When you bought your first home, was the garage an afterthought? If so, you’re not alone. Most of us use our garages to park our cars and store holiday decorations. We typically don’t think of how a well-designed garage can transform our daily lives in ways we might not expect. But when you think of adding a garage, you deserve to design your garage your way, including smart planning for functional dream spaces.
Garages have certainly changed. That’s where Behm Design comes in: If you’re building from scratch, renovating, or simply reorganizing, your garage deserves thoughtful consideration beyond the basics of shelter for your vehicles. Behm Design has many plans from which you can choose.
Think Beyond The Car
Let’s be real—most of us use our garages for far more than parking. A 2023 home organization survey revealed that over 65% of homeowners use their garages for multiple purposes. From workout spaces to woodworking shops, home offices to band practice rooms, garages have evolved from simple car shelters to multi-functional extensions of our living space.
Even mansions with elaborate garages sometimes never see the car inside. People want workshop space, home gyms, man caves, and organized storage, so the garage has become prime real estate.
Sometimes, all we need is to see someone else’s solution to make us want a solution, too.
When Designing Your Garage Your Way…
Assess Your Needs First
Before picking a garage plan, take inventory of what you need.
Ask yourself:
- How many vehicles need covered parking?
- Do you need storage for seasonal items?
- Will you need a workspace for projects?
- Does your climate demand special considerations?
Here’s what you don’t want: you don’t want to regret your plans. Why plan a two-car garage and neglect your gardening or woodworking passion? If you do that, where will you hang your garden tools? Where will you have your potting space? What will happen? Your car will sit outside while your plants take over the garage.
Size Matters
Do we need oversized garages these days? Our vehicles have grown, so it only makes sense. The traditional garage doesn’t accommodate larger trucks and SUVs with room to spare.
For comfortable parking and door-opening space, consider going larger: 14×22 for single vehicles and 24×24 for two cars. If you need your garage to double as a workspace, you might want to supersize it.
The Foundation of Functionality
Dreaming about epoxy floors and custom cabinets? Who doesn’t? Even so, a good first step is to focus on foundational elements that determine long-term satisfaction:
- Electrical capacity: Plan for more outlets than you think you’ll need, positioned at convenient heights. Include 220-volt service if you anticipate power tools, EV charging, or specialized equipment.
- Climate control: Insulation protects your vehicles and stored items. Consider heating options for cold climates and ventilation for hot ones.
- Flooring: Concrete isn’t your only option. Epoxy coatings resist stains and clean easily while interlocking tiles provide comfort for standing projects.
- Lighting: Poor lighting transforms potential workspace into wasted space. Combine overhead LED fixtures with task lighting for workbenches and storage areas.
- Storage infrastructure: Free up floor space with wall-mounted systems.
The Door Decision
When is a garage door the best kind of door? Answer: when your garage door combines security with personality that adds to your home’s curb appeal.
Beyond aesthetics, think about:
- Material: Do you want steel or wood? Some people swear by steel because it’s durable and requires less maintenance, while some folks prefer the classic look that wood provides, even though it needs upkeep.
- Insulation: If you’re looking for energy efficiency, try insulation.
Operation: Modern doors offer smart features like security cameras and phone-controlled operation. It’s handy to check whether you closed the door from your phone. There was a time we couldn’t do that, but modern technology makes it so we don’t have to make those countless worry-filled return trips home.
Storage Solutions that Work
Are you a vertical thinker? It pays to look up.
- Ceiling space can accommodate rarely-used items like holiday decorations or camping gear.
- Wall space, equipped adequately with pegboards, slat walls, or adjustable shelving. Hello order, goodbye chaos.
- As long as you’re increasing your space plan storage around zones: Create specific zones for automotive supplies, gardening tools, sports equipment, and seasonal items. Everything needs a designated home that’s visible and accessible.
From Practical to Dream-Worthy
Once usefulness is addressed, consider adding upgrades to elevate your garage experience:
- Workbenches: Custom-height surfaces with integrated power and lighting transform project time.
- Entertainment systems: Weather-resistant speakers or televisions make garage time more enjoyable.
- Specialized flooring: Cushioned surfaces for fitness areas or chemical-resistant finishes for workshops.
- Custom cabinetry: Purpose-built storage that protects and organizes equipment.
- Car lifts: Home mechanics will love this one. Vertical storage multiplies usable space.
- One more reason to enjoy your new garage: being able to find tools.
Planning for the Future
One commonly overlooked aspect of garage planning is future-proofing. EV charging capabilities, adaptive storage systems, and flexible space division can prevent costly renovations down the road.
Here’s an idea: Install a conduit in the walls during construction, which makes adding electrical outlets for my woodworking hobby simple.
None of us has a crystal ball, but you’ll do yourself a favor if you think about what might change in how you use the space.
The Bottom Line
Your perfect garage balances current needs with future possibilities. Consider functionality over flash. A well-designed garage enhances daily life in tangible ways, adding financial and practical value. It can serve as both vehicle protection and a weekend workshop.
The garage of your dreams might not happen overnight, but thoughtful planning ensures that each improvement brings you closer to a space that serves your life rather than simply housing your stuff.
Photo by Pixabay via Pexels
If you’re wondering which design is right for you, check out the creations at Behm Designs. Call us today, and let us help. After all, the best garage isn’t the showiest one—it’s the one that makes your daily life easier, your hobbies more accessible, and your home more functional.