7 Types of Garages (and the Remodel Ideas That Make Each One Better)

If you live in any of the neighborhoods near us (like Southlake, Westlake, or Colleyville), chances are your garage looks a LOT like your neighbors’ (at least on the outside).

But how about inside? Maybe there are parked cars, bikes leaning against the wall, bins stacked with holiday décor, a lawnmower wedged into the corner…

Already feeling dank and claustrophobic?! That wouldn’t be a surprise! PR Newswire found that one in four homeowners feel their garage is TOO cluttered to even fit a car inside. Surprising? Maybe not!!

However…does everyone really use their garage the same way? Not at all!

For some, garages are kind of the “junk drawer” of the home. But for others, they’re an essential lifestyle space. Yours might double as a gym, a workshop, or a car collector’s showroom.

Keep scrolling for seven common “garage use types,” the problems homeowners run into with each, and the design ideas that improve each optimal use!!

1. The Showroom Owner

If you LOVE your cars (and not just for getting from A to B), your garage might be part display case, part sanctuary. Epoxy floors gleaming…lighting hitting each vehicle just right…can’t you see it?!

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Not every garage was built with the insulation, lighting, or the finishes to support showroom-style display.

Common problems:

1. Bare concrete that stains easily when working on cars
2. Poor lighting that does nothing for your exceptional vehicles
3. Temperature swings that make long-term car storage risky!!

Remodel solutions:

• LED gallery lighting positioned to highlight vehicles
• Epoxy or polyaspartic flooring for shine and durability
• Insulation and climate control for year-round protection
• Custom cabinetry for detailing tools and gear

2. The Everyday Utility Family

For this garage “use type,” the space is all about function. Multiple cars come in and then depart again every day, kids constantly come in and out to grab their bikes or sports gear, and the space acts as a sort of launch pad for every family outing.

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Garages aren’t always designed with enough storage or safety features for this kind of heavy daily use, and it’s not always fit to your family’s specific needs.

Common problems:

1. Tripping hazards from loose shoes and gear
2. Not enough (or any) hooks or cubbies for each family member
3. Frustration at clutter piling up faster than it’s cleared

Remodel solutions:

• Built-in mudroom storage with lockers or cubbies
• Wall-mounted racks for bikes and sports equipment
• Slip-resistant flooring that stands up to daily wear
• Motion-sensor lighting for quick in-and-out

3. The Overflow Storage Household

Seasonal décor, luggage, camping gear…for this garage “type,” your space is the household overflow zone!! Cars might not even fit in.

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Garages often aren’t built for long-term storage, so items will be damaged without better climate and organization systems.

Common problems:

1. Humidity or pests damaging stored items
2. Plastic bins stacked so high they’re hard to access
3. Cars displaced by “stuff” that grows every year

Remodel solutions:

• Climate sealing to protect sensitive items
• Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving for labeled bins
• Overhead storage racks for holiday décor and luggage
• Hidden cabinetry for a more polished look

4. The Workshop/Maker

For those with passion hobbies like woodworking, brewing, or tinkering, your garage is probably the project zone!!

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Without ventilation, power access, or durable surfaces, the garage can be a workspace that actually saps joy out of your hobby due to avoidable spatial frustrations.

Common problems:

1. Poor lighting over workbenches
2. Sawdust and clutter spreading everywhere
3. Limited outlets or unsafe extension cords

Remodel solutions:

• Dedicated 220V and 110V outlets for tools
• Epoxy or rubberized flooring for heavy wear
• Industrial task lighting and dust collection systems
• Wall-mounted pegboards and tool cabinetry

5. The Fitness Enthusiast

If your garage doubles as a home gym, maybe there’s a Peloton or squat rack with the prime placement smack in the center of the space! For you, convenience is everything…why drive to a fitness center when you can sweat steps from your kitchen?!

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Garages weren’t built with gyms in mind, and extremes of heat or cold can derail workouts.

Common problems:

1. Summer heat and winter chill making exercise unbearable
2. Lack of flooring support for weights or high-impact workouts
3. Limited vertical clearance for certain equipment

Remodel solutions:

• Mirrored walls for tracking form
• Rubberized gym flooring for shock absorption
• Insulation, fans, or ductless AC systems for climate control
• Fold-down benches or racks to save space

6. The Hybrid Flex Space

For some of y’all, your garage is a little bit of everything! There’s an extra fridge, a pet wash station, wine coolers, and even entertainment spillover when the weather is nice.

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: Without thoughtful zoning, the garage quickly feels chaotic and unsanitary.

Common problems:

1. Competing uses (pet wash next to stored décor)
2. No separation of “clean” vs. “messy” zones
3. Appliances on unsafe or uneven flooring

Remodel solutions:

• Zoned layout with wet/dry areas clearly defined
• Built-in plumbing for pet or utility sinks
• Proper flooring under refrigerators or wine storage
• Multi-use cabinetry designed to hide the “chaos”

7. The Neglected Garage

Then, there are those whose home is immaculate…except for the garage!! It’s dark and dusty, and honestly the last place you’d EVER want to spend time in.

Why this isn’t always as practical as it should be: A neglected garage drags down property value and day-to-day ease, even if you rarely think about it.

Common problems:

1. Poor lighting and ventilation
2. Stains, cobwebs, or clutter buildup
3. No sense of continuity with the rest of the home

Remodel solutions:

• Fresh paint and sealed flooring
• Streamlined cabinetry to hide clutter
• Bright LED lighting and ventilation upgrades
• Automatic doors with modern finishes

If one of these garage “types” leapt off the page at you, great! You already know where you stand. But if not, here’s an easy way to figure it out…

1. Think about your garage on a Saturday morning. What’s happening there? Are you pulling out bikes, tinkering with tools, rearranging storage bins, or showing off a car? The answer points you straight to your primary type.
2. Then, ask yourself what’s missing. Do you wish you had more order, more polish, or a different use for the space altogether? That second answer might reveal the type of garage you dream of…in other words, the one that would actually bring the biggest Return on Enjoyment®.

Many of us overlap in more than one category. You might be an “Everyday Utility Family” who also wants a little “Workshop/Maker” space. With the right renovation and design, your garage doesn’t have to be just one thing. It can evolve into the space that supports your routines today, also elevating the way you live.

Get a conversation started today, why not!

About the author:

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.

Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.