How Many People Use Their Garage for a Car

For many homeowners, a garage is one of the most valuable parts of their property. It offers shelter, storage, and security, yet surprisingly few people actually use it for its original purpose: parking a car. Across the UK, garages have evolved from purely practical spaces into multipurpose areas that serve as workshops, gyms, storage rooms, and even living spaces. The idea of driving into the garage and shutting the door behind you has become something of a rarity in many modern households.

Understanding how people use their garages today sheds light on wider changes in housing design, car ownership, and lifestyle habits. It also raises important questions about space efficiency, property value, and the priorities of homeowners in an era when parking and storage are both at a premium.

The Decline of the Traditional Garage

The concept of a domestic garage first became popular in Britain during the early 20th century, when private car ownership began to rise. By the 1950s and 1960s, most new suburban homes were built with a garage attached or nearby. At that time, cars were smaller, and houses had larger plots of land, making the garage a natural feature of the home.

However, over the decades, both cars and living habits have changed. Modern vehicles are significantly larger than those of previous generations, while garage dimensions have largely stayed the same. The average single garage in the UK measures about 2.4 metres wide by 4.9 metres long, yet many family cars today exceed 1.8 metres in width and 4.5 metres in length. This leaves very little space to open doors or move around the car once it is parked.

The result is that many garages are simply too small to be practical for modern car use. Homeowners quickly realise that it is easier to park on the driveway and use the garage for storage instead.

How Many People Actually Use Their Garage for a Car

Surveys over the past decade consistently show that a significant majority of UK homeowners no longer use their garage for its intended purpose. Although exact figures vary depending on location and property type, estimates suggest that fewer than 25 percent of garages regularly house a car.

In many suburban and rural areas, this number is even lower. A national home usage study conducted in recent years found that around half of all garages are now primarily used for storage rather than parking. In some cities, as many as 70 percent of garages never see a car inside at all.

This means that the typical garage is now more of a household extension than a vehicle shelter. It has become a convenient space to store tools, bicycles, boxes, and household items that do not fit elsewhere in the home.

Why Homeowners Choose Not to Park Inside

There are several practical reasons why homeowners stop parking their cars inside their garage. The most obvious is space. As cars have grown wider and taller, garages have not. Trying to squeeze into a narrow space and manoeuvre around with bags, car doors, and shopping can feel like more trouble than it is worth.

In some homes, the garage entrance is also too small. Older doors may not accommodate SUVs or modern electric vehicles with higher rooflines. Replacing the door with a larger model is possible but costly, and many homeowners prefer to invest that money elsewhere.

Convenience is another major factor. Parking on the driveway or street allows quick access to the house without the hassle of opening and closing the garage door every time. With electric garage doors available, this process has become easier, but many people still find it quicker to park outside.

Another reason is that garages have become prime storage space. The modern household owns far more possessions than in decades past. From sports gear and gardening tools to seasonal decorations and DIY equipment, the garage often becomes the first place to store anything that does not have a home inside the house. Over time, it fills up until there is simply no room left for a car.

How People Use Their Garages Instead

Today’s garages serve a wide range of purposes beyond car storage. In many homes, they have effectively become extra rooms, adapted to meet changing family needs.

A large proportion of homeowners now use their garage primarily for general storage. Boxes of old clothes, camping equipment, bicycles, and rarely used items are neatly (or not so neatly) piled along the walls. Some garages are fitted with shelving units and cupboards to maximise the available space, while others become semi-organised sheds full of tools and hardware.

In recent years, more garages have been transformed into functional spaces such as home gyms, utility rooms, or offices. The rise in home working has led many people to convert their garages into quiet, dedicated workspaces. Others have turned them into home studios, craft rooms, or hobby workshops.

For families with young children, garages often become playrooms or teenage dens. In urban areas, where housing space is limited, converting the garage into a living area or small flat can even add significant value to a property.

The Financial and Practical Implications

While using a garage for storage or conversion offers obvious convenience, there are financial and practical considerations to keep in mind. A garage used as intended can provide excellent protection for a vehicle, keeping it secure, dry, and sheltered from weather damage.

Cars parked inside typically stay cleaner and suffer less corrosion, especially during wet or frosty months. Insurance premiums can also be slightly lower if a car is stored in a locked garage overnight, as it is considered safer from theft and vandalism.

