Designing the Perfect Carriage House
A finished room over the garage, or carriage house, is a quintessential Lowcountry space.
This coveted custom home addition is a brilliant way to weave some fun and flexibility into your design plans. If you’re still on the fence about incorporating a carriage house into your future abode, consider some of the most popular reasons our clients opt to include over-the-garage areas in their custom projects.
Gorgeous Guest Space
There’s nothing we love more than turning your carriage house into a dreamy getaway for guests! Give friends and family a relaxing Lowcountry experience each time they “check in” to your guest house with selections that include plush bedding, layered textiles, and multi-functional storage pieces that will make them feel right at home–luggage and all. The right bed and strategic aesthetic choices will create a true guest retreat, while an elegant en suite bath adds convenience and luxury to the overall experience. And, of course, a coffee maker or espresso machine is a must.
An In-Law Suite
Give grandparents and long-term guests the space they need by turning your furnished room over the garage into a secondary suite. Provide comfort and privacy to all your guests by equipping the suite with a full kitchen or kitchenette, seating area, and plenty of space to store luggage.
There are a multitude of ways to configure an over-the-garage room to meet guests’ every need. Some counter space, a sink, and a few small appliances can offer guests the opportunity to relax on their own for a while without leaving their lodgings for refreshments. Add an island and some beautiful bar stools for a quick and easy eat-in kitchen. Even if space is limited, you can still raise the bar by adding an alcove to include a sink, shelving, glasses, spirits, and a mini refrigerator.
Set some seating space apart to ensure visitors have plenty of options when they want to relax without making a trip to the main house. Whether a loveseat, small sofa, or pair of adorable armchairs, an in-law suite should ideally include a bit of living space for guests to call their own during longer stays in your Lowcountry home.
A Perfect Playroom
Why not make your carriage house a more permanent version of a treehouse? Whether a dorm-style twin bedroom, a bunk room, or an entertainment zone dedicated to fun (and toy storage!), the playful angles and extra square footage an over-the-garage area provides is great for growing families.
Whimsical wallpaper, dedicated study spaces, and cozy reading nooks can help create a focused refuge for older children. A lighthearted aesthetic, durable textiles, and plenty of built-in shelving creates a spectacular space for younger children to safely explore and stow their toys. For the sleepover-loving set, a well-appointed bunkroom is a beautiful way to save square footage and give children more space to have fun on the floor.
A Happy Hang-Out
Opting to include a carriage house is a spectacular way to expand your space for entertaining or creating. A television, gaming console, sectional, and the right design choices combine to create a magnificent media room. Incorporating desks and built-in bookshelves will make kids happy, even during homework time. From teen hangout, to man cave, to an art studio stocked with craft supplies, the possibilities are truly endless!