No rent and no commute: How to grow your business in your own garden
Have you ever dreamt of setting up your own business, like a nail bar or lash salon, and opening it in your own beautifully designed premises on your doorstep? Find out how.
Running a small business is a tricky juggling act. Renting premises or even a room in an existing business can be expensive and can mean being tied into long-term leases.
Though working in a spare room in your house brings its own set of difficulties, not least creating a home-work divide, providing privacy for clients and trying to appear professional with children’s toys all over the place!
However, it’s not an impossible dream – as many small business owners have discovered with a garden office at their home.
Best of both worlds
A garden office can combine the best of both worlds, with a workplace kitted out to your exact specifications, projecting just the image and brand you want but still a stone’s throw from your home. And after the initial outlay there’s no on-going rent to shell out for.
For beauty therapist Rachel, creating a salon in her garden solved the problems of wanting to expand her business but not pay high rents and, with a busy family life, be close to home. She bought a log cabin from Dunster House and transformed it into Bella Sophia Beauty Retreat, a chic pink and white sanctuary which her clients adore.
From the bright and airy reception room to the cosy, luxurious treatment space, the cabin has proved perfect for her needs.
My husband suggested buying a log cabin and converting it into my very own beauty salon and it was the best thing I ever did. It’s a dream come true, I’m so busy and all my clients absolutely love it!
Calming views and separate areas
For nail artist Emily, a garden office was the ideal answer to expanding her business from a fold-out table in her kitchen. Her garage was rejected for a conversion – she needed more insulation to provide a toasty space for her clients to unwind while mini works of art are created on their nails.
Now her Dunster House cabin provides a welcoming and stylish space with calming views of her garden and separate waiting and treatment areas.
I get the pleasure of working from home in a space that I’ve turned into my perfect little paradise.
Pamper clients and teach trainees
For lash technician Lou, her garden office gives her plenty of space to pamper her clients and even teach trainees. For years, she operated from a spare bedroom in her home but having her business Lashes by Love Lou in a separate garden office she says gives her a clearer separation between home and work life. And opting for extra insulation on her cabin means it’s snug and welcoming even on the chilliest of days.
What to consider
So if you’re thinking about a garden office for your small business dream, what should you consider? Firstly you need to look at the size of your building – will what’s realistic for your garden be enough for your business needs? Generally planning permission isn’t needed for garden buildings if it’s single storey, under 2.5m and doesn’t take up more than 50% of the space, but always check with the relevant authorities, as well as checking the type of business you’re planning will be compliant with all regulations.
The quality of the garden office is important too – after all, you want this building to last. Look for good quality timber and be wary of mixed timbers which aren’t as strong. As to windows, 28mm+ doubled glazed will be the best for sound and thermal insulation, and check the thickness of the walls - also a key factor in helping to retain the heat.
Pressure treated is best for the timbers, including the bearers – the beams which support the floor of the cabin and keep it raised from the base – rather than cheaper dip treatment.
Find out more
Visit Dunster House to see how they can help your dream come true.