You need a bathroom and lounge area with sofas, small kitchen, fridge, television
dream garage needs all the creature comforts
dream garage needs all the creature comforts
Dream garages and gear
So I’m in the midst of designing my dream garage and was hoping to get some feed back/advice from others that have done the same. I initially have 2 questions, down below.
But I figured this might be a nice thread and knowledge repository of do’s and don’t for others over time.
If this thread grows I’ll turn it into an FAQ for suggestions that folks seem to agree on regarding a good garage design on things like:
Also, I’d love it if people used this to show off their garages, ideas, and examples of dream garages
…
Here are some links to other threads that have interesting examples or info:
www.mclarenlife.com
www.mclarenlife.com
www.mclarenlife.com
www.mclarenlife.com
www.mclarenlife.com
…
Anyway, I’ll likely document my own journey here over some time, if there is an interest.
…
For my particular setup we plan on having 3 regularly used cars. His, hers, and a truck. I think our garage will have 6 car “slots”. 3 cars wide, 2 cars deep. That way the main cars can always get in and out with little hassle. I also figure we may have some specialty vehicles, off road vehicles, maybe a track car, bikes, over time. Add into the mix, I know I will get at least one lift so I can work on a car (simple service stuff like oil/filter—and maybe build my own kit car as a fun hobby like the SCG 008). But maybe it makes sense to get 6 lifts and boost storage up to 12 cars?
Questions
1) My first question is, if you were building your dream garage, how many car slots would you build, and how much room would you allocate beyond that for tools, shelving, storage, maybe even a bit of office space?| Also what is a good “size” for a car slot (ie how many feet length by depth per slot makes sense to be comfortable but not wasteful)?
I’m thinking whatever the size I need for the 3x2 car slots, maybe size the garage with another 25% more space for shelves, equipment, etc? Curious if some of you allocated too much or too little space to your garage for things other than cars and if there is a good rule of thumb here.
2) What lift systems do you guys like the most?
If I recall, McMedics prefer 2 post vs 4 post lifts to do work on, but was wondering if there is a consensus on the best kinds of lifts, or particular brand/model that people really like. I may have a large Raptor or CyberTruck and not sure if there are lifts that could accommodate them below, much less on top.
Thanks for any ideas/suggestions.
But I figured this might be a nice thread and knowledge repository of do’s and don’t for others over time.
If this thread grows I’ll turn it into an FAQ for suggestions that folks seem to agree on regarding a good garage design on things like:
- Garage door/opener systems
- Best flooring types
- Lifts
- Shelving/storage systems
- Tools
- Work benches/stations
- Layout
- Electrical facilities
- Electronics
- Temperature/environmental/HVAC/Filtration systems
- Water facilities/systems (eg indoor car wash/detailing?)
- etc.
Also, I’d love it if people used this to show off their garages, ideas, and examples of dream garages
…
Here are some links to other threads that have interesting examples or info:
Garage condo pictures
A few members had asked that I post some pictures of my garage condo, so here you go. My condo is part of Iron Gate Motor Condos which is in Naperville, Illinois (a western suburb of Chicago). It is a relatively new project and is modeled after the AutoMotoPlex in Minnesota. The project will...
www.mclarenlife.com
Garage Location 1 of 3 complete
Finally - garage location 1 of 3 is complete after over a year of construction. Moved in some of the cars this past weekend. Family collection that will be housed at 3 different locations within 10 minutes of each other. Here are a few picture of some of the cars that have made it to the garage...
www.mclarenlife.com
Garage Car Lift Question
Does anybody here have a garage car lift - AND are able to have the Mc on the bottom (dihedral doors)? I'd like to store a lessor used garage queen above my McLaren - but don't know if opening and closing the doors would be possible... If you do have one and can open/close your doors while...
www.mclarenlife.com
Garage floor options
Hey guys, I saw AM's thread and it got me motivated to finally upgrade my garage floor. I am starting this thread just as a reminder to me and also to keep all the info I have read lately in one place. If you guys have redone your garage floors then please post any comments pics etc...
www.mclarenlife.com
looking for flooring ideas
Im finally getting around to working on my garage. Im looking for flooring ideas. We have a large size garage (Garage is 36' deep by 40' wide 1440 sqft) to work with so Im also getting bids on installing a drain so I can wash the cars without too much of a mess on the ground. I have seen a few...
www.mclarenlife.com
Anyway, I’ll likely document my own journey here over some time, if there is an interest.
