Finding Space for a Home Office

Southern Living, Sep 2004 by Doyle, Alice Welsh

Sometimes all it takes is a few feet to create a new room that really works.

With today's busy lifestyles, a home-communications area is almost essential to a well-run household. Finding space for one, however, can pose a challenge. You may feel that every square inch of your home is already in use, and the only option is to add on or move. Before you take such drastic measures, look around. All you need is a mere 5 feet to create a workspace. Look in your garage to see if there's an underutilized area, such as a storage room, or if your cars could live with a little less space.

It worked for architect Richard Todd and his family. Their garage in Marietta, Georgia, contained a 5- x 8-foot storage alcove that served as a catchall. This alcove was converted into usable interior space by walling in the open portion and cutting a doorway to allow entry into a new laundry room. The former laundry room became a small office. "A lot of garages have these storage areas," notes Richard. "Unless you're highly organized, the space often ends up being a place for junk."

To convert the space, the garage floor had to be raised about two steps. "We discovered that the walls weren't insulated, so the gypsum drywall had to be taken down, insulation added, and the walls replaced," he says.

Before, the old laundry room had stained trim and cabinets and a solid door. Richard's wife, Lisa, an interior designer, updated their new room by painting all the trim and cabinets white and replacing the solid door with a French one. The cabinets were topped with crown molding and repositioned. For a unified look, Lisa extended hardwood floors into the new space.

The office may be small-8 feet 6 inches x 6 feet 5 inches, but it is very functional. "Everyone in the family uses the room," says Richard. "The French door makes it feel more open, but you can also close out noise from the kitchen."

Lisa spruced up both rooms with prints, plants, photos, and personal accents. The standard white computer furniture looks less office-like when surrounded by interesting accessories.

It was a bonus to have an architect in the family, but it's not a necessity, says Richard. "A qualified remodeling contractor can also do the job. The total cost was around $3,000." Not too high a price for a room the Todds say they can't live without. ALICE WELSH DOYLE

GARAGE PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS

When doing any renovation in the garage, the following factors need to be considered.

* Floor: The garage floor may need to be raised to the same height as the existing interior space. Also, the type of flooring you put in will affect the cost.

* Ceiling: Your garage ceiling may not be suitable for interior space and may need to be replaced.

* Ventilation: "We left the new space open to the adjacent room for sufficient air supply," says Richard. "Depending on the size of the area and its use, you may need to add additional ducts or increase the size of your existing air unit."

* Power: Consider the number of electrical outlets and light fixtures.

* Insulation: Garage walls must be properly insulated.

* Plumbing and drainage: If a water source is needed, adding it could be pricey unless the room is near existing facilities.