Homes Extra: Shed Space

Thursday, 4 July 2024 10:15

By Sara Whatley

Are you thinking of a new shed, greenhouse or garden room? Sara Whatley gives you some food for thought on all three

The garden is the place to be at this time of year, whether you are gardening, sunbathing or working. It’s a joy on a sunny day to take a step outside and enjoy the great British summertime. And when it’s not so sunny, stepping into a little bolthole is a different joy all of its own.

Your bolthole might be the garden shed; rows of tools hooked up on the walls, the lawn mower tucked away in the corner, perhaps a potting bench with stacks of pots waiting to be planted up. Sheds can also become the dumping ground for all sorts of things, and then a cluttered chaos is created and the potential for space is lost.

But a shed sanctuary can be restored with the addition of a few sturdy racks or shelves, some large storage containers and a good old
sort out, the shed can soon become a comfortable place to be. Try to keep it organised into sections, for example: tools for the garden; camping gear; chairs and tables; children’s toys; BBQ stuff; and bikes and pumps.

Then, if the space allows, perhaps the addition of a small fold away chair and table might give you the little hide away that offers a welcome refuge when required.

Perhaps your garden bolthole is the greenhouse where tomatoes and cucumbers create a jungle come the warmer months; somewhere you can escape to and potter away for a while, radio on and cuppa to hand.

There are some great ways to organise a greenhouse to make sure every possible inch is utilised to its utmost potential. Shelving and staging are key, creating different levels of surfaces to store pots and tools, so that work bench areas can be utilised for potting. Be sure to choose a robust material that is waterproof, dirt-proof and hard wearing. A slatted surface is ideal so water can drain away freely and air can circulate between the plants, keeping them healthy.

Think about spaces such as in the pitch of the greenhouse roof; could you lace up string or wire to create either supports for climbing plants, or with the addition of some bulldog clips it might be a handy place to clip gloves or seed packets?

Self-adhesive hooks are another handy organisational tool. Hang up hand tools, watering cans, and hanging baskets. And don’t forget the back of the door. This little used space could hold a pocket organiser or be a place for your gardening calendar.

Another wonderful addition to any garden is a garden room. This is a space that can be used in a multitude of ways, giving you the opportunity
to create an office, studio space, gym, workshop, entertainment room, or simply a tranquil area in which to relax.

If you are looking for a little extra space in your home this might be the perfect solution over an extension. Extensions are great if you need an extra bedroom or a larger kitchen- dining-living space. But garden rooms can offer you the distance away from the main house to give you the peace and quiet sometimes not achievable at home.

They can also work the other way around; if you want a space to play your music or undertake a noisy restoration project then an insulated garden room can give you that space without disturbing others. It is also worth noting that typically, a well-built garden room can add up to 15% value to your home, making it a worthwhile investment.

Building a garden room is generally less expensive than an extension and significantly less intrusive as well. Kit it out inside however you desire, it could be a basic bolthole or a luxurious abode with all mod cons, the choice is yours.

Combination garden rooms offer even more scope to bring together all your garden requirements under one roof. For example, a bespoke design could include a separate room for garden storage at one end, then a main room could be a garden office or entertainment space. Combination garden buildings are a clever solution that can cater for all practicalities.

So, with some food for thought to chew over, I wonder what sort of shed, greenhouse or garden room will appear in your garden? Personally, I can’t wait for our garden room build to begin, a combination of a home office for me and a workshop for my husband. Odd, but it’s exactly what we need!

Homes Extra: Shed Space

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