When it comes to extending your home by building a new building on your lot, a detached garage is always an excellent solution. Researching what you need and what your options are is an important part of the process. One great way to figure out the best solution for your new building project is by checking out detached garage expansion ideas (often that leads us to Pinterest).
It can be overwhelming to see all the various options and solutions! Either way, seeing the way other people have designed or utilized their space can really give you a spark of inspiration. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 7 of our favorite practical detached garage expansion ideas.
Detached Garage Expansion Ideas
Whatever reason you have for considering expanding with a new detached garage, remember you can custom design it however you like.
Considering unique and useful garage expansion ideas can help you decide what type of features you want to include in your new building. Read on to find inspiration to help you design your very own garage in a way perfect for you.
1. Professional Home Office
In light of the 2020 COVID restrictions, more people are working from home than ever before. And many predict this is a staying trend.
So, investing in building a home office away from your home (a little) and in your new detached garage is a great idea. You will have an added layer of privacy and peace away from the buzz of your home. Plus, when you actually “go to work” you can still leave the office and “travel” back home at the end of the day. As in, you get to maintain those lines between work and home life balance.
2. Workout Gym-Room
Along the same line of reasoning, a home gym provides you a place to go if pandemic restrictions have limited your access to working out. Plus, you can work out without having to travel to a gym. One of the most common reasons people give is that they don’t have time, but if you have a gym literally seconds from your home, that excuse simply disappears.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting sweaty in front of others, you can set up a TV to watch your favorite show to distract you, and you can shower in your own shower when you’re finished.
Bonus: If you add both a detached garage office and gym, the amount of time you save in travel from the office to the gym also disappears.
3. Hobby or Garden or Tool Shed
Converting a part of your detached garage expansion into a space that gives you a dedicated area for your passion will allow you to truly get into that creative flow or channel your zen. Whether you are into painting, woodworking, yoga, making your own sausage, or gardening, you will have an environment built out for that very purpose.
Plus, you can add custom features like a workbench, potting station, or deep stainless steel sink. Adding custom features that make clean up, organization, or processes easier, will give you more time to lose yourself in your creative zone and not worry about how to get there or the subsequent cleanup.
4. Outdoor Family Den
Having a dedicated outdoor living space for your family can give you tons more space.
If you have little kiddos, you can build a garage space with tumble-safe flooring and keep all the messy toys and crafting materials. You can even have a wall for your kids to paint or color on without fear.
For when those toddlers grow up, if you have teens or for those with grandchildren, you can design a family movie den or gaming room in your detached garage expansion. Having a place where loud teenagers can hang out and be themselves makes everyone happy.
5. Guest Living Quarters
Whether you want to host family and friends or are interested in extra space to rent out, you can easily add a bedroom or loft to your detached garage. Using space-friendly furniture can maximize your space (like a sofa bed or futon).
Plus, you have the option to make it a full-blown apartment set up with a kitchen and bathroom or a more minimal design.
6. Man Cave or She Cave
Do you need a place to retreat?
Don’t we all? Whether you are a man or a woman, you deserve a separate space to call your own. One that’s really away from it all. Plus, you can have a space designed just the way you like it (without having to consult your spouse!)
You might want to consider installing a reading nook, wine bar, or sewing sanctuary for a she cave. For the men, they can store their whiskey collection or set up a gaming station.
Bonus: Why settle for one or the other? That wouldn’t be fair. If you have space, you can build out both a man cave and a she cave!
7. Drive-Through Garage
A drive-through garage means you have two garage doors facing each other so you can drive in one door and straight out the other. (That means no backing up!)
It’s a unique design option and a fabulous way to store your precious automotive collection. Make sure you have room for your mechanic tools if you also like to tinker with the engine.
Benefits of Building a Detached Garage Expansion
If you still aren’t sure whether adding a detached garage expansion is right for you, we understand. It is a big decision after all.
So, think about how often you use your garage. Do you have piles of cardboard boxes or unorganized seasonal decorations heaped in a mess? Do you get a headache every time you think about having to find a solution for that disorderly space? Does your car even fit inside your garage anymore?
Perhaps you are in need of extra space for your new car. Or maybe your growing family means your living space needs some additional square footage. These are just some of the questions and reasons people find themselves pondering whether or not to add a detached garage expansion.
The thing is, detached garages can prove useful for a whole slew of reasons. Here are a few of our favorite high-level benefits:
- Add property value: When updating your property with a new building, if done right, you will increase property value by adding living space or additional storage.
- Personalized customizations: You can design your new space with custom features that will help you stay organized, have easier access to your car, or even allow you to park your boat.
- Optimizing garage usefulness: Often, people choose detached garage expansions for their property to provide functional additions. Whether it be for extra garden space, adding in extra living space, or building out a home office, detached garages offer a wide range of customizations to fit each individual’s unique situation and desires.
- Design Freedom: Detached garages are physically separated from your home, so you can customize them with architectural features that set them apart. Consider adding classic barn-like silhouettes, edgy modern materials, or even employing energy-efficient technologies.
Is a Detached Garage Extension What You Need?
We know deciding to build a new building on your property is a huge decision. So hopefully these detached garage expansion ideas helped you figure out just what you are looking for.
Carefully determining if a detached garage is right for you is one of the first steps when considering expansion. If you need help with deciding what the best solution is for you and what your options are, feel free to contact us here at Sheaffer Construction.
Our team at Sheaffer Construction has experience building a wide range of detached garages in Northern Virginia. Plus, as area experts, our team knows the tricky local processes for dealing with county building codes and specifications. We would be more than happy to help you achieve the detached garage extension best suited for you and your family.