One of the most frustrating things about renovating your space is not having the budget or the permission. It’s one thing to be a renter with restraints but even homeowners have to jump through paperwork hoops to get the job done.
With this comes the challenge of needing more space and fast. Whether you’re in a growing family, working remotely more often or additional storage, trying to extend your home can at times be more stressful than moving elsewhere.
In all of this, there has been a spike in the popularity of garden sheds and summer houses. According to The Posh Shed Company, homeowners are no longer buying sheds as basic storage but extensions to their homes. They are being insulated, windows are being glazed and they’re now just as secure as your own front door.
Why Shed Extensions Are Popular
“The biggest change we’re seeing isn’t what people put in their shed—it’s what they expect the shed itself to do,” Jenny Davis, Head of Marketing at The Posh Shed Company, says. “Customers want dry, secure, usable space all year round, not a cold box at the bottom of the garden.”
With all of the necessary add-ons that make your own home cosy, the shed is now the new conservatory. The move to the garden also comes in a year that we’re wanting more nature-first design through biophilic elements.
“As homes work harder than ever, people are looking beyond their four walls for practical solutions,” Jenny adds. “A well-built shed can now play a similar role to a utility room, freeing up space indoors without the cost or disruption of a renovation.”
If you’re not a keen DIYer, The Posh Shed Company offers sheds the essentials fitted. Depending on your budget and needs, they can include insulation, glazing, cladding, storage and guttering in place. Prices start from £4999 and the models are available to order online.
Things To Be Aware Of With Shed Extensions
If you want to avoid the planning permission and building regulations route, there are limitations to a shed extension. You cannot use it as a dwelling or rental. If you or others intend to sleep in the shed on a regular basis, it needs to comply with building regulations and you need to get planning permission.
For homes in most residential areas, it must be built in your back garden space. This is assuming that you are the owner of the garden land. If it’s built within two metres of the garden boundary, it cannot exceed 2.5m in height. It also cannot be more than 25sqm or take up 50% of the garden.
If you want to attach the shed to your home (e.g. lean shed structure), it may then be deemed an official extension. In this case, the shed and the portion of your home you attach it to would need planning permission and checks to ensure it aligns with UK building regulations.
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