…
For my particular setup we plan on having 3 regularly used cars. His, hers, and a truck. I think our garage will have 6 car “slots”. 3 cars wide, 2 cars deep. That way the main cars can always get in and out with little hassle. I also figure we may have some specialty vehicles, off road vehicles, maybe a track car, bikes, over time. Add into the mix, I know I will get at least one lift so I can work on a car (simple service stuff like oil/filter—and maybe build my own kit car as a fun hobby like the SCG 008). But maybe it makes sense to get 6 lifts and boost storage up to 12 cars?
Questions
1) My first question is, if you were building your dream garage, how many car slots would you build, and how much room would you allocate beyond that for tools, shelving, storage, maybe even a bit of office space?| Also what is a good “size” for a car slot (ie how many feet length by depth per slot makes sense to be comfortable but not wasteful)?
I’m thinking whatever the size I need for the 3x2 car slots, maybe size the garage with another 25% more space for shelves, equipment, etc? Curious if some of you allocated too much or too little space to your garage for things other than cars and if there is a good rule of thumb here.
2) What lift systems do you guys like the most?
If I recall, McMedics prefer 2 post vs 4 post lifts to do work on, but was wondering if there is a consensus on the best kinds of lifts, or particular brand/model that people really like. I may have a large Raptor or CyberTruck and not sure if there are lifts that could accommodate them below, much less on top.
Thanks for any ideas/suggestions.
1 - 20 of 49 Posts
I have a few thoughts, as I’m in the middle of a detached lower garage project. I was limited to 1000 sq. ft. and various set-back requirements. Hell, it took 6 mos. and $15K before a shovel was even put in ground.
![Fixture Wood Shade Building Window]()
![Sky Building Tree Wood Fixture]()
1. Size: If you’re going to do two cars per bay, you’ll need to be at least 35 ft deep from entrance. I would add an additional 10 ft. minimum to depth if you’re adding cabinets and lounge area(s).
2. Lifts: Minimum of 12 ft. ceiling height if doing lifts. Yes, 2 posts are much better for working on the car. Wheel, brake work etc. is a PITA w/ a bottle jack and cross member on a 4 post.
3. Flooring: Epoxy will yellow in time with a lot of UV. Polyaspartic with high solid content is the way forward. Polished and/or stained concrete w/a Poly clear is probably what I’m doing for wear characteristics and aesthetics.
4. Garage Doors: If single bays, 10 ft. wide and at least 8 ft. high. Higher if you’re a lifted truck guy, Van Life etc. I use Lift Master Side Openers (jack shafts) with extended tracking to get as close to ceiling as possible.
5. Lighting: LED for working on cars. Recessed for mood. Track to accent cars/bays. Dimmers w/ smart switches always.
6. Wifi: Cat 6 Min. (TV, Sonos,Hub, Lift apps, on and on.
7. Slab: 6” concrete reinforced w/rebar, fiberglass strands, foam insulation or variation if you’re adding HVAC.
8. HVAC: Look at the split systems for efficiency and ease of installation.
9. Electrical: 200 Amp. You can never have too many outlets. A few in the ceiling for retractable extensions, lifts, tenders etc.
10. Windows: Consider frosting, tinting to minimize UV and security/privacy.
I’m sure I’ll have more to add, but this is a start. 🙂
1. Size: If you’re going to do two cars per bay, you’ll need to be at least 35 ft deep from entrance. I would add an additional 10 ft. minimum to depth if you’re adding cabinets and lounge area(s).
2. Lifts: Minimum of 12 ft. ceiling height if doing lifts. Yes, 2 posts are much better for working on the car. Wheel, brake work etc. is a PITA w/ a bottle jack and cross member on a 4 post.
3. Flooring: Epoxy will yellow in time with a lot of UV. Polyaspartic with high solid content is the way forward. Polished and/or stained concrete w/a Poly clear is probably what I’m doing for wear characteristics and aesthetics.
4. Garage Doors: If single bays, 10 ft. wide and at least 8 ft. high. Higher if you’re a lifted truck guy, Van Life etc. I use Lift Master Side Openers (jack shafts) with extended tracking to get as close to ceiling as possible.
5. Lighting: LED for working on cars. Recessed for mood. Track to accent cars/bays. Dimmers w/ smart switches always.
6. Wifi: Cat 6 Min. (TV, Sonos,Hub, Lift apps, on and on.
7. Slab: 6” concrete reinforced w/rebar, fiberglass strands, foam insulation or variation if you’re adding HVAC.
8. HVAC: Look at the split systems for efficiency and ease of installation.
9. Electrical: 200 Amp. You can never have too many outlets. A few in the ceiling for retractable extensions, lifts, tenders etc.
10. Windows: Consider frosting, tinting to minimize UV and security/privacy.
I’m sure I’ll have more to add, but this is a start. 🙂
deleteSo you guys are saying it’s essentially a trophy room!
1 - 20 of 49 Posts
