Whether you’re working from home full time or running a home-based business, converting your garage into an office may be the best option for you to set up shop. But you may have to make some changes in order to turn the space into a comfortable workroom. While this might sound like a major undertaking, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few crucial but often overlooked factors to consider when you’re ready to make your move to the garage:

Insulation 

Insulate your garage from the heat, the cold, and even outside noises for greater comfort while you’re working. Keeping your garage cool in the summer and warm in the winter will help you save money on your energy bill, and it can increase the value of your property, as it adds weatherproofed storage options to your home. Good insulation will also protect your equipment from extreme temperatures and prevent costly repairs or replacements. 

Different materials are available to insulate your garage walls, ceiling, and doors: fiberglass, rigid foam, cellulose, spray foam, and radiant barriers. Weigh in the pros and cons of each, their insulation effectiveness, and cost before you start on your project. And don’t neglect to insulate your garage’s concrete slab floor whether you’re planning on covering it up with laminate, hardwood, tile, or carpet.

Lighting

If your garage doesn’t have windows, you may be able to bring more natural light inside by installing skylights on the roof, or by replacing your solid garage doors with windows. Getting some natural sunlight into your garage can also reduce dampness and prevent mold and mildew. 

Replace harsh overhead lights with softer lighting options like ambient and task lighting. Choose bulbs with a high Color Rendering Index: they emit a light that looks closer to natural sunlight and will make your garage feel less sterile and more welcoming. Painting your walls a light color will also help brighten the space: opt for white, light gray, or eggshell to better reflect the light around your workspace.

Storage Options

If your garage-turned-office is still hosting a workbench, gardening tools, and holiday decor, you may have a hard time concentrating on your work if all the visual clutter distracts you from your tasks. Invest in wall-mount organizers, large storage cabinets, and overhead storage garage racks to keep everything non-work-related out of view. 

Store your seasonal items in large storage bins that will fit on the overhead racks and out of view. Opt for sturdy, functional, and flexible storage options that you can easily reconfigure if you need to change your layout. And for the more unsightly and oversized items like your lawnmower or shop vac, use decorative room dividers or partitions that will beautify and liven up the space, making it a more enjoyable place to work.

Vehicle Protection

When you convert your garage into a living space, you may have to leave your car parked outdoors, either on the street, in your driveway, or under a carport. But the sun and the heat can do a number on your vehicle’s exterior and interior, and bad weather can also damage the paint. In order to protect your vehicle from the elements, think about purchasing a car cover. A quality car cover will protect it from damages caused by rain, snow, sun, and wind, and will keep your vehicle cleaner longer. 

Besides its weatherproofing performance, look for a car cover that is easy to put on and take off your vehicle; some require more than one person to secure and remove. Some models even come with reflective strips, making your car more visible to drivers when it’s parked on the side of the road at night.

Setting Up Your Space

Once your conversion is complete, it’s time to outfit your space. Look for comfortable furniture like an ergonomic chair and an adjustable height desk. If you haven’t painted already, choose a color that can boost your productivity or keep you mellow, like light green or purple. Implement storage solutions so everything has a place, and to encourage keeping your office tidy. Some potted plants, artwork and a few armchairs can complete the look. 

Also, don’t forget the software side of things! You’ll want to invest in cybersecurity to protect you against hackers, and also a cloud based accounting system to make bookkeeping a breeze (something you’ll especially appreciate come tax time).

Converting your garage into an office can help you become more productive at work as well as add value to your home. Take time to assess the space before you move in, make the necessary modifications needed to turn it into a comfortable room, and don’t forget to protect your car outside to keep it in top shape year-round.

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Moving to a new state can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. With the right preparation, you can have a smooth transition to the new life that is calling to you. Use this guide to help see you through each step of the process.

1. Find Your New Job

For many, where exactly you choose to live will at least somewhat be determined by your job. Job websites such as Indeed make it easy to find positions in your chosen field in the area you desire. You can browse salaries to see where you might get the best money for your time. You can also use websites to find work-from-home positions if you are hoping for remote work.

Moving to a new state also may encourage you to start the business you’ve been dreaming of. Research the regulations of the state you’re moving to ensure that you satisfy all the requirements for launching your company. To start, develop a thorough business plan to act as a guide for you as you prepare to open your business. 

2. Prepare Your Finances

While traditional mortgages have required 20% or more down in the past, it’s not as typical as it once was. Many mortgages can be approved with a 3% downpayment. Even 3% of a several-hundred-thousand dollar home can be a nice chunk of change, though, so ensure you have enough for both your down payment and closing costs ahead of time. 

Transitioning to a new state and city means more to your finances than a home purchase, though. While your mortgage may be one piece of your cost-of-living expenses, it’s far from the only one. Groceries, school or daycare, home services and more can vary widely, so it’s important to do your research prior to purchasing a home so you can make smart decisions about what you can and can’t afford.

3. Discover Your Next Home

Searching for housing in a new state presents unique challenges, including the fact that you may not be able to see a home in person before you start the purchasing process. Rocket Mortgage recommends researching the area and its cost of living, applying for mortgage preapproval and getting your finances in order, and finding a local real estate agent to facilitate your purchase. A highly-qualified real estate agent is essential to help you through the process of inspecting and evaluating potential homes states away.  

