Nationwide Vehicle Contracts explores how cars and transportation have influenced the design and function of the home garage.
As cars became an integral part of everyday life, they began to influence things off the road, such as architecture and lifestyle choices, leading to the birth of the modern attached garage.
Garages come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but all serve the same purpose: to keep our cars secure when at home.
In this blog, we delve into the relationship between cars, transportation, and the design and function of the garage throughout history.
The Rise of the Attached Garage
After the Second World War, there was a significant increase in the number of homes built with attached garages. This allowed motorists to park their cars securely and create their own mini workshop to keep on top of car maintenance.
The rise of attached garages in homes can be attributed to many factors, including:
Convenience – Attached garages provide homeowners with a convenient access point to their cars without going outside. This is useful in areas with extreme weather conditions such as snow, rain, or heat.
Safety and Security – Having an attached garage means homeowners don’t have to park their cars on the street, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, and damage. This also contributes towards lower insurance premiums.
Space Utilisation – Attached garages provide an extra storage area for homeowners for things such as tools, equipment, outdoor gear, and bicycles. An attached garage can also be used as a workshop for the car and other DIY tasks.
Lifestyle changes – With the boom in suburb culture after the Second World War, households were beginning to afford multiple vehicles. Attached garages allowed homeowners to park multiple cars securely and added value to homes when it came to selling the house.
The Impact of Car Culture on Home Design
Car culture significantly impacted home design, particularly in the mid-20th century. It influenced the rise of garages, driveways, and other features that catered to the growing number of cars.
Garages – The rise of car culture led to the inclusion of garages as an essential feature in home design. As car ownership became widespread, homeowners needed somewhere to park their cars securely.
Driveways – Additionally to the rise of garages, driveways became a standard feature in home design as they provided a designated area for cars to be parked off the street. Driveways are also made for easy access to garages.
Architectural Features – Home design incorporated several features to accommodate car culture, such as carports, which were a cost-effective alternative to fully enclosed garages.
The Future of the Garage
The use of attached garages for cars in the future will likely change in several ways, influenced by the rise of electric vehicles and technological advancements. Here are the ways in which attached garages could be utilised in the future:
Electric Vehicle Charging – As electric vehicles continue to increase in popularity, one of the main benefits of having an attached garage is that it can be equipped with charging infrastructure. Homeowners can install charging stations or outlets in their garages, allowing them to conveniently charge their EVs overnight.
Smart Home Integration – Smart technology is one for the future, and attached garages can help push it forward. Smart technology can enable homeowners to remotely open and close garage doors, monitor car security and check the status of their vehicle in the garage.
Automated Parking – Attached garages could begin incorporating automated parking systems where vehicles can be automatically parked and received without human intervention. This would mean optimised vehicle storage and help facilitate stress-free home parking.
Multi-Purpose Functionality – If you have a large driveway, you might use your attached garage for other purposes, such as a home gym, workshop, or additional living space. This would maximise the garage when it’s not being used for cars.
Do you have an attached garage? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produce various blogs on a range of topics, such as Cars and Architecture.
