A former garage gets a bright transformation into a high-design poolside retreat.

Economist, urbanist and author, Richard Florida, and his wife, Rana, love contemporary design. This sleek space connects to their pool and outdoor dining area, but can be closed off via a white, rolling garage door. A surfboard, graphic cushions, Philippe Starck’s light blue Prince Aha stool and modern furniture from Design Within Reach, such as the daybed and Bertoia chair, all contribute to a beachy, L.A. vibe.

See the outdoor dining area and watch a video tour of the house.

See more indoor outdoor design inspiration in our photo gallery and click here for other unique garage conversions.

Secluded by hedges, trees and oversized planters, this poolside deck offers a serene spot for entertaining.

The backyard of homeowners Rana and Richard Florida (the economist, urbanist and author) features an outdoor dining area connected to the interior by a rolling garage door, seen open here. Landscape architect Mark Hartley separated the quiet eating spot from the pool area with symmetrical plantings and herringbone-patterned brick. The creamy exterior paint, light wood dining table and silver chairs create a bright, sunny look.

See the pool house and watch a video tour of the house.

See more indoor outdoor design inspiration in our photo gallery and click here for other unique garage conversions.

An industrial garage door brings the outdoors in.

This gorgeous live/work home used to be an old workshop in Montreal’s Plateau area. Architect Natalie Dionne bought the bare-bones studio and transformed it into her dream home with partner Martin Laneuville. The garage door with windows provides loads of natural light in the winter, and opens to create a patio-like space in the warmer months.

View more photos of this home in our February 2009 issue. Plus, see more industrial spaces in our Industrial Interiors photo gallery.

Turn the yard into an enchanting outdoor space.

In the reworked backyard of artist Rundi Phelan’s Toronto home, a new entry at the back of the drive consists of a brick wall and cedar gates. Rundi created a studio space in the little-used garage, and french doors open it up to the backyard for indoor-outdoor use.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

Turn an urban garage into a source of inspiration.

When artist Rundi Phelan was searching for unique ways to turn her little-used garage into a functioning space, she quickly landed on the idea to create a rehearsal studio for the youngest of her four sons, Paul, 19, a jazz musician (pictured here, left, with friends Devin Hart and Adrian Goodgoll). French doors open the studio to the sophisticated terrace to create a multipurpose space that can be enjoyed by all.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

An unused driveway is transformed into a patio.

The homeowner converted her garage into a music studio and the driveway into a sitting nook and dining area using striking furniture and bold fabrics. Yews and boxwood add texture and up the privacy. A grapevine ball filled with twinkle lights adds mood lighting for summer entertaining.

See more pools, patios and gardens in our Inspiring Backyards photo gallery. Plus, check out other unique garage conversions in our photo gallery.

Turn the exterior wall of the garage into an inviting lounge.

If a full garage conversion isn’t an option, try adding to it from the outside instead. When these Toronto homeowners put in a new garage, they incorporated this seating area on a little patio beside it. Grapevines and rosebushes are trained to grow up the columns and over the pergola. Pretty, black-painted french doors access the garage.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

A cluttered garage takes on a new life as a Vancouver family’s mini getaway.

Vancouver homeowners transformed their garage from a wasted catchall of outdoor castoffs and equipment into a functional office and studio just steps away from the house. French doors open to a courtyard and large windows let in plenty of light, tranforming the space into the perfect retreat for yoga, reading, or getting some work done.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

Focus on versatility when decorating a small space.

For this Vancouver family’s small but functional space, flexibility is key. The oval table is height-adjustable, allowing the owners to sit and write or stand and sketch or paint. Casters make it easy to push to the side to create a larger area for practising yoga. The shelving unit was designed with thick vertical dividers and thin horizontal shelves to make the wall appear higher than its 9′.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

A basic garage emerges as an airy multipurpose garden room.

What used to be a windowless box too small for the homeowners’ car is now an inspiring work space with heaps of storage, a bright, airy interior and plenty of room for household projects. Kitchen-inspired drawers, cupboards, chairs and counters make it easy to keep the room neat and tidy. Slatwall allows for different configurations of hooks and shelves, and wire baskets house a lot of items without taking up floor space.

See more in our photo gallery of unique garage conversions.

This private summertime lounge can be converted back into a garage, which is important for resale. In the meantime, it’s a sweet retreat complete with a capiz shell chandelier and bistro chairs in a tropical chartreuse.