15 Innovative 2 Car Garage ADU Plan Ideas for Your Home (2024)

Last updated on April 13, 2024

Discover innovative ideas for transforming a two-car garage into a functional and stylish accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

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Eco-Friendly 2-Car Garage ADU Designs

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Incorporating sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, these designs prioritize a reduced carbon footprint while maximizing living comfort. Features such as solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and green roofs are common, seamlessly integrating with the modern aesthetic of the structure. The layout is optimized to take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial climate control.

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Craftsman-Inspired ADU Above Garage

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Embrace the charm of handcrafted woodwork and custom built-ins characteristic of Craftsman-style homes for a warm, inviting ADU. This architectural approach often features a spacious, open-floor plan loft above the garage, maximizing living space without sacrificing the home’s aesthetic. Utilize natural materials like stone and wood both inside and out to seamlessly blend the structure with its surroundings, enhancing the property’s overall character.

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Modern Minimalist Garage With Integrated ADU

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Emphasizing clean lines and uncluttered spaces, the Modern Minimalist design pairs utility with uncomplicated aesthetics. Its integrated living space features large windows and sleek built-ins, maximizing both natural light and storage. The streamlined approach extends to the exterior with a simple, yet sophisticated facade, harmonizing functional ADU living with contemporary taste.

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Two-Story ADU With Attached 2-Car Garage

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Maximizing vertical space, the two-story design incorporates living quarters above a functional 2-car garage, providing a clear separation between residential and vehicle storage areas. This configuration is particularly advantageous for families needing both a spacious ADU and parking solutions without compromising land use. With bedrooms and communal areas elevated, residents enjoy enhanced privacy and potential views, while the ground floor remains dedicated to secure vehicle storage and workspace.

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Garage ADU Conversion Plans for Urban Lots

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Maximizing limited urban space, these conversion plans transform existing garages into functional living units without expanding the property’s footprint. They often include multi-use layouts, embracing open-plan concepts that can accommodate a living area, kitchenette, and sleeping space within a compact design. Strategic storage solutions and built-in furnishings are key features, ensuring that every square inch is efficiently utilized for comfortable living in a bustling city environment.

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Barn-Style Garage With Upper ADU Retreat

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Embrace rustic charm with a design that marries functionality and pastoral aesthetics. The upper level offers a cozy retreat, complete with essential amenities and vaulted ceilings for a spacious feel. Below, the 2-car space retains its practical use while enhancing the property’s overall character and value.

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Space-Saving Tandem 2-Car Garage With Compact ADU

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Emphasizing a linear layout, the tandem garage accommodates two cars end-to-end, ensuring a smaller footprint. Above or beside this efficient parking solution, a compact ADU offers comfortable living space without encroaching on neighboring properties. This design is ideal for narrow urban lots, effectively maximizing limited space without compromising on functionality.

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Rustic 2-Car Garage With Cozy ADU Above

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Envision a charming living space nestled above a traditional two-car garage, complete with exposed wooden beams and warm, natural materials. This setup offers a seamless blend of functionality and cozyness, providing ample vehicle storage below a tranquil escape. With its pitched roof and rustic aesthetic, this plan offers a quaint abode that harmonizes with nature and exudes a sense of homely comfort.

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Smart-Home Integrated Garage and ADU Combo

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The smart-home integrated garage and ADU combo merges cutting-edge technology with living convenience, featuring automated systems for lighting, climate control, and security that can be managed from your smartphone. This design emphasizes efficiency and connected living, allowing homeowners to monitor energy usage and control household features in both the garage and ADU with ease. The combination of these smart technologies with a functional living space offers a seamless and futuristic living experience.

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Contemporary ADU With Rooftop Deck Over Garage

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Maximizing vertical space, the rooftop deck offers a private outdoor living area with panoramic views, perfect for entertaining or relaxation. Inside, the contemporary ADU boasts clean lines and an open floor plan that allows for natural light to permeate the space, creating an airy, modern atmosphere. Below, the garage maintains a sleek facade, seamlessly integrating with the overall design while providing functional vehicle storage.

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Mediterranean Themed Garage and ADU Floor Plans

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Embracing warm tones and stucco walls, the Mediterranean themed ADU encapsulates coastal elegance with wrought iron details and terracotta roof tiles. Arched doorways and tiled floors offer a timeless aesthetic that seamlessly blends living spaces with the 2-car garage below. Lush landscaping and intimate courtyards within the design provide a tranquil outdoor extension, enhancing the livability of the space.

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Scandinavian Simplicity in Garage-ADU Design

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The Scandinavian design approach emphasizes functional, airy spaces with a blend of clean lines and natural materials, which is ideal for creating an inviting yet practical ADU above a garage. Light, muted colors alongside minimalist decor ensure the interiors remain uncluttered and serene, perfectly capturing the essence of Nordic simplicity. Large windows and possibly a skylight enhance the sense of space and bring in ample daylight, vital for the often-compact living quarters of a garage ADU.

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Garage With Attached Greenhouse and ADU

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Integrating a greenhouse with a garage ADU offers a harmonious blend of functionality and sustainability. This layout allows homeowners to cultivate a garden year-round, leveraging the shared wall for climate control and reduced energy costs. The serene backdrop of greenery enhances the living space, creating a unique environment that promotes well-being and connection to nature.

