Can't help with how to remove door but if you leave the driveway in the same location it will always look like a conversion. Can the driveway be moved?

Garage Conversion – Bryan & College Station Remodeling & Custom Homes (stearnsdesignbuild.com)

Before & After: Converting a Garage into a Family Room (mosbybuildingarts.com)

Thanks for the links. I dont think driveway can be relocated. Only thing I can think of, is perhaps you create a semi circle and remove the parking pad? This looks like a decent solution if I keep parking pads.

How would we even begin to help with no pics of your house at all. Post those here in a comment I am not sure what those pics you posted are.

You wouldn’t! Looking for after pics for inspiration.

Here is a pic of my home.

Here you are. Thanks!

I wanted to convert my garage to an office in my last home and found that the city did not allow homes without garages. Check with your city before making big plans. I ended up using the space but left the garage door and used a room separator between the garage door and the " office" so it wasn't legally a conversion. Added carpet, drywall, furniture - functioned as an office, but when I sold the next people could simply move the separator and pull up the carpet and have a fully functioning garage.

Good point. As long as receive the required permits you are ok.I do believe you need two parking spots

We weren't actually that concerned about hiding the former garage door as much as having doors that let light into our new mudroom. (We need the screen door which is hiding one of the glass doors in this photo.) Our driveway is obv still there, but we created a wood walkway in front of the house.

Looks great!!! Don’t think I have the depth to add walkway but great idea. Maybe something narrower. Planters?

A house up the street kept the garage door as they built the room stopping about 4 feet from the door- the area from the wall to the garage door was used as a trash and shed area - kinda great idea - hope I am explaining it right

Yes, I have thought about that. Essentially becomes a shed!

@rsd317, I'm sure there are a lot more ways to do this. I've seen conversions where they replaced the garage door with a large window and matched the siding under it. But if you need to leave the driveway where it is, I think you will need to stop it well before the house and create an actual and visual barrier. I personally do not like this outcome.

Precisely what we are trying to avoid!! Thanks for sharing

One of my favorite conversions is from Kurt Krueger Architects in Los Angeles that I came across a few years ago. They added a lovely front private patio and simple plantings in front of the old garage. Instead of closing off the garage door opening, he replaced it with a slider opening to the patio. So you are actually making the existing driveway your own private oasis. This might be an inspiration for you. Just remember to make sure there are no city ordinances preventing you from removing the garage and closing in a patio street side.

Here's Kurt Krueger Architects website: https://kurtkruegerarchitects.com/

Beautiful!

IMO rip out the driveaway to start or no matter what you plan it will always look like a garage conversion and BTW garages are not built to be living space so a big job for sure since this will all need to be made like an addition Have you thought about adding on to the back of the garage with a new addition ? BTW garages sell houses so if planning on selling at some point I would rethink the garage conversion

I understand some people care more about garages than others and we would be limiting our buyer pool. I am concerned of this more than my wife. With that being said, we do not park our car in the garage. It’s mostly stuff that can be tossed :)

Thanks for the input!

Here is our conversion and a crucial aspect are the design and landscaping elements. We rarely miss the garage except on snowy, freezing days. Trade off, we have a great dining room and open concept into living room, which actually made us buy the house. It is important to have good alternative storage and your buying pool shouldn't shrink that much; maybe speak to a real estate agent. Also, if not already done, get a quote or two, as it may cost more than you think.

Thanks for sharing! Hard to understand contextually without seeing the whole house.

Why not mimic the brick and 3 windows on that side.

Hire an architect and explore other options before abandoning your garage such as building an addition to the back of the house. Clear out the junk in your garage and park in there. Your car will take less of a beating. If you do decide to convert the garage, still work with an architect and landscape designer. I’ve personally never seen a garage conversion that didn’t scream from inside and out, “I used to be a garage.” Spend all the money to do it right, or don’t do it.

@shirlpp see @lynzys reply.

I agree on all fronts. Trying to get some ideas from community. I’d imagine some have had success outside of making the garage a shed to keep the house looking normal.