Prepare a list of must-haves for your new home ahead of time to help you and your realtor get on the same page. Whether it’s space, location, price, school district, or some other factor, determine what your highest priorities are in a new home and convey them to your agent. Once they understand what you’re looking for, they can better help you discover the properties that best fit your precise situation and needs.

Ensure your future is a bright one. With the right help by your side, take steps toward the existence you’ve envisioned, and you’ll be on your way to your best life.

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Finding a place to not only live, but also entertain like royalty, can be easier said than done. Before you can delight your guests with unmatched entertainment, you need a home with the right layout and features. These qualities will make hosting your loved ones easier, so that you can focus on the food, drinks, and decor. So line up your wish list, grab your realtor, and get to searching. With these tips, you’ll be hosting your first party in no time! 

Preparing to Search for Your Dream Home

The home buying process can be stressful, but there are a few things you can do to feel informed and reduce the anxiety. A great first step is to get preapproved for a mortgage. Bank of America notes that preapproval “is as close as you can get to confirming your creditworthiness without having a purchase contract in place.” The preapproval means that you know what size loan you qualify for and how much house you can actually afford. It also means that you can view homes with confidence, knowing that a bank will loan you the money to purchase the houses you are viewing. Further, mortgage preapproval provides means that you can quickly put in an offer if you fall in love with a house you view. 

The loan size you qualify for generally hinges on your income, credit score, and debt to income ratio. However, there are other factors that can complicate the process. If you recently became self-employed, you may find it difficult to secure a loan because lenders generally want two years of income verification. It’s their job to protect their investment, and running your own business is not always stable in the first few years. Filing for bankruptcy also hinders your ability to secure a loan. Depending on the type of bankruptcy, you could be looking at a 1-4 year waiting period before a bank will grant you a preapproval.

Ensure you choose a real estate agent with knowledge of the market where you plan to purchase your home. Experts emphasize that a reliable agent is especially important for new home buyers. You will be dealing with this agent for weeks or months as you navigate the home-buying process, so you want to trust the person and establish a decent rapport.

Finding the Right Home

Once you’ve been preapproved for a mortgage, focus on the type of house and neighborhood you envision yourself living in. For example, an open floor plan allows you to move freely throughout the space as your dinner guests mingle. Backyard spaces can also make great entertaining areas, if you live in a temperate climate. Even if things are laid out just as you want, look at the size and overall structure of the yard to see if it’s the right space for you. And don’t overlook basements! They can be made into great entertaining spaces, too.

It’s rare to find a house that matches your dream space 100%. It’s helpful if you go into your house hunting with realistic expectations and an idea of how much renovation you are reading and willing to do. For instance, a home without an open floor plan does not have to be a deal-breaker. You can always change the layout down the road, as long as you refrain from removing any load-bearing walls. And that large backyard can be customized for the fire pit, outdoor bar, and pool you wanted – IF you’re willing to spend the time and money to have it done. 

If you really can’t find the home you’ve been dreaming about, consider investing in new construction. You can either purchase a plot and customize a predesigned home from a builder in a new community, or purchase a plot of land and work with an architect and contract actors yourself. Either way, you’ll get a lot more control over your home’s design, and you’ll get all new everything.

Prepping Your Home for Guests

Once you’re moved in and settled, it’s time for the fun part: party planning! You’ve likely mapped out every chair and table placement in your mind, but now you need to make sure the layouts in your head work in your physical space. Think about how many people will attend, whether the party will be casual or formal, and what sorts of activities you want to make available. Then, design your entertaining space around those plans.

Then it’s time for the less fun part: cleaning. If your party is close to your move in date, then decluttering is probably not an issue. But dirt and dust accumulate pretty quickly, and you want a clean place for your loved ones to relax and enjoy the party. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Plan out some steps to take in the week or two before your party, so that you aren’t managing grocery shopping, decorating, rearranging, and cleaning all at once. 

Like a Royal Gala: The Picture Perfect Party

You’ve worked hard to get the right home to host parties and gatherings, so make sure that your furniture is up to the challenge, too. If you have a piece of furniture, such as a couch or chair, that is worn or doesn’t blend with the rest of your design scheme, consider having it reupholstered. You can conduct research online by reading reviews for upholstery shops in your area. 

Ascertain quotes before making a hiring decision, and be sure you communicate your needs and expectations for breathing new life into the piece of furniture. According to Upgraded Home, the price tag for having a large couch reupholstered can vary from $1,200 to $3,500, depending on the size, fabric choice, and whether the order is custom designed.

If you plan to have a sit-down meal for your hosting event, you can create a beautiful table with a centerpiece and place settings. For more casual entertainment, you may still want to adorn your dining table with a beautiful centerpiece, but steer clear of the place settings. Instead, keep plates and utensils close to the refreshments for the benefit of your guests. You can easily find holiday and special occasion table decor ideas online, too.

Finding the perfect home to allow you to entertain like royalty with ease does not have to be as stressful as you might think. Take your time finding the right space, get preapproved for a mortgage, and prepare your home in the weeks leading up to the big event to have your dream party in your dream home.

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