Which Garage Size is Right for Me?

Whether you’re looking to move to a new house with a garage, install one on your property, or upgrade your existing one, it’s crucial to know what to look for. The only problem is, you might not have a clue how much space you actually need. 

If this sounds like you, have no fear. In this blog post, we’ll run through what you need to know when choosing a garage. We’ll cover garage size in the UK, whether you need single or double garage width, and how you can rent out your garage if it doesn’t quite meet your personal needs. 

Intrigued? Good - we’ve got all that and more coming up.

How to Choose the Right Garage Size 

1 – For item storage 

Even if you don’t have a car, it can still be useful to have a garage. And, if you want to use yours for storage space, there are a few things to consider.

And now… presenting Stashbee’s top tips for choosing the right garage size for item storage: 

• Figure out where you stand by listing the items you need to store
• Plan out how you’ll store them - which will need shelves, which can be kept in boxes, and so on and so forth
• Anticipate any future storage needs 

In general, smaller items are your space saving friends, as they can be more easily packed into boxes or loaded onto shelves. And speaking of shelving, that can also be a great way to use your vertical space, which gives you more flexibility with what to do with your floor area. 

Oh, and don’t forget to keep all that in mind for any new items you’re considering storing after the fact. Even the best organised space won’t stay that way if you’re a hoarder! 

Most garage cabinet systems are 61cm deep, but shallower ones around 30 or 45cm are available too. Think about which items you’ll put in these cabinets and how the cabinets can best fit them into your space. 

And finally, don’t panic. Even if you don’t have the right garage space for storing your stuff, you can find reliable, affordable storage for rent through us here at Stashbee. 

She looks so peaceful because used our item storage tips.

2 – For car storage 

While choosing the right garage size for item storage depends on what you need to store, choosing space for your car is a lot easier. 

This is because, while there is a fair bit of variety, car sizes haven’t changed much since they were first invented. A huge Hummer is a world away from a compact Smart Car, sure, but those are outliers.

In general, a car is roughly the size of a car (duh).

Here’s how to identify standard garage sizes in the UK: 

• Small single-car garage: 2.5 by 5.5 metres
• Medium single-car garage: 3 by 6 metres
• Large single-car garage: 4 by 7 metres 

Most single-car garages are somewhere around the medium size, though this can vary as there is no legal minimum. 

If in doubt, measure your car to see how much space you’ll need. Allow a little extra for length and make sure to leave space to enter and exit through the driver’s side door - unless you plan on entering your garage with no way to get out. In this case, more is more!

Don’t feel like measuring? As a rule of thumb, take the average width of a car (1.8 metres) and add 30cm onto the passenger side and 80cm onto the driver’s side. 

Here are the recommended double garage widths: 

• Small: 5.5 by 5.5 metres
• Medium: 6 by 6 metres
• Large: 7 by 7 metres 

Top tip: Check ALL measurements. Width by length gives you an idea of a space, but you need to keep an eye on height and the width of the garage door. The last thing you want is a door so narrow that you scrape your car coming in! 

And remember, if you can’t find a garage that’s juuuuust right (we’re channelling our inner Goldilocks right now) for your car, you can always find a parking space close to your home through Stashbee.

3 – For a workspace

More and more people are using their garages as a workspace. Whether you need a space of your own to finally start that writing career or just want to do some DIY in peace, converting your garage can be a great way to finally find the space. 

Why not consider adding in...

• A workbench
• Stairs
• Lighting
• A desk and chair

While you might find it difficult to place a traditional desk or workbench, there are lots of ways you can improvise (and give yourself some extra storage space, to boot). A cabinet top can be repurposed quite easily, for instance, and you can place shelves above a desk to make use of the otherwise empty vertical space there. 

A set of stairs, meanwhile, can be a lifesaver if you want to install a door that connects your garage and the interior of your house. Standard 15cm risers should be easy to climb without eating up too much floor space. 

Could your garage be your new dedicated crafting space?

Make the Current Size of Your Garage Work for You 

Okay so… now you know you should measure your car, figure out the items you need to store and decide what you want to include in your workspace before choosing your garage. 

But what if it just isn’t big enough?!

While you can be creative with what space you do have, such as by using shelving or cabinets, there’s always a limit on how much you can do.

If you can’t find a property with the right size garage or can’t upgrade your own, don’t you worry. While there are many benefits to adding a garage to your home, having the perfect one isn’t the be-all and end-all. 

After all, what’s not right for you might be perfect for someone else. You can make some good money by renting it out with Stashbee, and we make it easy to link those with space with those who need it. Go on, check it out, you future Host, you.

So there you have it - you now know how to find the right garage for you. And remember, if you have one that’s not quite right and want to rent it out, our robust vetting process and safety measures make it more secure than ever before to get started. Why not give us a call and see how you can become a Host today?