A garage is a great way to raise your property value, but only if you do it right. Making some common garage design mistakes could lead to weak curb appeal. Nevertheless, don’t let fear stop you from adding a garage and boosting the value of your home.

First Impressions Really Count

What do we mean by curb appeal? Basically, it is a simple concept with a complicated execution. When someone stops in front of your house, does it appeal to them? Does the exterior of your home feel inviting and homey, or elegant and beautiful? When it comes to listing your home for sale, curb appeal is a vital component.

Houses with better curb appeal often command a higher asking price than those with poor curb appeal. This is true even for houses that are essentially identical in other ways. That’s why you want to keep your landscape up to date and a new coat of paint to your home before you try to sell it. In the end, all the little touches more than pay for themselves. You can expect them to raise the perceived value of the house much more than the price of paint and a tree trim.

A great garage is one of the aspects of curb appeal that can raise it. If you have the wrong garage, however, it can ruin the image you’re trying to create. For example, your garage should never dominate the view of your house. The view from your windows should include more than the roof of your garage. When you’re designing your garage, make an effort to think not just in terms of what you want, but how the garage will work with your home. From the street, will it add to the value of your home or take away from it?

Complement the Style of Your House

When you’re building your own garage, you have a lot of control. Most people think primarily about their needs while they’re improving their house, which makes sense on the surface–but not beneath. Even if you think you’re going to be happy in your home forever, it pays to consider what will enhance the value. The easiest way to do this is to start with the outside. Does the style of the garage match the house?

You wouldn’t want to put a ranch-style garage with a colonial house. As much as you might love the clay tile roof and short stature, it just won’t look natural. Focus on enhancing the beauty of the front of the house. Additionally, consider whether the garage is the right size. A too small garage will look odd and be less practical. Anything less than a full car garage simply isn’t worth the hassle. On the other hand, you don’t want to add a three-car garage that dominates the front of your home. You need to find a style and size that work for your house.

If you have your heart set on one garage style, it’s hard to change your mind. Protect yourself from disappointment by deciding on your garage’s style, size, and placement before anything else. Consider the view from the curb. If a colossal garage would be a great workshop but overwhelms the rest of your house, you could be eating into the value that you hoped to add. Balance what you want with what your home needs in order to look great.