Join the Family

Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter featuring the very latest from Petrolicious. Don’t be left out—join the ranks of those who Drive Tastefully.

Already a member?

How was the drive?

We're glad you're back.

Not a member yet?

Forgot your password?

Reset Your Password

We'll get you back on track.

Journal: What’s Your Ideal Garage?

What’s Your Ideal Garage?

By Michael Banovsky
April 29, 2016
36 comments

Is your idea of the perfect garage one that’s filled to the brim with cars and stuff, or one that celebrates the design—and space—for just a single cherished example? We’re lucky enough to have been invited to tour many impressive spaces, and it’s impossible to get tired of it.

Each garage is as unique as the items inside (and the person who put them there), and we’ve seen just about everything, from stark and Batman-like to cluttered and bursting with vintage everything. Some collectors like to arrange everything—cars, collectibles, etc.—in neat little rows, others just pile things up, where they sit until someone visits and makes an offer.

Me? Something small, minimal, and definitely not dingy—my most cherished possessions should be shown in the right light, you know?

Our films have featured all types, and here’s a small selection of our favorites. So, what’s your ideal garage like?

Photography by: Afshin Behnia, Amy Shore, Jack Olsen

Tags Garage/ Questions
Join the Conversation
View Comments

36
Related
0 0 votes
Article Rating
36 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Didier ROZE
Didier ROZE
4 years ago

The DID’s garage … mine !!!

1
Zac
Zac
5 years ago

Anyone see Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift? Han’s garage is pretty much ideal.
Complete with hangout areas, a dance floor, bunk beds, multiple car lifts, a drift course outside, and an endless supply of models… 😀

0
David Pierson
David Pierson
5 years ago

I’ve sat down and designed my dream garage. It came out looking like Jay Leno’s garage. 200×80 feet, 20 foot ceilings, paint bay.
All the tools needed for full vehicle restoration and space for storage of completed vehicles.
My wallet disagrees.

3
Harrison Davis
Harrison Davis
5 years ago

I love them all, but you have to commit to whatever you do. Weather that be a classic old school cluttered shop, a Showroom like garage, or a laboratory for building cars, it all looks great to me. What looks horrible is when its just a not thought through mess, half way between them all.. Thats kinda what my garage looks like now, but ill be getting my own house in the next few years, and then I’ll make the garage really mine!

2
Alex Antunes
Alex Antunes
5 years ago

Here’s mine 🙂

4
Scott
Scott
5 years ago

Here’s mine. Simple, cozy, and cold, but everybody loves a library ladder.

4
Paul Bilek
Paul Bilek
6 years ago

I went for the minimal approach, my car is the star. Simple, but like a little showroom.

3
Jono51
Jono51
6 years ago

It’s big – at least 100 square meters of floor space and a stud height sufficient for a proper hoist. Two hoists is probably a good idea actually.

It’s not very tidy, because almost all of the cars in it are work in progress. There are tools and parts littered about everywhere. I like chaos. Order is death.

There might be one car that is in really nice condition and lives under a dust cover at one end, but the two or three cars I actually use are likely to be parked outside.

2
Azmi Afyouni
Azmi Afyouni
6 years ago

It all depends; is it for garage queens, or DIY projects?

0
Andrzej Roman
Andrzej Roman
6 years ago

Dream: Separate from the house, 2 car wide, 2 car deep. I’d love to keep 2 cars in there at all times and enough space for a proper workshop in addition. I do appreciate the lavish garages but i’m drawn to a space which has been in the works as time goes on.

Reality: I’m currently in a 1 car garage (20ft x 10ft). creating storage space and walking space is the most important part of keeping everything sane.

1
Frank Anigbo
Frank Anigbo
6 years ago

I just built mine in the style of a working New England barn — to fit the main house. It’s good for 5 cars without lifts and tons of room for tools, spares and movement. I’m quite happy about it.

3
Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
6 years ago
Reply to  Frank Anigbo

Wow, Frank. Very nice.

So calm and spacious. Good for you.

0
Lms
Lms
6 years ago
Reply to  Frank Anigbo

Fantastic…both car and garage. Can only imagine what adorns the rest of the garage

0
Flaviator
Flaviator
6 years ago
Reply to  Frank Anigbo

Every morning it must be a gorgeous moment, stepping out of the door and deciding which one to to take for the day.

Perfect!

0
Frank Anigbo
Frank Anigbo
6 years ago
Reply to  Frank Anigbo

I moved into this house almost 11 years ago and have been wanting to build a garage since it did not have any. I kept putting it off for one reason or another but it got to the point where I was paying quite a bit for offsite storage of 4 classic cars without much of the benefits of having them. I could never go for a drive on a whim unless I was willing to keep a car outside, rain or shine which in New England happens in equal measure.

