Work from home or just need some extra office space for bills and organization? Your garage may be the perfect solution. Okay, it may take a little imaginative vision — especially if your garage is currently packed to the roof with boxes and tools and the floor’s covered in grease stains. But it’s totally possible to have not only a workable office space, but one that’s comfortable and conducive to organization and getting stuff done. Here’s how to do it:

Clear the Space & Install Comfortable Flooring

Start by clearing out an area in your garage. Consider adding in vinyl flooring so it feels more like an office and less like a garage. Drywall and paint also go a long way to giving the garage a more comfortable feel — less car-mechanic, more home-office.

Wall Décor Makes a Difference

It may be a good idea to put up some border walls if you plan to continue to use the remainder of the garage for traditional garage storage. This helps block out space and keep the car part of the garage separate from the home office. Wall screens are a convenient and affordable alternative to drywall. They help make an office feel comfortable and less like a garage.

Once the walls are up and any paint is dry, consider wall decals, stylish shelving, or a built-in wall of shelving/desk space. The more visual cues you can give that this new “room” exists inside of a home and not a garage, the more it will seem it is.

Retrofit Power & Insulation

Consider your electricity options. In some garages, outlets can be rather limited. It’s a good idea to hire an electrician to install extra connections, especially if you want to house a data center, printer, or other office equipment.

Take a look at your insulation as well. If you are using the office space year-round, it might be a good idea to add insulation and even install an insulated garage door so temperatures are easier and energy bills are more affordable.

There are various insulation options for garage doors. Regardless, if you’re converting your whole garage for this office project, we recommend switching out your steel sectional garage door for a full-view aluminum and glass panel garage door. Not only does this let a lot of natural light in, but with the right insulation and coatings, these things are very energy efficient.

Curate a Professional Look

If you are going to be doing business face to face with customers and prospects, a professional appearance is essential. Furniture should be inviting, but business formal. And the interior design of the office should be clean, bright, and not too casual. Neutral palettes with pops of color, like potted plants, paperweights, throw pillows, etc. are a great way to make your office look professional but with a touch of personality.

Since you’re converting a garage to a living space, you also will need to stay within local building and zoning regulations. There are codes for framing, drywall, doors, windows, ventilation, electric – everything. This is why you should consider working with a garage door professional that has experience remodeling garages. It’s the best way to ensure top results when it comes to function, style and outward appearance.

Garage conversions are all the rage right now, so it’s easy to find some good how-to inspo on YouTube and Pinterest. As society continues to pivot towards working from home on a permanent basis, your garage presents the perfect opportunity to create a desperately-needed private office space without doing an entire addition.