Are you curious to know how big a garden office needs to be? Here’s what you need to know about the essential guide for garden office sizes and shapes
There’s no better way to work, whether you work full-time from home or need a space to focus and be productive on a few projects.
But you’ve got a question: “How big does a garden office need to be?”
The answer is as large as you want. The ideal size for a garden office depends on your specific needs and available space. Still, generally, a single-person office can be comfortable in an (8 ‘ x 6’) space, while larger offices can accommodate multiple workstations or additional features.
Consider whether you need space for storage, meetings, or specialized equipment when determining the necessary dimensions.
In this guide, we will address your curiosity about the size of a garden office and provide an essential guide on garden office sizes and shapes, as well as some key considerations to help you decide which option is best for your office.
Garden Office Size
Ultimately, the ideal garden office size comes down to personal preference.
For example, you may have a small garden and want to make the best use of the available space. In this case, you might prefer a small, corner garden room tucked away out of sight, with just enough room for a desk, chair, and a few shelves.
It is the easiest type of garden office to obtain, so if you know you want a small office, you’re in luck.
There are very few rules to consider with these garden buildings, and it’s unlikely you’ll need planning permission, unless you live in a listed building or a protected area.
Many people love smaller buildings because they are:
1. Cozy
2. Easy to hide away
3. Provide enough space to be helpful as a working area
4. Easy to clean
5. Easy to heat in the winter months
6. Less likely to need planning permission
Many people go for larger garden offices, and that’s certainly an option, especially if you have a larger garden.
One of the benefits of having a large room as an office is that it can be used for multiple purposes.
For example, on one side of the room, you might want to set up your home office. But on the other side of the room, you could have a completely different purpose.
You might even want to use a corner of the room as your office area and reserve the rest of the room for a living area.
Any combination of uses is pleasing, but you’ll need a larger room if you want to use your office for multiple purposes.
Whether you want a large or small garden office, the maximum area to consider for a garden room is 10 meters by 10 meters.
Garden Office Shapes
There are a few basic shapes that most people opt for when designing a garden office.
Square And Rectangular Garden Offices
Most garden rooms, whether used as offices or for a different purpose, are either square or rectangular in shape. It is the most straightforward option and a convenient choice.
Square or rectangular garden offices can be small and discreet, allowing you to tuck them away in a corner of the garden if desired. But they can also be large if that’s what you prefer.
The rectangular design is probably the most common. One of the benefits of rectangular rooms is that they are easier to divide into two separate areas than square rooms, should you want a multipurpose garden room.
L-Shaped Garden Offices
L-shaped offices are a very popular alternative. These consist of a single room in an L-shape with an open area in the middle.
One reason they are popular is that they appear somewhat different. They are a great option if you want a stylish design that stands out.
However, L-shaped garden offices also offer several additional benefits. One of these is that they are ideal for creating multipurpose spaces.
With an L-shaped design, you can essentially have two separate zones that naturally divide. You could, therefore, use one as your office area and use the other for a different purpose.
Less is needed to use a divider or furniture to separate the space, as is typically done with a rectangular building, because the divide created for you is solid.
Garden office Glasgow L-shaped timber buildings are available in a wide range of sizes, suitable for any garden.
They are particularly popular for fitting into a corner of the garden or an awkward space, making them a versatile option.
Hexagonal or Octagonal Garden Offices
Hexagonal (six-sided) or octagonal (eight-sided) garden offices are additional options when selecting the shape of your room.
These have a rounder shape and boast a rather special appearance, ensuring your garden room stands out.
As well as looking different, they offer a few additional benefits:
1. Maximize the interior space.
2. Maximize the amount of natural light entering via multiple windows and skylights.
3. You can open windows on any side to improve ventilation.
They are not a practical choice if you want to fit a garden office into a corner, and you may simply not like the rounded shape. While these are not suitable for everyone, therefore, they are an option to consider.
Garden Office Maximum Size and Height
As mentioned earlier, a good idea for a maximum garden room area is 10m by 10m, as this is the maximum size you can build your garden office without typically needing planning permission.
If you already have a garden shed or an extension, these would count towards the total. Please note that the total number of buildings cannot exceed 50 percent of your garden’s total area.
It’s not just the overall size that matters. You must also consider the height of your garden building, and there are specific rules to follow.
As a rule, if the maximum height of the eaves of the building is 2.5 meters. If this is the case, you shouldn’t need to apply for planning permission. Also, any garden office you get must be a single-story building.
In addition to these rules, the overall height limit is as follows:
1. 3 meters (if your office has a flat roof)
2. 4 meters (if your office has a dual-pitched roof)
3. 2.5 meters (if the office location is within 2 meters of the boundary of your property)
So, if you want to set up an office in your garden and don’t want the headache of dealing with planning permission, ensure it doesn’t exceed these limits.
Conclusion:
Have a careful think about the type of garden office you want and how you will use it. Do you want to use it for different purposes or just as a place to work, for example? Consider the amount of space you have in your garden, the portion of the space you want your timber building to occupy, and where you plan to position it.
Then find out whether you will need planning permission or not, and whether you will need to apply for Building Regulations.
