In our vacation homes, we use rooms for their functionality, even if it’s just relaxing. Over time however, we tend to use other rooms more than others, allowing them to collect dust and underutilise.
Perhaps the kids have left the roost and their rooms are no longer used. The garage that housed the cars has now been relegated to a musty old storage space. Instead of leaving these rooms to just be empty space, why not consider how to repurpose them into something practical or functional.
Recognizing the Need for Change
A vacation home is just that, a home away from home where you leave everyday life behind for a while and unwind. However, over time, some rooms get left empty or unused.
For instance, have a look at an old log garage. Originally it was built to house vehicles and camping gear, but now it’s barely used and only stores unused items. Therefore, why not change that area into something fun or functional during your vacation.
Transforming an Unused Garage into a Functional Space
Your garage can be more than just dead space, remake it into a room with a purpose. It can be made into a game or hobby room, or even something like an art room. With a little planning and effort, the new room can be turned into something that is functional and works for you.
Step 1: Declutter and Plan
You’ll need to start by organising and clearing the space to be used. Besides sweeping up the dust, try to sort the stored items, if there are any, into three piles: Things you need to keep, can give away and throw away. Since the space has been left unused for a while, also check the integrity of the structure.
Check for water leaks and gaps in the insulation that need to be fixed to seal the room before making it into a functional area for you or the family. When the room is cleaned and swept, it’s finally time to give it purpose. A cozy, rustic log garage can be changed into an art studio, reading nook or home office as a few examples.
Creating a Home Office Retreat
Once you have settled on what the room will be used for, in this case the home office, the next thing to do would be to ensure you have enough space for the things you want in the room, and that it is big enough for your design.
Step 2: Insulation and Climate Control
Garages are not initially built for people to use for extended periods of time. Because of this, you will need to add insulation to stabilize the temperature.
You will need to think about how you will add insulation, if it will be with natural fibers or incorporate the wood already incorporated into the structure. To ensure that the temperature is stable, consider adding a small heater, furnace or air conditioner so that you can use your workspace all year round.
Step 3: Flooring and Walls
The floor of a garage most definitely will not be suitable for an office. If you want to stick with the wooden theme, install laminate flooring, otherwise another more cost effective material would be to add thick rugs to keep the area warm.
To make the place look a little better, throw on a fresh coat of paint or wooden panels to match the exterior.
Step 4: Furniture and Storage
For a workspace, you will need a heavy, wide desk, with drawers for storage, and a comfortable chair that will support your back for long work hours. If you’re looking to make the most out of your space, use bookshelves and tall cabinets to make a little cove above your desk.
Bringing Nature Inside: A Garden Workspace
If you want to take your workspace further, you can lean into the natural look even more. You already have the wooden exterior and rustic interior, time to add some plants to give it an earthy feel and give the office a nature-fresh look.
Step 5: Adding Plants for a Natural Touch
Plants bring a touch of green that blends well into all of the wood used in the structure of the office as well as brings up the air quality.
One way to add plants into the now garden workspace is to use potted plants. You can put them on top of bookshelves and along the windowsill, in all manner of interesting looking pots of your choice. If you’re stressed about the plant’s health, don’t worry. You can choose plants that are small and low maintenance like ferns or succulents, the best example being a snake plant.
If your space allows, or would like the garden elsewhere, you can extend the garden to the outside of the office by lining the entrance with a few planters and plants of your choice to create a lovely view when entering from outside.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of Unused Spaces
Reusing an empty or cluttered storage space in your vacation home is a great way to make the most out of the space, instead of collecting dust, and make it into something fun or functional.
You can build the space up to your needs, adding the missing parts like insulation and some pot plants to really make the space feel earthy and in touch with nature, just like the wooden exterior of the garage.
Instead of just using the old garage for storage, why not make it into an office where you can work in peace, but still in the warmth of your vacation home. By adding things like soft lighting and a heavy work desk, whilst the fresh smell of plants is in the air, you can make the space homey, practical, but most importantly, yours.
Whether you use it for remote work, creative projects, or simply as a quiet retreat, this transformation will make your vacation home more adaptable and enjoyable for years to come.
