What Is A Carriage House? Features, Modern Uses And Their Value

What do 18th century England and 2008’s “Another Cinderella Story” have in common? Carriage houses! The former serves as the birthplace of carriage-style homes, while the latter is a modern spin on these historical storybook homes.

Continue reading to discover the unique charms of carriage houses and learn how they can benefit homeowners.

What Is A Carriage House?

A carriage house, also known as a “coach house” or “cart shed,” was a common sight back in the days when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation. Carriage houses were typically two-story outbuildings that stored carriages and any related equipment. Sometimes, carriage houses included stables for the horses and living quarters for the coachmen. They were found on massive country estates in cities and towns.

Today, it’s a popular house style often used as a guest house, studio or office. This valuable space offers many opportunities, including renting it out as an apartment or housing family members. Some home buyers hunt for properties that include carriage houses.

The History Behind Carriage Houses

Carriage houses originated from practical everyday needs and functioned as upper-class status symbols. As horse-drawn carriages became standard for Great Britain’s wealthy during the 1700s, so did the need for a place to store them.

At that time, carriage houses were commonly referred to as “cart sheds.” They were built to store the carriage, the coachman and any equipment to maintain the carriage. The sheds typically included a private stable for horses and their related gear.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that carriage houses became popular in the United States when horse-drawn carriages arrived from overseas. As automobiles grew in popularity during the late 1880s, carriage houses transformed into luxe garages and began to house chauffeurs or drivers instead of coachmen.

Carriage House Style Characteristics

To better understand what features are unique to a carriage house and what benefits it can offer, let’s take a look at its characteristics.

Exterior Characteristics

Here are some of the most common exterior characteristics of a carriage house:

• Complementary design: Carriage houses are typically built in the same design and style as the main house on the property. Not only does it look nice, but this cohesion also honors carriage houses of the past, which usually had harmonious architectural styles.
• Freestanding structure: Carriage houses are best known for their self-contained, freestanding living space. Today, most carriage houses are attached to a separate garage and provide homeowners with additional parking space or storage.
• Large and tall: Since carriage houses were originally built to store carriages and horses and eventually stored large automobiles, they’re relatively large and have open, uninterrupted space.

Interior Characteristics

Here are some main interior characteristics you should expect to see in a carriage house before deciding how to best use the extra space:

• High ceilings: Most carriage houses were built with high, lofty ceilings to accommodate sizable carriages. Some carriage houses have ceilings as tall as 20 feet.
• Two stories or lofted space: The residential spaces in most carriage houses are on the second floor of the house. Contemporary designs include a kitchen, bathroom and living area.
• Open concept: Spaciousness is a carriage house staple that has carried over into modern designs.

What Do Modern-Day Carriage Houses Look Like?

These days, carriage houses can fulfill needs beyond storing cars or horses. And now that carriage houses are used for residents, guests or leisure, many modern comforts have been incorporated, including more natural light, electrical and plumbing, and depending on the floor plan, even a patio or deck area.

Here are some popular uses for a modern carriage house:

Home Office

With the rise in screen time and remote work, separating your work life from your personal life has become challenging. Physically separating your home office from your main home is a great way to avoid taking your work home with you.

Guest House Or In-Law Suite

Having spare living quarters can certainly help with unexpected guests. Using a carriage house as a guest house or in-law suite is a great way to offer visitors extra privacy – which is especially helpful for extended stays.

Rentals Or Homestays

Whether you live in a popular tourist area or can meet the demand for housing in your area, renting out an extra living space can be a great way to generate passive income for your household. Renovating or building a carriage house is a residential investment that can pay off in the long run. Make sure to research the zoning laws and regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which carriage houses are considered, in your area before moving forward.

Converted Garage

With an open floor plan and tall, wide doors, a carriage house can serve as a garage. Depending on the size, you can keep multiple vehicles indoors and away from the elements. Some carriage homes are large enough to fit an RV and create a studio space above.

How Much Do Carriage Houses Cost?

How much you pay to buy or build a carriage house will depend on your wants, needs, location and house plan.

Here are more factors to consider that can affect the cost of a carriage house:

• Are you going to do the work yourself or outsource labor?
• Is the land ready for building, or must it be leveled and prepped?
• Do you want to build from the ground up or purchase a prefabricated carriage house kit?
• What is the area’s legislation regarding carriage houses? What fees are involved?
• Are you interested in an energy-efficient build that incorporates green technology?

The cost of a carriage house purchase or build will vary based on what a homeowner wants, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $45,000 – $65,000 on average.

FAQs On Carriage-Style Houses

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about carriage houses.

Are carriage houses accessory dwelling units?

Accessory dwelling units are broadly defined as extra living space on a main property. So, yes, carriage houses are a type of ADU.

ADUs can’t be sold as separate real estate from the main home – which is also true of most standard carriage houses. Carriage houses, shed conversions and basement apartments are all examples of accessory dwelling units. Homeowners are increasingly using ADUs to generate passive income.

What’s the difference between a carriage house and a carriage home?

You may see “carriage house” and “carriage home” used interchangeably. A carriage house is a detached building on a lot. The building was originally designed for horse-drawn carriages and equipment. A carriage home, also known as a patio home or zero lot line home, is marketing speak for single-family homes that share walls with neighboring units, like a townhouse or condo. A carriage home has rooms for family use and includes amenities, such as fitness centers and parks.

How much value can a carriage house add to my home?

Carriage houses can add significant value to a home because they offer additional living space that can serve as a guest suite, studio, rental or garage. If you ever sell your home, a carriage house may help boost your asking price.

Where can I find carriage-style houses?

You can find traditional and modern carriage houses across the country, particularly in the Northeast and New York. They’re very common in metropolitan areas that flourished in the mid-to late-1800s. Modern carriage-style homes are popular additions on large estates and ranches that require larger structures, like garages.

The Bottom Line: The Architecture That Accommodated Horse-Drawn Carriages Still Appears In Properties Today

While carriage houses originated as a symbol of wealth reserved for the wealthy, today, they offer homeowners a unique income opportunity or extra space to get more enjoyment from their homes.

If a carriage-style house sounds like a property you’re interested in owning, connect with a Verified Partner Agent from Rocket Homes^SM today to start your home search.