A traditional car porch or shed can be used to store large and/or infrequently-used items that don’t have a place inside the home, such as bikes, gardening supplies, tools and seasonal decor. However, to ensure your space doesn’t become a dishevelled mess, it’s important to include shelving, cabinets and storage boxes for every tool and piece of equipment you own. Even a car porch can be designed to store extra storage boxes, while not encroaching on your motor vehicle. For ideas on how you can transform your car porch or shed into a hardworking or double-duty room, browse the photos on Houzz and read on for more tips.

How do I organise my traditional car porch or shed?

One of the best ways to keep your space clean is by adding built-ins. They allow you to carefully organise all your items so they're easy to find and put away while you work. Add cabinets along the walls, a built-in workbench for ample counter space and wall hooks for hanging brooms, shovels and other oddly shaped tools. Stow pricier, cherished tools in a locked toolbox, and use wall-mounted racks to keep bikes out of the way. Think about your ceiling too; many manufacturers make overhead ceiling racks for seasonal and infrequently used items.

Should I get a shed?

If your traditional car porch can't keep up with your purchases, consider adding a garden shed to take on some of the storage load. Because it's in the backyard, it's a convenient place for gardening or yard equipment. When the weather is nice, they can also work as a detached living space for work or play. Because they don't take up much room, they are easy to add and come in a variety of price points, which makes them work well for many families.

What else can I use my traditional car porch or garden shed for?

If living space is more of an issue than storage, you can always convert it into an extra room. Because it is often placed out in the yard, a shed makes a fun playhouse or outdoor playroom; it can also work also a quiet home office for those who work from home. A car porch, whether detached or attached, can also act as a home office or playroom, as well as a music room, craft room or extra bedroom. If you're turning it into a fully developed space, make sure it complies with local ordinances and has enough ventilation, light and insulation for seasonal temperature changes.

Whether you want inspiration for planning a traditional car porch and shed renovation or are building a designer car porch and shed from scratch, Houzz has 1,979 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including fountaindesign and Thorp Design. Look through car porch and shed photos in different colours and styles and when you find a traditional car porch and shed design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful traditional car porch and shed ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.