Dreaming of having a workshop, studio or hobby space without losing valuable square footage indoors?
It’s a trend we’re noticing a lot at Leisure Buildings – 1st Choice Leisure Buildings is a UK-based design & build specialist, specialising in premium garden rooms, studios, and bespoke outdoor structures for style-conscious homeowners. Individuals all over the UK are moving their hobby spaces outdoors. From woodworkers to crafters, homeworkers to business owners… if they’re building something with their hands, odds are they’re building it outside.
But here’s the cool part…
This isn’t really a “trend”. What we’re seeing is a shift in how people look at their homes and hobbies.
Let’s dive in…
What you’ll learn:
- Why Outdoor Hobby Spaces Are Becoming More Popular
- Benefits Of A Garden Workshop For Your Hobby
- Considerations When Choosing An Outdoor Workshop
- Getting Started On Your Own Workshop or Hobby Room
Why Outdoor Hobby Spaces Are Becoming More Popular
Ask anyone who works from home or spends their free time doing crafts… they want a space to spread out.
They want to make noise without worrying about waking up the kids. They want room for tools without eating up living space in the house.
The issue with indoor hobby spaces?
Garages fill up with stuff. Spare rooms rarely have enough room. And basements… well if we’re being honest, they suck.
That’s why we’re seeing so many people take their workshops, studios, offices and hobby rooms outside. By building an insulated garden workshop, you can enjoy all-weather comfort while keeping your hobbies separate from house life.
Home experts agree that outdoor living and backyard upgrades are more popular now than they’ve ever been before. In fact, according to Fixr.com, 56% of experts said that more homeowners are focusing on this aspect of their home than ever before.
That’s huge.
We could quote a bunch more statistics to you about garage sales turning into outdoor shop purchases, but here’s the gist…
People are spending money on outdoor structures. A lot of money.
And insulated garden workshops are at the top of the list for crafters and home business owners.
The Benefits Of Working From A Garden Workshop
OK, so we know people are building workshops. But why?
If you’ve got a spacious garage or finished basement, why aren’t you working indoors?
Let’s break down the benefits of outdoor hobby spaces…
Distraction-Free Zone = Better Work Ratio
There’s nothing like it when a hobby starts taking over dining room tables.
An outdoor workshop gives you dedicated space for whatever hobby you’re into. You’ve got room for storage. You can leave projects out. And when it’s time to clean up… you simply close the door and walk away.
Everything inside the workshop has a place. That means tools are organised. Projects can be left unfinished. And you won’t come home from work to find your hobby suddenly crammed into the garage.
It’s amazing what this kind of separation does for your productivity. Step outside to start working. You’re shifting your mindset into “project mode”.
Useful In Summer AND Winter
Did someone say insulation?
If you’ve thought about building an outdoor workshop or hobby room in the past, we’ve asked this question before.
“I don’t want to spend money on a shed I’m only going to use during the summer”.
That’s fair… unless you get an insulated workshop.
Good insulation means your workshop is cool in summer and warm in winter. For hobbyists that like to work outside all year round, there’s simply no comparison.
Did you know? It doesn’t cost all that much to heat a garden workshop. Many people install a small electric heater to keep themselves comfortable during colder months.
House trapping yourself in the garage. With the right workshop setup, you can work outside all year long.
Increases Home Value
Here’s a fun fact for you.
Building a well-made garden workshop actually increases the value of your home. One survey showed that a stunning 98% of experts agreed that outdoor living spaces have a positive impact on home value.
Essentially the money you put towards a quality garden workshop comes right back when it’s time to sell.
Contain Noise & Clean Up
Let’s face it… some hobbies are noisy.
Woodworking creates mess. Painting causes smells. And loud music? Well that’s just rude.
When your hobbies are kept outside, there’s less of a chance your hobbies will interrupt someone’s dinner or disrupt young kids trying to sleep.
All of that mess stays out in the workshop. Neighbours won’t hear you working late at night. And families won’t worry about stepping on leftover nails or scraping paintbrushes.
Considerations When Choosing An Outdoor Workshop
Garden offices come in many different shapes and sizes. Not all of them will work for your hobbies.
Here’s what to look for when picking the perfect workshop to house your hobbies.
Space Is Important
Always take the “bare minimum” advice and bump it up by at least 25%.
You think you need a 10×8 workshop now? Guess what. You’ll need a 12×10 in a year.
It’s easy to underestimate just how much space you really need. Always round up when estimating workshop size. Trust us on this.
Insulation Is Key
Make no mistake about it. A non-insulated workshop is a storage shed.
If you want a building that can actually be used year-round, you need to prioritise insulation. Look for:
- Garden office wall insulation (high R-value)
- Insulated roofing materials (helps prevent heat loss)
- Double or triple glazed windows
- Floor insulation
All of these factors play a roll in keeping your workshop comfy when the weather outside is frightful.
Remember how we said heating a garden workshop doesn’t cost much? That’s only true when it’s properly insulated. Cheap workshops will suck you dry when winter hits.
Power & Lighting
Workshops need electricity.
Plan for it. Make sure there are enough outlets and you’ve got plenty of lighting planned before space gets built. It’s extremely expensive to add electrical to a building after installation is finished.
Natural lighting is important too. Not only will it save you money on lighting costs down the road. But having as many windows as possible makes detail work much easier.
Ventilation
This one is often overlooked.
You don’t want air to get stagnant inside an outdoor workshop. Not only does rain or snow cause moisture to build up (leading to mould) but you’ll want to ventilate any paint fumes or chemical smells from glue.
Make sure your workshop has plenty of ventilation options before buying.
Getting Started On Your Own Space
Thinking about moving your hobbies outdoors?
It’s a lot easier than you might think. Here are the basic steps to follow when planning your space…
Do your research. Know what you want the space to be used for. Woodworking has different requirements than painting. Photography studios need tons of light. Mechanical workshops might need extra power hookups.
Check your local rules. Most outdoor buildings don’t need planning permission if they’re below a certain size and situated in the backyard. But it doesn’t hurt to double check with your local council.
Set a budget. Deluxe workshops are going to cost more than a simple storage shed. Consider how much you want to spend and leave a little extra wiggle room. You’ll need to budget for electrical, flooring and maybe even extra shelves.
Don’t cheap out. Garages and sheds might be cheap to buy… but they don’t offer nearly the same quality and durability as a true workshop. You want something that will last for decades, not something you’ll outgrow in a few years.
More and more people are discovering that having a workshop or hobby space doesn’t mean giving up comfort. With insulated garden workshops on the rise, hobbyists are finally getting the outdoor spaces they deserve.
Wrapping Everything Up
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or business owner, hobbyists are heading outdoors.
Building an insulated garden workshop provides year-round comfort regardless of weather. A dedicated space will help you stay focused and productive. And when it’s time to sell your house… building a quality workshop actually adds value to your property.
So take these things away…
- Insulated outdoor workshops make great hobby spaces
- Hobby rooms keep your hobbies separate from your home life
- Quality garden buildings will add value to your house
If you’re fed up of cramped garages and messy spare rooms, it might be time to take your hobbies outside.
A good workshop can become more than just a building. It can become the place where you actually finish projects.