We are planning on doing some renovations to our new home here in Holland. Our house is quite 'different' compared to other houses around the world: it is a terrace house with a garage on the bottom floor, with a large room behind it (where a garden used to be). Above the garage is our living room, dining room and kitchen, and above the large room, is a large garden/terrace. The top floor is 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

We plan to install large roof lights in the large room behind the garage along with an additional set of stairs. The large room will, hopefully, be turned into a large kitchen and living space.

We want to make the garage 'extend' the kitchen/living area, and to do this, we will hopefully add a glass wall/door. We will also have the same floor surface (polished concrete, or large tiles) in both rooms. The garage will also be heated and insulated, so basically, another large room. The idea is to make the garage less like a garage, and more like another living space/office. There will be 1 car parked there while we live there, and perhaps motorcycles. But we see them more as art. Plus, they are not used much here as bicycles are the main form of transport (we are right in the centre of a city).

We have a few concerns. Firstly, we do not plan on selling the house anytime soon, perhaps never, but if we do, we don't want it to be a problem to potential buyers. The way I see it, the glass partition would be easy to block up if you want to properly use the garage. Alternatively, perhaps the person would not want a garage at all, and because it would no longer feel like a garage, they would easily make it a living area/office space.

The second is smells. Because the garage will actually have a car and at least one motorcycle in it at all times, we are worried that smells from those, or perhaps smells from any leaking oils, would smell out the kitchen. I also love to work on cars and bikes, as well as doing some wood working, so there will be things 'going on' in the garage. Of course, the glass partition would be well insulated, so maybe the smell wouldn't be a problem, but it is hard to research this kind of project as it is unique. Perhaps an extraction fan would be more than adequate?

Any input regarding the project would be greatly appreciated. Are we crazy for even considering this? Perhaps we should go a different route? Any tips on garages within a house?

I've attached plans of the house as it is right now, and designs of how I envision it after renovations.

Many thanks,
Robert