A couple has claimed to have saved a significant amount of money by constructing their own stylish designer office shed in their garden. Graham Anderson, 35, and his wife Rachel, 34, who are both architects, decided they needed more space for their work due to their two young children. They transformed an unused patch of land in their garden into a vibrant garden room to serve as their workspace. With the help of Graham’s father-in-law, they spent a year building the shed using recycled materials.
In an effort to be cost-effective, the couple sourced materials from free online ads. They obtained insulation for the roof from a dumpster found on the online classifieds platform Gumtree. They acquired a window from a window re-seller and reclaimed timber with assistance from the Southampton Wood Recycling Project.
Adjacent to the office, they also created a shaded patio area with a bench for social functions. By implementing their frugal approach, the couple managed to build their summer cabin for just £12,000 (saving around £23,000 compared to hiring someone else to do it).
Mr. Anderson, an architectural technologist, expressed his satisfaction at being shortlisted in the Cabin or Summerhouse category of the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2024 competition. He described the project as a completely new build and highlighted the level of effort required to collect the necessary materials. The garden office is a low-energy building with multiple insulation layers, making it relatively warm even during winter.
Building the garden office was not only fulfilling for Mr. Anderson, but also financially essential, as they would not have been able to afford it otherwise. Participating in the competition was simply a fun decision, with the timing working out perfectly for a submission. Although not banking on winning the top prize, Mr. Anderson and his wife now use the office space regularly for work, while their children enjoy playing Lego there.
The couple started building the shed in 2022. Being architects, they wanted the shed to be their own custom design rather than purchasing a pre-made one. They spent their weekends over the course of a year assembling the shed, making use of recycled materials to save costs. The shed features a kitchenette with a small sink and an integrated under-counter fridge, making it a versatile space for the family.