American garages are shrinking even as our vehicles grow larger. Nils Rasmusson dissects this paradoxical trend on his YouTube channel LRN2DIY. Rasmusson dives into the reasons behind this phenomenon, revealing a mix of historical trends, real estate pressures, and changing vehicle sizes. The findings are as fascinating as they are complex, reflecting broader societal shifts.
The Evolution of Garage Sizes
For decades, garage sizes in America steadily increased. By the 1990s, the standard two-car garage measured around 24 feet by 24 feet. However, in recent years, there’s been a noticeable shrinkage, especially in urban areas. Rasmusson highlights that builders today sometimes even consider a 20 by 20 foot space, which is barely sufficient for two modern vehicles. Despite this, there are no strict standards or building codes defining the exact dimensions of a two-car garage, leading to inconsistent and often impractical sizes.
Bigger Vehicles, Smaller Spaces
As Rasmusson points out, American vehicles are getting significantly larger. The Ford Explorer, for instance, has grown by nearly 15 inches in length and almost 9 inches in width since its early models. The Honda Civic, too, has expanded by an astonishing 44 inches since 1973. Despite this increase in vehicle size, garage dimensions have not kept pace, leading to cramped conditions where it’s often impossible to open car doors without hitting the vehicle next to it.
The Perfect Storm of Real Estate Pressures
Several factors contribute to the shrinking garage phenomenon. Rasmusson discusses how the consolidation of farmland into larger tracts and the increasing population have reduced the availability of new residential land. This scarcity, coupled with rising land prices, forces developers to build more homes on less land. As a result, new homes often have smaller lots, leaving less space for expansive garages.
The Cost of Land and Real Estate Market Dynamics
Rasmusson explains that developing land is an expensive endeavor. In desirable areas, land can cost up to $500,000 per acre, with additional costs for development infrastructure. To keep home prices within a profitable range, developers reduce lot sizes and, consequently, garage sizes. The median home price in America is around $420,000, and to stay competitive, builders aim to keep prices in a manageable range, often sacrificing garage space.
Home Layout and Garage Design
Modern home layouts also play a role. The typical design features a garage in the front, a front door in the middle, and a living space on the side. With limited lot widths, something has to give, and it’s usually the garage. Builders shrink garages to fit within the narrow confines of modern lots, often resulting in garages that can’t comfortably accommodate larger vehicles.
Practical Implications for Homeowners
The result is that many new garages can’t fit two cars comfortably. A full-size pickup truck, like the Ford F-150, requires significant space just to park, let alone open doors. Rasmusson illustrates that even with a 16-foot-wide garage door, maneuvering two large vehicles into a standard 20 by 22-foot garage is a tight squeeze, often impossible without dinging doors or scraping walls.
The Role of Driveways
With garages serving more as storage units or workshops, driveways have become the default parking spots for many families. This shift is partly due to the impracticality of fitting large vehicles into small garages. Driveways are increasingly crowded with cars, while garages are filled with tools, holiday decorations, and other storage items.
The Bigger Picture
The trend of shrinking garages amidst growing vehicle sizes reflects broader societal changes. As urban and suburban areas become more densely populated, the pressure on land use intensifies. This dynamic pushes developers to optimize every square foot, often at the expense of practical garage space. Rasmusson’s deep dive into this issue highlights the need for a reevaluation of how we design and allocate space in our homes.
“A One and a Half Garage”
People in the comments shared their thoughts and experiences: “I’m a licensed home inspector in North Carolina. When I find a garage door that is less than 18′ wide, I point out to my clients that it is a “one and a half” garage, i.e. intended for one car and then storage, workshop, or golf cart, etc. I find this to be a deceptive building practice, especially given the bloat of vehicle size in the last 25 years.”
Another commenter said: “Your analysis misses one point. Production home builders have learned that they can sell homes for $x per square foot of living space. They get no living square footage credit for closets, storage rooms, and garages. They maximize square feet of living area by eliminating closets (no more coat closets, for example) and utility rooms (put the water heater in the garage, the furnace in the attic….) That’s another reason why garages are also tiny now.”
A Call for Change
As Rasmusson suggests, the shrinking garage issue is more than just an inconvenience; it highlights a misalignment between modern living needs and housing design trends. With vehicles continuing to grow, it may be time for builders and city planners to reconsider how garages are designed and sized. Ensuring that new homes can accommodate the vehicles they are intended for is crucial for practical, livable spaces.
Impact on Overall Value
What are your thoughts? How can urban planning and real estate development better accommodate the growing size of modern vehicles? What changes in building codes or standards could help ensure that garages are practical and functional? How do smaller garages impact the overall value and appeal of new homes to potential buyers?
Explore the full insights by viewing the video on LRN2DJY’s YouTube channel here.
