The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Not just limiting itself to providing additional parking, this unique three-car garage apartment plan avails itself of a variety of other uses adding extra value to your already existing home.

With two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a dining room located above the garage, the possibilities of how to utilize this space are quite extensive. Serving as a guesthouse, it allows visiting friends and family not only their own privacy, but also gives you, as host, the chance to relax without feeling like you’re running a bed and breakfast. A more permanent occupant may appreciate the living quarters as they may be utilized as residence for a nanny or other home-based employee. To make the rooms more ideal for various purposes, you may hire an air conditioning contractor to install an hvac system. Schedule regular ac and heating repair services to keep your hvac system energy-efficient.

If the kids have their nanny years behind them, this garage apartment plan works wonderfully as a home for returning college students or even the post college student who is still hanging around. Beyond serving living needs, the finished living space could function as the setting for a home-based office by providing a meeting area for clients in a rustic, welcoming, and professional setting. For those with storage needs, there is plenty of room for parking and storage in the three-car garage. To view even more garage plans with living quarters like this one, please browse our collection of garage apartment plans.

Tags: 3-Car Garage Plans, garage apartment plan, Garage Apartment Plans, three-car garage plans, Unique Garage Plans

While the stock plans offered by The Garage Plan Shop can be built almost anywhere, we often hear from Canadian customers looking for plans drawn by Canadian designers. We are pleased to offer two collections of detached garage plans drawn by designers in Canada. Additionally, we also offer a collection of garage apartment plans drawn by a Canadian designer. Garage apartment plans are thoughtfully designed to offer distinct parking and living areas. Typically, they are two-story structures designed with the garage on the main level and living quarters above. Just like garage apartment plans drawn by US designers, those drawn by our Canadian designer are designed to meet national building codes. Keep in mind it may be necessary to take the plans to a local designer to have any changes made or notes added to the plans in order to meet specific provincial codes before construction begins. Additionally, if your building department requires engineering, it will be necessary to hire a local engineer to review the plans and engineer them to meet local building codes and requirements. The engineer must be registered/licensed in the province where you plan to build. Below is a link to our garage apartment plans drawn by a Canadian designer:

Canadian Garage Apartment Plans

For more designs, please browse our entire garage apartment plan collection which includes those drawn by US designers as well.

Tags: Canada garage plans, Canadian Garage Plans, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments

In 2009, The Garage Plan Shop began experiencing a greater interest in garage apartment plans due to the economic downturn. Today, as the country continues to press forward in these tough economic times, little has changed. Countless families are still facing foreclosure and unemployment. They are combining households and pooling resources to survive. Many are realizing garage apartment plans continue to provide a feasible and comfortable solution to their economic woes.

For those who just do not have any more room in the home to accommodate another person or entire family or there is no basement to finish with a couple extra bedrooms and a bath, practical garage apartment floor plans deliver all the comforts of home in an affordable package. They provide all the basics including a modest kitchen, full bath, and living and sleeping area making them suitable for someone facing a budget crunch. To make an ideal place to hangout in, you may hire a local hvac contractor to install an hvac system. Just like the hvac system in your main home, you should also have your garage’s hvac unit serviced regularly by an air conditioning repair technician to maintain its efficiency. 

In time, the economy will turn around and families will go back to living independently. So, when your adult children or the grandkids move out, you’ll have the ideal in-law suite or guest room for weekend visitors. Furthermore, the living quarters could double as a recreation or hobby room. And, there is always the opportunity to rent the garage apartment out to a tenant or college student allowing you to earn a little extra income sometime down the road. Finally, don’t forget about all that added garage space. The garage area is just right for parking the cars, extra storage, a craft area or just keeping things better organized like lawn and garden tools. Install a video surveillance system in your apartment garage to improve the security of your cars and all the other items you have stored there.

Garage apartment plans come in a broad range of architectural styles and a multitude of sizes. With such a varied selecting, chances are you’ll have no problem finding the right one to blend with your home and satisfy your needs.  

Tags: carriage house plans, economic downturn, economy, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, living quarters, tough economy

Building a garage apartment plan is a practical home addition, and garage apartments are becoming more and more popular given the conditions of the present economy. Discover some of the top reasons Americans are building garage apartment plans.

1. 1. Families need more parking space, especially those with up teenage drivers.

1. 1. Families are outgrowing their homes and need more living space.

1. 1. Families love their neighborhoods and don’t want to move but need extra room.

1. 1. Growing families do not have the finances to upgrade to a lager home or build a brand new home, but can afford a smaller construction project that will provide much needed living area.

1. 1. Some homeowners need extra storage space.

1. 1. The family handyman needs a workshop.

1. 1. The work-at-home parent desires a home office that provides peace and quiet and the ability to visit with clients without disturbing the rest of the home.

