Super Mini Garden Rooms
Published: 21 May 2023
Updated: 4 April 2024
Reading Time: 5 minutes 15 seconds
If you're seeking a small garden room that provides ample space for one person to work at a desk without overpowering your garden, you've come to the right place! Today, we present eight options for super mini garden office buildings.
With a depth of 1.8 meters/6ft or less, these are the smallest garden pods available in the market. Despite their compact size, they are cleverly designed to offer functional workspaces, incorporating many features found in larger counterparts.
Maximising garden space with thoughtful design
Each of the seven small garden office pods we've discovered stands at a height of 2.5 meters, adhering to Permitted Development regulations. In most cases, this means they can be installed without the need for planning permission.
Thanks to their small footprint and a maximum height of 2.5 meters, these pods can be positioned near the boundaries of your garden, taking advantage of the Permitted Development rules. This ensures optimal use of the available space, even in the smallest garden.
Some options feature low-maintenance external finishes, enabling them to be placed snugly against a wall. In fact, one range can be installed as close as 50mm/2 inches away from a wall, fence, or hedge, allowing for significant space-saving.
Designed for year round use
Each of the multi-layer garden office pods we'll discuss is designed for year-round use. They boast double glazing, insulation, and specialist membranes, ensuring a warm and damp-proof office environment. Your paperwork and computers will be stored securely, just like in your house. The doors and windows of these micro office pods are of house quality and equipped with insurance-approved multi-point locking systems.
The companies offering multi-layer garden room specification pods typically include the foundation system and electrical connections for light and power in their pricing. While some companies provide a turnkey service that involves connecting the pod's electrics to your house, it's more common for them to request you arrange for a local electrician to handle the cabling between the pod's consumer unit and your house.
In addition to the multi-layer garden room specifications, we'll also share details of a couple of ranges of insulated log cabin buildings. These can be a more affordable solution if you have budget constraints. These buildings feature solid walls made from interlocking timbers, along with insulation in the floor and roof structures. The double-glazed doors and windows come with insurance-approved locks.
When exploring your options for small insulated log cabins, keep in mind that the foundation is often considered an optional extra. The same is true for the electrical setup required for lighting and power. Many log cabin companies offer an electrical pack as a standard package, including lighting and power sockets. However, if you prefer a more customised solution, you can choose to purchase just the building and have a local electrician wire up a tailored setup.
Quick installation in a single day
These micro office pods are an ideal choice if you're short on time. They generally have shorter lead times compared to their larger counterparts and can be installed on-site within a single day, meaning minimal disruption.
Additional costs to consider
Typically, you will need to hire a local electrician separately to handle the garden pod’s electrical hook-up to your house's power supply. While some micro pod companies include this connection in their quoted price, most do not.
8 micro garden rooms
Below we introduce 9 of the best micro garden room options on the market. We have listed them in ascending size. Use the links to contact the companies for the current price - mention you saw them in this guide!
Dory Pod by Hully Pods
Size: 2.4m x 1.2m (8ft x 4ft) = 2.88sqm (32sqft)
Measuring 2.4m x 1.2m with a maximum height of 2.3m, the Dory Pod from Hully Pods is Permitted Development friendly. Delivered fully assembled, it can be placed on firm ground without requiring a concrete foundation. If you plan to use your garden room as a home office, the Dory Office Pod may be ideal. This version comes equipped with a desk, cabinet, and shelving, making it ready for immediate use. You can also personalise your pod by selecting the exterior colour, door and window frame colour, laminate flooring finish, and the electrical pack that best suits your needs.
Learn more about this design
QCB by Booths Garden Studios
Size: 2.4m x 1.2m (8ft x 4ft) = 2.88sqm (32sqft)
This is the narrowest garden office pod we have to share, measuring just 1.2m/4ft deep. This compact design is an example of the QCB range by Booths Garden Studios, which comes in a range of bigger sizes.
Despite its small footprint, the pod utilises a wall of floor-to-ceiling glazing, creating an illusion of spaciousness. Additionally, a strategically placed window above the desk allows ample natural light to flood the workspace. You could have a desk at one end and a comfortable chair or bookshelves at the other end.
The QCB range boasts low-maintenance exterior cladding designed to withstand the elements. Thanks to Booths' ingenious build system, this office pod can be installed with a mere 2-inch clearance from a wall or fence, maximising space.
Learn more about this design
QuadPod Super Micro by Sanctum Garden Studios
Size: 1.8m x 1.8m (6ft x 6ft) = 3.24sqm (36sqft)
The QuadPod range by Sanctum Garden Studios is one of the most popular small garden room designs. Recently, they have introduced the Super Micro option, expanding the range even further.
The QuadPod Super Micro features Western Red Cedar cladding on two sides, complemented by dark grey weatherboard on the remaining sides. It comes with dark grey uPVC doors and windows. You have the flexibility to select either the Office variation, which includes a desk-height window, or the Studio option, featuring a floor-to-ceiling window.
Learn more about this design
AMC Garden Rooms Pod
Size: 2m x 1.5m (6.6ft x 4.9ft) = 3sqm (32sqft)
AMC Garden Rooms offer a range of small designs called the Garden Pod. This building is a bespoke example of that range. The AMC designers tailored the size of the building around the customer's garden and intended use.
The French doors on the end wall and the oversized desk-height window make the pod feel much bigger than it is.
This small pod features high-spec finishes, including Western Red Cedar cladding, a living roof covering and a plastered and decorated interior.
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Workway Plectrum
Size: 4sqm (43sqft)
True to its name, the Workaway Plectrum takes the shape of a guitar plectrum, offering a unique and eye-catching design. With an overall footprint of 4 square meters, this compact structure provides ample space for a generous-sized desk.
The exterior of the Workaway Plectrum features corrugated cladding, not only providing a low-maintenance finish but also adding character to the building.
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QuadPod Micro by Sanctum Garden Studios
Size: 2.4m x 1.8m (8ft x 6ft) = 4.32sqm (48sqft)
The bigger sister of the QuadPod Super Micro mentioned above. The QuadPod Micro offers an extra 1 square meter of space.
The QuadPod Micro features Western Red Cedar cladding on two sides, complemented by dark grey weatherboard on the remaining sides. It comes with dark grey uPVC doors and windows. You have the flexibility to select either the Office variation, which includes a desk-height window, or the Studio option, featuring a floor-to-ceiling window.
Learn more about this design
Garden Affairs Mini Garden Office
Size: 2.4m x 1.8m (8ft x 6ft) = 4.32sqm (48sqft)
The Garden Affairs Mini Garden Office is and insulated log cabin specification with 44mm thick interlocking walls and insulation in the floor and roof structures. A nice feature of this range is the long narrow windows which frame views of the garden and ensure a naturally light workspace.
Garden Affairs have a configurator that allows you to design your building. You can choose features such as the colour and whether you want an electrical pack.
Learn more about this design
Domeo Mini by Hargreaves Garden Spaces
Size: 2.5m x 2m (8.2ft x 6.6ft) = 5sqm (54sqft)
Hargreaves Garden Spaces offer this stylish contemporary log cabin design measuring 2 meters deep by 2.5 meters wide. Constructed with interlocking timbers measuring 44mm thick, this design offers a robust and durable core structure. The inclusion of a glazed corner ensures natural light fills the room, creating a sense of spaciousness.
For enhanced comfort throughout the year, it is recommended to inquire with Hargreaves Garden Spaces about options to add insulation in the floor and roof structures. This addition will ensure a cosy and inviting space, regardless of the season.