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Colonial Garage With ADU – Historical Charm

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Embracing the timeless aesthetics of colonial architecture, this ADU concept marries classic elements like shuttered windows and gabled roofs with the practical functionality of a modern 2-car garage. Inside, the living space evokes a bygone era through the use of hardwood floors, intricate trim, and a balanced symmetrical layout true to its colonial roots. The inclusion of period-appropriate fixtures and hardware allows homeowners to extend a sense of historic authenticity throughout the property while enjoying contemporary living comforts.

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Garage ADU With Flex Space for Home Office or Gym

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The flexible design of this ADU seamlessly incorporates a multi-purpose space that can transition between a home office, gym, or additional living area. Large windows and fold-away furniture options ensure that the area remains airy and adaptable to different activities throughout the day. Strategic placement of built-in storage optimizes space usage while maintaining the unit’s sleek, uncluttered aesthetic.

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Table of Contents

15 Innovative 2 Car Garage ADU Plan Ideas for Your Home (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to convert a garage to an ADU in California? ›

The ADU Garage Conversion Cost for construction will vary based on several factors, such as the size of the garage, the materials used, and whether you'd like separate utilities for the ADU. The construction cost can vary from $150 a square foot up to $250 a square foot or more in our area.

What is the cheapest way to convert a garage to a living space? ›

You'll need to insulate and finish the floors, walls, and ceilings to bring the room up to code. You may also need to add windows and electrical wiring. Simple drywall is the most cost-effective finish for your walls. Insulate and use drywall on your ceilings for an interim solution before fully finishing them.

Do I need a permit to convert my garage into a room in California? ›

Living in a garage is only legal if the garage has been converted to a habitable space through the proper Permits. Renovating the garage without the proper permits may not count as a legal bedroom and having human sleep in that space can be a big enough violation to result in fines.

How much to add ADU on top of garage? ›

The average cost of building an above-garage ADU ranges from $200,000 to $350,000, considering a size of 350-500 square feet. However, costs can vary based on factors such as contractor rates, materials, and post-construction expenses.

What is the cheapest way to build an ADU in California? ›

What is the cheapest way to build an ADU? Typically, the most cost-effective ADU type is a garage conversion ADU (if your garage is in sound condition and requires no major fixes). Your ADU can use the existing structure and cut down on construction costs, which take up a significant portion of your total cost.

How much is a permit to build an ADU in California? ›

Before you can start building your ADU, you will need permission from your local planning department. These permissions are called permits, and their costs vary depending on your location. Building permits range from $2,000 to $10,000, whereas city fees can range from $3,000 to $11,000.

What is the cheapest style of garage to build? ›

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to get a garage up and running is to erect a pole-style post frame construction. Many refer to these pole style building, as post-frame buildings or pole barns because they believe they are superior than traditional stick-built garages.

Do you need permission to convert garage to living space? ›

Do I need planning permission? Planning permission for a garage conversion is not necessary in many cases, although it is always best to double check with your local authority first. Most integral garage conversions fall under Permitted Development which means there is no need to make a planning application.

Do you have to raise the floor in a garage conversion? ›

Installing insulation: Garages are typically not insulated, so you may need to remove drywall to install wall studs and create a cavity for wall insulation. The ceiling may also require insulation. Raising the floor height: Garages tend to be lower than the house, so raising the floor height is necessary.

What is the difference between garage conversion and a ADU? ›

Imagine if your garage had a bedroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a living space. What would you do with it? The difference between a bedroom addition and an ADU garage conversion is the fact that an ADU is a standalone apartment.

Can I sleep in my garage? ›

Spaces such as the garage present an increased risk of carbon monoxide hazard since ventilation is usually poor when the door is closed.

How long does it take to build a garage conversion? ›

On average, a garage conversion takes as little as 4-6 weeks. Compare this to a loft conversion (8-10 weeks) or rear extension (10-14 weeks) and you can appreciate why homeowners love how quickly this project can be turned around.

What is the most expensive part of building an ADU? ›

Construction costs take up the largest portion of your project cost. Building an accessory dwelling unit can cost anywhere from $300 to $500 per square foot. This pricing can fluctuate depending on your location, plans, overall design, size of the ADU, and the quality of the building materials.

What is a house above a garage called? ›

An apartment above your garage is legally considered an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or granny flat.

How much is a 2 bedroom ADU in California? ›

TABLE: Cost To Build an ADU in San Diego, California
TypeSizeTypical All-In Cost
1BR/1BA500 sqft$300K
2BR/1BA750 sqft$350K
2BR/2BA1000 sqft$425K
3BR/2BA1200 sqft$450K+

Does converting garage to ADU add value? ›

In these cases, a garage conversion ADU will add value to your home by adding square footage. If an existing garage is included in your home's existing square footage, the garage conversion ADU will likely add less value than a detached or attached ADU.

Can an ADU in California have a garage? ›

If the size of the primary residence is less than 1,600 square feet, the attached ADU may have a total floor area of up to 800 square feet. Can I add an attached covered patio or garage to my ADU? Yes.

Does an ADU add value to your home in California? ›

Regardless of its use, it's well reported that homes with ADUs sell for much more than standard homes. While this increase can vary from state to state, you can expect a 20% to 30% increase in property value. Even more in California depending on the quality of your ADU.

Is it worth it to build an ADU in California? ›

Does an ADU improve your home's resale value? Yes. Like most home improvement projects – like an addition or remodel – you should see a boost in your home's appraised value after building an ADU.

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