Transforming a Garage into a Cozy Home: A Smart Money-Saving Strategy
Buying a house can be a daunting financial commitment, and with rent prices soaring in many locations, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for young couples to find affordable living arrangements. One resourceful woman, Rhiannon, decided to take an innovative approach to save money by converting her parents’ garage into a charming tiny home for herself and her boyfriend.
Rhiannon documented her journey on her social media account, @rhiannon.paterson, where she showcased the transformation of the previously bare concrete garage. Initially equipped with just a few storage units along the wall, the space underwent a remarkable renovation. She cleverly divided the area into a cozy bedroom and a comfortable living space for her and her partner.
In her post, Rhiannon humorously captioned, “POV: you renovated your parents’ garage with your boyfriend to live in so you can save money.” The video quickly gained popularity, with over 51,000 likes, as viewers were impressed by her creative money-saving solution. After receiving numerous requests for an update, she shared a follow-up video, revealing how they had successfully crafted the perfect snug home.
During the renovation, Rhiannon added a dining room table, perfect for hosting friends, and furnished the lounge area with a sofa and television. She expressed her excitement, stating, “Very much a work in progress – especially our bedroom, but loving it soooo much so far. I hope to return the favor to my parents one day.” She highlighted how this living arrangement allows them to save for their future home while expressing gratitude for this unique opportunity. Rhiannon also mentioned, “No one ever used the garage! Plus, my parents can rent it out in the future!”
Interestingly, as they save for a house, Rhiannon also dreams of traveling, leveraging the funds they would have otherwise spent on rent or a mortgage. The positive feedback from her followers has been overwhelming, with one commenting, “What a beautiful transformation! I love when old spaces get a new lease on life!” Another fan remarked, “Very lucky young woman.” A third viewer added, “Great initiative.”
It’s no surprise that many individuals are seeking creative housing solutions. As of February 2025, the average house price in the UK is approximately £267,500, showing a 1.8 percent increase from the previous year.
Can You Convert a Garage into a Bedroom?
Using average house price figures from Zoopla, Admiral Loans analyzed the data and found that each square foot of living space is valued at around £350. Typically, a small single garage in the UK measures about 128 square feet, which could potentially add an impressive £45,000 in value to a property. The cost of converting a garage generally ranges from £4,995 to £7,500, depending on the extent of the renovation, as indicated by householdquotes.co.uk, which will, of course, affect your overall profit.
If the garage is attached to your home, you might not even need to apply for planning permission, which currently costs about £206. The work falls under “permitted development rules,” allowing certain changes without major alterations to the building’s exterior dimensions. However, if your garage is detached from your house, or if you live in a flat, maisonette, or listed building, you will likely need to apply for permission from the local authority.
Before starting any renovations, it is crucial to verify that there are no planning conditions attached to your property. You can do this by contacting your local authority. Proceeding with construction that requires permission could lead to orders to dismantle the work.