18 Carport Ideas That Will Protect Your Cars in Style

Need an extra parking space but don’t necessarily need a full-size garage? Consider installing a carport to protect your car—without an extensive installation process. You can learn more about the specifics of this type of structure by referring to our informative What is a Carport? article, but you can use this guide to browse through some carport ideas and different carport sizes to inspire your outdoor space.

1. Contemporary Wooden Carport

Create a contemporary aesthetic for your parking area by opting for a carport with horizontal wooden slats along the sides of the structure, joined together by aluminum panels. Surrounding the sides of the unit will not only provide more privacy, but can further protect your car during harsh weather conditions or from road debris that could damage the vehicle.

2. Attached Carport

Make your carport a direct extension of your home design to promote cohesion throughout your exterior space. This not only adds functionality by providing an additional parking spot, but will boost curb appeal by appearing fully integrated into the rest of the home. Notice how this carport also uses the horizontal beam as extra storage space for a boat to keep it safely off the ground. 

3. Fully Detached

Rather than keeping the carport attached to the home, create a fully detached structure to separate your exterior into different sections based on use. This car canopy features metal beams and a flat roof, attached to a separate small building. Use this additional unit to provide more storage space for items that aren’t waterproof, create a garage home gym, or as a separate entertaining area for outdoor get togethers. 

4. Rustic Cabin-Style

Think about the exterior aesthetics you’re fond of when planning your carport design. This fully detached carport features a red shingle roof with distressed wood posts and siding to create a rustic feel. Plus an electrical box is installed next to the structure so you can convert the carport into a pavilion area when you’re hosting outdoor get-togethers. Adorn the sides with string lights to illuminate the space after hours.

5. Expansive Barn-Style Carport

A large covered carport with enclosed sides provides ample storage space and can house two cars, despite the lack of a garage door. What’s more, the tall pitched roof adds vertical space inside the structure to hang bikes, set up an overhead storage system, or even install a car lift for the handy homeowner. This particular carport is attached to a breezeway, leading to the interior of the home to make the structure feel cohesive with the rest of the exterior. Consider an epoxy floor coating for a durable and easy to clean option for carports with heavy foot traffic. 

6. Compact Convenience

Maybe you don’t need a full-size detached garage or carport, but could use some additional covered space. Save money on materials, and create a smaller structure to provide protection for an ATV, boat, motorcycle, or golf cart. 

7. Pop-Up Carport

A classic and inexpensive pop-up carport can be found in most home improvement stores, making this an easily accessible option. This type of carport can protect your car, and be easily taken down and set back up again as needed. Keep in mind that this is a temporary structure and may not hold up under extreme weather conditions, but will keep your valuable vehicle safe from most outdoor elements.

8. Pergola-Style Carport

Draw inspiration from a pergola when planning your carport design. This structure features thick cedar beams, evenly spaced to form a covered unit with a pitched roof. For an attached carport, installing gutters is a good idea to promote proper drainage and direct the water away from your home.  

9. Mid-Century Ranch

Adding a carport can add a different dimension to the typical elongated design of a ranch-style home. This design matches the metallic trim of the facade for a clean, yet simple aesthetic.

10. Modern Carport

Let your carport match the overall aesthetic of your home to tie your outdoor space together. This streamlined structure allows the architectural elements to do the talking, without elaborate decorations to take away from the home design. A modern carport provides the right amount of balance between form and function, and keeps the landscaping in the front yard the focal point of the home.

11. Mediterranean Aesthetic

Make a statement by opting for a Mediterranean-style carport. Red-tiled shingles, bright plaster walls, and rustic wood trim bring a simplistic, yet elegant feel to this outdoor structure. Not only does this unit provide a space to park your car, but it gives a sheltered area for your furry friends to play under in any weather condition.

12. Craftsman Carport Design

Another carport idea is to create a structure with exposed beams, decorative brackets, and heavy overhead beams to highlight the craftsmanship of the unit. This structure fits in well with the driveway design, and is large enough to serve as a double carport, house a large boat, or even operate as a small to midsize RV carport. Moreover, the craftsman-styled elements ensure the carport is sturdy enough to withstand a variety of outdoor conditions that could otherwise damage your vehicle.

13. DIY Wooden Carport

For the ambitious homeowner with moderate woodworking skills and who doesn’t want to contact a local carport builder, a DIY carport is a cost-effective option, and can be tackled over the course of a weekend, in most cases. If you plan on building a wooden carport, you can find carport plans online that provide a blueprint to refer to along the way.

Keep in mind that you can also find carport kits that can be easily assembled in a few hours. If you plan on using the carport as a workspace or recreational area, consider adding insulation to create a more comfortable space.

14. Solar-Powered Energy

Make use of the added structural space, and install solar panels on the roof of your carport. This adds immeasurable functionality and transforms the structure into more than just an area to park your car under. Installing a solar panel car canopy provides cleaner and more affordable energy, and can pay for the upfront cost after a few years of use. Moreover, many homeowners also will install an electric vehicle charging station powered by the solar panels to provide an additional place to fill up their EV.

15. Sturdy Cedar Posts

This carport is held up by sturdy cedar posts that can bear the weight of the fully covered hipped roof, providing maximum protection and shade. Moreover, the design of the posts are not only aesthetically pleasing, but help the structure to withstand heavy wind.

16. Stately Shingles

This carport is held up by sturdy cedar posts that can bear the weight of a fully covered hipped roof, providing maximum protection and shade. Moreover, the design of the posts are not only aesthetically pleasing, but help the structure to withstand heavy wind.

17. Shaded Structure

Add some protection and shade without blocking out all the light with this translucent-roofed carport. This type of material protects your car from outdoor elements, but only filters out some light to provide a minimalist and open aesthetic to an attached carport. 

18. Metal Carport

Compared to other types of carports, a metal carport is one of the more cost-effective options. This metal carport adds functionality and convenience, and is a favorable material, as you have to worry less about the structure rotting, warping, or buckling over time.