Shed office ideas: the best shoffices and garden studios for home workers and hobbyists

Whether you simply need somewhere to put your lawnmower, or a comfortable extra room for your home, a good shed will do the job.

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James Mowbray10 July 2019

Whether you work from home or you just want somewhere to call your own while you build model aeroplanes, a garden office pod can be a great way of getting extra space without needing to go through a lengthy planning process.

And you no longer have to battle cobwebs, splinters and rusty garden tools to get one.

From fully wired, insulated shoffices (it's a rather clunky portmanteau of shed and office) to thief-proof tool storage and self-build architectural experiments, there are a huge range of ready made garden structures you can buy.

To help you choose we've picked out the best wood, plastic and metal structures on the market at the moment.

U-Build

U-Build is a self-build system, using wood, that comes in a flat-pack. There are no limitations to the size – you could build a whole house, if you want – but the fact that it is delivered as a kit means it’s perfect for building a garden studio where access may only be through your house.

As it’s the result of a collaboration between a group of architects, engineers and advanced manufacturers it’s also probably the most aesthetically pleasing shed currently on the market.

It’s bolted together using hand tools, so it can be taken apart again easily, and moved, recycled or even sold on.

Their online tool allows you to get a rough quote and choose from many options, including windows and insulation.

Designed and manufactured in England, from £3,400.

Easyshed

Easysheds are designed and handmade in England and their prices include VAT, delivery and installation using their own in-house teams, so there are no hidden costs.

They offer tanalised, pressure-treated wood as an option, which is an arsenic-free means of preservation that enables them to offer a 10-year anti-rot guarantee on relevant products.

All models come with a floor strong enough to support a fork-lift truck.

Their Security range has extra features, like slit windows and reinforced framework to deter thieves.

If you’re looking to really impress the neighbours, their top-of-the-range Beast sheds are like ordering a car with all the options in the brochure – it comes with everything.

From £358 for the Classic range, while the Beast range starts at £596.

Keter

If you’re looking for a shed that will probably outlast you, then go for plastic. Single-use plastic may have earned a bad rep, but for an outdoor structure that’s exposed to the elements and will last, it can be a suitable material.

It should also be remembered that on average, alternatives to plastic are 3.5 times heavier and require 82 per cent more energy to produce, creating nearly 2.7 times more CO2 over the course of their life-cycle.

The Keter Artisan is 11ft x 7ft, has double doors, a heavy-duty floor panel, is lockable and a simple spray with the hose will keep it clean.

You’ll need to assemble it yourself and delivery is £10. £1,199 from Homebase.

Biohort

Biohort’s metal sheds are made in Austria, and they are keen to point out the benefits of the material over wood. Steel is unaffected by sun or rain for years, so there’s no need to worry about rot or having to paint it every year.

The coating used will also ensure it keeps its colour even if washed with a pressure washer, and it’s also fireproof. All that adds up to Biohort being able to offer an impressive 20-year guarantee.

Their Highline model comes with an all-round skylight, a three-way locking mechanism and the door opens and closes semi-automatically using a gas-assisted spring damper.

Biohort claim it’s completely maintenance-free. It’s self-assembled, but Biohort can also arrange assembly, for a fee. From £1,759, including delivery.

Shed-In-A-Box

The Shed-In-A-Box is perfect if you're on a tight budget or if you think you might need to move your shed around.

This 6ft x 6ft model has a powder-coated steel frame to prevent chipping and corrosion. The metal tubes also go through a 13-step Rhino Shield surface preparation process.

The cover is composed of a triple-layer of rip-stop, waterproof, polyethylene. It’s also UV-treated inside and out with fade blockers and anti-fungal agents so the fabric cover can withstand the elements.

The cover is held tight to the frame using a tension system and you can quickly easily put it up by yourself. £153 from B&Q.

Yardmaster

YardMaster’s 8ft x 6ft metal shed has an internal height of 192cm, and two sliding doors provide easy access, opening to a width of 102cm.

Slotted eaves give plenty of ventilation and it comes in cottage green with an eggshell finish.

It doesn't come with a floor – it should be built directly onto a strong, level base such as concrete or paving slabs, then anchored using the fixings provided.

Yardmaster are a British company and all their products are made in the UK. The hot-dipped galvanised steel construction makes it weather resistant and you’ll never need to paint it or worry about rust.

It comes with a 15-year anti-rust guarantee and can be self-assembled, but requires two people. £200 from Argos.