How to Design a 2-Story Garage

Find garage designs that look appealing in home design books. Plan to build a two-two garage that harmonizes with the house design in every way. Keep in mind that a home's resale value will be higher if the garage exterior and house exterior are both constructed of matching brick, for example. Try to build the garage so that it will look as if it's always been in place, not built as an afterthought.

Measure the allowable yard space for a garage. Make plans to build a garage with interior dimensions that are no less than 22 feet by 22 feet. Build a larger garage if it will not overpower the house and the budget will accommodate the extra square footage. Plan to add windows in the attic loft area, so that these will already be in place for construction in this space later on. Add windows now, since the cost during initial construction will be minimal.

Sketch the roof shape to fit the home's roof lines. Draw an A-frame, barn shaped roof or roof with multiple slopes and lines. Add dormer windows if the house has similar windows. Plan to build the bottom part of the garage with ceiling joists constructed as trusses, so they will serve as the flooring joists for a future room built in the attic space. Use trusses for the ceiling joists for the first-floor level, since this means no support posts will be required within the garage space.

Create overhangs for the garage that match overhang spaces on the house. Sketch trim that harmonizes with the wood trim on the house in every respect. Add a walk-out door to the garage on the side next to the house. Plan to install double garage doors that will be installed side by side, or hang a large single door that is wide enough to accommodate two cars driving in. Use carriage doors, if this matches the home's architecture.

Draw all details of the garage on graph paper. Use hardware for garage doors and walk-out doors that fit the home's design. Install colonial hinges on garage carriage doors, for example, if this fits the design of the house and its entry doors. Sketch the driveway and surrounding landscaping of the garage space on graph paper too. Make sure the garage looks proportionate with the house in all respects.