Garage Conversion - Bristol
An underused standalone garage transformed into a fully habitable bar, living space and private gym.
This project involved a standalone garage in Bristol that had previously been used as a rough storage space. The existing garage was damp, tired and not being used to its full potential, with a rotten timber access door, a faulty uPVC sliding door, an old window and a leaking bitumen felt flat roof.
The customers wanted to turn the garage into a warm, dry and fully usable space that could be enjoyed all year round. The brief was to create a beautifully finished bar and living area for hosting friends and family, alongside a compact gym area to the rear. They also wanted to make use of an awkward empty area at the back of the garage by adding a bespoke storage shed for gardening tools and general storage.
Rather than simply replacing the existing front opening with bifold doors, we altered the layout to make the space work far better both practically and aesthetically. The original sliding door opening was blocked up, and a new opening was created in the side of the garage to allow for a bespoke bifold door installation. This meant the new doors opened directly onto the paved seating area, creating a much better connection between the garage conversion and the garden.
The rotten side door was replaced with a new anthracite uPVC door, giving direct access into the gym area. Internally, the garage was split into two separate rooms, with the existing blockwork studded off, fully insulated throughout and fitted with a vapour control layer. Multiple vents were also added to provide ventilation.
The existing concrete floor was treated with a liquid damp proof membrane before being finished with self-levelling latex. The bar area was then completed with a herringbone parquet floor, giving the space a high end finish and helping it feel much more like part of the home rather than a converted outbuilding.
Externally, the old leaking flat roof was stripped back and replaced with a new solid deck and full EPDM roof covering. New fascia, soffit and guttering were also installed. The existing sand and cement render was completely overhauled, with the new rendered exterior colour matched to the house so the conversion blended in seamlessly with the property.
The electrics were also upgraded throughout, including a dedicated fuse board, dimmable spotlights, multiple sockets, an internet connection point, security lighting and a powerful electric radiator to make the room comfortable during colder months.
To finish the space, we built a bespoke bar with an aged scaffold plank bar top, installed a 75-inch TV, and completed the gym area with a foldable squat rack and storage for weights. A drainage channel was also created around the base of the garage to help manage water and protect the finished conversion.
The result is a completely transformed garage that now works as a stylish bar, living space, gym and storage area. What was once a damp and underused building is now a practical, comfortable and impressive space ready to be enjoyed through summer, winter and everything in between.