Carports are budget-friendly alternatives to garages that offer both style and function. While these structures are more simplistic, it doesn’t mean they have to look boring! There are many modern carport designs with unique styles that complement your property and increase the resale value of your house.
If you’re considering adding one to your home, we’ve rounded up 21 stylish carport ideas to inspire your next project. Check out each one below, or jump straight to our video.
1. Go Sleek and Modern
Modern designs—those that incorporate natural materials, minimalism, and simplicity—are making a comeback in architectural trends. A carport made of sleek steel or smooth wood can be a stylish addition to your home while protecting your vehicles from the elements.
2. Opt for Prefab Metal
If you’re looking for a quick and easy-to-assemble option, prefabricated metal carports are inexpensive and low-maintenance. These cost-effective carports are manufactured off-site and later delivered to your residence, helping save time and money.
3. Enclose It with a Wall
Is your front yard open to a busy street or neighboring houses? Consider adding a wall or two on your carport to enclose it and create some privacy. If you later decide to fully convert your carport into a garage, just install a garage door.
4. Install a Gate
Another enclosed carport idea is one with a gate. They not only add extra security for vehicles and other belongings but also create a trendy look for properties.
Additionally, gates function as stylish garage doors on carports. You can install mechanical sliding gates that open and close automatically upon vehicle entry and exit.
5. Choose a Transparent Top
Love the idea of a luxurious skylight for your carport? You can achieve it with transparent roof panels. Durable roofing material, such as polycarbonate panels, have the translucent qualities that let in natural light while still protecting your cars from UV damage.
6. Construct a Balcony
Balconies make great additions to any home. If you prefer a carport attached to the house, you can team with an architect and contractor to design a functional space on top of it. For example, by expanding the second floor of your home and parking cars beneath it, you’ll create a carport balcony that overlooks the yard.
7. Use a Shade Sail
For a beachy or coastal vibe, consider shade sail carports. The best thing about sail fabric is that it is waterproof and designed to withstand strong winds, making it an ideal choice for an open carport. Use them to create a cool and breezy cover for your vehicles and shade for your yard.
8. Install a Retractable Awning
Speaking of yard shade, you can create some with a retractable awning. It’s the perfect solution for a transitional outdoor space, becoming both a single-car carport and a comfortable lounge area when needed. You can even install a motorized retractable awning for convenient shade at the push of a button.
9. Make It Multifunctional
There are plenty of creative ways to use a carport that don’t involve cars. If you choose a carport size for two cars, consider reserving one side as a multipurpose space for outdoor leisure.
10. Incorporate Mixed Materials
Who says you can’t mix and match? DIY carports made of various materials add texture and engage the eye. You can use visually contrasting materials in your DIY carport structure, such as metal and wood or stone and glass, to make a statement.
11. Embrace the Pergola
The versatility of pergolas makes them perfect additions to homes. Whether attached or stand-alone, pergolas shade your outdoor furniture and serve as an architectural accent just about anywhere in the yard. If you have one large enough, you can use it as a stylish carport for your cars!
12. Go for a Barn Style
Are you a farmer or horse owner? Lean-to carport styles make excellent barns. Design one with a storage area for tractors and farming equipment, as well as shading and sheltering livestock.
13. Use Attractive Colors
Gone are the days of the boring aluminum-colored carports. Modern steel carport versions are available in many different colors, which you can select for the carport roof, trim, sides, and even a classy two-tone on horizontal siding. Since all of the colors are directly baked onto the steel carport metal sheets, you don’t have to worry about peeling paint.
14. Build a Carport-Garage Hybrid
Maybe you already have a garage, but it’s not enough space for your vehicles. In this case, consider a hybrid carport structure. Create the best of both worlds by installing an awning or extending the garage roof to create a shade area for additional parking.
An easier alternative is to add a new carport in front of or next to your garage to accommodate more vehicles.
15. Design a Porte-Cochère Style Carport
If you’re up for a home renovation project, you can attach a carport to your house entrance area to create a passageway. This architectural style is known as the “porte-cochère,” in which a covered entryway is large enough for vehicles to drive through and park beneath.
16. Add an Arched Entry
For a luxurious look, design a carport with an arched entryway. Curves and other geometric designs on carport architecture draw the eye and add a sense of elegance to carports.
17. Install a Solar Panel Rooftop
Metal roofs are one of the most compatible materials for solar panels, which definitely come in handy for energy-efficient homes. Installing solar panels on your carport roof will also spruce up an ordinary design. Just make sure your carport design can carry the extra weight before installing them.
18. Use Creative Columns
Make your carport stand out by replacing the support beams with attractive columns. Choose different materials like stacked stone or painted aluminum to make your carport the focal point.
19. Cover with Lush Greenery
Level up your landscaping by planting climbing plants on and around the carport. It’s also a natural way to add privacy to your parked vehicles beneath it.
20. Go Rustic
Do you have a wooden home? Add a rustic timber carport to mimic the design and appear as an extension of the home.
21. Add a Storage Room
Need extra storage space? If you’re building your own carport, you can construct a room or shed attachment to store and conceal bikes, tools, and accessories.
Video: Stylish Carport Ideas
Customize and Order Your Dream Carport
Now that you have plenty of inspiring carport ideas, use our 3D Builder below to plan and visualize your next project. You can explore different carport customization options, instantly see how the finished carport will look, and receive an estimated carport price to get you started.
