Cosy Garden Rooms Art Studio in Derbyshire
Published: 27 February 2026
Reading Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds
This 4m x 3m artist studio in Higham, Derbyshire, is one of several garden art studios by Cosy Garden Rooms that we have featured. In each, the building is tailored around how the artist likes to work and the character of the garden — from glazing placed to capture light and inspiring views on the elevations that matter most, to layout and interior finishes that support day-to-day use. Here, the studio sits in a rural setting with views across the surrounding countryside and Ogston reservoir; the design responds to that context and to the owner’s input on where windows and doors would best serve her craft.
A Low-Maintenance Exterior
The studio is clad in horizontal HardiePlank fibre cement in Anthracite with a James Hardie ColorPlus finish — a factory-applied coating that resists fading, chipping, and peeling, so the building keeps its appearance with minimal upkeep. Paired with Anthracite uPVC doors and windows, the exterior will need virtually no maintenance in the long term.
The roof extends 300 mm at the front and right-hand side, creating a deep eaves detail that gives the building a clear sense of proportion. The Anthracite tones sit well against the natural colours of the trees and planting in the courtyard garden — creating a lovely artist’s retreat.
Glazing Shaped Around Light and Views
Cosy Garden Rooms’ art studios often incorporate glazing on different elevations so artists can capture light and inspiring views in a way that suits how they work. In this project, the owner had input into where the windows were positioned — around how she planned to use the space and how to frame views of the garden.
The front elevation features double sliding patio doors; in the rear wall, a narrow, slot-like window sits high up, perfectly positioned to maintain sightlines across the surrounding landscape from the raised terrace above and behind the building, and to frame a view and capture light over the garden wall. Inside, the windows are white uPVC, keeping the interior bright and focused on the outlook.
Panelled Interior and Year-Round Comfort
The interior finishes are signature Cosy Garden Rooms: grooved wall panels in white and light chestnut laminate flooring. These finishes add character and, as the owner’s furnishings show, create a comfortable, stylish room that can be enjoyed every day of the year. The studio is equipped with six dimmable internal spotlights, four external canopy lights, and sockets positioned for desk, storage, and seating. Heating is provided by a ceiling-mounted infra-red heater. A hardwired internet cable was installed due to the distance from the main house, so the space is fully set up for focused work.
Site Challenges and a Stable Foundation
Access to the site is via narrow country lanes, which required smaller delivery vehicles — including for the concrete delivery. Cosy Garden Rooms’ use of a traditional concrete slab foundation was the ideal choice here: it offers stability under the full footprint of the building and was installed as part of their turnkey service after the garden was cleared, prepared, and levelled. The result is a studio that sits firmly in place and is built for year-round use with minimal ongoing upkeep.
Learn More
Cosy Garden Rooms design and build bespoke garden rooms across a wide area of England, with a turnkey service that includes the concrete slab foundation and final electrical connection to the house.
To learn more about their artist studios and other garden rooms, visit www.cosygardenrooms.co.uk, call 0115 77 22 715, or email info@cosygardenrooms.co.uk. You can also explore our archive of their projects to see how they tailor layouts, glazing, and finishes around each client’s needs and garden.
