Creating a space for myself

I’ve been at my new house almost two years now and while I have my own space again after several years not being able to fully unpack, it is only one room. My hobbies such as books, video games and building electronics couldn’t all occupy the same space without getting in the way of each other.

So I decided to change that. I built a room for myself in the garage.

The plan was simple, frame up 4 walls while leaving space for the gas meter and pipe should they need to be serviced or replaced. I measured up the area and bought the timber, OSB for the floor and ceiling, insulation and vapor barrier, then I set to work.

I’d never built a structure before so I used tutorials on Youtube to learn how to do studwork, electrical wiring, plasterboard and how to frame and hang a door. It took just over a month of working on my weekends and occasionally after work but the final result can be seen below in the before and after pictures.

Laid out and screwed together framing timber on the floor of the garage, ready to be insulated.
Laid out and screwed together framing timber on the floor of the garage, ready to be insulated.
All four walls are framed up and the ceiling has insulation held in by green vapor barrier.
All four walls are framed up and the ceiling has insulation held in by green vapor barrier.
A corner shot looking towards a bare doorway, the walls are covered with bare plasterboard. A shelf holding tools is next to the doorway.
A corner shot looking towards a bare doorway, the walls are covered with bare plasterboard. A shelf holding tools is next to the doorway.
The walls have been papered and painted, the floor is covered with grey carpet tiles.
The walls have been papered and painted, the floor is covered with grey carpet tiles.

Worktops have been installed at sitting height and a computer setup of two monitors and a mac mini is ready to be installed. Various tools are also on the worktops.
Worktops have been installed at sitting height and a computer setup of two monitors and a mac mini is ready to be installed. Various tools are also on the worktops.

I have a place that isn’t my room to go and work on my hobbies, store my things and get away from it all. After several years I finally feel like I’m home again.