Month: February 2021

Remote work continues to be and will likely stay part of the “norm” in the greater Los Angeles area for the long-term. The issue that at-home workers often face is not having dedicated space where they can remain productive and focused on their work. As a result, many will turn to converting an existing space, such as the garage, into their own office. That said, most DIY conversions simply do not fit the bill and may present more challenges than anticipated. 

Is additional space on your property looking like an attractive option to pursue a greater work-from-home (WFH) lifestyle? If so, here’s a guide on what to know about turning your garage into an office before you get started. 

Consider Your Needs and Aesthetic Before Fully Conceptualizing Your Space

A garage home office looks different for everyone, but simply diving straight into this type of project without the necessary preparation can put a damper on the excitement if it’s executed incorrectly. Instead, set aside some time to consider your needs as a WFH professional and how you can best meet these in your new space. 

Ultimately, the nature of your work will determine what you need to get the most of your space. For example, if your work is heavily collaborative, having your own space where you’re able to communicate with your clients and co-workers more effectively (bigger work screens, quieter space, etc.) and draw up ideas with ease may be what a desirable garage office conversion looks like to you. On the other hand, if you’re someone who needs to do work in absolute silence and requires a minimalist layout in order to stay on task, you’ll have much different needs.

Before you begin pursuing a garage into office project, consider what your space will need to offer you in order to be a more effective working professional as you continue your WFH journey.

Know That Your Garage Will Require Major Renovations to Make It Livable

Some individuals may clean out their space, move a desk and chair into their garage, and settle. The problem? Garages weren’t made to be used as livable space. Some of the main issues you may face in your own garage include a lack of ventilation, major temperature fluctuations due to a lack of insulation, and a lack of lighting, which may affect your ability to see and do work. In these conditions, you may even find that doing work within the home would be a better option.  

If you’re looking to pursue a garage into office project, the best way to go about this is to turn your garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). ADUs are extensions or, in this case, conversions made to your property so that you can transform unused space into a livable property. 

Other considerations to keep in mind for updating your Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley property with a garage conversion are whether you’d want a kitchenette, a ¼ bath, or other improvements to increase the comfort of your space. These additions require remodeling for plumbing and may have additional zoning requirements.

Without the proper renovations, working in your garage can become more of a disadvantage than a benefit. If you want a true home office, you’ll need to follow through on the renovations required to make it a space that you can truly thrive in. 

A Home Office in the Garage Will Likely Require Major Changes to Make It Tech-Friendly

One of the most important items to focus on when developing a garage home office is that you have what you need to operate all of the technology you’ll have in your new workspace. While many garages may have outlets, for example, they may not all be placed in accessible locations, which is one area of focus when you’re pursuing a garage office conversion. Another consideration that you may not think of until it’s too late is whether or not you have reliable WiFi connectivity in your garage space.

Given that we live in the digital age, ensuring that you have the access to everything you’ll need while working in your new garage into office conversion is crucial to getting the most out of your space. 

Ready to Transform Your Garage Into Your New Home Office?

The guide above provides you with greater insight into some of the considerations you’ll need to make if you want your garage to serve as your new home office. But arguably the hardest part of turning your garage into your new office space is finding the right company to help you with your endeavors. Fortunately, A-List Builders is on your side! We are a family-owned, design-build firm dedicated to helping you make the most out of your garage space, with plenty of experience designing garage conversions and ADUs. From concept to completion, we handle every step of the process so that you can rest easy as we build your ideal work-from-home space. 

Ready to get more out of your workspace by pursuing a garage into office conversion? If so, schedule a discovery call with us now so that we can learn more about your property and what you’re looking to achieve with your garage before we get started!

Home remodeling is a process that requires careful thought and consideration, especially in regards to design. One area that you’ll inevitably be focusing on when you’re working with a company is color, whether this aspect is something that is incorporated into your home’s walls and floors, accents, trim, finishes, or the exterior design itself. Where do you get started when selecting a main color for your home (or even multiple colors to offer you the perfect color scheme)?

To provide you with some inspiration, here are five reasons to choose the Pantone color of the year for your home remodeling project.

1. This Year’s Color Represents the Balance and Optimism We All Need in Our Lives

Interestingly enough, Pantone has not chosen just one color of the year. Instead, they’ve opted for two complementary yet independent colors: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (yellow). Gray is a quiet color that offers a sense of ease and calm and provides you with the practical foundation that you need to stop and breathe. Meanwhile, Pantone’s Illuminating produces an uplifting, inspiring feeling that brings us a much-needed boost of optimism we all could use in today’s world. 

If color psychology and meaning are important when you’re choosing a paint color for your house and making decisions for your home’s remodeling color schemes, you should absolutely incorporate the Pantone color of the year into your home remodeling project.

2. This Combination Establishes Minimalism and Personality in Your Home

Gray is an excellent color because it integrates well into the modern, minimalistic style that many homeowners may be looking for today. However, for many, it can often lack that warmth and personality that they need to truly make the most out of their space. Fortunately, this Pantone combination of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating allows you to lay the foundation for your design and build upon it with a brilliant yellow that injects warmth and happiness into your surroundings. 

If you find that minimalistic colors are far too impersonal but too many bright colors make it difficult to live in your home, you’re going to love the mix of the solid gray and bright yellow that Pantone has selected for you this year!

3. It’s a Perfect Pair to Incorporate Into Your Outdoor Area

Living in Southern California means being able to soak in the warmth of the sun for the better part of the year. Because of this, the Pantone color of the year works perfectly with any outdoor area. With a patio area or pool that’s mostly gray, you can easily add a splash of color with yellow patio furniture, tile work, or accent walls. It makes for an elegant and contemporary palette for remodeling your outdoor kitchen, as well.  When it comes to mixing gray and yellow, the only limit is your imagination!

4. There Are Plenty of Ways to Feature These Colors in Your Design Choices

Gray is an excellent, timeless choice for your home given its versatility with other colors. After all, when your space features a majority of gray, black, or white, any other colors that you decide to feature in a space work to improve upon the aesthetics of whatever area you’re working with (as long as you don’t overdo it, of course). No matter which area you’re focusing on, the Pantone color of the year gives you plenty of opportunity to customize your home so that it matches the Pantone color of the year. 

5. The Contrast of This Combination Helps You Bring Life to Your Space

Choosing the color palette for your home renovation goes beyond its structure; you can consider your entire property themes, as well. If you’re looking to make the most out of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow, bring the color scheme into your landscaping decisions as well. Consider evergreen, drought-friendly plants that offer pops of yellow or yellow-green hues in your drought tolerant landscaping in Los Angeles, too. Think about how pops of yellow would complement your plans for renovating your hardscape, as well. If you have a green thumb (or a big love of plants in general), this can be an excellent way to get more out of the Pantone color of the year in a new and imaginative way.

Ready to Get Started on Your Home Remodeling Project?

While looking at remodeling color schemes and choosing a paint color for your house when it’s finished can help you plan for the future, you need to start on your home remodeling project first. But where do you turn to for support? Fortunately, A-List Builders is here to help. Whether you’re pursuing a complete home remodel or going room by room and tackling each individual project like a kitchen remodel, we take care of all of your needs from concept to completion. All you have to do to get started is to schedule a discovery call today so we can better understand your needs and whether or not we’re the right fit for you!