Create the perfect garden studio

If you have limited space in your house for an office or studio, how about installing a garden studio? There are lots of different garden studio styles and designs to choose, from contemporary huts to traditional 'Wendy House' buildings. You can also opt for adapting an existing garden building, building your own bespoke garden studio or buying a pre-made studio that will slot right in in no time.

Before making a decision, really consider your outdoor space and choose a part of the garden that is right for your garden studio, but doesn't compromise the rest of the garden design.

Once built, you can plant around your garden studio to disguise it from the rest of the house and create a more secluded, private space. You want to opt for climbing plants, perennial beds or perhaps some small trees.

Don't miss our selection of garden sheds.

Best garden studios to buy

BillyOh Summer House Log Cabin

This summer house log-cabin from BillyOh would make the perfect garden studio. A lovely compact summer house, this garden studio would be perfect as the base for hosting summer parties or as a reading room. The large windows and double doors mean that it lets in lots of natural light and can be treated as an extension of the garden, creating a relaxing space for working or socialising. BillyOh are a UK company based in Nottinghamshire who have been creating garden buildings since 2005, so you'll know that you're buying something created by experts. This studio comes delivered in pre-assembled panels that fit together, making it easy to get things up and running.

Ecospace® Studio

• Buy now from Ecospace Studios (from £18,850+VAT).

These modular studios from Ecospace would make the perfect addition to any garden. Created using contemporary architectural design and sleek lines. Typically taking as little as five days to install, these studios would make the perfect space to work from home or a great guest room. Using the Ecospace configurator, you can customise the design to include built in workspaces, shelving, bunk beds or even a sedum-planted roof.

Garden Room

• Buy now from Garden Spaces (from £19,800).

Garden Spaces offer completely bespoke garden studio designs. From five square metres up to thirty square metres, there will be a garden studio design to suit every size of garden. The double or folding glass doors mean that these garden studios will be filled with light, creating a tranquil space for working or relaxing in.

Green Roof Shelters

• Enquire now from Green Roof Shelters.

This contemporary garden studio is actually made out of an old shipping container; the strong and robust metal shell makes this a sturdy option. Eco-designers John Little and Dusty Gedge specialise in making these modified garden studios. Made to order, they can also feature special ‘habitat panels’ on the outside walls.

Traditional Garden Room

• Buy now from Warwick Buildings (from £10,250).

Personalise a standard garden room or shed by painting it a colour that blends with the surrounding planting scheme. Warwick Offices specialises in traditional garden studios, such as this one, and offers a huge range of styles, along with a bespoke service.

Large Summer House

This large summer house from BillyOh would make an excellent garden studio. With space for sofas, armchairs, shelving and a desk it could easily be transformed into a garden oasis. The glazed doors and windows allow lots of natural light in while the cladding timber construction is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. This would be a great space for entertaining friends, or a spot for the kids to hang out and socialise. BillyOh are a UK company based in Nottinghamshire who have been creating garden buildings since 2005, so you'll know that you're buying something created by experts. This studio comes delivered in pre-assembled panels that fit together, making it easy to get things up and running.

Spacious Garden Studio

• Enquire now from Roomworks.

Some garden studios are large enough to incorporate a bathroom or even a kitchen. By positioning your studio's doors and windows to one side, it then allows more internal space to accommodate another room. This one is from Roomworks, which offers studios starting from 3m x 3m upwards.

Shepherd's Hut

• Buy now from Plank Bridge (from £29,500).

The beauty of having a shepherd’s hut as a garden studio is that it’s on wheels so you take it with you if you move home. Dorset-based company, Plank Bridge make contemporary huts and garden sheds that can even be fitted with a log burner, making them very cosy indeed.

Nomad Cabin

• Enquire now at Out of the Valley (from £8000).

These Nomad Cabins from Out of the Valley blend effortlessly into their surroundings. With considered design, these movable wooden cabins are made for adventures in nature. They would make the perfect garden studio too as they are totally customisable to your needs.

A guide to planning restrictions

Before building a garden studio you should consult your local planning authority and, if you are using a company to build your studio, make sure that it complies with planning regulations. It is generally quite straightforward to build a garden office but here are some main points to consider:

• The building must be single storey.
• You cannot build a studio at the front or side of your house – only at the rear.
• You cannot use the studio as a dwelling.
• If your home is a listed building you will not be allowed to build a studio or office in the garden.
• The total area that you can construct any garden out buildings – including garages, summerhouses etc – must not exceed 50 per cent of the total area of land around the original house.
• If your home is on the Broads, a World Heritage Site, a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, then further restrictions will apply to the area the building can occupy and its position.
• If your building is within two metres of the boundary it should not be any higher than 2.5m.
• If the building is further than two metres from the boundary then it should be no higher than 4m high.

Garden Room Guide is a great starting point. It offers information about building a garden room and has a comprehensive directory of companies that build them.