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What Is a Garage Apartment Plan and How Do You Create One?

A garage apartment plan is a great way to add extra usable space without taking away from your garden area. Check out our garage apartment floor plans and templates, and start dreaming about what you could create.

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3D floor plan with a two-car garage, one bedroom, one bathroom, open kitchen, dining and living area, plus outdoor patio seating.
Trude Carlsen
By Trude Carlsen
Published September 15, 2025

Are you looking to create a garage apartment to add extra living space to your property? Could you use a rental unit, an in-law suite, or even a home office? Garage apartments are an excellent idea for people who want to add extra living space without cutting into their yard area. You can “go up” and build an apartment unit on top of the existing garage. Or convert the garage itself into an apartment.

With garage apartment plans, you can create:

One significant consideration is whether to build on top of the existing garage or remodel the current space. Let’s take a look at some options.

In this article:

Garage Apartment Plans with Living Quarters Above

One-Car Garage

Two-Car Garage

Three-Car Garage

Single-Level Garage Apartment Plans

Create Your Own Floor Plan

Garage Apartment Plans with Living Quarters Above

If you use your garage for a car, a workshop, or storage, you may want to keep it as is. In that case, adding living space above the garage can be a great option. Consider how you will access the apartment, either with an interior stairway or an exterior one. Also, remember that the garage size will determine the square footage available.

One-Car Garage

If you have a single-car garage, the space above is best suited for a studio or one-bedroom unit.

Most single garages are 14–16 feet (about 4–5 m) wide and 20–22 feet (about 6–7 m) deep.

This gives you room for an open-layout studio with a small kitchen, one bathroom, and some closet space. It works well for one or two people.

If you do not need a bedroom, the space is also ideal for a home office, art studio, teen room, or home gym.

Black and white 2D floor plan with one bedroom, one bathroom, open kitchen and living area, plus a separate garage with space for one car.
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Two-Car Garage

If you have a two-car garage, you’ll have more options. Most two-car garages are 22–24 feet (6–7 m) wide and 20–30 feet (6–9 m) deep.

This gives you room to create a two-bedroom suite with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and bathroom.

The layout is flexible. A single person or couple can use the master bedroom, while the second bedroom can be for a child, guests, a home office, or a study.

2D floor plan with a two-car garage on the right and a one-bedroom apartment on the left. The apartment includes a kitchen, eating area, living room, bathroom, laundry, closet, and balcony.
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Three-Car Garage

A three-car garage gives you the most flexibility.

At 31–34 feet (9–10 m) wide and 20–30 feet (6–9 m) deep, it has space for a generous two-bedroom suite with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and bathroom.

The layout can be designed for a couple who want extra space, a family with one or two children, or two roommates with separate bedroom suites.

2D floor plan with a three-car garage on the right and a two-bedroom apartment on the left. The apartment includes a kitchen, dining area, living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms.
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Single-Level Garage Apartment Plans

If you don’t use your garage for parking, a cost-effective option is to convert part or all of it into an apartment.

Since the walls, roof, floor, electricity, and possibly plumbing are already in place, the basics are covered.

Another advantage is that the new living space will be on the ground floor, which is ideal for an in-law suite or granny flat.

3D floor plan with a two-car garage, one bedroom, one bathroom, open kitchen, dining and living area, plus outdoor patio seating.
View Floor Plan
Tablet view of the RoomSketcher app displaying a 2D floor plan of an apartment layout with labeled rooms and dimensions, including Living Room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, Laundry, Closet, Hall, and Balcony. The right side shows a scrollable library of door styles available for placement in the design.

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