Jonathan Scott's Stylish Garage Transformation Will Inspire One Of Your Own

Whether it's for more room to live, work, and play, or for hosting guests, most homeowners wish they had more space, enhanced comfort, and better function too. According to a report by HomeAdvisor, at least 10% of homeowners surveyed see their garage as a problem area, and 76% of those surveyed are ready to complete a DIY renovation project. If you're lucky enough to have a garage and you're one of those homeowners who's itching for a renovation DIY, you may want to take note of Jonathan Scott's playbook and transform your garage into a stylish apartment, commonly known as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). One of the stars of HGTV's hit "Property Brothers," Scott showed that even the most drab garage can be turned into a welcoming living space by performing a full renovation on a garage and turning it into a modern apartment on Season 8, Episode 4 of "Brother vs. Brother." 

Complete with a kitchen, bathroom, and high-tech living room/bedroom area, it's hard to believe that Scott's apartment was once an old garage. "This is like, also, just like how to use a really tiny space," said guest judge, Trixie Mattel. "I mean, a person could live here." If you're thinking about adopting the "Property Brothers" property value-boosting garage hack, read on. We're breaking down all the elements Jonathan Scott used for his reno. Plus, we're sharing advice on how to convert your garage into an apartment on a budget with "Property Brothers"-approved style.

Jonathan Scott's stylish garage apartment is far from a mancave or she-shed. Designed with modern coastal California style, the "Property Brother" made it a functional retreat with some serious technological wow factor. "My garage is 400 square feet," Scott described. "Because it's separated from the main house, it's the perfect structure to turn into a guest or rental suite." Scott designed this space knowing that his buyers may want to rent out the ADU because of the hot market for traveling flight crews in the area. He used collapsible glass walls to create two entrances for an indoor-outdoor feel. Inside, he built a new full bathroom with a stand-up shower, a full kitchen with custom cabinets, a stainless steel fridge, a hidden induction cooktop, marble counters, and a breakfast nook for two. Both the kitchen and nook included lots of natural light from large windows, and the kitchen countertop boasted counter seating for four.

For the ultimate showstopper, Jonathan Scott transformed a small living room into a stylish space that doubled as a bedroom that sleeps two. With a couch, wall-mounted TV, and space for lounging, the space contained a hidden high-tech twist. "My mind-blowing piece de resistance: with the push of a button, a cutting-edge hidden bed will descend from the ceiling and turn the living room into an amazing bedroom." Jonathan Scott ensured he didn't sacrifice any style to create functionality but merged them seamlessly to make a small space feel like home. 

Transforming your garage into a stylish apartment is a clever hack to improve your home value, and add functional living space to your property for you, renters, or guests. And, if you're dreaming of a "Property Brothers"-inspired garage getaway, we have a few pieces of advice to help you recreate the look without breaking the bank. First, as Jonathan Scott does, we recommend including separate areas for cooking, eating, sleeping, and a full and private bathroom. Also, we recommend stealing Jonathan Scott's emphasis on lots of natural light using either collapsible glass walls, or something similar like glass-paneled doors, and lots of windows. To create privacy without compromising on natural light, you can frost windows and doors as Scott does for his space. 

Since the average cost to create an accessory dwelling unit is $180,000 (per Angi), you might want to take advantage of some money-saving tips. Two high-ticket items to skip are Jonathan Scott's hidden induction stovetop and his high-tech bed. Instead, a small built-in electric cooktop can still look modern at a fraction of the cost. As Drew Scott used for his "Brother vs. Brother" reno, a built-in Murphy bed, can save both space and cost. Other ways to save on costs include using stock cabinets instead of custom ones, butcher block counters instead of marble, and subway tile instead of zellige tile. These are cheaper but equally stylish alternatives that the "Property Brothers" are also fans of.