So I broke down last year and designed my dream garage, with some constraints (financial and historical district restrictions).

3 large bays. 14 foot ceiling downstairs. Good studio space upstairs. Water, gas for heating and an outside shower at the back, and electricity/internet, etc. tapped from the main house.

I still have to finish the inside (insulation, drywall, paint) but it’s so strange to be able to just take a car and go for a drive whenever I feel like it.

2
Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
6 years ago
Reply to  Frank Anigbo

Wonderful paintings Frank. Nice work.

Congratulations on the studio.

0
Andrew Golseth
Editor
Andrew Golseth
6 years ago

Dream garage:

Four stalls wide and two stalls deep for six vehicles, one motorcycle and enough room for a lift. We can dream, right?

0
James Aquilina
James Aquilina
6 years ago

Have:
12mX4m crammed with enough tools to build and tune my engines.

Want:
More space To fit all my tools and cars.

0
James Aquilina
James Aquilina
6 years ago
Reply to  James Aquilina

Finally managed to attach a photo.

0
Linda N Brian Schick
Linda N Brian Schick
6 years ago

Single car, part of the house and under my bedroom with alarms at both doors and close proximity to a loaded 45. The car is just my Toyota, but I still love and pamper it.

0
Flaviator
Flaviator
6 years ago

It is an old weaving mill, built in 1912. It belongs to a very small farm and there is a barn next to it, which is the parking garage. At that time quite some of the farmers around set up small weaving mills and worked as sub contractors for the textile industry in the region.

The Mill has three cellar rooms, where the compressor, the sand blasting cabinet, heating and toilet are located. Some special spares and tools are stored there, too.

Due to the original purpose, there are large windows all around. A lift had been installed and all the necessary tools for panel beating are stored in some cabinets. There is an English Wheel, a planishing hammer, shrinker/stretcher, beading machine and all that stuff.

A full set of tools for technical works completes the equipment. A

Additionally it has a fridge for the local beer and soft drinks and a stereo that allows to listen to the old noisy stuff I am not allowed to listen to at home. If necessary the amp has enough pressure to listen with earmuffs on.

0
Frank Anigbo
Frank Anigbo
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

Very cool space!

0
Jaime Baker
Jaime Baker
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

Beautiful space. The old noisy stuff is the best.

0
Lms
Lms
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

That is a stunning workspace

0
Flaviator
Flaviator
6 years ago

Plenty of light, preferably natural, as well as separated space for working and parking. A few minutes walk from home, next neighbour close but far enough to not be disturbed by the noise of full range body restorations.

Ambience of the early 20th century, that´s it.

0
Lms
Lms
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

Details about this garage would be appreciated 🙂

0
Andrzej Roman
Andrzej Roman
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

Wow!

That is an awesome space. Please post more!

0
Hubert
Hubert
6 years ago
Reply to  Flaviator

Spring impressions

2
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita
6 years ago

Triple garage – to house a pre-war, a classic and a modern classic. Oak framed, barn style with clay tiled roof and barn doors.
A lift for cars and enough space to work around. And living in England it is important that it is warm and dry, so I can work on them year round.
Sigh!

0
Simon BiTurbo
Simon BiTurbo
6 years ago

As the classic car market is swift becoming a rich-man’s game, even for the complete restorations that I’m looking for, I’d need something with a ton of dry space so I can buy all the projects I want to do now and then work on them as time progresses 🙂

0
Jaime Baker
Jaime Baker
6 years ago

Close to or at your home. It helps if your loved ones get to see you once in a while. A mini fridge, coffee maker, proper tools, and adequate bench space are a must. A lift, washer and dryer for taking care of you work clothes etc, and a nice stereo are bonuses.

0
Lms
Lms
6 years ago

Mr. Olsen’s garage would be absolutely perfect!!

0
Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
6 years ago

I just need my tools.

And, of course, one could always use more space.

0
Andrew Golseth
Editor
Andrew Golseth
6 years ago
Reply to  Christopher Gay

“One more garage space than I have cars,” is always the answer.

1
Martin Philippo
Martin Philippo
6 years ago

I think Maxime nailed it down for me: red brick, green wooden doors and especially and most importantly:
a fridge
The beer has to stay cool!

0
Maxime Veilleux
Maxime Veilleux
6 years ago

This could be long let me see my ideal garage is :

– Made of red brick
– Has a green wooden garage doors
– Enough space for 2 cars
– Has a fridge
– A lift for the cars
– And all the tools needed for basics and medium work on a car.

And just enough space for me to work on my car without stepping on things.

Also my friends are there to help me and I help them on their car.

That is my ideal garage.

0