THE BACKYARD ROOM

with Jen Kent

You can always build more buildings, but you can’t build more land. And although we have a lot of land in our vast country, we do need to make the most of the space we have.

As our lives and lifestyles change, we might find ourselves needing to rethink the way in which we use our property. Upgrading our homes – either by buying an alternative property, or by renovating – can seem the most obvious option for opening up existing spaces or adding new, but it may not always be the most practical or economical solution.

Re-arranging rooms inside the home or clearing out the garage may not be the only way to find the additional useable space you desire.

Our homes are full of life, just the way they should be. Different personalities and priorities, brought together with love, which can sometimes mean a whole lot of noise and clutter. Imagine bidding adieu to that beautiful chaos for a time, wandering through your garden and opening the doors to your own private sanctuary. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Enter… the backyard room.

Whether it is a space for dedicated work, a space for mindful quiet, or a space to enjoy your hobby… it is a space that is, quite simply, yours.

And while the humble shed still has its purpose, sometimes it simply might not cut it for the purpose you have in mind.

It might better serve you as a comfortable extra room than a storage space, a room that not only serves houses your belongings (whether they are toys, art, extra furniture, tools or something else completely), but allows you to give life to the space, taking it from four walls, a floor and ceiling, to something more.

On offer are kit sheds, containers, site offices, cabins, pods and more. Whichever of these you choose, they can provide an external room that could be the perfect solution for your space and lifestyle. And you don’t need to turn your home into a construction zone to get there.

A freestanding backyard room may be the perfect solution for your lifestyle needs and give a quality, functional and affordable space to work or play.

So, when could a backyard room come in handy? And who would need one?

The uses are seemingly endless but here are popular choices…

• Artist studio: for creatives who need space to fully immerse in their craft. Dull the distractions by creating a dedicated space to completely focus on artistic expression.
• Workshop: tools take up space, and it’s always better to have more, right? When the old shed full of spider webs simply doesn’t cut it anymore, create a working space to enjoy mending, tinkering and creating.
• Office: Having a dedicated, quiet workspace, without the distraction of home life/mess is important. Sometimes replicating the office environment can’t be achieved inside the home. If your job involves meeting clients, an external space can also provide a professional and comfortable place to do business. Finish the workday and literally skip on home.
• Gardener’s studio: when your love of gardening has outgrown the bench or table out the back. Being surrounded by greenery has huge benefits for our health and wellbeing. Create the working space where you can be immersed in it. Call it what you want – a potting shed, propagating room or greenhouse, for example.
• Teenager’s retreat: for when the kids have outgrown the rumpus room and need their own space.

Whether you need the space for a hobby or work, creating this space away from the everyday household can not only provide a practical solution, but also a quiet space, a sanctuary if you will, to immerse yourself in whatever it is you’re using it for – work or play.

Making it liveable: practical matters

The addition of electricity and water might be desired to really make a space liveable and usable. Engage with a licensed electrician and plumber to ensure this is done correctly. Ensure the room is property insulated to combat the changing Australian seasons. It won’t be exempt from the threats of pests, mould and mildew so care for the room as you would your house; and it will potentially play home to a number of your important possessions, so appropriate security is needed.

Bear in mind that the construction and use of these structures may require formal council approval. It is best to check what the local regulations specify well prior to purchasing a structure or to any work commencing. These may differ state to state, council to council.

Not all spaces are created equally. While an outdoor room may appear to double as an extra bedroom, unless it has been created for the specific purpose of a granny flat, it may not meet your local council requirements to be used as that. Check prior to construction and assembly so you are fully aware of all requirements and costs associated.