Tag: coach house

House Renovation

Revamping Your Coach House: DIY Renovations on a Budget

11th January 20240

Coach houses, with their quaint charm and historical significance, offer a unique opportunity for homeowners to embark on a DIY renovation journey. Transforming these structures into functional and stylish spaces doesn’t have to break the bank. In this blog, we’ll delve into practical tips, creative solutions, and inspiring case studies to guide you through the process of renovating your coach house on a budget.

Strategic Planning:

Before diving into your DIY coach house renovation, meticulous planning is crucial. Assess the current state of your space, identify your priorities, and set a realistic budget. Consider the layout, structural integrity, and any potential challenges. This initial step lays the foundation for a successful renovation.

Maximizing Space:

Coach houses often come with limited square footage, demanding innovative solutions to make the most of the available space. Consider multifunctional furniture, such as foldable tables or loft beds, to optimize living areas. Utilize vertical space by installing shelves or storage units to keep clutter at bay.

Repurposing Materials:

One of the most effective ways to stay within budget is by repurposing materials. Salvaged wood, reclaimed bricks, or vintage fixtures can add character and history to your coach house. Explore local thrift stores, salvage yards, or online marketplaces for budget-friendly finds that align with your renovation vision.

Energy-Efficient Upgrades:

Save on long-term costs by incorporating energy-efficient upgrades. Invest in LED lighting, insulate windows and doors, and consider installing a programmable thermostat. Not only will these improvements benefit your wallet, but they also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly living space.

Creative Storage Solutions:

In smaller spaces like coach houses, efficient storage is essential. Get creative with storage solutions, such as built-in cabinets, under-stair storage, or hidden compartments. Customizing your storage to fit the unique nooks and crannies of your coach house will not only optimize space but also add a personalized touch to your renovation.

Case Study: The Cozy Coach House Transformation

Meet Sarah, a DIY enthusiast who transformed her dilapidated coach house into a cozy retreat on a shoestring budget. By repurposing old barn doors as sliding room dividers, Sarah created separate living spaces without sacrificing the open feel of the layout. She sourced second-hand furniture and refurbished them with a fresh coat of paint, instantly giving her coach house a chic and eclectic vibe.

Conclusion:

Embarking on a DIY coach house renovation is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, and with the right planning and creativity, it’s entirely possible to achieve a stylish and functional space without breaking the bank. By maximizing space, repurposing materials, incorporating energy-efficient upgrades, and implementing creative storage solutions, you can breathe new life into your coach house and create a home that reflects your unique style and personality. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your tools, and let the transformation begin!

Image: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Cotswolds-Oxfordshire-Alderminster/Coach-House-Mews-1064776.html

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Architecture & Building

What is a Coach house? Lean all about them here.

16th May 20230

A Coach house is a bit like living in a flat however, most coach houses come with a garden space. If you are interested in coach houses and want to find out more, this blog will be helpful to you.   

What is a coach house?   

A coach house is best described as a house that is situated above a row of garages or carports. They are a design that may be seen as old. However, they have become popular with landlords who rent out the living space above and the storage space below.   

The history of coach houses –   

Coach houses were first introduced in England in the 18th century. They were used to store carriages and horses in stables on the ground floor and had living quarters above.   

The houses used to be a status symbol as most people couldn’t afford a horse and carriage. Although, when cars became popular people started converting their carriage houses into garages.   

Why a coach house is a good choice –   

Many people see coach houses a great style of building. They can be seen as a combination between a flat and a detached house. A coach house is also a more affordable option than a detached house in the same area.   

Just like a detached property, you wouldn’t have the issue of neighbours on either side of you. So, this is a great home option to if you are either looking to be loud and rambunctious or looking for peace and quiet.   

Unlike flats coach houses often come with an outdoor space. This is a major deciding factor for many homeowners.   

Are there any downsides?   

These houses are known to get cold and difficult to heat, this is due to the fact they are above poorly insulated garages.   

You also need to consider the resale value of the property, before you commit to an offer. As, coach houses are more limited than a regular home so they could take longer to sell.   

Credit: https://yorkshireescapes.co.uk/listing/coach-house-east-tanfield-north-yorkshire/

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Architecture & Building

Advantages and disadvantages of coach houses

26th January 20220

What is a coach house?  

A coach house, also known as a carriage house is best described as an outbuilding or a house situated above a row of carports or garages. They were originally built before cars were around and were made to house horse-drawn carriages and the related tack. Although the days of horse and carriages are gone, this is a well sought out property to lease to tenants.  

Current usages –  

Since we don’t use horses and carriages nowadays, here is a list of modern usages:  

  • Apartments 
  • Guest houses 
  • Automobile garages  
  • Offices 
  • Workshops 
  • Retail shops  
  • Bars 
  • Restaurants  
  • Secondary homes 

How popular are coach houses?  

Coach houses aren’t a hugely popular property, but they are becoming more well known. If you’re a property buyer or investor, you may want to consider purchasing a coach house to rent out.  

Advantages and disadvantages of a coach house-  

Advantages  

  • Very affordable  

Coach houses are usually second dwellings, it allows the property owner to live in the main house while renting out the coach house. Because a coach house is attached to its garage, they are often cheaper all around than a property that has a detached garage or carport of the same size.  

  • Don’t live above any neighbours  

A great advantage of living in a coach house is that you don’t live above or below any neighbours. This means that you would never get a noise complaint, and you can be as loud as you like.   

  • Got get a bit of land 

Unlike flats or apartments, coach homes have yet to have some land because they are separate buildings. Having a garden space is important for some tenants to relax and unwind. If you are a landlord you may want to think about installing a garden for the coach house. A garden could be a Wishlist item for some tenants.  

  • Cost effective  

The money spent on taking care of a smaller space is a lot lesser than what’s required for a bigger space. You will spend less money on cooling, heating, and general home maintenance. You also won’t have enough space for unnecessary things when you go shopping.  

Disadvantages –  

  • Poorly insulated  

One of the biggest disadvantages is that they have a bad reputation of being difficult to heat and cool. Before jumping straight into buying the property you should check to see if the garage below is insulated.   

  • Hard to resell  

If your plan it to buy one of these houses and re-sell it you should rethink that idea. It will be far easier to rent out than to fully resell the property. This is due to the demand being lower than family homes, so these properties often sell below value. 

  • They are hard to insure 

They are hard to insure because they are a combination style building. Which makes comprehensive insurance difficult to get or much more expensive.