Garage Makeover to Living Space

Office

• Since garages are not always finished, there will be some cost associated with a remodel, but creating a whole new room will increase the bottom line on your home's value. Finish all the walls and close the garage door to make the room more energy efficient. Being this far away from the center of the house, an office is a good option. Quieter than an upstairs room or an area in the living room, the remodel could create the ideal space to keep work away from home.

Guest Area

• Adding another bedroom to your home will add up to 6 percent of the home's total value, but only if you are adding additional square footage of living space. By converting a garage to a guest area and adding a bathroom, you can increase your home's value by as much as 15 percent. To realize those profits, however, you must spend anywhere from $8,000 to $50,000, as of April 2011, converting the space. This setup is ideal for elderly family members or for a mother-in-law suite.

Playroom

• Since the garage is usually away from the center of the house, convert it into the kids' playroom to keep the noise away from the common areas. Carpet and soft foam tiles can be laid over the existing concrete floor to create a soft landing spot for adventurous little kids. Compared to the rest of the house, garage ceilings are usually taller, giving you more room to plan a loft or an indoor play structure for bad weather days.

Man Cave

• Give your husband his private space far away from the neat and organized living room where he can play with his toys and hang out with friends. Not much work needs to be done to create a man cave for a guy who likes working with his hands. Carve out an area for a TV and a couch, an area for tools and equipment and an area for cabinets and shelves for toys not in use. Replace the motorized garage door with large French double doors so a car or other equipment can still fit.