much more than a home office in a separate room inside your house. The opportunities are many, if not endless and you can really make your very own “home in your home” by utilizing the space within your garage.
Considerations when making a garage home office
When many people think of working from home, they picture themselves sitting at a desk in a quiet room. But for some, that just isn’t possible. Maybe you have young children or a baby at home and need to be available to them. Maybe you live in a small house and don’t have an extra room to dedicate to an office.
As more and more people work from home, the line between where our homes end and our offices begin has become increasingly blurred. For some of us, this means working from the kitchen table or setting up a makeshift desk in the living room. Others have been fortunate enough to have a dedicated home office space.
The really lucky ones have an entire garage available and waiting for them to turn into a great home office. But before you do so, there a number of considerations you take to into account.
Consider the size of your garage
The size of your garage is one of the most important factors to consider when turning it into a home office. If your garage is on the smaller side, you might not have enough room for all the necessary office furniture and equipment.
In that case, you need to think minimalistic. Creating a minimalistic home office can make your office space free from clutter and many distractions. This will help you with being more productive and get even more work done.
A Scandinavian-style home office is closely related to the minimalistic style home office. You should look into that if you have a small garage to set up your workspace in.
Think about insulation and weatherproofing
If you are thinking about transforming your garage into a home office, it’s important to make sure the space is properly insulated and weatherproofed. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
First, check the insulation: If your garage is not properly insulated, it will be difficult to keep it warm in the winter. You may need to add insulation to the walls and ceiling in order to create a comfortable work environment.
Weatherproof the windows: Drafty windows can make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in your garage. Make sure to caulk and seal any gaps around the windows and consider adding window film for an extra layer of protection against cold air.
Consider heating and cooling: In addition to insulating your garage, you’ll also need to think about heating and cooling.
You cannot be productive and comfortable if you are freezing inside your garage home office. As such, these are very important considerations that you need to make.
Think about lighting and electrical outlets
Before you set up your garage as a home office, it’s important to think about the lighting and electrical outlets.
You’ll want to make sure there’s plenty of light so you can see what you’re doing and that the outlets are easily accessible. Home office lighting is extremely important as you need the correct light in order to be productive.
Actually, you get a headache and feel discomfort if you work for many hours in a bad light. So this, too, is really important to consider and fix before setting up your home office in your garage.
Keep in mind that you may need to add additional lighting or outlets if you plan on using computers or other electronics in your garage office. And be taking a wild guess that is probably what you intend to do with your own office.
Consider acoustics and soundproofing
When you’re working from home in your garage, the last thing you want is bad acoustics interrupting your meetings and your concentration. But before you start soundproofing your garage, there are a few things to consider.
First, take a look at the acoustics of your garage. Is it a concrete room with hard surfaces? If so, the sound will bounce around and be amplified, making it difficult to concentrate. You may want to consider adding some soft materials to help absorb sound.
This will make it a much nicer experience for you when you have online meetings. Or maybe even physical meetings if you invite clients into your garage home office.
Second, think about the amount of traffic that will be passing by near your garage. If you have a busy street or live in a crowded neighborhood, sound from outside can easily seep in. You’ll need to invest in some good quality soundproofing materials to block out unwanted noise.
Your intend by setting up your garage home office is probably to get away from distractions. If so, soundproofing your garage is essential for it to be a success.
The best way to furnish your garage home office
When it comes to furnishing your garage home office, there are a few key elements that you’ll need in order to make it comfortable and functional.
First, you’ll need a good desk and chair. That is pretty essential for any type of office. Make sure the desk is the right size for the space and has enough surface area for your work. The chair should be comfortable and adjustable so you can find the perfect position for working.
In addition to a desk and chair, good lighting is essential in any home office. Natural light is best, so if your garage has windows, take advantage of them. If not, make sure to add some task lighting to brighten up the space.
Also, don’t forget about adding some personal touches to make your garage home office feel like your own. A few family photos or a fun sign on the wall can be a great way to show your personality while adding some charm to the space.
Don’t forget the greens either. Plants are super important for a nice, productive space. It does not matter if you choose real or fake plants. They have almost the same benefits, and the benefits of plants are plenty when it comes to plants. Or “planty”, if you like… I’ll show myself out.
But, seriously, plants are really important and if you can fit them into your garage home office, you will no doubt enjoy the surroundings and environment.
How to make your garage home office look presentable
If you work from home, you know how important it is to have a space that is both comfortable and presentable. After all, first impressions matter, especially when clients or customers are coming to your home office or they see your office through an online meeting.
Here are a few tips to make sure your garage home office looks presentable.
First, keep it tidy. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to keep your space clean and organized. Not only will it make your office look better, but it will also help you stay focused and productive as you remove clutter and distractions.
Add some color. A pop of color can go a long way in making your garage home office look more inviting. Whether you add a colorful rug or some fun artwork, adding a little bit of personality will make your space feel more like home. Maybe you can paint an entire wall?
Make use of storage solutions. You don’t need a lot of space to create a functional and organized garage home office. If you have items that you use frequently, consider adding additional storage solutions such as shelves or drawers.
Consider using some decorative touches. Plants, paintings, art or whatever can make your home office space in your garage more attractive can work wonders.
Consider combining your home office with a home gym in the garage
What if you could combine your home office with another important part of your daily routine – your workout? That is actually possible if you have a garage big enough for both the office and your home training equipment.
By setting up your gym in your garage, you can create a multi-purpose space that allows you to get in a quick workout before starting your work day, or take a break from work to relieve some stress with a little exercise.
This will also make it much more fun working from home as you get some natural breaks. If you dislike working from home or think it is boring then maybe combining your garage home office with a home gym can make it more enjoyable.
My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.