However, for many homeowners, the trade-off between convenience and protection leads them to prioritise usability. A cluttered or narrow garage simply does not offer enough benefit to justify daily use. In these cases, repurposing the space becomes a practical choice that better suits modern life.

From a property perspective, having a garage remains an attractive feature, whether or not it is used for a car. Estate agents often note that buyers appreciate the flexibility of having an additional enclosed space, and garages converted into habitable rooms can increase a home’s resale value.

Urban Versus Rural Garage Use

Garage usage patterns vary depending on where you live. In rural areas, where driveways and private land are more common, fewer people park inside their garages. Homeowners often have multiple parking options and use the garage for tools, equipment, or gardening supplies instead.

In towns and cities, where parking is more limited, garages tend to retain their value as parking spaces. Yet even in urban areas, many garages are used for storage or rented out to others for vehicle parking or storage needs.

Some city residents also face access challenges, such as narrow driveways or awkwardly positioned garage doors, making regular use difficult. In older terraced properties, garages were sometimes built to accommodate small cars of the past, which no longer fit comfortably today.

The Changing Role of Garages in Modern Homes

The way people use their garages reflects broader lifestyle and housing trends. As homes become smaller and storage space more limited, the garage has evolved into a catch-all area that supports day-to-day living.

Homeowners now value versatility as much as functionality. The ability to use the garage as a workshop, gym, or studio can be more beneficial than using it purely for car storage. Advances in insulation, flooring, and lighting make it easier than ever to repurpose a garage without major building work.

That said, garages continue to play an important role in property design. New-build homes often feature integrated or partially enclosed garages to maximise plot space, though these are typically smaller than those built several decades ago.

Garage Conversions and Planning Considerations

Converting a garage into a living space has become increasingly popular in the UK. It is often one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to expand a property. In many cases, garage conversions fall under permitted development rights, meaning you do not need full planning permission as long as you are not changing the external structure significantly.

However, there are building regulations that must still be met. These include proper insulation, damp proofing, adequate ventilation, and safe electrical installations. If you live in a conservation area or the garage faces a public road, additional permissions may be required.

A well-executed conversion can add up to 20 percent to the value of a property, depending on location and finish. This makes it an attractive option for homeowners who no longer need to park a car inside but want to make better use of the available space.

How to Make a Garage Work for Both Purposes

Some homeowners strike a balance between using their garage for car storage and other purposes. With careful organisation, it is possible to create a multi-functional space that accommodates both.

Wall-mounted shelving and overhead racks can free up floor space, while foldable workbenches or gym equipment allow flexibility. Investing in good lighting, easy-to-clean flooring, and efficient storage systems can make a significant difference.

If your car fits comfortably, consider keeping it inside during winter to reduce exposure to frost and salt, which can cause corrosion. During summer months, the garage can double as a workspace or storage area.

The Future of Garage Use in the UK

As electric vehicles become more common, garages may once again regain importance as secure parking and charging spaces. Installing an EV charger in a garage is convenient and protects the unit from weather damage. This could encourage more homeowners to clear their garages and return to parking inside.

At the same time, as housing density increases, space efficiency will remain a key consideration. Future garages may be designed to serve multiple roles from the outset, combining vehicle storage with flexible living or working areas.

Architects and developers are already adapting designs to meet these changing needs. Some modern homes feature carports or modular garage systems that can be easily reconfigured as lifestyles evolve.

Conclusion

Although garages were originally designed for cars, only a small proportion of UK homeowners still use them for that purpose. The majority have repurposed these spaces for storage, hobbies, or home improvements, reflecting broader shifts in lifestyle and property use.

While using a garage for parking provides security and protection for vehicles, practicality often outweighs tradition. Narrow dimensions, larger cars, and modern convenience all contribute to the shift. Yet garages remain one of the most versatile parts of any home, capable of adapting to whatever the household needs most.

In the years ahead, as electric vehicles and changing design trends shape how we live, the garage may once again find itself at the centre of domestic life. Whether it becomes a charging station, workshop, gym, or simply a well-organised storage area, the garage continues to evolve  serving as a reflection of how people balance practicality, comfort, and creativity in the modern home.