If I'm understanding layout, it would be difficult to me to make sharp left turn to enter double garage. Even harder if one car already parked in. In my perfect world, I'd drive straight into any of the three stalls but realize that layout takes a lot more sq footage

You are right, this design is widely used for space efficiency. However, I notice many people simply park in driveway in front of double garage, rather than making turn into double garage

It would depend on your lot, where guests park, what the layout of the house looks like, etc.

Storage for toys, tools, junk

Our garages are for our cars. Our tools are in the tool closet, and we have no junk - so that's why I don't understand why people build a garage to protect a valuable asset and then not use it! lol

There's something to be said about having all those hood ornaments lined up.

I much prefer a garage be located to the rear of the property rather than be an obstacle to getting to the front door. A 3 car garage, located at the rear can also provide a great deal of privacy against one's neighbors. You also hav greater economy of scale than the 2+1s.

I use my garage for parking and depending on the site I typically like side entry. The rear of the house is typically the most private and using that space for a garage rather than a living space seems like a waste.

You do have to account for turning radius and gest parking with the above setup.

One of the biggest disadvantages for me, with this kind of garage, is the lost opportunity for windows in adjacent rooms (especially kitchens and laundry rooms).

Just so you know my bias upfront, though, lol, I generally dislike attached garages, so having two of them really gets me. ;-)

Also, as Miss Linda mentioned, the approach to the house is often awkward. My in-laws had a 1-2 garage, with the double facing the street and the single at a right angle, and whenever we visited, it was a bit uncomfortable to park in the driveway and walk around the house.

It wasn't a strenuous walk or anything, it just felt kinda strange to walk around someone's house to get to the front door... kinda like we were casing the joint or something, lol.

Living most of my life in North Dakota and Minnesota, I love attached garages - but not like this. 3-car garages are very popular here, but it's generally 3 in a row (sometimes an L-shape, with one stall behind another - that works great if you're storing a boat, snowmobiles, etc.).

There would have to be a really good reason (based on size and shape of the lot) to do a 2+1.

We have a 3 car now. I would prefer 3 single bays lined up instead of the double and a single that we have now. We park both SUVs in the double and the single is used for a gym. Our garage is deep so I can fit my Sequoia in with storage shelves in front of me and have room to walk around the back. I agree, the configuration as pictured limits the possibility of windows.

AnnKH I also spent most of my life in ND and MN, and recently relocated to SD where built have a ... detached garage! THE HORROR! It's connected to our house with a covered walkway. We love it. :)

The only thing we didn't like about it is having to lock/unlock doors as part of our daily routine. We solved this problem by experimenting with several different electronic locks (ultimately we settled on the Yale Real Living Push Button model -- the RFID / z-wave technology was too finicky). The locks are so simple that my 5 year old has no trouble opening/locking them, though it did take my 2 year old a few weeks to learn that she was locking herself out when she pushed the buttons.

The benefits to having a detached garage (WAY more windows on that side of the house, WE get to use the gorgeous foyer instead of winding through a tight mudroom) hugely outweigh this one tiny change in our routine! Despite living in a windy/snowy region, we haven't had any trouble with the "elements" when we take those five steps through the walkway.

Sadly, we've moved away from the hood ornament. The wreath and crest is gone, the three pointed star is only available on select models and Lincoln, well...

Maybe I could get use to it but I enjoy steping from my heated house into my garaged car and not having to touch cold air until I get to work. I guess I might be considered soft.

I agree that this split configuration takes valuable "outside" real estate and negates windows in a lot more of the house. Poo....

it's nice when you want to use the 3d garage for either a summer car / special car or not for a car at all - like for a gym / workshop, though.