Saw this article about a family who converted their garage into a bedroom to make space for their teen, and now their home value apparently shot up. But I’m wondering, does it really pay off? Anyone here tried something like that or know someone who did? Curious if it’s as smooth as they make it sound or if there’s a bunch of hidden headaches.
Curious if it’s as smooth as they make it sound or if there’s a bunch of hidden headaches.
Honestly, it’s never as smooth as those articles make it look. My buddy turned his garage into a “man cave” that became his daughter’s bedroom after about two weeks. It worked out, but he spent way more than he planned—insulation, permits, weird electrical stuff... and don’t get me started on the city inspector. Still, his house value did go up, and his teen stopped threatening to move into the neighbor’s shed, so maybe that’s a win? If you’re handy (or patient), it can be worth it. Just expect some chaos along the way.
Totally agree on the chaos part.
That’s the real story—those costs add up fast. If you want it to be energy efficient (and not freezing in winter), good insulation is a must. Also, ventilation gets overlooked way too often.“insulation, permits, weird electrical stuff...”
I hear you on the insulation and all those “hidden” costs. When we looked into converting our garage, I thought the biggest expense would be drywall and maybe some new flooring. Nope—turns out the city wanted updated wiring, a separate subpanel, and a bunch of extra permits I hadn’t even considered. The insulation was a surprise too; the guy at the hardware store basically laughed when I told him what I’d budgeted for it.
I’m still not sure about ventilation, honestly. We put in a vent fan, but it still feels a bit stuffy in the summer. Maybe that’s just the nature of a converted space? Or maybe we missed something with airflow. Has anyone actually managed to get a converted attic or garage to feel as comfortable as a “real” bedroom, temperature-wise? I keep wondering if it’s ever truly possible without spending a fortune.
Title: Turning Attics and Garages Into Bedrooms: Is It Worth the Hassle?
Honestly, the comfort thing is what’s kept me from pulling the trigger on ours. I’ve been tinkering with the idea for ages, mostly because adding a “real” bedroom is way out of my price range. But yeah, garages and attics just aren’t built for people to sleep in, at least not where I live (lots of temp swings). My neighbor did his attic a couple years ago, and he’s still battling drafts in winter and a sauna effect in July, even after blowing in more insulation and sealing gaps.
I did see one creative solution: a split mini-heat pump system. Not cheap, but apparently it made the space usable year-round. Still, between permits and all the “surprise” upgrades, it feels like you need a second budget just for stuff you didn’t plan on. Makes me wonder if just decluttering and using the space smarter would be less stressful...
