To think we can have ‘utility room’ in garage

[Newmumin23]

We’re about to convert our garage to give us more living space downstairs , we also thought we would add in a utility room.
The current plan is to 3rd the garage which would contain larger living space, into utility room and then small area at front left for storage and garage door.

I’m thinking to make the living space larger we could just make 2 rooms which would be larger living space with door into ‘utility/garage’ so essentially the utility units would be in the garage area. It would be done properly so proper flooring, walls boarded out etc so it was a room, it would just have a garage door on the front.

Am I missing anything? Husband thinks resale people might be put off having utility in the garage area, but we’re probably going to be here another 5+ years and the extra living space would be more beneficial to us, utility space is really a bonus.

Is my idea silly? Has anyone done anything similar?

We have a designated laundry room in an outbuilding. I love it because I can shut the door on noisy washing machine and dryer, and unsightly clothes horse, and it freed up lots of space in the utility.

Depending on layout, if planning is a constraint rather than budget, could you seek to lose the garage door and extend the garage to provide your utility and a larger room with downstairs toilet/shower room proposed for ground floor disability access/provision for elder living?

Do what works best for you but be wary of trying to squeeze too many functions into the space if it's a standard single garage as the internal dimensions do end up quite small. A living area, storage and a utility sounds a bit squashed. I wasnt clear if you were extending existing living space into the garage or creating a new self contained area? One option might be to create a utility cupboard within the new living space so it's neatly housed but you create a more multi functional space.

I agree with keeping the front half as a storage area if it's a family sized home. We've previously lived in a house with a full garage conversion and as our kids were growing it was getting more difficult to store their larger bikes, camping stuff, big paddling pool in sheds and Keter units in the garden.

When we bought our new build the kitchen door from the kitchen lead to the garage. The garage also then had another door to the garden. The garage had the plumbing/and was designed to have the WM and TD housed in there.

we decided to divide the space into a clearly defined utility and the rest garage. Which has worked well. It was more for aesthetics and functionality - as I guess we could have continued to have just have the garage/utility as it was was… but I wanted a stud wall so I couldn’t see the bike/garage garbage in view everytime I went opened the door or went to use WM or TB. We didn’t need any building regulations as nothing was changed other than a stud wall (if that’s makes sense) but it’s very warm and has no heating other than from the kitchen internal wall to the agates and the heat from the extra fridge that’s also in the unit it space. (Not sure why that is? I can only think that Maybe the garage had more insulation put in by the developers originally as was always designed to have the TD and WM in the garage?) and I guess the stud wall makes it a small space so holds heat?

anyhow it’s worked for us very well! No regrets! I guess if a buyer wanted a full garage - it would only be the cost of knocking down the added insulated stud wall though.

hope that helps OP!

I did this. Our garage was narrow - built when cars were much smaller than they are now. So it was used only for storage anyway. We did add a small extension...i'll add a diagram if you want. In the other half of the garage we added a mezzanine level for more storage.
If anything it has increased the value of our home because the garage was unusable for its original purpose. Our neighbours on one side hasn't got a utility room at all but made half the garage a small office and the other side did make it a utility room but with no extension so they need to go outside to access it.

I think your idea is great and sounds ideal, but for me it would depend on cost vs. sale value.

Would the cost of the conversion reduce the house price? If I was looking to only stay 5 years that would impact my decision.

If it doesn't impact the house value, I would also consider how much this was going to cost. If in 5 years you are at looking at moving, for me, I would prefer to put the money towards my future house.

@Conniebygaslight - our house was built in 1982. You can't get a modern car into the garage (we once got a 3 door polo in but had to fold in the wing mirrors and there was no way you could open the doors fully). Nearly everyone has converted the garage and has their car (or cars) on the driveway (which were all built as singles but most xan now take 3 cars). So I'd be the person who didn't comment on your lack of a garage....

Not everyone wanting a garage needs it for a car though. Motorbikes (our specific need), kayaks, camping gear, bikes, SUP boards, all sorts of alternatives to cars tbh.

But if she doesnt convert the front of the garage then all of this would still be possible. It is in mine. I had a narrow , long garage. Back of it is utility and front of it now stores bikes, canoes, our wood storage, camping equipment etc. We would still be able to fit in a motorbike.

We have this - old garage that is now utility, workroom (DIY stuff), bike storage etc so sounds fine to me

Depends what you use it for I think. Some people use their utility as a kitchen overflow (extra fridge) small appliance storage etc which may not work for your situation. But definitely for laundry or bulk item storage or even an overflow freezer it can work. I love a utility!

