We bought a house recently and it came with this separate garage that's just kinda sitting there, empty and sad-looking. I'm thinking maybe turning it into a workshop or hangout space, but not sure yet. Has anyone else dealt with this kinda setup? Curious what you did with yours...
We had a similar setup at a property we bought a few years ago—a detached garage that was just collecting dust and spiders. Took some time to figure out what to do with it, but we ended up converting it into a workshop/hobby space, and honestly, it's been pretty great. The separate structure actually turned out to be a bonus because we could run power tools or music without bothering anyone inside the house.
One thing I'd suggest is checking the insulation and ventilation situation first. Ours was basically a glorified shed at first, so we had to add some insulation and better airflow to make it comfortable year-round. Also, if you're considering resale value down the line, a nicely finished separate space can definitely be a plus for buyers looking for versatility—home offices, gyms, studios, whatever.
Bottom line, if you're willing to put in a bit of effort upfront, it can pay off nicely. Just take your time planning it out...no need to rush into anything until you're sure what you'll actually use it for.
"One thing I'd suggest is checking the insulation and ventilation situation first."
Good call on insulation and ventilation—those are easy to overlook but make a huge difference. Did you run into any issues with moisture or humidity after insulating? I've flipped a couple of properties with detached garages, and one thing I've noticed is that once you seal them up tighter, sometimes moisture can become an unexpected headache. A simple exhaust fan or even just some passive vents can help a lot.
Also curious, did you end up running plumbing out there too, or just electrical? I've found that adding even a small sink or basic plumbing setup can really boost the versatility of the space, especially if you're thinking resale down the line. But yeah, totally agree—taking your time to plan it out properly is key. Rushing into these projects usually ends up costing more in the long run... learned that one the hard way myself.
Totally agree on the moisture thing—been there, done that, got the moldy t-shirt. 😂 Passive vents saved my sanity (and wallet) more than once. Plumbing's a nice touch, but honestly, I skipped it in my last garage reno to keep things simple and eco-friendly. Rain barrels and a basic outdoor sink setup did the trick without the hassle of permits. Just my two cents...
