5 Outbuilding Ideas To Transform Your Home And Garden

If you are running short on space in your home but you don’t want to move into a bigger place, you might decide to build an extension. This is a great option because it gives you the extra space you need and adds value to your home at the same time, but is there another option? 

 

 

Extensions can be very expensive and they require a lot of planning and oversight. They’re also incredibly disruptive as well. That’s why you should consider an outbuilding instead. It’s less disruptive because you can still continue living in the main house as normal while construction is underway. In many cases, it’s a lot cheaper than a full extension as well, and outbuildings can give you a different kind of functionality in your home. Although they are often overlooked when people are looking for ways to update their home, outbuildings are a brilliant option. If you have an outdoor space and you don’t know what to do with it, why not consider some of these great options? 

A Heavy-Duty Shed 

When you think of a shed, you probably think of a small wooden structure. But you should think bigger and consider the benefits of large residential sheds in your garden. A heavy-duty metal shed with lots of storage space helps you free up more space in your home. Instead of throwing everything into a rickety old shed, you can have a well-organized storage area that gives excellent protection from the weather. A metal shed is a better long term solution that adds utility and value to your home. An old wooden shed, on the other hand, requires a lot more maintenance and needs to be replaced on a regular basis. 

 

If you invest in a shed that has insulation and electricity hook-ups, you could even use it as an outdoor entertaining space separate from the house. Alternatively, why not create a workshop inside your shed? 

A Garden Office 

More people than ever are working from home and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon. If you want to be productive when working from home, you need a dedicated office space, but not everybody is lucky enough to have enough spare rooms in their house. Many people also find it hard working and living in the same space because they can’t leave work behind and switch off.

 

The solution to all of those problems is to build a garden office outside instead. Even though you only commute to the end of the garden, you can still separate your work and home life properly. Garden offices give you more space and being outside, surrounded by nature, helps you focus more. You could build a full brick outbuilding but you could also use an insulated shed with some heaters for the winter. 

Some people even go to the expense of having air conditioning installed in their garden offices. It can be an excellent idea for people who work from them each day and perhaps live in areas where daytime temperatures can be unbearable in the summer months.

They’re also practical ways of keeping moisture levels within garden offices low, as constant moisture can cause permanent damage and create mold problems.

Double Bay Garages 

A garage is always a useful addition to the home, but many people end up using theirs as a big storage area for junk that they don’t need. However, if you have cars that you want to look after and you don’t have enough indoor space for them, you could build a double bay garage. This is a great way to add value to your home because the majority of houses only have a single garage, but many families have two cars. Having the option to park both cars safely inside will make your home very attractive to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell it in the future. 

 

Even if you don’t have two cars, it’s still a good option because it’s a versatile space. You can use half the garage for your car and then the rest as a workshop or organized storage space. 

Added Living Spaces 

Added living spaces are one of the most effective outbuilding ideas, especially if you were already considering an extension. A lot of families find that they are running out of room as the kids get older and need more of their own space. Teenagers can’t really share rooms anymore, so if there aren’t enough bedrooms in the house, you should consider an outbuilding to add more living space. This is a more expensive option than many of the other outbuildings on this list because you need a properly insulated building with electricity and heating etc. but it does add a lot of value to the property. It’s ideal for older kids that want more independence but still live at home. 

 

Many people need added living spaces for elderly parents that require care. If moving them into the house isn’t an option due to lack of space, or they still want to maintain their independence, an extra living space is the perfect solution. 

Pergolas And Pavilions 

Pergolas and pavilions are the best way to transform your outdoor space and turn it into an amazing space for entertaining guests. You have a lot of freedom in terms of how much you want to spend too. You could go for a simple wooden pergola or a pavilion to create some shade around your patio area. This won’t be that expensive but it transforms your garden and helps break it up a bit into different areas. If you want to add value to your home without too much investment, this is a great option. 

 

On the other end of the scale, you have some more elaborate aluminum pergolas with sliding doors and glass windows in the roof. Although these are more expensive, they can turn your outdoor space into a luxury paradise. Adding a pergola or pavilion provides shade in the summer but it also gives you shelter in the winter. If you get an outdoor heater or a fire pit, you can get more use out of the garden all year round. 

 

If you have plenty of space outside the house but not enough inside, you should seriously consider adding an outbuilding. These are all great options that transform your home and give you the extra space that you need. They will also add value to the property, so they’re a great investment.