What size garden room do you need for a home office?

Louise Jones
Jul 23
3 min read

When planning a garden office, it’s natural to focus on what you need right now: 2.0m x 2.4m is enough space for a desk, chair and your computer and will give you a quiet place to work. But because a garden room is a long-term investment, it’s worth considering whether the space will always be used solely as an office.

Man sitting working in his garden office.

Today’s workspace could become a hobby room, a gym, or an extra bedroom for grandchildren sleepovers in years to come.

How small can a garden office be?

If your garden office will only ever be a workspace, a compact building like 2.0m x 2.4m is enough for a desk, chair and storage shelves. It’s perfect for one person and works well in small gardens, keeping costs and heating bills low.

Why consider a larger garden office?

Budget and space will often guide your choice. If you have room in your garden and the budget allows, going a little bigger is usually worthwhile, giving you flexibility for future uses. For example, a 3m x 2.5m room offers a comfortable office now while giving you the option to use it as a craft space, gym or games room in the future. Many people choose a slightly larger footprint to include a small sitting area so the room can be used for relaxing or watching tv when you’re not working.

Key things to consider when choosing size:

Furniture layout: Measure your preferred desk and chair and mark out the area on your floor with tape to see how much space you’ll realistically need.
Future uses: Would you like space for a sofa, exercise equipment or a small meeting table
Garden space: Ensure your chosen size fits comfortably in your garden, considering light, privacy and the view.
Maintenance access: Leave at least 40cm around your building for future upkeep; guttering etc.

Popular sizes and uses:

• 3m x 3m: Fits two desks comfortably, making it suitable for shared workspaces or a desk plus a small meeting table or sofa.

• 6m x 3.5m: Allows for a dedicated workspace alongside a seating area for clients or family, creating a multi-purpose room for work and relaxation.

• Larger builds say 7m x 4m: Ideal if you want to incorporate multiple uses, like a photography studio or a home office with a gym area, while remaining under permitted development in most cases.

Large garden office by Cosy Garden rooms with two desks and sofa area

Flexible designs to match your needs

At Cosy Garden Rooms, we don’t restrict you to standard sizes; for example we can do 2.1m x 2.5m or 6.3m x 3.6m. We build to the exact size that suits your garden and lifestyle, we can add partitions for storage or even including a toilet or kitchenette for a self-contained workspace if you wish to future-proof your investment though obviously this does impact on costs.

Choosing the right size for your garden office is about balancing your current needs with what you might want in the future. Doubling the size of a building won’t double the costs, so going larger may not be as expensive as you think.

By considering how you will use your garden room now and later, you’ll create a space that can adapt as your lifestyle evolves.