Garage conversions?

[Alondonmama]

Hi! I’d love to get some ideas on how to make my downstairs space more open plan. We’ve recently moved here and in the mid 90s an extension was done out the back of the garage to make a kitchen. The small old kitchen space to the side of that was never used and we call it “purgatory” as it’s an odd space - have put tumble dryer in there and it’s sort of a utility! We are considering extending out the back to join up to the current extension and create an open plan kitchen /diner / family space. But think it could be a lot more cost effective to convert the garage to cover this and then retain more of the garden, which is sort of L shape and narrows at the end. Has anyone done this sort of garage conversion with a similar design to create a kitchen /diner? I’m a bit worried the middle of that potential extension space would be dark as we have the existing extension out the back of the garage so would create another long narrow room, but grateful for ideas! To add, when they did the kitchen they also build bedrooms above the garage so there would be rooms built above the space and possibility of having windows etc in the roof. We have a 1 year old and 4 year old so lots of crafting, play, entertaining and general chaos 😅!! Thanks!

I would out a sofa in purgatory for the time being. I am a big fan of a kitchen sofa

This is that I'd do... Though a lot will depend on your budget, of course.

• Do the rear extension you planned to create a big kitchen/diner/family room
• I haven't shown it, but put french doors/bifolds across the back.
• Put the wall back in between the family room and the front room, to give you a quiet/adult space to retreat to space.
• Create a utility using the back of the current the kitchen area and a bit of the garage.
• Convert the rest of the garage into an extra room: playroom, study, extra reception - whatever suits your needs best. Obviously replace the garage door with a window!

I've attempted to attach an image, my lines in red.

I'd do what @LancreWowhawk suggests but I'd keep the front half of the garage as a small garage for storage and put a door into it from the utility room.

I have a very long integrated garage as you have. In February we got a builder to split 40 percent off and fit out as a laundry room with kitchen cupboards under and over along two walls and washing machine and tumble dryer fitted along the third wall. Now I store all laundry powder, fabric softener, ironing board and laundry baskets put there so it frees up space from kitchen where washing machine and tumble dryer went down now had 2 new kitchen cupboards fitted so more space for storage really. DH has also put food mixer, pizza oven and panini press in utility on worktop so it can stay out of sight so kitchen counters are less cluttered. I also store all dog and cat food in base cupboards in utility. It's given us a lot more space for storage and a less cluttered kitchen.

60 percent of garage still acts as DH workshop.