Help me make a decision

[atexan]

So, I lean towards you should do this if you can then stay in the house long-term. Is your driveway big enough for two cars? I might hesitate a bit if it meant you're forced to park on the street.

I'm confused about what's left of the "garage." It's not big enough for even one car, right? So it's basically a bonus room?
Why not flip the bedroom to the other side, and push back to make a larger flexible space on the right? You can make it a gym for now, plus office (built ins?) and later it could be a game room or second living room....seems better for resale than a bonus room.

Oh, and personally I would not take anything on right now but you've been through worse house stuff so if it seems doable to you, sure.

[atexan]

My attempt at a drawing:

[namasteak]

You’re right atexan that the “garage” wouldn’t actually fit a car. It would be a bonus room of sorts but our realtor suggested putting it towards the back of the garage so that IF we ever had to sell it could be staged as a garage/storage area.

We would add a carport so there would still be covered parking.

The city isn’t issuing permits right now so it won’t happen for at least a few weeks anyways. Maybe I will come to my senses by then!

[hamster]

I'll preface this by saying I hate garage conversions because 1) we use that space and 2) they always look super awkward from a curb appeal standpoint. But obviously a lot of people like them...

That said. This seems like you're cramming too much into the space. The office is SO tiny by the time you factor in lumber dimensions, drywall thickness, etc.

Who would be using bedroom number 4? Where would the doorway be? Is that a full bath or half bath?

For reference we did a 24x24 addition. It has a master bed, bath, walk in closet, small office and a laundry room. Everything is just large enough.

[aprilsails]

As a teenager I would not have wanted someone walking through my bedroom to access the laundry or the bathroom or the exercise room or the office. That’s a lot of through traffic! It also limits the use of that bedroom having so many doors along its walls. Makes it difficult to fit in a desk or dresser along with the bed.

That’s my only real thought. I do prefer the layout with the bonus area at the front. Seems like it would be more useful and also provide more privacy to a teen if that is your goal.

[idahome]

I like the orientation created by atexan better because the bedroom makes more sense in the back.

I would skip an “office” all together. When you get to the point where you’re going to sell your home you can stage a bedroom as an office (or guest room/office). I know the current situation makes everyone want an office at home, but I think the idea of a multipurpose room is a better choice (and more efficient use of the space).

[namasteak]

Thanks guys! I was feeling so much pressure to make a decision yesterday I kind of panicked 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answers:
-garage is at the back of our L shaped house.
-DH and I would use that room.
-DH regularly WFH so it’s not just the current situation.

[dr.girlfriend]

I think that you're trying to fit too much. Is the laundry room a separate room or just the machines? I don't think you'd be able to open the doors or walk in front of them, and if it's just the machines in like a closet or something in the bathroom you'd need to arrange the bathroom so there is nothing on that wall. I think you need to not carve it up so much and focus on bigger spaces that maybe you can separate out functionally. You need room for doors to open and to meet code for width of walkways and stuff I'm sure.

[mrspez07]

If I’m reading this right, your garage is smaller than a standard parking space in a parking lot. Most of those run 9x18. While most cars aren’t that size, you still need room to navigate. That isn’t big enough to call a garage, and wouldn’t be able to be sold that way, so just call it a workout room and remove the garage function.
Is the only access into the main house thru your bedroom? Would it make sense to make that a hallway to access the other areas without boys tromping thru your bedroom?