A garage is more than just a place to park your cars—it’s a storage hub for sports equipment, tools, lawn care supplies, and more. Whether you’re looking to renovate an existing garage, expand your home with a new attached garage, or even build a detached garage from scratch, there are plenty of options to enhance your home’s functionality and value. Even more exciting: with the 2024 Massachusetts law change allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), a garage addition can open up new possibilities for extra living space.
Three Approaches to a Garage Addition
1. Garage Renovation
If you already have a garage but it’s cluttered, outdated, or underutilized, a renovation might be the best approach. Common improvements include:
- Upgrading insulation and ventilation
- Installing better lighting, electrical outlets and electric vehicle charging capabilities
- Adding built-in storage or workbenches
- Converting part of the garage into a gym, hobby space, or mudroom
- Refinishing the floors with epoxy coatings for durability
The original single-bay garage on this home pictured above and below wasn’t adequate for the homeowner’s needs – in fact, they had semi-converted it into office space and left their vehicle outside full-time. To achieve their goals of additional living space PLUS an actual garage, we fully finished the original garage/makeshift office area including removing the overhead door, re-siding to match the house, adding new windows, side entry and a porch complete with a swing. Meanwhile, we added a new 24′ wide by 30′ deep attached garage with finished second floor office / recreation room above.
2. Attached Garage Addition
An attached garage provides seamless access to your home, making it a convenient option, especially in New England’s harsh winters. When planning an attached garage, we will work with you to consider:
- Matching the architectural style and materials of your home
- Optimizing space for cars, storage, or possibly a workshop
- Adding a finished room above the garage for extra living space
Cape Cod-style homes are iconic and cozy, but often lack a garage. We added two car bays to this Cape and gave the homeowners tons of useable space. This project also included the addition of a mudroom and new entry in the rear of the garage as well as a complete remodel of the kitchen.
3. Detached Garage
A detached garage offers more flexibility in terms of design and placement on your property. It can serve as:
- A traditional garage with ample storage
- A dedicated workshop or studio
- A pool house or recreational space
- A multi-functional space with an ADU above
In Lexington, we had the opportunity to build a new 25′ by 28′ detached garage that perfectly complements the home’s mid-century modern aesthetic. The garage blends seamlessly with the home’s architecture, maintaining the clean lines, simple forms, and iconic style of the era.
With ample space for both vehicles and additional storage, the garage offers a practical and functional solution for the homeowner’s needs. We also integrated modern touches, including installing electric heating and vehicle charging, ensuring that this new structure not only adds to the home’s charm but also meets the demands of today’s technology. We included a heating system in the garage as the homeowners are avid cyclists who needed space to work on their bikes in any weather.
Adding a Finished Room or ADU Above the Garage
For homeowners looking to maximize space, adding a finished room above a new garage can provide incredible benefits. Options include:
- Home Office: A quiet, dedicated workspace away from household distractions.
- Family Room or Bonus Space: A great place for entertainment, hobbies, or a playroom for kids.
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): With Massachusetts’ new zoning law, you can now build an ADU up to 900 square feet by-right. This could be a rental unit, an in-law apartment, or even a mini-apartment for a young adult returning from college. Prior to the law change we were able to build finished rooms, but weren’t permitted to add a bathroom or kitchenette.
The implications of the changes in the law are enormous for homeowners in our area. As a result of the new laws, a garage addition or renovation can become an opportunity to create a money-generating mini-apartment or living space for guests or relatives. So many possibilities!
The homeowner’s original detached, single-car, garage was crushed by a tree. They desired a new garage with livable space above. The second level of the new garage has a full bath and an open concept studio/office. When it was built, Arlington bylaws did not allow for a kitchenette without a special permit/variance. The recent law changes would have allowed for a kitchenette.
We added usable space above a new garage at the home below. This new garage replaced a crumbling stone structure set into a hill. Steep lots are not unusual in our area, but there are ways to work with the terrain to achieve what you want. In this case, we replaced the existing garage with a more attractive and efficient structure, but we also added a room above the garage for additional storage. Due to the slope of the lot, the upper room is easily accessible from above on the back side of the garage.
Planning Your Garage Addition
Before starting your garage addition project, consider these key factors:
- Zoning and Permitting: Ensure compliance with local regulations, especially if building an ADU.
- Design and Aesthetics: Work with an architect or design-build firm to create a seamless look. A design-build firm like Custom Contracting can ensure that you not only get the most out of the new space, but that it looks like the garage was originally part of the home.
- Functionality: Plan for storage, insulation, and energy efficiency.
- Future Needs: Think ahead—will this space need to serve multiple purposes over time?
A well-designed garage addition not only increases your home’s functionality but also adds long-term value. Whether you’re looking to renovate, expand, or build from scratch, the possibilities are greater than ever. We look forward to discovering them with you!
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