Going to be awfully expensive to rip up part of garage foundation to put in water pipes and drainage pipes for utility sink, & washing machine. Even harder if wanting to run gas for a boiler in there too. Also the appliances will have to work harder in an unheated and unventilated area- some tumble dryers won’t work if below a certain temp.

I would not advise putting a full utility area in the garage.

Ours garage 'is' perhaps smaller than yours. (Front 2/3rds of house.)
We've converted it to a utility and downstairs WC, which gives us a coat and shoes cupboard under the stairs (rather than the really cramped WC we had in that space previously).
Have to say the utility frees up so much space elsewhere in the house, since it's become home to so many things. Aside from all the laundry stuff, and spare linens, we use it to store all the cleaning equipment (plus hoover, brooms etc in a large cupboard), spare bulbs and extension leads, batteries, candles and torches. We also use it to store all the tools and DIY stuff. And because it's spacious it's also great as a dumping ground when ds returns home from uni while I sort through / find places to stash it!
Previously we've had a tiny utility and that was too small to have the same impact and quickly got to crisis point with the washing in it. So don't skimp on the utility!

Will you have access directly from the house? If so, I'd definitely do it.

I currently don't have a garage, not important for me if I was to move.
Shed in the garden, it's a mess.

I'd far rather a utility

Echoing the thought above about not trying to fit too much into one space.

If ive read it right, you want 1/3 to be a utility - probably a reasonable size of a single garage, but then you also want storage space and a living space?? And keep the garage door, so possible reduced head space if you've got an "up and over" door style, and no windows?
Garage conversion can be great. But they can be awful. Look carefully at light and dimensions before committing.

I think it would be odd to have a garage door on the side of a utility room. Is there no way of boarding out the loft of your garage for storage space? That’s what we’ve done in my husband’s mancave aka our old garage 😂

When we moved into our house washer and drier were in the dining part of the kitchen diner which we hated. The very first thing we did was split the attached garage into 2. One half workshop, one half utility room. We are lucky to have a second garage and a garden shed so still have plenty of storage.
A utility room or option to incorporate a utility room was a must when we were looking. The garage is accessible from the house and is close to the kitchen

this is so helpful honestly so many things we haven’t considered and lots of comments making me think it’s the right idea. We already have a downstairs w/c and only in our 30s so not planning for old age yet. Our garage is larger than a standard single, no option to extend it due to the layout, it’s attached to next doors garage so just wouldn’t work.
The extra living space would be an extension of our currently family room not a standalone room, and there would be access into the garage/utility (which we don’t actually have currently).
The only thing I can think is bike storage may be an issue if kids get older, they may fit on the wall but everything else we have can be accommodated either outside or above in loft storage.

My friend has her washing machine in the garage (there is no space for it in the kitchen or bathroom). Every time there is a cold snap, her washing machine stops working for the duration. She spends a lot of time and money in the launderette!

You mean washing machine in there? Think of the costs of adding extra plumbing etc.

My parents have freezers in their garage. Plus excess cleaning/laundry products, wine, food cans, store cupboards stuff on shelving.

They can't park their car in garage - even if garage is empty. They can park it in but unable to open the driver's door to get out. This house is 22 years old and builders don't incorporate size of the wider cars when building houses. Its a VW Golf.

I absolutely would not keep the garage door. If you're making it into a proper room, do it properly. You can put it big windows or sliding glass doors/French doors in its place.

Yes this is what I was bothered about. I would like to make the garage into a utility but I was bothered about pipes freezing. I have had a tumble dryer in there for ages. I also have a second fridge freezer in there. It is Beco which I believe are designed so they can be used at cold temperatures. Where in the UK does your friend live?

@Newmumin23 We are thinking of doing the same thing, back half of garage would be a utility room, front would be storage. Would want it all properly insulated and up to building regs. Have you had any quotes? We really have no idea how much this might cost.

Your first and second paragraphs are contradictory or confusing, at least to me. I doubt you'd have room for storage, living space, and washing facilities.

I've known several people who've converted garages. One kept the garage front door and many years later, new owners rebuilt the whole thing because it was cold, and did a proper conversion into living accommodation.

Another put in living space and shower/utility and used roof space above for storage and installed a garden shed for keeping lawn mower and other essentials.

Another joined the garage conversion to a further ground floor extension behind and kept the garage door front and a bit of the garage to store bins and bikes.