Corban Taylor likes the idea of a garage being a welcoming space rather than just a through way to a home which is the inspiration behind Garage Gurus.

 The Wānaka business creates design led garages and toy sheds featuring customised cabinetry components and modules.

“As a builder working on high-end homes I noticed that often garages were left empty and almost forgotten at the project end,” he says. “There was a distinct gap in the market for cool garage spaces to reflect a homeowner’s lifestyle.”

Hence Garage Gurus.

“The venture started humbly. Just a couple of mates playing around in their garages with the idea simmering before we launched in mid-2023. Our motivation is to make each garage a place to spend time in and not just pass through.”

Garage Gurus has a range of services to create purposeful, well designed garage spaces.

“The garages we’ve built so far have been bespoke to new builds and existing homes with specific fit outs. Working alongside other building companies is great as we come in at the end ensuring the garage is spot on before the new owners move in,” says Corban.

“We’re developing a core range of modules and cabinets and a product catalogue and website where customers can build a virtual garage online and then order the corresponding pieces which allows them to build and customise their own space.”

A recent project for an Australian couple new to Wānaka was highly successful.

“The brief was basic – make it awesome mate, the full Monty,” says Corban. “We created a space with vertical bike storage, extra-large storage units, heated drying cupboard, ski and snowboard wall racks, bench seating with shoe storage, coat hanger wall, workbench with drawers and under cupboard and device charging station. They were the perfect customers.”

Corban and his team use high pressure laminate (HPL) plywood as the primary material for their customised modules which are cut at their Ballantyne Road workshop.

“The finished products look great and are super functional with quality hardware ensuring the units last. They are ideal for holiday rental fitouts where mountain bike and snowboard racks are optimal alongside heated drying cabinets for winter.”

Garage Gurus
Unit 2—80 Ballantyne Road, Wānaka
Phone: 021 720 360

garagegurus.nz