Garage design ideas: how to create the perfect garage space
Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.
Garages might be an afterthought in your property project. But the best garage design ideas have the potential to add value and create a really liveable new room or storage hub.
After all, garages are often the first thing you’ll see from the pavement, so you need to get your garage design right.
Good research and considered planning are key – this is where our garage design ideas will help.
You might want to add extra storage or create a safe space to store your car with a brand new garage build. Or you might fancy converting an existing garage into a stylish new room.
Read on for a wealth of garage design ideas.
Garage design ideas
There are so many different garage styles, sizes and designs to choose from.
That’s not forgetting about the various different building materials available, and other key considerations like access, electricity and windows.
Style of garage
You’ve decided what you want to use your garage for. The next step is choosing the right style of garage to suit its purpose.
Whether it’s to fit in a new home gym or to max out on efficient storage space, here are the key garage styles to choose from.
Attached garage
These garages are linked to a property – either a new build or an existing house. They are a good option if you don’t have masses of space to play around with.
But do consider the following:
- A good option if planning restrictions won’t allow a separate garage structure
- Ensure it doesn’t look disjointed from the main house by using the same materials and finishes (more difficult if you have a period property)
- If you’re not 100% sure how you are going to use your garage, future-proof it with insulation and perhaps windows and a separate door. Just in case you want to use as another room
- Consider a linked garage which is slightly away from the main home but joined with a walkway – such as a utility or boot room
Detached garage
If you have the space, a detached garage is a brilliant addition to your home.
There are certain points to consider so the visual and functional elements are just right:
- Adding a detached garage won’t require planning consent as long as it’s set behind your home’s front elevation and follows the permitted development guidelines
- You might need planning permission, though so always check with your local authority
- Consider the proportions of the garage to the house
- Could you rotate the garage so the large doors face sideways rather than out to the front? It might improve the visual appearance and kerb appeal of your property
- Ensure your detached garage is big enough for your changing needs – i.e. size or number of cars
Multi-use garage
If you have the budget and space, consider a multi-use garage. This way you will get space to park your car and perhaps a floor above for an extra room.
- A room above a garage might create the perfect spot for a work-from-home office, extra guest bedroom or craft studio
- Think about an external staircase so you can access the living space above separately
- If you don’t want to build up, design your garage and second room at ground level, adjacent to each other
- Consult an architect or builder who can design a more complex garage/outbuilding exactly to your requirements – check they can assist with any planning applications if necessary
Garage materials
Different garage materials come with different pros and cons – so be armed with all the details before you make the plunge. Obviously you’ll need to consider the materials used in your main building. But sometimes a contrast can work, especially in older properties.
However, do be aware that the materials your garage is constructed from will have a huge impact on garage cost and style.
Here are the different options:
Brick/block: a popular choice and one of the priciest building materials. They are hardwearing and offer excellent soundproofing and heat retention. They can be expensive to repair and modify though.
Concrete: an affordable choice that’s easy to install. Durable and good heat retention like brick, but perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing. Do look out for cracks and ground movements, which can be costly to repair
Prefab: cheap and quick to put up but less sturdy and resilient compared to brick or concrete garages
Timber: solid framed timber garages are sturdy and stylish. They will, however, need more maintenance that other types of garage materials.
Size of garage
Think carefully about what size of garage you want. Historically, a single parking space for one car is around 3 x 5.5m and 6 x 6m for a double or two cars.
Cars are getting bigger though – so you need to factor this in.
Also, look at the height of the garage door opening – do you have a big SUV, for example, or a tall motorhome?
An open carport-style garage might be popular for larger vehicles as there are no door frames or opening mechanisms to work around.
If you’ve discovered that you need more space in your garage – for either a growing fleet of family cars or extra storage – think about extending your garage.
Brick, concrete, metal and wood garage extensions will all come with different cost implications.
Read more in our garage extension cost guide and see what works for your budget.
Other considerations
Garage access
Should I go for front or side access – or both? This will depend on whether it’s an integral garage and how you plan to use your garage.
