Backyard vs. Garage vs. Basement - The Best Place to Build Your Dream Studio
Dec 02, 2024Choosing the wrong location for your studio can lead to:
- 90% More Problems
- Increased Budget
- Worse Results for More Investment
For these reasons, selecting the right place to build your studio is the single most important decision you can make.
The Best Place to Build Your Studio: The Backyard
Hands down, the best location for your studio is in a backyard. Starting from scratch ensures you’ll have:
- Proper isolation
- An easy design process
- Streamlined investment with better long-term value
While building in your backyard may cost more initially than converting your garage or basement, the long-term value far outweighs the upfront expense. Think of it as an investment, not just an expenditure.
For instance, you might think building in your garage will only cost around $20k—just throw in some 2x4s and drywall, and you’re good to go. But not so fast. Did you account for:
- Ducting that can’t be moved?
- Water lines poking through the walls?
- Removing and replacing the garage door with a proper wall?
Before you know it, you’re spending $30–50k on a small, compromised space. By contrast, building in your backyard for $75k gives you a dream studio that not only meets your needs but also increases your property value. That’s a win-win.
The Second Best Place to Build Your Studio: The Garage
Your garage comes in as the second-best location. While not as ideal as starting from scratch, a garage can still be a great option. Compared to a basement, garages typically offer:
- Higher ceilings
- The potential for detached structures
- Fewer obstacles like wires, pipes, and odd shapes
That said, garages still present challenges and costs, especially if you’re aiming for top-notch soundproofing. When scouting for an ideal garage space, look for:
- A level concrete slab
- The ability to raise the ceiling with cathedral framing
- An outer shell with existing mass for soundproofing
The Third Best Place to Build Your Studio: The Basement
Finally, we have the basement. While a basement can work in certain situations, it tends to present more challenges:
- Low ceilings, which limit flexibility
- Nooks and crannies that complicate design
- Loud HVAC systems that are hard to isolate
- Flooding risks, which can damage high-end electrical equipment
Basements often require additional isolation to prevent sound transmission to the rest of the house above. This means adding extra drywall layers, which can further reduce ceiling height. If you can avoid the basement, do so.
Conclusion: Location is Everything
Choosing the right location is the most critical decision in soundproof studio design. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option and think about the value you’re getting for your money.
In most cases, investing an additional $20–25k to build in your backyard or attach a studio to your house will deliver significantly better results in the long term.
Ready to Design Your Dream Studio?
If you’re looking for a professional touch to design your ideal home studio, book a call to see how I can help bring your vision to life.
Prefer to take the DIY route? Check out my free soundproofing workshop below!
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