1. 1. Home-base business owners want a private place to work without actually leaving home.

1. 1. Homeowner’s desire a guest suite that provides all the comforts and privacy of home for frequent weekend visitors.

1. 1. Homeowners want to add a hobby room, craft area, or exercise area, but don’t have a basement or enough room in the basement to add one.

1. 1. Some homeowner’s need a place for aging relatives to have the privacy of their own home with the opportunity to seek immediate assistance if necessary.

1. 1. Grandparents are looking for a place for grandkids to stay when visiting for the holidays without having to listen to loud music or be disturbed when the grandkids come home in the wee hours of the morning.

1. 1. Parents need additional housing for college students who require privacy and independence, but still need parental guidance from time to time.

1. 1. Parents are looking for a place for boomerang children to stay until they get back on their feet.

1. 1. Families need room to relax and often use the apartment for a playroom, home theater or game room for everyone to enjoy.

1. 1. Growing families are looking for an additional source of income and rent the living quarters to tenants.

1. 1. Owners of large estates may wish to provide living quarters for the maid, groundskeeper, etc.

1. 1. Families may need living quarters for the nanny.

1. 1. Outdoor adventurists and nature enthusiasts may not build a garage apartment in the backyard at all, but rather near their favorite lake or in the woods using it as a vacation home or weekend retreat.

1. Garage apartments make nice temporary living quarters while the main home is being constructed and easily convert to a guest house when it is time to move into the main home.

If you have decided to build an apartment garage, you may start with a garage plan that will cater to your needs. Then, you may look for builders, roofing contractors and suppliers of your chosen materials. If you want a flat roof on your garage apartment, you may look for a suitable garage plan and a contractor who knows how to install flat roof.

Interested in viewing garage apartment floor plans? Check out The Garage Plan Shop’s extensive collection from North America’s top rated designers.

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

Currently, there is a growing trend among those wishing to build a garage. Many are opting for garage apartment plans. These floor plans incorporate a fully functional living space with the garage either on the same level or above the garage. Garage apartment plans range from a parking area with a studio apartment to a one to three bedroom layout. They include at least one full bath and a modest kitchen in most cases. Some even include special extras such as a fireplace, walk-in closet, laundry facilities or organizational built-ins. So, why are people choosing garage apartment plans? Below is a list of some of the top reasons for their popularity.

1.    Guest or In-Law Suite – Many families enjoy out-of-town guests, overnight visitors and weekend visits from family and friends. A garage apartment provides guests with privacy and comfort.

2.    Added Value – A garage apartment contributes street appeal and adds functionality and value to your property. It is a great way to complement your home and gain usable space.

3.    Home Office – Many working Americans run home-based businesses. The apartment easily converts to an office and meeting area providing a space to work or meet with clients without disturbing the main home.

4.    Work Space – For those who enjoy hobbies, the living area of a garage apartment plan comes in handy for use as a hobby room, craft area, etc. The living area can easily serve as a work space for all your projects, and you having to clear off the dining room table every evening for dinner. Plus, you’ll always have an extra bedroom and bath when visitors drop by.

5.    Weekend Retreat/Secondary Residence – For those who like to get away from it all, a garage apartment is the ideal alternative to a vacation home. Use the garage for storage of outdoor sporting gear, a boat, ATV, bikes, etc. The apartment will give you a great place to kick back and relax after a fun day on the lake or hunting expedition. Some designs have multiple bedrooms offering plenty of room to bring a couple of friends along for a fun and relaxing weekend. To make the structure more energy-efficient, you may add a commercial foam insulation in its walls.

6.    Income – If you are in need of garage space, but can’t quite afford a new garage, consider a garage apartment plan. You can use the garage space as you wish and rent out the living quarters earning income that will help you pay for the garage. Once the garage is paid for, you’ll be making money off your garage apartment. Also, most maintenance expenses are tax deductible. If you wish to use the space for your business, you may seek luxury commercial contracting services to build the structure based on your needs and preferences.

7.    Multi-purpose Space – Sometimes families need a flexible space that can accommodate many different needs. Consider a garage apartment with an open floor plan. The open living space can serve as an entertainment area for family and friends such as a recreation room, game room, home theater and more. Or it can be a game room tonight and convert to a meeting space for your wife’s scrap-booking club tomorrow. Possibilities are endless with an open floor plan. As you family grows and changes, you can adapt the living space to satisfy your needs. If you’ll be using the space mainly for car storage, you may add a custom driveway paver install.

If you are considering building a new garage, take time to think about the additional value and possibilities of choosing a garage apartment plan.

Browse garage apartment plans at The Garage Plan Shop.

Tags: Detached Garage Plans, finished living area, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, living space