If you’ve converted your garage into a new extra room, say a bedroom or office, you might want to reposition an existing door, if there is one. Look at how the door’s position will affect the flow and furniture of the new room.
And if you need more room, think about a garage extension.
Windows
Whether you plan to use your garage for extra storage or an extra sitting room, good lighting is key.
Boost artificial lights by installing a new window if possible. For full blown garage conversions, consider replacing one wall with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Consult your builder or architect for ideas and how new windows might enhance or restrict layout. And check whether your garage conversion needs planning permission or needs to comply with any building regulations.
Roof
Look at your roof when researching garage design ideas. Does your roof need extra insulation? Would converting a flat roof to a pitched roof make a more pleasant liveable space. Check out our flat roof vs pitched roof cost blog for ideas on price.
Garage door
There are so many different garage door styles available. From modern, industrial chic to old world barn doors, it’s key to choose the right door design to suit your style of property. Read our garage door styles blog for more inspiration.
Electricity
Big, small, new or existing, all garage design ideas will benefit from lighting.
Good lighting can make or break or full blow garage conversion – and make it feel like home from home rather than a bolted on room. Call on the expertise of an experienced electrician who can help.
And even if your garage is simply used for storage, bright lighting will help you see what’s inside.
How long does it take to build a garage?
Depending on the complexity of your garage design, this can take anywhere from between two weeks and two months to complete. Prefabricated garages can be typically constructed within 48-72 hours.
Garage storage ideas
Garages are renowned for being the dumping ground of our homes. Dingy, dark and sometimes a little bit depressing. Look no further than our garage design ideas.
Our garage design ideas are packed with inspiration to upgrade this often overlooked space into a storage workhorse. Especially when space is tight in the main house.
As well as your car (if there’s room!) it’s our go-to storage den for stashing bikes, golf clubs, ladders, pots of paint and laundry. Everything that’s big, unwieldy, out of season and a little bit grubby gets dumped into the garage.
If your garage looks like a jumbled mess, let our garage design ideas sort out your stuff for a streamlined storage hub.
Perhaps you need to free up floor space for a parking spot. Or maybe you want to use your garage for workshop storage ideas.
From storage boxes to robust shelving units and metal cabinets, there are so many great garage design ideas.
Let us show you how to stash tools, tyres, tinsel and so much more with our garage interior ideas.
Garage interior ideas
Whether you have a detached, attached or portico garage, you can upgrade your space with a few clever garage design ideas.
You could have a bash yourself. Or call in a builder with experience in garage conversions for a really thorough and professional job.
If possible, invest in a hardwearing floor at the same time. Try polished concrete, epoxy resin or vinyl for a touch, long lasting surface underfoot.
Here are 6 garage ideas to free up space in your home – from storing seasonal decorations to organising your sports kit.
1. Stash seasonal decorations
If your loft space is full – or has been converted into an extra room – why not store Christmas decorations in the garage.
Choose a robust shelving system and stack with airtight storage boxes for keeping baubles, fairy lights and trimmings in an orderly fashion.
Transparent boxes will help you see what’s inside at a glance.
2. Set up a gardening corner
Convert an area of your garage into a hub for garden tools and equipment. It’s the perfect spot if you don’t have a garden shed.
Use wall hooks or nails to hang up cumbersome items like a garden hose and tools. And put up a shelving system to keep pot plants, seeds and other kit like twine and bottles of garden feed.
3. Invest in a home gym
Why not turn your garage into a personalised home gym. No more queuing up at your local fitness centre when you can get the ultimate work out just a step away from the front door.
Get motivated by these 10 garage gym ideas. Turn dead space into a fitness haven for your treadmill and weight machines.
4. Love your laundry
If you have a smaller kitchen, why not ship your laundry appliances out to the garage.
You’ll obviously need electricity for this. So call on the expertise of a recommended local electrician who can wire up your garage and fit in extra plug sockets.
Luxe up your utility hub with shelves for detergents and powders, pegs and drying balls.
