The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Two-Story Garages For Your Home 

Choosing the right garage size is all about understanding what you need your garage to do for you. Too small and it’s not useful; too big and you waste money. Two-story garages allow homeowners to transform a sheltered space into anything, from an extra bedroom to a storage room. They can also match the architectural style of their home, adding to the overall appeal and resale value.

Style

When it comes to enhancing home space, adding two story garages is the most efficient project. It requires less land to build a larger footprint, and the additional structure is also more versatile than a typical one-story garage. Whether you’re planning to use your garage as a workshop, a storage area, or even a guest house down the road, it’s important to design your garage to adapt to changing needs. For example, a small bump-out near the entrance can keep the weather off the front door and provide a spot for a potting bench or gardening station.

Another simple way to make your garage look more integrated is to match the architectural style of your house. This can be done using matching siding, trim details, or other visual cues. For instance, brick wainscot around the base of your garage can transition seamlessly to stucco or fiber-cement siding above the wainscot. Similarly, wood-framed windows and doors can match those of your house to create a more cohesive appearance.

Size

Most standard two-car garages are about 21 feet wide by 22 feet deep. That’s plenty of room for most vehicles, but you might need more space if you want to work on cars and other projects inside or use it as an extra living space.

Many people add a second story to their garage because it allows them to transform the space into an extra living area that will boost the home’s resale value. This can be anything from a garage apartment to a workshop.

Choose a design that uses the same architectural details to keep the structure looking like it was designed to fit next to your house. For example, a small entry porch will add shadowlines that tie the garage to your home and make it look like an extension of the front of the house. Also, try to avoid the wedding cake effect where the upper walls are stepped inward on all sides — this will create a boxy, utilitarian building that detracts from your curbside appeal.

Materials

Two-story garages allow you to add living space without needing a large footprint on your property. They can be used as an extra home office, studio for art, music, other hobbies, recreation area, workshop, or more. If you use the second story for living space, consider adding dormers or a Gambrel-style roof for more ceiling height. This will provide more design options for the second floor and make the structure more visually appealing. It’s also a good idea to match your home’s windows with the garage so that the two structures look more like one cohesive whole rather than an odd pair of detached buildings. This will help the garage blend seamlessly with your house and increase its resale value. 

Budget

Adding a two-story garage is an investment, but it will increase the resale value of your home. You can choose from various garage plans, from a basic storage room to an entire apartment. However, consider the cost and budget before deciding on a garage plan.

For example, a two-story garage requires a larger footprint than one-story garages. You may also need to upgrade the electrical and plumbing systems to accommodate the additional space. You should consult a professional to ensure your budget will allow you to build the garage of your dreams. It would help if you also remembered that a garage should complement the style of your home. To achieve this, you should match the exterior materials.