Having extra space is always helpful when you having a growing family or a guest visiting for a few days. It also adds value to your home by increasing the living space. The first step to creating a room above a garage is the framing, which is what this article will be focusing on.
Open Floor Plan
I designed the space above my garage to have an open floor plan and decided I wanted to have a small kitchenette area, a large bathroom area, a bathroom closet, and a bedroom area. After figuring out the floor plan, I needed to have a reliable contractor frame the spaces. My contractor, Mark, was able to knock out the framing in one day which was perfect since I had a deadline to meet.
The Bathroom is the Focal Point
I wanted the room above the garage to have a pretty large bathroom area. It will have a large, tiled shower, a vanity, brushed nickel finishes, and this gorgeous contemporary mirror.
Kitchenette Area
Even though the space is small, it needed all the comforts of home. I decided to add cabinets that would accommodate a small refrigerator and microwave as an added treat for guests. Then, to match the style of the bathroom, I picked out some brushed nickel finishes and some gorgeous pendant lighting fixtures.
Free Standing Wall
Instead of framing four walls to create a walled-off bedroom space, I decided to design a privacy wall to divide the bedroom and the kitchenette. One side of the wall has a built-in area for a TV while the other side is where the bed will go.
Heating and Cooling
One of the reasons I created a privacy wall is to make sure the space was going to get cooled and heated evenly. Otherwise an enclosed bedroom would not get any of the heat or air from the main living space. I certainly did not want to spend money on an extra unit. My AC guy said that there was a unit that can be placed in the ceiling instead of the wall. The framers created a space for the unit in the ceiling as well as a crawl space door so it can be serviced at any time. The unit is a Mitsubishi Split System Heat Pump. For extra cooling idea I will be adding fans in both areas. Fans are are great way to distribute air. Find a similar one here.
The next step will be plumbing, sheetrock, and painting!
Do you have a finished room above your garage? Let us know how you designed it! We’d love to hear from you.
Maria Brittis is the editor of Simple Nature Decor, a place to share her decor style that’s inspired by nature as well as simple yet classic ideas for the home. What started as a way to unwind by taking nature walks with her dog became a source of inspiration to create nature-inspired projects for the home. Follow Maria on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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