The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Typically, garage apartment plans are detached garages with living quarters arranged on the upper level above the parking area. They usually provide parking bays for two or three cars on the main level with the second floor living space delivering anything from a studio apartment or “loft” style living space to two or more private bedrooms and baths combined with a dedicated living area, compact kitchen and sometimes even a dining area. Most garage apartment plans offer basic and modest amenities due to lack of space. For instance, a small closet may provide enough room for a stacked washer and dryer instead of separate appliances. Garage apartment plans usually have the outward appearance of a simple house with the exterior displaying a particular architectural style such as Craftsman or Traditional. A broad selection of rooflines and various garage door configurations lend character and charm while giving each design a look all its own. 

Garage apartment plans are designed with various widths and depths ensuring you’ll find the right one for your lot. Because there are so many sizes, it is easy to find a garage floor plan with the garage space you need for storing the family cars, an RV, a boat, a trailer or even lawn equipment.

Garage apartment plans are available with a variety of features. Interior elements in the living space might include a snack bar, fireplace or walk-in closet. Other special extras not in the finished living area could include interior stairs accessing the living quarters, a covered porch or deck, a drive-thru bay, a built-in workbench in the garage or extra storage space.

There are many reasons why owners build with garage apartment plans. The living space makes a comfortable guest or in-law suite, works well for living quarters for the maid or nanny, provides privacy for your college student, offers comfortable accommodations for a weekend retreat, and is well suited for rental property and income. Furthermore, the garage apartment provides flexible living space that can be used for a home office, hobby room, entertainment space such as a home theater, or an art studio. The possibilities are endless.

Some garage apartment plans are designed on one level with the garage on one side of the structure and the living quarters on the other. This type of layout is ideal for families who have an aging relative in their care. The relative can live independently safely and still be near enough to receive assistance from others with necessary.

Garage apartment plans are the perfect solution to your additional parking and living space needs. Garage loft plans and  garage plans with flex space share some commonalities with these designs.

Take some time to browse the entire collection of garage apartment plans at The Garage Plan Shop.

Tags: Detached Garage Plans, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, garage plans

Living in a limited space is tough, but many make do with the space they have. When considering garage apartment plans and studio apartments, one-room living is about as tricky as you can get. This challenge is most often faced by city dwellers, seniors and students. So how do you make the most of living is a garage studio apartment? The Garage Plan Shop has some tips that will help you turn your one-room living space into a functional and stylish abode.

First you must assess how you live. Do you like to entertain? Do you work from home? Will you have occasional or frequent overnight guests?

Next you must edit your belongings. What do you absolutely need in your studio apartment? What items can you donate to charity? What items can be put in storage?

The next step is to divide the room into public and private spaces. Depending on the way you live will determine how much public and private space you need. You’ll probably want a sleeping area, sitting/entertaining area, a workspace/office area, a dining space and kitchen. Try separating the sleeping area from the rest of the room using a bookcase as a room divider or perhaps a folding screen. You may even want to include your desk in the private space.

Now it is time to create zones with the remaining common areas. This can be done using furniture, area rugs or even lighting. For instance, hang a chandelier over the entertaining space and place and area rug beneath it with a couch along one edge designating this space as the entertaining space. This entertaining space might also be your socializing and eating space as well.

From this point, the rest is all in the way you arrange, furnish and organize your one-room living space. These pointers will help you finish your space with style and function.

·         Choose multi-functional furniture such as a coffee table that can double for dining or a bench with storage inside.

·         Select furniture on legs so you can see under each piece making the room feel more spacious.

·         Use a few big pieces of furniture. A bunch of small pieces make a room feel cluttered.

·         Decorate with one color and incorporate different textures through furniture pieces, flooring, rugs and window treatments. A tight palette creates visual cohesion.

·         Choose decorative boxes, bins and baskets of different shapes, colors and textures to store small belongings. Stack them in open spaces at the bottoms of desks and end tables.

