L Shaped Garden Rooms

Hide the Shed Within the Design

One advantage of integrating storage into an L shaped garden room is appearance.
 

A conventional shed can sometimes look like an afterthought.
 

With an integrated design, the storage section can use the same:

• cladding

• roof

• doors

• detailing

• materials
   

The result is one coordinated building rather than several unrelated structures in the garden.

 

L Shaped Garden Studio

An L shaped garden studio is ideal where different activities need separate zones.
 

For example, an art studio might use:

• one wing for painting or drawing

• one wing for storage, preparation and materials
   

A photography studio might divide:

• shooting area

• editing workspace
   

A craft studio could separate:

• making

• storage

• desk work
   

This makes an L shaped building particularly useful for creative work.

 

L Shaped Garden Gym

A gym can also benefit from separate zones.
 

One wing might contain:

• treadmill

• bike

• rowing machine
   

while the other contains:

• free weights

• bench

• stretching area

• yoga equipment
   

Alternatively, one wing could become a shower room or changing area.

 

L Shaped Garden Bar

For entertaining, an L shaped layout provides some interesting possibilities.
 

One wing can contain:

• bar

• fridge

• drinks storage

• stools
   

The other can contain:

• sofas

• television

• games

• dining
   

Large sliding or folding doors can then open onto the terrace between the two wings.

 

Make Better Use of a Corner Garden

An L shaped garden room can work particularly well where there is an unused corner.
 

Instead of placing a rectangular building across the entire width of the garden, the L shape can follow two boundaries.
 

This may help:

• preserve more central lawn

• work around existing trees

• avoid awkward spaces

• frame a patio

• create privacy

• maximise usable floor area
   

The exact layout will depend on the garden and planning constraints.

 

L Shaped Garden Rooms for Wide Gardens

Wide gardens can also suit this format.
 

One wing can extend across the rear boundary while the second projects forward into the garden.
 

This creates a strong architectural form and can divide the garden naturally into different areas.
 

For example:

• lawn

• patio

• kitchen area

• play area

• planting
   

The garden room then becomes part of the overall landscape design.

 

L Shaped Garden Rooms for Smaller Gardens

An L shaped room does not necessarily need to be large.
 

A smaller design could use one short wing simply for:

• storage

• WC

• kitchenette

• utility space

• plant equipment
   

That can free up the main room and make the overall building work much more efficiently.

 

Glazing an L Shaped Garden Room

Glazing is particularly important with L shaped designs.
 

The inner corner can be used to create a strong visual connection between both wings and the garden.
 

Options include:

• large sliding doors

• bifold doors

• fixed glazing

• corner glazing

• full height windows
   

Careful positioning can bring natural light deep into both parts of the building.

 

L Shaped Garden Room With a Covered Terrace

One wing can extend beyond the enclosed room to create a canopy.
 

This can provide:

• outdoor dining

• shaded seating

• covered BBQ area

• sheltered entrance

• outdoor lounge
   

It can also help visually connect the garden room with the landscaping around it.

 

Roof Design

L shaped garden rooms can be built with several roof forms.
 

Possible options include:

• flat roof

• mono pitch roof

• pitched roof

• combinations of different roof forms
   

Flat roofs are particularly effective for contemporary designs because they allow the two wings to read as one simple architectural composition.
 

The roof drainage needs to be considered carefully at the internal corner of the L.

 

Planning Permission

An L shaped garden room may potentially fall within Permitted Development rights where the relevant conditions are met.
 

The same key rules apply regarding:

• position

• height

• boundary distance

• land coverage

• property type

• intended use
   

However, because an L shaped room can have a larger footprint than a compact rectangular room, the 50% land coverage rule needs particular attention.

 

Height Near the Boundary

Where any part of the garden room is within 2 metres of the boundary, Permitted Development will normally restrict the overall height to 2.5 metres.
 

With an L shaped design, both wings should therefore be checked carefully against the surrounding boundaries.
 

This can influence:

• roof design

• floor level

• insulation build up

• internal ceiling height
  
   

Building Regulations

Building Regulations requirements depend on factors such as:

• floor area

• distance from boundaries

• use

• sleeping accommodation

• construction

• services
   

L shaped garden rooms can also require more structural consideration because of the junction between the two wings.

A proper technical plan helps coordinate the structure before construction.

 

Structure of an L Shaped Garden Room

The internal corner is one of the key structural areas.
 

Depending on the design, it may require consideration of:

• roof spans

• beams

• posts

• wall openings

• lateral stability

• foundations
   

Large areas of glazing can also affect how loads are transferred through the structure.
 

These issues are much easier to resolve on drawings than during the build.

 

Services

An L shaped design can make it easier to separate service areas.
 

For example, the smaller wing might contain:

• WC

• shower

• kitchenette

• utility area
   

This allows the main wing to remain open and uncluttered.
 

It can also help keep plumbing and drainage concentrated within one part of the building.

 

Plan the Furniture Before You Build

The shape creates more possibilities, but it also means the furniture layout should be considered carefully.
 

Before fixing doors and windows, decide where you want:

• desks

• sofas

• gym equipment

• beds

• cupboards

• televisions

• kitchen units

• storage
   

This can prevent doors, windows or radiators ending up exactly where the furniture needs to go.

 

A Strong Design for Multifunction Garden Rooms

This is perhaps the biggest advantage of an L shaped garden room.
 

It naturally supports more than one use.
 

Popular combinations include:

• office + gym

• office + studio

• lounge + bar

• gym + shower

• studio + storage

• garden room + shed

• entertainment room + outdoor kitchen

• bedroom + bathroom
   

Instead of constructing two separate garden buildings, one L shaped design can potentially provide both functions.

 

Adapt an APN Garden Room Design

If you like one of our existing designs but need an L shaped layout, the design can potentially be adapted.
 

Possible changes include:

• adding a second wing

• extending one side

• incorporating a shed

• adding a WC or shower

• creating a covered patio

• adding an outdoor kitchen

• changing glazing

• moving entrances

• altering internal divisions
   

This gives you a professional starting point while still allowing the building to respond to your individual garden.

 

Start With L Shaped Garden Room Plans

An L shaped design rewards proper planning.
 

By resolving the layout before construction, you can obtain clearer quotations and make better decisions about:

• building size

• structure

• materials

• glazing

• storage

• services

• internal layout
   

It also gives local builders something definite to price instead of asking them to design the project while they build it.

 

Potential Savings of 40 to 50%

Depending on the design, location, specification and how the project is managed, it may be possible to reduce the overall cost by around 40 to 50% compared with some equivalent turnkey garden room packages.
 

The aim is not to build a cheaper room.
 

It is to spend more of your budget on the room itself and less on the layers surrounding it.
 

That could mean:

• better glazing

• better insulation

• better cladding

• better internal finishes

• a larger room

• more money left for landscaping or furniture
  
   

Start With the Design

The first step is choosing the right garden room.
 

From there, you can:

• use the design as shown

• adapt it to suit your garden

• obtain planning advice if required

• add Building Regulations information where needed

• request builder quotations

• source products and materials

• control the final build cost
   

Choose the design. Control the build. Keep more of the budget.
 

Browse Our Garden Room Designs

Explore the APN Garden Rooms collections and find the design that works for your space, your lifestyle and your budget.