The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Do you dream of owning a weekend home on the water? Consider building a garage apartment! Garage apartment plans are excellent choices for weekend getaways, and many offer room to store your boat or perhaps smaller watercrafts like jet skis, canoes or kayaks. With a garage apartment plan, there’s no need to haul your watercraft back and forth to the lake, it can be stored away and waiting for you when you arrive for the weekend. Make sure to install high-quality garage doors to keep your vehicles or watercraft safe and secure. If you need help with the roofing installation of your new garage, you may seek the services of a commercial roofing contractor.

Below are a few plans that offer boat storage or room for other watercrafts, plus comfortable living space.

049G-0002: This handsome garage apartment plan offers two bedrooms, a place for you and the kids (or guests) to lay your weary heads after a day on the water. Extra deep garage bays store your boat and protect your vehicle. An open floor plan features a kitchen with snack bar, cozy living room and a dining area. Enjoy the ambience of lake life protected on the screen porch. With space for a stacked washer/dryer in the bedroom closet, families can keep themselves in clean, dry clothes all weekend.

062G-0101: Here is a thoroughly modern design sure to please anyone ready to get away for the weekend. The drive thru RV bay is suitable for boat storage and makes it easy to park and exit the garage. An additional bay accommodates an auto or perhaps stores a golf cart or wave runners. While the sights and sounds of the lake are enjoyed on the wrap-around balcony or from the solarium, the pets are safe and sound in their own run adjacent to the garage. Special features in the apartment include a walk-in closet, laundry closet, and sloped ceilings.

027G-0010: Check out this unique carport plan with a two-bedroom apartment above it. The drive-through bay makes it easy to park and access your jet ski or perhaps a small boat. You’ll appreciate the nearby storage closet, ideal for storing lifejackets, fishing poles and inner tubes. And yes, there is an additional bay for your vehicle. Upstairs, you’ll find a comfortable living quarters with an open floor plan. Enjoy the view from a nifty composite decking accessed via a sliding door in the living room. Apartment includes full bath with separate shower and tub as well as a laundry closet.

For more choices like these, please browse our entire collection of garage apartment plans.

Tags: Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, Garage Plans with Boat Storage

Are you thinking about building a weekend home? Garage apartment plans are a nice alternative to a vacation home and provide comfortable accommodations plus sheltered parking. Additionally, the garage allows you to store motorized vehicles and other items that you might only use on the weekend. Depending on your property, you might need room to store a gold cart, ATV, motorcycle or Jet Ski. A garage apartment plan is the perfect solution featuring parking/storage space and comfortable living quarters. And while looking for an apartment recently I stumbled across these apartments for rent in Edmonton and signed up straight away as I found an amazing apartment 🙂

Below are two examples of garage apartment plans that would be suitable for a weekend home. Depending on the style and design of your garage apartment, you may need to hire roofing contractors to install it’s roofing system. Additionally, you may want to look for a reputable Timber Roof Truss Supplier if you plan on using timber trusses for your roofing system

062G-0084: For those who love modern styling, this nifty garage apartment has definite appeal for those wishing to own a modern weekend home. The two-car garage offers space along the back wall for working at the workbench. The spacious 10’ ceiling is a thoughtful extra. Check out the private entrance for the apartment. It has a handy bench and a coat closet at the foot of the interior staircase with a beautiful carpet done by the carpenters dublin. Upstairs you will find an efficient but sweet two-bedroom apartment, ideal for you and the kids or weekend guests. Natural light bathes the living area and kitchen from multiple windows. Conveniently hidden behind a closed door is a stacked washer/dryer. Occupants can step out onto a charming balcony to enjoy a breath of fresh air. Whether used as a weekend home, rented for extra income or housing extended family, this garage apartment is a sure step about a useful two-car garage. A regular inspection of your roof by companies like BigHorn is the best way to keep a small roofing problem from turning into a large one. The longevity of your roof will depend on regular maintenance and care.

051G-0101: An attractive multi-material façade presents a pretty picture for this carriage house plan. Enter the apartment from a covered porch adorned with a brick archway. Interior stairs lead to the 798 square foot apartment. One can also access the staircase from a door in the garage. Vaulted ceilings top the great room, kitchen, and bedroom adding a sense of spaciousness to the efficient living quarters. The kitchen features an island that can be used for food prep or dining. Laundry concerns are met with a laundry closet located across from a handy pantry. Don’t forget there is a 3-car garage on the main floor for all your auto and storage needs. Whether utilizing the apartment for your weekend home, guests, boarders or hired help, it is truly a jewel added to your domain.

If you’d like to view more options like these, browse our entire collection of garage apartment plans.

Tags: Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments

Garage apartment plans are available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and floor plans. They offer parking, storage space and accommodate a broad range of needs. In general, these designs offer at least one garage bay and finished living space either on the same level as the garage or above the garage. The living spaces can be optimized by adding the right kind of furniture, hiring an air conditioning contractor to install heating and air conditioning systems, choosing the lighting, and buying entertainment appliances.

