Hi there, what is the distance between the house and the garage?

I looked through your idea book and it seems as though you are definitely drawn towards an addition with a purpose as you say, and really why wouldn't you be? If you are planning on a connection then an incorporation of some extra square feet to your home would be a win-win. You also seem drawn to a particular style of architecture in your idea book as well. In order for you to achieve this well I would recommend that you meet with an architect. Most architects offer free consultations and have ton's of portfolio picts for you to browse and get inspired. Sitting down with someone might help you figure out how to aesthetically, and functionally achieve what you are going for. On a side note; the issues of city codes as well as adding on a addition to your home that is below par construction can cause some major headaches down the road when you choose to sell your home. Happy designing!

GREAT idea! About a year ago - we added a 260 square foot addition to our home and while we live in a one story rambler - the concept is similar. Depending on what you want to spend - you can do much of the work yourself. We were fortunate enough to be chosen to appear on a TV show "sweat equity" and it was a wonderful experience.
Probably similar to you - I was always frustrated having to park in the garage and then walk outside before entering our home. We took out the exterior wall from the kitchen and added a sunroom and a mudroom - love it - changed our life and the way we use our home!

about 12 between house and garage and front of garage sits 3 feet behind house I live so rural that I do not have access to local architects, but there are some about an hour away

loveyourhouse..... I would love to see pics of your addition. I NEED a mud room and a sun room sounds lovely

Judging from your photo, looks like a mudroom with a family/'great room" addition behind the kitchen (out back) would work well. I'm assuming a bathroom is in the middle of the back of your home, so expanding the kitchen out back will create a great family space. Please feel free to reach out to me if you're anywhere near Connecticut. I can help!

Being a Guy, with too many toys, I look at your goal, a little differently. In most codes in my area,it is easier to add to the garage than to the house.(You can never have enough garage) Not a residence. I would add to the front of the garage, up past the point of your side door. Then at some point build a great sunroom that connects between garage and house. That would provide you protection from the elements and add some great entertainment space.Then on both sides of your new sun rooms add some great landscaping and a court yard.

i would do a side door off of the left side of the garage into a small breezeway, then where your porch is extend it over to the garage and enclose it to form your mudroom. you would be removing the porch all togethether. i would then add a patio/porch area in the back. look at some of my pic in outdoor stuff there are some great ones in there. i don't know how to move some of the pics here

It appears you have a decent elevation drop from the floor level of your main house to the garage. Given the close proximity of 3'0 to the front of the garage, you need to keep in mind a set of steps to change elevations. This may eat up a fair amount of floor space. Look for a good design/build firm in your area. Kill two birds with one stone as those who know how to build it will be able to keep in mind your desired budget. Good luck!

I agree with lifestyle Group, in that a good design build firm could solve this problem. The elevation change is a major concern and will eat up floor space. Good Luck