How can I transform the attic above garage into storage/office

Hi Junesamwell,

First let me say that I'm sorry to hear about your condition. Doing things alone is a difficult task so my next thought is do you want storage or an office or both? How do you access the attic? Is the attic cleaned out or is it full of items you need to remove? How are you going to get things out and materials in? Can you just clean it up and paint it or do you want walls and a dormer for a window? There are so many options. First I think you should sketch it out and decide exactly what you want. Then break it down into small sections that you feel you can handle in a week.

I'm assuming it would be difficult for you to handle any kind of wall board for the walls, so how about hanging clean painting tarps (many people do that) or bed sheets of your choice to create "walls" along the edges and to separate areas. Use 1 or more cozy throw rugs on your floors in your office area. Add your desk and a chair. Plus one for relaxing or reading. Use floor/desk lamps for light. And don't forget your Wi-Fi so you can come back and show us pictures. Take pics as you go and post it as a project. We'd love to see how you used your creativity to get what you want!

Now comes the biggest question. Is there anyone who can help you? People from church? Volunteer groups in your area? Friends or their adult children? Or could you afford to hire a handyman to help with some parts of the project? Any of that could help. Talk to people you know. Go to Nextdoor.com and see if there is a group in your neighborhood. Join the group if you find one. Watch the postings for a few days to see what kind of group yours is. Participate in a discussion if it's appropriate. Then explain your project and ask if anyone there has any ideas. You never know. I've been looking for a handyman for almost a year and every single one never called me back or was full of excuses. Within 2 hours of posting on nextdoor.com I made a connection and I got an estimate the next day. Due to a cancellation, the work was DONE the following day.

I wish you the best of luck and hope to see your posted project when it's done.

You would need to ask a builder or other qualified person if the Timbers were man enough to take the weight you want to put in there before you attempt to start such a project........

My best to you and I can't wait to see your project. Go slow, do what you can, when you can. You can do it!

Bless you for your determination to try this project...bear in mind, an attic area is extremely Hot especially in Summer so if I were you I would postpone trying to deal with this area in late Fall or Winter when the temps are much cooler...Best of Luck!

I wish you only the best and hope that you are able to figure out a way to make your project happen. Be sure to take lots of pictures so you can come back and post your project for all of us to see. You got this!

June, Have you had a look in your attic? I wanted to put an office-library in my attic but when I had someone look at it, they found that it had cross timbers for support that could not be altered. The best I could do was to have it filled with blow in insulation and sealed. I rearranged my second bedroom into an office-guest-craft storage- medical equipment room. My computer desk is looking out a window so I have a view with everything behind me. I spend most of my time in here. If your garage attic has a drop down ladder and enough height to stand in you should be able to do it. You could make your walls with pretty sheets gathered on pipes mounted as sturdy rods to give your room an elegant feel. You could make your office in there with the storage out of site behind the curtains. I would consider painting the floor rather than using a rug or doing both if you have the room. I use an office chair with wheels at my desk. If you have room for a comfy reading chair with a little lamp table and foot rest, a pretty rug would be nice. I hope you are able to make your space just as you envision it.