Timber outbuildings ideas & planning

A new standalone timber structure built on the grounds of your property can serve all manner of functions and enhance the way you use your home.

Garages

Whether you plan to use it for storing your car, bikes, tools or Christmas tree, having a garage is a useful addition to keep vehicles safe and other items out of your main abode.

A garage can add real value to your project – and could even double-up as temporary accommodation during a build.

Lots of styles are available, from traditional oak structures through to contemporary timber designs.

Designed by The Classic Barn Company, this three-bay garage amd car port has living space above, accessed via an external staircase

Consider what it will be used for and if you might want to convert any part of the addition into living space at a future date – if this is the case, then think about insulating all the walls to a suitable standard (rather than retrofitting later).

Some designs are multi-purpose, such as those with habitable areas bolted on, either in a loft room or as part of the ground floor plan.

Read more: Choosing a garage

Garden offices

With working from home becoming the norm for an increasing number of people, keeping office hours separate from the domestic zone by adding a work space to your garden can be a good way to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

You’ll need to think carefully about the ideal position of both the structure and its glazing so that you have ample daylight without a direct glare on your computer screen.

Designed by architects Surman Weston, this home workspace is lined with birch plywood inside, while outside an innovative cork cladding creates a thermally and acoustically efficient external barrier [Credit: Wai Ming Ng]

Insulation is important, too, as well as a heat emitter and electricity, so that you can use the space throughout the year.

Again, many modular timber solutions exist – or you could go for a one-off bespoke design.

Read more: How to create a home office in your garden

Summer houses & pool rooms

Putting up this kind of structure in your garden could provide extra living room for leisure activities, such as a teenage den, games room, pool-side structure or even somewhere for an inside pool if you’ve got the space and budget.

If your budget allows, a private indoor swimming pool could be the ideal luxury addition to your home. This design is by English Heritage Buildings

If you’re planning to have an indoor swimming pool it’s best to work alongside an expert in the field to make sure you get heating and ventilation right.

Read more: Beginners guide to swimming pools

Extra accommodation

If you don’t have a spare bedroom, then a garden room where you can put up guests is a good option. You’ll want to ensure the building is thermally efficient and airtight, with an electricity connection and water supply if it’s got a bathroom.

Many specialist companies offer this kind of arrangement in the form of modular timber structures.

 

Shepherd Huts are popular additions to offer guests a rustic stay. This design by Blackdown Shepherd Huts features horizontal timber cladding and pale green fenestration [Credit: Ben Carpenter]

If your project falls under the permitted development size limits and you don’t intend to use it as an independent dwelling, then you may not need full planning permission.

In general, if members of your household or guests are staying infrequently, there shouldn’t be an issue. It’s wise to establish this with your local authority first, however – and you may want to secure a lawful development certificate.

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