So you’re thinking about a detached garage. Welcome to the club! For those confused, a detached garage is just a garage that’s free standing- meaning your garage is completely separated from the rest of your house.
Detached garages were really big back in the 1940’s and 50’s, but fell out of style in the 60’s when houses began to be constructed with built-in garages. But, just because they’re out of style doesn’t mean they’re out of use!
For one, unlike an attached garage, detached garages are easy to work with. Think about it in terms of remodeling- it’s way simpler to build a separate structure than to try to add a garage onto your house directly.
Plus, if you decide you want to expand on your detached garage later, you’ve got full reign of the land! You can expand on it both vertically and horizontally without being interrupted by the pre-existing architecture of a house on its surrounding sides.
Even if you’re more in the set-it-and-forget-it mindset when it comes to remodeling, detached garages still have some big advantages. Take safety, for instance. With an attached garage, storing your car there has some risk of fumes leaking from the garage into your house. Without those two rooms being so close, your house will be much safer.
Plus, who doesn’t love having a little separate space? A detached garage means you’ve got the space to do anything you want, at whatever volume you want, without bothering people in the house. Whether you’re interested in hosting a ruckus party or finally have the woodshop (and circular saw) you’ve always dreamed of, having a separate space is great for keeping the main home peaceful and organized.
So, if you’re looking to build or remodel a detached garage, here are some ideas on interiors and exteriors to get you going!
Part of the appeal of a detached garage is that it’s separate from the rest of the house. So, if you so choose, you can make your garage have its own unique aesthetic! In the case that your detached garage is tucked into a garden space like this one, why not go for a #cottagecore aesthetic?
Cottagecore is an up-and-coming trend inspired by the old English countryside aesthetic. It’s all about old brick, rustic design, and nature. While it might be too late to turn your whole house into a fairy’s paradise, you could still go all-out with your garage!
If you’re looking for a garage that just feels seamless with the rest of your space, why not go for neutral tones? Neutral colors are great because they’re classic and won’t become outdated.
Plus, home care and remodels are easy with neutral colors. By maintaining a neutral base of the exterior, you’re free to use accent colors however you want. And yeah, that includes covering up bad accidents. If you, or uh- “your neighbor,” dent the garage door, no worries! You don’t have to stress about hunting down the exact same shade the door used to be. Instead, you can easily swap it out for a fun, new color that still ties into the rest of your design scheme.
Depending on your home’s region and climate, natural building materials can be a great exterior aesthetic choice for your detached garage! If you hate endless conversations about paint swatches, wood might be a great choice for you. No more pouring over the nuances of “eggshell” versus “off-white”- just pick between a couple different woods and you’re done!
Plus, they look great in rural environments like the one pictured above. Just be sure to take proper care of your exterior if you choose a raw material like wood. You could risk mold or mildew if you leave it up to its own devices.
If you’re looking for a little more elbow room when guests come over, a detached garage is a great place to hang out. The separation from the rest of the house makes the detached garage a great place for a small gathering, no matter how loud.
Plus, they’re also great for sub-parties! If you’ve got a lot of people over, a cool garage is a great place to chat with friends, play a board game, or just get some peace and quiet.
Woodworking is a great hobby, and one that certainly requires a lot of room. Because detached garages are so easy to build and expand, they’re a great place to set up shop! With a workshop that’s separate from the house, you’ll have a lot more space to move around than in an attached garage.
Plus, let’s not forget the benefit of noise reduction. With your workshop in a detached garage, noise complaints will become a little less often from your fellow residents. That said, it’s probably still not a great idea to fire up the circular saw in the middle of the night.
Stop! Put down the treadmill! If you’re thinking of converting your college kid’s bedroom into a gym, we’ve got a better idea for you. You can keep the same amount of bedrooms by turning a detached garage into a gym instead! And there’ll probably be more room in a garage for all the equipment, anyhow.
We hope you enjoyed these detached garage remodel ideas! Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg. With the space that your detached garage provides you, you’ll be able to do whatever you like. You could turn your place into a hobby lounge like the one above, a hidden library- anything!
No matter what your vision is, we hope that you enjoy making a detached garage into a space that’s all your own.
