If you’re starting to think seriously about building a detached garage — whether it’s for your truck, RV, tools, or toys — it’s worth taking the time to think through what you really need out of the space. Because let’s be honest: a garage can be so much more than just four walls and a door.Here are some design ideas and questions worth asking yourself as you plan your custom pole barn garage. These are the same things we see homeowners in Central Oregon thinking through when they want something that works now and ten years from now.
1. How Will You Actually Use the Space?
Start here — not with size or siding, but with real life.
- Is this just storage, or is it a working space too?
- Do you need space to park an RV, trailer, or lifted truck?
- Will you be working out there in the winter? (If yes, make sure to talk heat and insulation)
- Is this where hobbies or side businesses will live? Woodworking, welding, car repair, art?
Write out a simple list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.” You’ll use this later when prioritizing features.
2. Do You Want This to Feel Like a Garage or an Extension of Your Home?
Some folks are happy with a clean, durable shell — others want something that matches their home’s exterior and adds curb appeal to the property.
- Siding choices: Metal (low-maintenance), wood (rustic), or engineered panels (clean + durable)
- Rooflines: Gable for simplicity, gambrel for attic storage, or monoslope for a modern twist
- Doors and windows: Oversized for trucks and RVs, or standard for daily drivers. Do you want natural light? Cross-breezes?
Walk outside and picture the building on your land. How should it look to feel like yours?
3. What Do You Want the Inside to Feel Like?
This is where form meets function.
- Concrete slab or epoxy flooring?
- Lofts for storage or maybe even a future office?
- Wall finishes: Leave it open-framed or go plywood, OSB, or even drywall?
- Lighting: Natural light is great — but also think LED shop lights, task lighting, and outlets (lots of them).
- Heating: Wood stove, propane heater, or mini-split system? Insulation should match your use-case.
Walk through your current garage or workspace. What do you love about it? What’s missing?
4. Future-Proof It
It’s way easier (and cheaper) to design for future flexibility now than to add it later.
- Add extra circuits now if you think you might upgrade your tools or add an EV charger
- Think about overhead space — future lift? Hoist? Storage rack?
- Leave space for a bathroom or utility sink — even if you don’t plumb it right away
- Make the access wide and tall enough for trailers or equipment you might not even own yet
Think 5–10 years out. Don’t build for now — build for how you want to live.
5. Bonus Ideas You Might Not Have Thought Of
Here’s what other folks have added that made their space work even harder:
- A covered lean-to off the side for storing firewood, a side-by-side, or muddy gear
- A lofted mezzanine for seasonal storage, tools, or even a quiet office
- A mudroom bump-out with utility sink, workbench, or lockers. Maybe an insulated closet for a loud air compressor?
- Awnings, wainscot or accent lighting to give it a little polish
Add a few “nice-to-have” ideas to your list now — they may fit more easily into the design than you think.
Start Dreaming on Paper
The best projects start with a clear picture of how the space will be used. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just start writing down what matters most to you:
- What are you storing?
- What activities are happening out there?
- What should it feel like when you walk in?
Whether you’re building next month or just collecting ideas for “someday,” a little thought now goes a long way later.
