Hey there, it’s Pat from Garage How To and this is the How to Build a Garage series. Follow along as I build my own garage and share every step along the way.
This video is focused on Step 1, the Dreaming Phase, which I will be covering in 2 parts. This is Part 1 where I will give you a broad list of things to consider when designing your garage.
In Part 2, I will share the specifics of my own dreaming phase and how it impacted the design for my personal garage.
Step 1. Dreaming
Once you decide you want to build a garage, the first step in the process doesn’t involve blueprints or hammers and nails. The first step is to start dreaming about the perfect garage for you.
What makes for a perfect garage? Only you can answer that question, but a good place to start is thinking about how you will use the newly created space.
I like to think of this as simply letting your mind go wild. You begin by asking yourself a LOT of questions, like:
- What is the purpose of my garage?
- What will I park or store, or do in my garage?
- How big should my garage be?
- Where will I build my garage?
- Will it be attached or detached?
- Will it include extra storage space?
- Will it include an attic, or a full second story, or a bonus room, or an apartment, studio or shop?
- Will I heat it?
The list of questions is long, but you must ask them to be sure the end product is what you want.
Start dreaming about the ideal garage and write everything down that comes to mind. Don’t filter your ideas. Just write everything down.
After asking yourself so many questions, it’s a great idea to just go drive around and look at garages. While you are driving, pay attention to:
- Size relative to the house
- How the garage fits with the house design
- Garage doors.
- Windows?
- No windows?
- Style – flat, raised panel, carriage house, wood, metal, etc.
- Height – 7 foot, 8 foot, taller
- Width – 8, 9 or 10 feet
- One or two story
Then go to a store that carries lots of magazines and start flipping through building magazines to look at garages. Or find magazines or books that include dozens or hundreds of garage plans to review. Or house plans that also include a garage.
If you don’t like magazines, search for garage plans online, or visit Houzz to get more garage planning ideas.
I like looking at actual, physical magazines or books I can hold in my hands. If you find a design you like, take a picture of it (every smartphone has a camera, right?).
If you don’t have a local bookstore, try the public library. Most libraries have a nice selection of books and magazines with house plans you can look at for inspiration.
Next, go online and search through the garage plans you find at dozens of sites. Since you have already looked at dozens of real houses with garages, you will have a better idea how different garage designs fit with different house designs.
One of the most important things to consider is how the garage design will fit with the house. Be sure your design fits with your house so it will look like it belonged there all along.
Free Downloadable Guide
Need Help? If you need some help getting started with designing your perfect garage, I created a free downloadable guide that is loaded with ideas and design considerations, as well as a list of my top online resources for inspiration.
SEND ME THE GUIDE PLEASE!
If you want to see what was on my Dream Garage List, watch the next video in this series.
Talk again soon – this is Pat from GarageHowTo.com.