A uniquely shaped mobile home slots into the garden
A wedge-shaped mobile home built to follow a crooked boundary — 11.3m along the back, 6.7m deep at one end and 2.4m at the other — with a concave front so it sits back into the garden.
In an ideal world, every garden would have perfectly straight boundaries at right angles. Unfortunately, for many, this isn’t the case. Irregularly shaped gardens can present challenges for those looking to install a garden annexe, as most designs tend to be rectangular. This often results in unused ‘dead’ areas behind the annexe, reducing the overall living space.
This was the challenge faced by a recent client of A Room in the Garden. With a compact, uniquely shaped garden, they wanted to create a one-bedroom, self-contained annexe for a family member.
Their initial search for a suitable solution was frustrating. No company seemed willing to move beyond the standard rectangular layout to design a building that would fit their garden without compromising the available space. That changed when they found A Room in the Garden.
A Room in the Garden specialises in bespoke design, treating each project as unique. Their aim is to create an annexe that not only maximises internal living space but also complements, rather than dominates, the garden it inhabits.
As we explore this project, designed as a mobile home under the Caravan Act, it becomes clear that A Room in the Garden has successfully created a modern, functional home within an unconventional structure.
At a glance
- The shape: walls that follow the garden’s contours — an 11.315m rear wall, 6.735m deep on the left, narrowing to 2.428m on the right, with a gentle concave front elevation.
- Built for: a family member, on a compact, irregular plot where no other company would move beyond a rectangle.
- Route: designed as a mobile home under the Caravan Act.
- Inside: navy blue kitchen units with matching doors hiding the water heater, consumer unit and two wardrobes; a large skylight over the living area; pocket doors to the bedroom and shower room; an exposed beam left visible.
- Outside and comfort: treated Redwood with white render and a subtle roof overhang; multi-layer insulated construction, oak-effect laminate over underfloor heating.
Crafting a uniquely shaped mobile home
Following a site survey, A Room in the Garden set about designing a uniquely shaped mobile home. Recognising the potential to fully utilise the available space, the design team moved beyond the conventional rectangular approach, creating a building with walls that follow the garden’s natural contours.
The result is a wedge-shaped structure. The rear wall stretches 11.315m, with the left side – the deepest part – measuring 6.735m. The building narrows to its smallest point on the right side, where it is 2.428m deep.
To ensure the annexe blends harmoniously with the garden, A Room in the Garden incorporated a gentle concave feature on the front elevation. This design detail is enhanced by a subtle roof overhang and a combination of two exterior finishes: treated Redwood and white render. The front also features well-placed doors and windows, complemented by exterior lighting.
The accompanying photos highlight how the annexe has seamlessly integrated into the garden, leaving ample space for family and friends to gather.
A mobile home with well-proportioned rooms
Despite its unconventional shape, the annexe features well-proportioned, fully functional living spaces, as shown in these images.
The kitchen and living areas have been thoughtfully laid out. A Room in the Garden tailors each kitchen to the client’s preferences, and for this project, sleek navy blue units were chosen. Matching doors conceal a utility cupboard that houses the water heater, electric consumer unit, and two spacious wardrobes.
To flood the main living area with natural light, a large skylight was installed, providing warmth and enhancing the sense of space.
Off the main living area, a double bedroom is accessed via a space-saving pocket door. Another pocket door leads to the shower room. Although located in the narrowest part of the annexe, the shower room feels far from cramped.
The shower room features floor-to-ceiling tiles and a low-profile shower tray, which is flush with the floor to allow easy access. A Room in the Garden works closely with clients to ensure the bathroom finishes match their style preferences.
Designed for comfortable living
A Room in the Garden’s mobile home annexes are built with multi-layered, highly insulated structures, designed to provide comfortable, energy-efficient living.
Inside, the rooms are finished with crisp plastered walls and ceilings, beautifully decorated. In this project, oak-effect laminate flooring was chosen, laid over underfloor heating. However, A Room in the Garden offers a wide range of flooring and heating options, allowing you to personalise the space to your tastes.
One notable feature is the exposed beam running across the bedroom and kitchen/living room. Intentionally left visible, it adds character to the home’s sleek, modern design.
Learn more about A Room in the Garden
To discover more about creating a uniquely shaped mobile home annexe, contact the A Room in the Garden team on 01273 80 70 77 or email hello@aroominthegarden.co.uk. You can also visit aroominthegarden.co.uk to explore the features you can incorporate into your bespoke living annexe.
