The school year has begun and already it’s off to an “interesting” start, thanks to COVID-19. More students than ever before – whether they’re in kindergarten or in college – are learning virtually and that means they need a good study space.
If you’ve got a student at home, why not convert your garage into a study room where they can attend their online classes and study with relatively few interruptions? Alternatively, the study space can be used for those who are working from home.
It’s easy to transform your garage into a study space while also leaving enough room for your car. Here are some tips to get you started.
Electric outlets. Since learning is done primarily online these days, your student will need to a way to plug in in the garage. Position the desk and chairs near the power outlet if possible, or get an extension cord with a power strip that you can use for other devices as well. No electric in the garage? Either use a long extension cord or contact an electrician to install wiring.
Stay organized. You know what they say – a cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. Add shelving and cabinets for books, files, and office supplies. IKEA has great, inexpensive home organization solutions.
Use a room divider. This will come in handy if you’re using your garage for your car, as well. Hang a pair of heavy curtains on a cable mounted to walls that you close when you’re in the study room. You could also use an accordian room divider specifically made for garages or a wooden curtain for a really unique look.
Keep it quiet. To keep outside sound to a minimum, consider installing an insulated garage door. You could also add carpet (to the study part of the garage floor, of course) or rubber flooring that you can get at a home improvement store. We love the idea of adding a rug for a little more style and to help keep noise at bay.
For extra noise control – and a little ambiance, you could keep a white noise machine in the garage study, too.
Keep it warm (or cool!). An insulated garage door can help regulate the temperature in the garage. You could also use space heaters in the colder months and window A/C units (if possible) or a portable floor A/C model. If you’re transforming your entire garage into a study space, we recommend a complete heating/cooling system.
Think color. One of the easiest ways to turn your garage into a living space is by painting the walls. Primary, vibrant colors can help keep students focused and awake while muted, softer colors are soothing. You could also paint a wall with chalkboard paint!
Add light. From floor lamps to desk lamps to overhead lights with unique shades, lighting is a great way to add dimension to your study space while also increasing productivity. A skylight can also be a great source of light and look great in the garage.
Your garage door can also be an excellent source of light. Consider a contemporary garage door like Clopay’s Avante garage door that allows you choose how transparent you want the glass panels to be.
With just a little work and creativity, you can make your garage a fabulous study area for your student, and who knows? It may end up being a quiet, peaceful retreat for everyone.