·         Think vertical when it comes to storage. Shelves, wall-mounted cubes and bookshelves are must haves.

·         Select space saving furniture and accessories such as a flat screen TV that hangs on the wall.

·         Let your space dictate the quantity of your belongings.

·         Be prepared for company. Incorporate a few movable furniture pieces to accommodate guests. Consider ottomans, a bench or a few wooden chairs that can be moved near the sofa when visitors arrive.

Tags: garage apartment, Garage Apartment Plans, one-room living, studio apartments

If you are challenged by a sloping lot but wish to add extra living and parking space to your residence, this unique garage apartment plan is worth taking a second look.  Arts and Crafts styling dresses up the exterior ensuring it will blend nicely with your Craftsman style home. The drive-under garage tucks neatly into any hillside with side-entry stalls for two vehicles. This two-car garage offers 880 square feet of unfinished parking space complete with dual overhead doors and a convenient service entry. Furthermore, the extra deep bays easily handle oversized vehicles and work well for boat storage. Handy exterior stairs offer access to the living quarters from the lower level, or you can enter from the covered front porch where sturdy columns atop stone pediments greet all. Inside the living quarters, two coat closets stand at the ready in the entry, which directs traffic to the open floor plan beyond. Here, the studio apartment with full bath delivers comfortable accommodations for weekend visitors, the in-laws or even you college student. Thoughtful extras include a meal-prep island and vaulted ceilings paired with sparkling windows making the living areas feel spacious and comfortable. Stylish and functional, this unique garage apartment plan can’t be beat.

Tags: Garage Apartment Plans, garage plans, Unique Garage Plans

If you are looking for a unique garage apartment plan, this is the one for you. First begin with its Victorian styling and ornate details delivering striking curb appeal. Elegant porch columns and shuttered windows are just a few of the details highlighting the exterior of this design. The Victorian architecture is quite uncommon for a detached garage, but stunning nonetheless. Another unique feature about this floor plan is its 5-car garage revealing 1215 square feet of parking area. A combination of two tandem bays and a single-car bay makes the floor plan stand out among many. Though an unusual arrangement, the garage easily handles five family vehicles or a pair of oversized vehicles and a smaller one. Furthermore, the tandem bays are deep enough to accommodate boat storage too. A covered porch leads to the private interior stairs ascending to the second floor where you’ll discover more unusual features about this unique plan. Here, two bayed windows fill the large game/living room with natural light. A fireplace adds a cozy touch. With the step-saver kitchen overlooking the gathering space, the upper level is the perfect entertainment space for guests or it works well as a living area for guests, the in-laws or the nanny. A sunny bedroom and a full bath finish off the garage apartment. Make note of all the attic storage, great for stashing boxes and seasonal items. A masterful blend of style and function, this unique garage apartment plan will look great tucked in the backyard behind your Victorian style home.

Tags: 5-car garage plan, large garage plans, Unique Garage Plans

With today’s tough economic times more and more families are facing foreclosure and unemployment. During this economic down turn, The GaragePlanShop, LLC has been experiencing a greater interest in garage apartment plans and carriage house designs. As families combine households and pool resources to survive these trying times, many are finding that garage apartments are a comfortable and feasible solution to their economic woes.

In the instances where there just isn’t any more room in the home to accommodate another person or there is no basement to finish with a couple bedrooms and a bath, these modest garage apartment designs offer privacy and all the comforts of home in an affordable package. Furthermore, they add value to the home and will provide flexible and usable space in the future. When the economy turns around and families are able to go back to living independently, a garage apartment becomes the perfect guest or in-law suite, recreation room, rental property, etc. And don’t forget all that added garage space, ideal for parking the family cars, storing lawn and garden equipment, a workshop or anything else you can imagine.

Garage apartment plans are available in a wide range of sizes and styles ensuring you’ll find just the right one to match your home and accommodate your needs.

Tags: carriage houses, economy, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, living quarters