Do you have an outdoor building in your garden? I would guess that most of us have a shed of some sort, but increasingly we are looking to our outdoor areas to provide additional living space too. Rising house prices, the growing popularity of home working, and the trend towards slower living and re-connecting with nature are just a few factors contributing to the growing range of garden buildings on the market.
If you’re looking to replace or introduce a garden building to your outdoor space, it’s worth taking some time to really identify your requirements. A garden building can be a significant home investment, so it’s important to get it right first time. Check out these tips from GBC on what to consider before you make your choice.
Budget: before you start looking at the various garden buildings available, you need to decide on your budget to ensure you get the most out of your money. Once you start browsing it’s so easy to get carried away! Set your budget right at the start, and try to stick to it when narrowing down your search. Having a figure in mind will also be really helpful if you happen to find the perfect garden building at a higher price, as it will force you to mentally justify the extra expense.
Purpose: will you be using your garden building for business or pleasure? This will help you decide on the type of garden building which is most suitable for you. For example, if it’s going to be a play area for a child a summerhouse would be best, but if you plan to use it for work, you should consider a garden office building. I work from home amidst the chaos of our playroom, so a garden office would be ideal for me; I’ve just thoroughly enjoyed indulging my fantasy by browsing the great selection of offices for the garden available at GBC.
Accessibility – it’s important to make sure that whoever will be using your garden building can access it easily, without tripping over the doorway or banging their head on their way in and out. You’ll be able to request measurements from the manufacturer to make sure you’re getting a suitable sized garden building for yourself, family members or friends.
Style – You may want the outdoor building to complement your home, and there are many different styles of garden buildings available to suit everyone’s taste. For example, you may go for a vintage-inspired wooden pavilion to entertain friends, whereas someone else may opt for a modern, polished white log cabin.
Space – with there being such a large range of garden buildings on the market, you should be able to find a building which is a suitable size for your outdoor area. Once you’ve decided on the style of garden building you want, find out it’s measurements from the manufacturer and use tent pegs to mark out the dimensions in your garden. This will give you a really good idea of how your garden building will sit within your garden, and allow you to revisit product options if necessary before you buy.
Choosing a garden building can feel like a complicated task, but if you tackle each of these areas before you start shopping you’ll be well on the way to finding the perfect option for your home.
What are your tips for choosing the best garden building?
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Collaborative post
Jane Taylor says
March 17, 2017 at 10:27 amI shouldn’t be greedy, because we have a lovely extension, but I would love a garden room or somewhere to put eldest when I don’t want to listen to her singing yet another Shaun Mendes song at the top of her lungs 😉
Catherine says
March 17, 2017 at 12:47 pmOoh that’s a brilliant alternative use for an outdoor room!
Jen says
March 17, 2017 at 10:54 amBrilliant tips and ideas, I’ve pinned onto my summer outdoor board 🙂
Catherine says
March 17, 2017 at 12:45 pmFab thanks Jen – you’ve got me dreaming about summer days outdoors now!
Sarah says
March 17, 2017 at 10:56 amI would love my own little garden room, just for me, full of pretty things. However I’m sure it’s more likely to be a playhouse, with a 3 year old little girl. For now I will make do with the shed.
Catherine says
March 17, 2017 at 12:43 pmMy shed is full of bikes and paint tins, I’d absolutely love to replace it with a garden office or a lovely potting shed – or both!
Becky says
March 17, 2017 at 10:58 amgreat stuff lovely have also shared x
Catherine says
March 17, 2017 at 12:44 pmThanks Becky x
alex muir says
March 17, 2017 at 2:50 pmGreat ideas! We’re in the process of having one built in our garden, to double up as a guest room and office – I’d love to get excited about it (and I was before the build started) but the stress of having a rubbish builder is really taking its toll. Roll on summer when it’ll be finished and I can get decorating!
Catherine says
March 23, 2017 at 12:51 pmOh I’m so jealous!! I’m sure all the stress will be worth it in the end, even if it’s hard to imagine the finished building right now. You’ll be enjoying the view before you know it 🙂