5 Essentials for Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House

Some homeowners use their detached garages for parking, others as storage for odds and ends. If your garage has become a catchall, consider transforming it into a comfy residence for your overnight guests. Take heed of these five essentials.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Add an Elevated Exterior

Since you’ll be housing humans and not boxes or cars, garage doors will no longer cut the mustard. Replace them with an entry door and a window. Depending on the size of your structure, if you plan to carve out a kitchen you’ll need this added wall space for cabinets and appliances.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Work on the Kitchen and Bath

Nobody said this was going to be cheap, but a kitchen (or a kitchenette) and bath will make your guest house self-sufficient. This will require plumbing, so budget for the expense. If you don’t plan to install a kitchen, a bath is definitely a necessity. You don’t want your guests having to tip through the main residence in the middle of the night.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Add Convertible Furniture

Typically, garages aren’t very large so your design must be efficient. A multipurpose living space can be equipped with a Murphy bed, or a sofa bed. A coffee table can extend to the height and length of a dining table. Consider a kitchen island or peninsula with a built-in stovetop and a countertop overhang for bar seating. If your budget permits, tuck a TV into the peninsula and summon it at the push of a button via a motorized TV lift.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Focus on Outdoor Living

Even your guest house can have defined outdoor living. A collapsible window wall in the main living space can open onto a patio. Consider tiling the patio up to the threshold of your window wall for a continuous flow outdoors and in.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Maintain Consistent Design

Although your guest house is detached from the main residence it doesn’t have to be detached from its design. The exterior of your guests’ residence should carry the same characteristics as your larger one. Inside, design elements can repeat. If you’ve got a bright and beachy theme going on in your main house, ride the wave into the home for your guests.

Some homeowners use their detached garages for parking, others as storage for odds and ends. If your garage has become a catchall, consider transforming it into a comfy residence for your overnight guests. Take heed of these five essentials.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Add an Elevated Exterior

Since you’ll be housing humans and not boxes or cars, garage doors will no longer cut the mustard. Replace them with an entry door and a window. Depending on the size of your structure, if you plan to carve out a kitchen you’ll need this added wall space for cabinets and appliances.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Work on the Kitchen and Bath

Nobody said this was going to be cheap, but a kitchen (or a kitchenette) and bath will make your guest house self-sufficient. This will require plumbing, so budget for the expense. If you don’t plan to install a kitchen, a bath is definitely a necessity. You don’t want your guests having to tip through the main residence in the middle of the night.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Add Convertible Furniture

Typically, garages aren’t very large so your design must be efficient. A multipurpose living space can be equipped with a Murphy bed, or a sofa bed. A coffee table can extend to the height and length of a dining table. Consider a kitchen island or peninsula with a built-in stovetop and a countertop overhang for bar seating. If your budget permits, tuck a TV into the peninsula and summon it at the push of a button via a motorized TV lift.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Focus on Outdoor Living

Even your guest house can have defined outdoor living. A collapsible window wall in the main living space can open onto a patio. Consider tiling the patio up to the threshold of your window wall for a continuous flow outdoors and in.

Transforming a Detached Garage Into a Guest House: Maintain Consistent Design

Although your guest house is detached from the main residence it doesn’t have to be detached from its design. The exterior of your guests’ residence should carry the same characteristics as your larger one. Inside, design elements can repeat. If you’ve got a bright and beachy theme going on in your main house, ride the wave into the home for your guests.