5. Organise sports kit
Garage design ideas are a great spot for storing footballs, skis, bikes and golf clubs.
Get bikes off the floor with special wall-mounted racks that will better utilise the space.
Fix up a row of wall pegs to hang tennis rackets. Invest in sturdy trugs and bins to stash different sized balls for every sport, from football and basketball to tennis and golf.
6. Transform into a garage workshop
Whether you are a regular home DIYer or a self-employed professional, consider garage workshop ideas.
This might range from basic garage tool storage ideas up to a full blown garage conversion for a your very own super-efficient garage workshop.
Look at the shell of the garage before you start. Make sure walls and floors are clean, stable and robust enough to hold fitted shelving and units.
Shelving ideas for garage
If you’re looking for garage shelving ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Garage shelving is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to take advantage of unused vertical wall space.
From a robust set of DIY garage shelves to a smart, storage wall, our shelving ideas will overhaul your cluttered garage interior. You may even have room left for a car!
Check out garage shelving ideas that will take you from cluttered to clear.
Shelving units
Choose a freestanding metal shelving unit that’s robust and can hold boxes, paint tins, tools, office equipment and sports kit.
This type of shelving is easy to erect and install yourself and there’s no need to drill holes in the wall. It can also be moved around making it the ultimate flexible and budget friendly buy.
If you’re planning to fill it with very heavy items, you might consider bolting the shelving unit to the wall for extra stability.
Floor to ceiling shelves
Install floor-to-ceiling shelves on one wall of your garage interior to keep clutter at bay.
Seek out industrial metal shelving kits and do it yourself. Or hardwearing timbers for a more rustic look.
If you’re looking for something bespoke it’s worth hiring a professional. Read our carpentry cost guide for a rough idea on how to price up the work.
Tool hooks
For frequently used tools, wall hooks are a quick and easy solution for hanging up your tool kit and keys.
The best way to keep your work bench and garage floor clear. Nails can work just as well too.
Shelving brackets
For a modular approach to garage shelving, shelving brackets and uprights offer you more freedom.
You can customise your storage by choosing how high or low you want your garage shelving to be. You can also add to the number of shelves you want – and alter the position of shelves without any extra drilling into the wall.
DIY garage storage
For smaller garages like a portico or carport, try a DIY storage wall.
Think creatively and seek out cheap and eco-friendly solutions for stashing your stuff. Try repurposing old cabinets, wooden boxes and shabby furniture that has seen better days.
Upcycle with new hardware and a lick of paint for a really cool storage wall.
Storage solutions for garages
As well as shelf units and shelving walls, there are so many smart ways to maximise storage.
Try hooks, pegboards, cabinets and bike mounts for starters.
The result is a stylish and functional garage interior you can really use.
Cabinets
Industrial style metal cabinets look the part – and can withstand the bumps and knocks of a busy garage interior.
Seek out metal cabinets for floors and walls. Mix and match half-height cabinets with full-length lockers to fit your requirements.
If you’re storing dangerous items like sharp tools and toxic chemicals and cleaners, choose a lockable storage cabinet. It’ll give you that extra peace of mind if you have a young family.
Peg boards
We love a peg board. Metal versions for the garage are a neat way to hang up smaller items without the need to hang rows of nails all over walls.
Bike racks
Dedicated bicycle storage is a brilliant way to stop your cycles falling over and keeping them upright.
Choose from floor or wall mounted bike racks. Floor designs will need more space but are easier to access.
So look at your available space and consider how often you ride your bike before you decide.
Storage boxes
The best garage design ideas take storage to the next level. So once you have your garage shelving ideas set up invest in good quality storage boxes.
Line shelves with tough storage boxes with lids – and label them so you can see exactly what’s inside at a glance.
Garage hanging storage
Don’t forget your ceiling too. It’s an unused area of your garage where you can potentially hang ladders, surf boards or items you don’t use very often.
Just make sure your ceiling is high enough as you don’t want bashed heads every time you enter the garage.
No comments yet!