Jump to:
Many great businesses have started from a garden shed or garage, but those aren’t the only options. The right setup can save you from paying for a lease and keep your work close to home. This guide features advice from our experienced garden building experts, looks at your options and ideas, and when planning permission might come into play.
Starting a Business from a Shed
A shed might not be the first thing you think of for this venture, but it can work, especially if you’re manufacturing your own products. You get a room to work, enough for small-scale production or one-on-one appointments. For instance, making candles, nail services, or beer brewing. British beer company Bulletproof Brewing is a great example of a business which started in a shed and was able to expand from there.
Shed sizes are an important consideration for the needs of your business. A medium to large unit is a better option, though, as a smaller one might only work as storage. And if you plan to use it most of the year, consider insulation, unless your shed has it built in. Working with fumes, glue, or anything that gives off heat or smells? You’ll need shed ventilation, too.
Garden Workshop for Classes and Client Sessions
Running one-day workshops from a garden workshop suits that kind of business. Ideally, a roomier setup is ideal, where a few people can gather, learn, and get hands-on.
Take our BillyOh Alpine Workshop Log Cabin in 13ft x 16ft, for instance. It’s styled after the classic vision of a forest cabin, with Georgian windows. Paint it or leave it as is, it’ll still look welcoming. Inside, the floor bearers are strong enough to support a few workbenches and more.
Comfort matters just as much. Your guests should feel at ease during their sessions. Some renovation work might be needed, like installing electricity or furnishing the space. All this helps make the workshop functional, whether pottery, jewellery making, or baking.
You can run sessions on weekends, school holidays, or whenever works for you, all from your own garden.
Wooden Garage for Mechanical Repairs
Bikes, lawnmowers, and minor machinery—make the tuning magic happen in a wooden garage. This is perfect if you offer repairs locally or pick up regular side jobs. Tools stay where you need them, and you don’t get interrupted.
Go for a garage with double doors for easy access, especially if you often wheel things in and out. Our BillyOh Aston Wooden Garage is one way to do it. With a spacious 13ft x 18ft that can fit SUVs, estates and sports cars, imagine how big your workspace is inside! The front double door is paired with an integrated side door for more convenient access.
When browsing your options, you might notice that most wooden garages don’t have flooring. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to plan for. A solid, level base, like concrete, is recommended.
Personal Garden Office for Remote Work
For some, starting a business at home is about having a space to freelance or offer services online. If you’re one of them, skip the need to rent somewhere with a garden office and work in your own space.
You could use it for anything that needs a laptop, a reliable internet connection, and a bit of quiet. This includes, but isn’t limited to, admin work, virtual assistance, and online coaching. Shut the door at the end of the day and switch off, which you can’t do when working from your kitchen table.
Check out these garden office layout ideas for inspiration.
Garden Studio for Arts and Crafts
This one’s for you if you want to separate your creative work from the rest of the house. Feel free to zone the space—one corner could be for messy work like pouring wax, painting, or clay. And another for clean tasks like packaging, listing products, or printing.
And even though it’s a studio, you’ll likely spend hours here. A comfy chair and a foldaway table for resting and snacking can go a long way. You won’t need as much heating in winter if it’s an insulated garden room. You can work comfortably year-round, without the cold or heat affecting your materials.
Garden Buildings for Business Planning Permission
Generally, if the building stays within these criteria, you won’t need permission:
- Under 2.5m high (at eaves)
- Doesn’t take up more than 50% of your garden
- Not used as living accommodation
- Not on land that is subject to further restrictions
Our guide to planning permission for garden buildings goes into much more detail on this.
It might be needed if:
- You expect visitors or customers coming and going
- The work involves noise, fumes, or smells (like repairs or production)
- You’re employing others who’ll also be using the space
- The business changes the overall use of your property in the eyes of your local council
Check with your local planning authority to be on the safe side, especially if the business grows.
You can take any of these garden buildings for business and shape them around the kind of work you do. Either way, it will need to be wired up for power. Read this guide next to learn more: How to Run Electricity to a Garden Building.
