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Hi all. We are seriously considering converting our single car garage into a dining/family room area, IF we can be assured that it won't look like a garage conversion from the outside. I would love suggestions toward that goal, and would love to find some photos, if anyone can help. Thanks so much!
Pam

The key will be to close the door in without it still looking like that is what you just did. Some pictures would help. What is the rest of the house covered with? Matching the existing would be the best bet.

Before you do this, are garaged expected in your neighborhood? Could you add a garage in the backyard and still be able to access it? I won't look at a house without a garage. If there are houses in your neighborhood without garages the extra living space may make a difference when you go to sell. If all the houses have garages it will probably detract from the value if you don't have one. Also, are there restrictions in your covenants against doing what you want to do? Putting your city and state in your location would be more useful than just "USA". What works in Florida doesn't necessarily work in snow country.

Yes, more information is needed, particularly the siding material of the house.

I know for a fact that the city of Santa Ana, CA will not allow a garage to be converted to living space unless another garage is added.

Thank you so much for the advice and food for thought. Some of these things we have already been mulling over. We are in need of a new driveway anyway, so we will now plan to re-route the driveway to the side of the house, rather than right in front of the garage (if there is room--have to check.) Our neighborhood is very eclectic--there are houses both with and without garages, some single car garages, some double car garages. A few other people have converted their garages, so I do think it's allowed here, but will check for sure. (Our school district has become the darling of the state recently, and our house is in a very affordable "starter home" neighborhood--we just never left, despite many house hunting excursions! So I think our resale will remain good.) We are planning to make the converted space primarily a dining area, with a little seating area--more of an extension of living space than a whole fanmily room/dining room. So I think the space will be big enough for that. The house has primarily cedar siding, and I would really like to change (as in update) the front of the house, so I'm thinking maybe we could just paint the cedar siding on the sides and back, and do something different with the front (maybe brick and stone or something?) I really appreciate the responses!
Pam

Again, put your location in your profile as I have done so we won't have to ask.

Sounds like the conversion should work ok in your area. If you want the garage to look like the rest of the house, I would frame in the large door opening and then side the place to match the rest of the house.

Does the floor of the garage match the level of the rest of the house? To really make the added room blend in, it should match. That may mean installing a raised wood floor. That and the closing in of the large door are simple framing tasks - for an experienced carpenter. BTW if you raise the garage floor level, will that work ok with the garage ceiling? There may also be a concrete (or block) threshold between the garage and the house that will have to be cut to allow a smooth floor.

Yes, cedar could be painted on the back side, if that looks ok. Installing a masonry front may be expensive; research that before you attempt it.

BTW are you planning to do most of the work yourself? If so, you might want to consult a structural engineer before starting the plans. Personally, I could probably do all this without plans, but from the way you talk, I think it best if you have plans drawn up and approved by the building dept. From the way you describe the neighborhood, you might be able to sell in the future without a permit, but then again, you may be surprised. Getting a permit after the fact on this extent of a modification could be extremely difficult.