Oh ya to add, nice thing about a garage that "sticks out" in front of your house is you get to actually see your house and when guests come over they park right in front and have a short walk to the front door (more inviting feeling imo).

Upside of a garage that faces the outside is you can have the pavement extend a good car length beyond the last garage door and have more parking. Good for a nanny that comes over regularly, family, etc.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, the issue is if we put the garage into the home and not have it stick out, it will take away from the first floor.

We have a 3 car garage that "sticks out." I'll take it any day over no garage or 2 car garage that doesn't "stick out." Around here, unless you have a ton of space, the garage has to stick out in the front unless you want it protruding into your backyard (terrible idea). The other option is an attached 2 car and detached 2 car or something like that, but obviously now you need a separate structure and a big lot.

Personally I'm kind of indifferent of the garage that sticks out and faces the inside or faces the outside, but I'm a car guy. The garage facing the outside of your lot means you'll have a bit more frontyard. I realize there are many people that just want a place to park their Prius and careless about cars. That's certainly their prerogative, but nothing with a nice big garage.

OP here, the issue is if we put the garage into the home and not have it stick out, it will take away from the first floor.

Side loading to the back if possible.

Side load. And realize that your garage is taking up like 1/4 space of your house!

this house is beautiful!!!

side load for sure. Garages are ugly and should be hidden.

Side load with garage at back is best

Welcome to my garage! The house is around back.

Absolutely hate when you can see a garage at the front of a house. It destroys curb appeal. Avoid that at all costs. I don't know why that is ever even a design option.

Side load away, if you have the space for it.

Side load in the front facing away from the home if you lot size allows if (check the setback values for your community)

Anonymous wrote:Side loading facing away, and not sticking out in front of the home. The others all look bad, and are generally only done if there isn't enough land for the side load facing away.

Agree side load with no bump in front.

Side loading facing away, and not sticking out in front of the home. The others all look bad, and are generally only done if there isn't enough land for the side load facing away.

We are building a new home and have the following options (ignore craftsman, colonial styles)

Forward facing


Side load in the front facing away from the home


Side load in the front facing the home


Which does everyone think looks the best and functions the best?