The homeowner still does laundry but in tighter quarters since this open area was converted to serve a home-based business. A walkout level provides two key benefits: ample window area and easy access. One challenge here was refining the tentacles of the heating system’s ductwork.
When you think of using existing space in your home for an office, your attic, garage, or basement may not come to mind. These are the hard-working extremes of the house, lacking in aesthetics and creature comforts. But don’t rule them out—their open, unfinished nature may be just the opportunity you’re looking for. To be sure, converting such spaces to usable living space is often a major project, requiring drawings and permits. Sometimes the work is so extensive you are better off building an addition or separate structure. But when conditions are right, an attic, garage, or basement conversion can be relatively simple. and , because these locations are isolated from the rest of the house, offices there may not cause much—or any—disruption of the household.
Dormers are another option. A cramped upstairs room can be transformed into a perfect office space with headroom and plenty of natural light. Dormers can also solve the headroom problem of an attic conversion.
- Converting a Basement
- Transforming an Attic (coming soon)
- Building Dormers (coming soon)
- Converting a Garage (coming soon)
Next: Converting
a Basement to a Usable Home Office
Prev: Reviving Old Houses
