Your garage can be one of the unique spaces in your home. Most commonly, a garage provides you a secure place to park your vehicle and acts as a catch-all for tools and yard equipment, but there is a wide range of possibilities to improve your garage and maximize use of this space.
Why Build a Garage When You Could Buy One?
Organizing and modifying the space your garage provides can transform it to an enjoyable and productive workspace. Whether you’re adding a garage to your home or finding ways to better utilize the garage you already have, the costs of hiring builders can be expensive.
DIY garage renovations are an affordable alternative to building a garage. Doing it yourself also means you’ll be able to make it exactly how you like it, plus you’ll feel a sense of pride every time you see the finished product. Ready to get started? Below you’ll find 15 free DIY garage plans in various projects, price points, and styles.
Important Details to Consider When Building a Garage
Before you begin, it’s essential to plan some of the details that affect which projects will be the right fit for your garage.
Garage Size
Think about the size of garage you have or want to build. Knowing this will determine the kind of plan that will be right for your home or workspace.
- Do you have a 1 or 2-car garage? Or larger?
- Is there room vertically to introduce tall cabinets with a step stool for extra storage?
- What about the layout? Is your garage flush with the entrance to your home or yard?
- Which kind of garage doors do you have, and how do they open?
Types of Materials to Use
One of the best ways to keep costs down on a DIY garage project is to reuse, recycle, and upcycle materials. It reduces waste by finding creative uses for items that you may have otherwise discarded.
Check your local internet and social media classifieds for free discarded lumber, old furniture, or building materials that can be refinished or reimagined. Some thrift stores, such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore, sell these kinds of materials at a significant discount.
Garage Use and Purpose
Consider what the ideal use of your new garage space will be.
- Will you continue to park multiple vehicles inside?
- Do you want to make a dedicated workshop space?
- Are you a gardener? Or passionate about your lawn?
- What kinds of hobbies or projects do you hope to tackle in a workspace?
- When you do home improvement projects, which tools do you want to access at a moment’s notice?
Other Considerations
Here are a few more details to think about as you plan your DIY garage remodel projects.
- How much DIY experience do you have? Are you a beginner, novice, or expert?
- Do you have any friends or family with home improvement project experience that can help you out?
- Where is your garage located? How will that impact the use, and which projects will best suit its location? Is it in a barn or separate building, attached on the back of the house, or connected to the basement?
- Should you invest in insulation, plumbing, electricity, or heating and air?
Free Garage Plans and Ideas to Consider
Now that we’ve given some thought to the scope of your project, let’s explore which garage plans will be a good fit.
We’ve compiled a list of 15 DIY garage plans for you to explore. Check these out and see which ones will meet your style, budget, and needs.
Detached DIY Garage Plan
If you don’t have a garage currently and want to build one on your property, you’ll need DIY garage plans to construct something new. These free plans include the blueprint and instructions for how to build a detached garage. This building is a great size to park one vehicle and still have some room for additional workspace.
Garage Cabinet Storage
If you and your family have loads of tools, toys, and outdoor and camping equipment, this is one of the DIY garage cabinet plans for you. It’s oversized, meaning it will hold lots of bulky goods, plus it hangs from the wall, keeping things dry and preventing mold. The sliding doors ensure your goods stay tidy from dust and grit.
DIY Garage Shelves
If you’re looking for DIY garage shelf plans that are simple to follow, check this one out. One of the most straightforward projects on this list, these shelves call for only a handful of tools and materials and can be installed by a near beginner.
DIY Garage Workbench
This DIY garage workbench plan is helpful to tackle frequent home improvement projects. The workbench creates ample counter space as well as additional storage. Best part? It is built on wheels so you can move it out to the driveway on a nice day.
Related Post: Workbench Plans
Rolling Storage Shelves
We love these rolling options so much that we included these storage shelves on wheels. They are an excellent option for sorting and storing all kinds of goods, and adding doors to the front could easily meet your need for DIY garage storage cabinet plans.
Functional Garage Cabinets
These garage cabinet plans offer both functional storage as well as surface space. Add the pegboard and lamps in this design, and we think your garage will be looking sharp.
DIY Wall Shelves
For another DIY garage shelves plan, these standard built-ins are a cost effective and simple way to get your equipment off the floor and easily accessible. You could get these shelves installed over a weekend.
DIY Garage Door Makeover
If you’re looking to transform your garage, don’t just think about the inside! You can alter the appearance of your home with these DIY garage door plans. This makeover uses magnetic hardware, so it’s easy to install.
Garage Paint Booth
For the home renovator, having a space for projects to paint indoors can be tricky. These DIY garage plans solve that problem, showing you an incredibly affordable way to create a painting space in your garage using PVC pipe and plastic liners. It’s not a permanent installation, so it would be perfect for “getting your craft on” at a rental property.
DIY Lumber Storage Cart
Builders need a way to organize their lumber, and this storage cart is the answer to your DIY timber garage plan needs. The free plans come as a downloadable PDF with instructions and lots of step-by-step images for stress-free installation.
DIY Charging Station (and Other Ideas)
This cordless drill charging station is an excellent example of the projects you can implement in your DIY garage workshop plans. Free up counter space and ensure your drill will always be ready to use when you reach for it.
DIY Folding Workbench
This folding workbench is the perfect workshop solution in a tiny garage. If your space is limited but you still want a place to tackle projects, this workbench can be lowered when not in use and raised when you’re ready to get started. It’s cost effective and straightforward to put together and can be built using scrap wood.
Yard Tool Organizer
Gardeners and green thumbs can find themselves quickly overwhelmed with piles of yard tools. This ingenious storage solution uses PVC pipes to get your shovels, rakes, and other equipment off the ground and within reach.
DIY Pegboard Wall
Pegboard is one of the simplest ways to create tons of storage options. Quick to install and easy to use, beginners can transform their storage space with this DIY pegboard wall. Use hooks to hang tools, and install baskets and buckets for small loose bits like nails and screws. The possibilities are endless! The shelves on the top and bottom of the board maximize usage of the space.
DIY Insulated Garage Door
Working in the garage can be a pain during extreme seasonal weather conditions. Whether you’re struggling to keep things cool in the summer or shivering in the winter, consider insulating your garage door to lower your electric bill. This project may be a little more advanced, but the step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to get everything installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about DIY garage plans.
How Much Would It Cost to Build a DIY Garage?
Building a brand new garage will cost more than renovating an existing one. Keep costs low by looking for free discarded lumber. Transforming an existing space with these 15 DIY garage plans could cost you as little as $100 — or less if you get creative with your materials.
Can You DIY Build a Garage?
Building your own garage is the best way to save yourself some money and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Follow the guides presented in this article to see just how many projects you can do yourself, even as a beginner!
What Is the Cheapest Way to Build a Garage?
See if your city has a local tool library, where you can check out items you don’t already have on hand. Using free plans instead of overpaying for complicated blueprints will also save you money. The best money-saving tip we have is to make sure your materials are reused, recycled, and donated items.
How Do I Decide Where to Start?
Start wherever your most significant stress point is. See if there’s a tool or item you’re always searching for, and assess which of these plans offer a storage solution for that kind of task. Maybe you want to do more home projects, in which case, adding a workbench might be a great place to begin.
Conclusion
Building a DIY garage can be easy and affordable with the proper planning and materials. We hope this list has shown you there are many ways to approach a DIY garage build or makeover, and you have seen a variety of options that will match your budget and skills.
Consider your needs and skill level, make a plan, and have fun diving into your project!