With garage apartment plans, the garage varies in size from a 1-car garage to a 3-car garage with some bays large enough to accommodate an RV or a boat. To make it more secure, you may install a commercial fencing system all around the apartment garage.

Below is a list of eight garage apartment plans that are easily overlooked in our collection. Take some time to review these plans and find out what makes them special.

006G-0106 – This stylish 3-car garage apartment plan is designed to fit on a sloping lot. With the garage bays tucked into the hillside, the living quarters can be accessed from stairs in the garage or you might wish to add just a couple of steps leading to the optional deck and enter the living quarters from ground level. In addition to being well suited for a hillside, this garage apartment plan makes the ideal vacation home. With all the windows in the vaulted living room and the optional deck, this design is ideal for a lot with a view. Just imagine looking out from the mountain side or overlooking a beautiful lake!

010G-0022 – Rustic in design, this garage apartment plan has more to offer than meets the eye! At first glance, it appears to be a 2-car garage, but don’t be fooled! Tucked behind the double garage bay, you’
ll find a single garage bay that is accessed on the side. The extra bay is perfect for your weekend car! However, if you want to rent out the second floor apartment for additional income, your tenant can use the 1-car garage, and you can park your cars in the 2-car garage. Don’t miss the handy workshop! The living quarters feature a spacious great room, eating bar, and a stackable washer/dryer unit on the main floor.

012G-0047 – If you’re looking for a flexible design, this is on the one for you. In addition to the 2-car garage, this garage apartment plan features two carports, perfect for boat storage or of use as a grilling porch and just plain relaxing. The workshop accommodates the family handyman. Upstairs, the finished living space can serve as your art studio, workout room or home office, but when guest arrive, it can double as a living space for weekend visitors. A spacious bedroom  with one double bed and full bath complete the second floor.

027G-0011 – Efficient living with modern flair describes this stunning garage apartment plan! The garage floor plan offers a 1-car garage with storage in the rear. Don’t miss the rear overhead door making it easy to access the lawnmower, an ATV or motorcycle without having to back the car out of the garage. A utility sink and counter offer extra convenience. Upstairs, modest living quarters feature one bedroom, on bathroom, and an open floor plan anchored with an island and snack bar. A rear deck is ideal for those who enjoy grilling or relaxing outdoors. If you’re looking to add extra parking and living space to your modern home, this garage apartment design will compliment it well!

032G-0007 – As simple on the inside as it is on the outside, this 2-car garage apartment plan is designed for flexibility. The garage level can serve as extra parking, storage or a workshop depending on your specific needs. On the second floor, the finished living space is a flexible studio. With a kitchenette and a full bath, it works well as a guest suite, or it can provide that much needed home office or music studio that you don’t have room for in the main home. Or maybe this design will better serve your college student providing a quiet place to live and study without leaving home.

035G-0023 – This Craftsman-style garage apartment plan begins with a 3-car garage designed with extra deep bays. They are perfect for boat storage and oversized trucks and SUVs as well as other things. The apartment is a bit unusual in that it offers three bedrooms. This feature is uncommon among garage apartment plans making this design an excellent choice for a weekend getaway. You have room to store your boat, kayak, canoe or ATV in the garage and you have a space for the kids or friends to join you when it is time to get away from it all for a while. The living areas are spacious making it easy to gather, entertain or relax.

051G-0079 – Are you looking for a garage apartment plan that will provide your aging relative with independent living while still living close to you? This one-story garage apartment plan offers private living space for your loved one outside your home, but neatly tucked in your backyard. This keeps loved ones nearby in case of emergencies, while allowing them to still live as independently as possible. As our loved ones age, we worry about them falling or needing assistance and not being able to get in touch with us. On the other hand, they worry about us thinking they are no longer able to live alone. This garage apartment design is the ideal solution offering the best of both worlds. The living quarters offer a modest kitchen and comfortable great room, plus a generously sized bedroom and full bath with laundry facilities. If your loved one still drives, there is one garage bay beside the living quarters for them, plus an extra one for you. And the best thing is the 2-car garage has extra deep bays, ideal for boat storage or there is room in the rear for a small workbench or storage space.

053G-0013 – Here’s another 3-car garage apartment that delivers plenty of parking plus flexible living space. For those with a growing family fleet, a detached garage plan delivers extra parking and storage space. It is perfect for additional family cars, or other items like golf carts and ATVs, the family bikes, recycling bins or maybe a workshop. The second floor offers a studio apartment with full bath and galley kitchen. It is just right for your college student or rental property for those looking to earn a little extra income. If you prefer, finish the second level as recreation room, hobby area or home office. Furnished with a pull out couch and a few other basics, it can easily convert to a guest suite when weekend visitors arrive.

Though the basic nature or garage apartment plans is the same no matter the design, it is easy to see with the variety of floor plan we offer that there is something for everyone. And after you’ve considered these designs that you might have missed, take some time to browse our entire collection of garage apartment plans.

Tags: Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments

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