Dude, Where's My Car? In the Living Room!
Whether they like a quick getaway or just love looking at the chrome, some drivers prefer to park their cars indoors
Susan Redman
30 August 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
Typically, cars are either parked on the street, in a driveway or in a garage. Some homeowners, however, are so attached to their cars that, like a fawning pet owner, they want to keep them inside. Is this weird or wonderful? I don’t know what to think, but judging from an increasing number of images on the Houzz site that show cars inside a home, I’m thinking it might just be an evolving trend. Take a look at some of the novel (and actually quite stylish) ways homeowners have incorporated car spaces into living rooms and leave your thoughts in the Comments section after the story. I’d love to know what you think…
Show off
Housed in a glass box next to a landscaped courtyard and adjoining the main house, this Ferrari is parked in what looks more shiny showroom than garage. Complete with dazzling down lights and floor-to-ceiling windows, this glamour carport has been built as an integral part of the home.
More unusual garages
Housed in a glass box next to a landscaped courtyard and adjoining the main house, this Ferrari is parked in what looks more shiny showroom than garage. Complete with dazzling down lights and floor-to-ceiling windows, this glamour carport has been built as an integral part of the home.
More unusual garages
Footy fever
Why go to the pub to watch the big game when you can drive straight into your own living room and watch it from the comfort of your car? The wide screen TV in this car lover’s home can also be viewed from either a comfy couch or a bar stool set around a high-top table. For a fun night in, add beer, nibbles and a few mates.
Why go to the pub to watch the big game when you can drive straight into your own living room and watch it from the comfort of your car? The wide screen TV in this car lover’s home can also be viewed from either a comfy couch or a bar stool set around a high-top table. For a fun night in, add beer, nibbles and a few mates.
Collector’s edition
You can’t help but develop serious garage envy with this chic space (pictured above and below). Serving as a home office as well as a garage, a polished concrete floor steps down directly onto a warm timber expanse that delineates a spacious dining and living area from the business end of the property. One can only imagine that at meal times it must bring the owner great joy to see his or her sleek set of wheels waiting for the day’s outing.
See more of this project
You can’t help but develop serious garage envy with this chic space (pictured above and below). Serving as a home office as well as a garage, a polished concrete floor steps down directly onto a warm timber expanse that delineates a spacious dining and living area from the business end of the property. One can only imagine that at meal times it must bring the owner great joy to see his or her sleek set of wheels waiting for the day’s outing.
See more of this project
It’s a small world
A cleverly designed home such as this one in Japan, has allowed the homeowners the opportunity to get their car off the narrow street outside and park it safely in the house. Windows over the parking area provide another inhabitant, a cute little poodle, with a lookout from which to keep watch over the compact city car below. Perhaps it’s waiting to be taken out for a drive?
A cleverly designed home such as this one in Japan, has allowed the homeowners the opportunity to get their car off the narrow street outside and park it safely in the house. Windows over the parking area provide another inhabitant, a cute little poodle, with a lookout from which to keep watch over the compact city car below. Perhaps it’s waiting to be taken out for a drive?
Double up
You’d be forgiven for thinking the arrangement here is some sort of double garage; it certainly looks that way. On the right, double doors open up to what may once have been big enough for a car but is now a home office; on the left, where the car is parked, there is a long row of sleek cabinets, indicating it’s a space that definitely has a dual purpose.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the arrangement here is some sort of double garage; it certainly looks that way. On the right, double doors open up to what may once have been big enough for a car but is now a home office; on the left, where the car is parked, there is a long row of sleek cabinets, indicating it’s a space that definitely has a dual purpose.
Stand clear
Only a true car enthusiast would feel the need to admire their auto from multiple vantage points within their home. The owner of this spacious house can drive their little red rocket right inside and, due to the split-level, open-plan layout, can happily go about their domestic duties checking on their car as often as they please.
Only a true car enthusiast would feel the need to admire their auto from multiple vantage points within their home. The owner of this spacious house can drive their little red rocket right inside and, due to the split-level, open-plan layout, can happily go about their domestic duties checking on their car as often as they please.
Play station
In this marvellous man cave, luxury is conspicuous. For the sophisticated man about town who obviously lives here, there’s a car collection kept behind glass but always on show, as well as a classic billiard table and a fully equipped bar. Only the best finishes, furniture and fabulous cars have been selected. However, with so much highly prized shiny duco on display, one can’t help but wonder if the cars actually get out much…
In this marvellous man cave, luxury is conspicuous. For the sophisticated man about town who obviously lives here, there’s a car collection kept behind glass but always on show, as well as a classic billiard table and a fully equipped bar. Only the best finishes, furniture and fabulous cars have been selected. However, with so much highly prized shiny duco on display, one can’t help but wonder if the cars actually get out much…
First arrival
Guess who’s coming to dinner (or rather a summer brunch on the terrace)? Cars are people, too, you know!
Guess who’s coming to dinner (or rather a summer brunch on the terrace)? Cars are people, too, you know!
Escape to the country
This jaunty jalopy gets it’s own garage-cum-guesthouse when it comes to stay. With enough space to hold a country wedding, this beautiful purpose-built modern barn can house a number of cars, including the vintage MG convertible pictured here.
This jaunty jalopy gets it’s own garage-cum-guesthouse when it comes to stay. With enough space to hold a country wedding, this beautiful purpose-built modern barn can house a number of cars, including the vintage MG convertible pictured here.
Mini me
For some, the obsession with cars starts early! A toy car parked too close to the cot, or small person’s bed, may be a first sign…
TELL US
Do you have a car obsession? Would you want to park your car inside the house? Or at least close enough to see it at all times? Attach a photo or share your thoughts in the Comments section.
MORE
Say Goodbye to Roller Doors and Hello to Garages That Wow
Weekend Project: Easy Ways to Organise Your Garage
10 Inspiring Looks for Garage Doors
For some, the obsession with cars starts early! A toy car parked too close to the cot, or small person’s bed, may be a first sign…
TELL US
Do you have a car obsession? Would you want to park your car inside the house? Or at least close enough to see it at all times? Attach a photo or share your thoughts in the Comments section.
MORE
Say Goodbye to Roller Doors and Hello to Garages That Wow
Weekend Project: Easy Ways to Organise Your Garage
10 Inspiring Looks for Garage Doors
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What happens when the lift doesn't work. Give me a garage any day, just drive on out.
As always, chookchook2...practicality and foresight combined with the simplest solution wins the day! Design things hppening today are getting a bit far fetched for me...too much concrt jungle, not nough jungle and cretures. When I bought this old place it consisted of a beaten up watherboard cottage on a 1600m2 corner block and nothing else...not even solid back steps...so lots of brain work. Initially my garage was an army tarp screwed to the side of the house...not suggesting that this is a option. I don't like garagee sheds so I incorporated the covered ,secure car port in my very large walk in fernery that was the play garden for my pedigreed siamese kitties...my little industry. Worked well since I had entrance from both streets. 30 years down the track the only inconvenience, if one can regard it as such, is keeping the gorgeous flowering creepers trimmed. I'm sure my car enjoys living in its secure reo-mesh covered and plant embellished haven. The birds and blue tongues and water dragons enjoy their jungle along with my beautiful-to-behold felines
and I enjoy not having to look at a tin shed in my garden! There's car down there under the vines!