I did make a very very reasonable offer to buy the garage next door but he was having none of it.
It's not a brewery extension (although that would be cool) - it's far less interesting than that . . . .
Currently I have the worktop on that back wall which has three cupboards in it (1000mm unit under the sink for jack and stands, 400mm unit currently empty and a 300mm unit which houes my P.C) . . . the sink and taps are set into the worktop and there's a twin-gang socket in the worktop too.
Since the "great flood" I've kept the isolator valves to the sink predominantly closed . . . meaning, if you have grubby hands, it's easier just to wash them in the kitchen than faff about getting a screw-driver, opening up the valves and cleaning them in the garage . . . as such, the sink and taps haven't really been used in the last couple of years.
Also, with the additional space the sheds have given me, keeping my array of junk outside means it's better organised so the cupboards are also generally unused.
So. The plan. Briefly.
In the adjacent room (the conservatory I built in 2011) is a worktop and cupboard unit I built over a washing machine and tumble dryer (which were moved out there to free-up space in the kitchen in late 2011) . . . We never used the conservatory much in the beginning (usual issues - too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer) but had blinds installed a while back that makes it much more pleasant now . . . meaning that the worktop/cupboard/washing machine etc . . now bug me as they eat up room in the conservatory (which we now use daily***).
With the obvious space in the garage currently wasted (and plumbing already in place) it makes perfect sense to move the washing machine and tumble dryer into the garage (while totally rebuilding and replacing the old, water-damaged units), removing the redundant sink, replace the worktop (with something a little more pimp) and actually using the space again.
The knock-on effect is that the conservatory will be totally open and provide a big, usable space (for various uses), while not - if I'm honest - costing me any real space in the garage.
The *** bit :
The conservatory itself is currently in the middle of being re-purposed itself . . . I spent much of last winter testing costs (using a smart meter) to heat the area. It was costing around 24p / hour to heat it with an electric heater, but only 2p / hour to heat it by opening up the doors and allowing the central heating (from inside the main house) to heat the room, plus the central heating was better at providing an even heat.
So, this year I've increased the insulation to the conservatory more, and installed 2 radiators that will be connected to the main system later this year.
Hopefully, if all goes to plan (Hahaha), this winter we should see the conservatory open to the house at all times, have more space as a whole and see a considerable reduction in the heating bills - even in deepest winter !!
And, and . . . . The conservatory will mark the start of a house-wide refurbishment (nothing major, just a refresh but it's much needed - IMO).
Ta-dah !!!!
