Double garden room project by Cosy Garden Rooms
Two Stone Grey composite-clad garden rooms on a Nottinghamshire plot once used for chickens, staggered around a mature tree: a gym with a table tennis room, and an L-shaped store.
This Nottinghamshire project by Cosy Garden Rooms shows how thinking carefully about layout can transform an irregular plot into a highly functional leisure and storage complex. The clients wanted two garden rooms that would work together visually, while supporting different uses day to day.
The plot to the side of the house had previously been used for keeping chickens. It still contained the brick plinth of the hen house and a mature tree. Rather than clearing the space completely, the design has been shaped around the tree and the existing garage, turning what could have been awkward constraints into defining elements of the design.
At a glance
- Sizes: A 7.6m × 4.2m gym and table tennis building, and an L-shaped building 5m along each side.
- The site: An old hen house plot with a mature tree, which the layout works around.
- Built for: Fitness and games now, with storage that could become a shower room later.
- Finishes: Stone Grey composite slats and HardiePlank®, with Anthracite Grey frames; air conditioning inside.
- Company: Cosy Garden Rooms.
Designed around the space you have
Working with a company like Cosy Garden Rooms means they take your vision for how you’d like to use your new space and design it around the garden you have available. This approach allows the finished buildings to feel naturally integrated into the setting. The result is a layout that sits comfortably in the garden and enhances the way the outdoor space is used.
In this case, the two buildings are arranged one in front of the other, but the rear building has been staggered slightly to the right. This subtle adjustment:
- Leaves space around the tree for a usable seating patio.
- Allows light into both buildings.
- Ensures each room retains its own outlook and sense of presence.
It’s a good example of how thoughtful positioning can make an irregular site feel coherent and well balanced.
A unified exterior palette
Although the two buildings stand independently, they have been designed as a pair. Both feature vertical slatted composite wood cladding in a Stone Grey tone, fitted to create rhythm and contemporary styling. The depth and shadow gaps of the boards give the surface a tactile appearance, with a pleasing texture when viewed up close.
On the less prominent elevations, HardiePlank® fibre cement board has been used. This is a durable, low-maintenance material that will retain its smart appearance for many years. The Anthracite Grey doors, windows, and trims complement the exterior palette, tying the scheme together.
The deep eaves detail adds proportion and definition. Exterior-grade LED downlighting has been recessed into the underside of the soffit, providing a gentle downward wash of light in the evenings.
Building 1: the fitness & games hub
The larger building measures 7.6m x 4.2m and has been divided internally to create:
- A bright gym to the front.
- A dedicated table tennis room to the rear.
The gym looks directly onto the garden through centre-meeting sliding doors, supported by a pair of full-height windows on the right-hand elevation and a skylight overhead. A letterbox-style opening window on the left-hand wall can be opened easily for ventilation. This combination of glazing brings daylight deep into the room and maintains a strong connection to the outdoors.
Inside, the rooms feature grooved wall panelling and smooth ceilings, all finished in white, with light grey laminate flooring running throughout. The neutral finishes create a stylish backdrop for everyday use, with air conditioning ensuring year-round comfort. The table tennis room continues this specification, giving the building a cohesive feel across both spaces.
Building 2: flexible L-shaped room
The second building forms an L-shape footprint, designed to neatly tuck behind the garage and make productive use of what could easily have become overlooked space. The longest sides measure 5m x 5m.
For now, this room provides well-organised storage, including a smaller internal room currently used for Christmas decorations. However, the layout has been designed with the future in mind – the smaller room can readily be converted into a shower room if the building’s use evolves over time, whether as a studio, hobby space, or guest retreat.
The internal finish here mirrors Building 1, helping the two buildings feel like parts of one project.
A cohesive pair of garden rooms that work as one
Although the buildings are separate, the shared materials, matching proportions, and thoughtful layout mean they read as a single, well-considered project. The result is two distinct, practical buildings that feel naturally tied to the house and garden, while each serving its own purpose.
Learn more about Cosy Garden Rooms
If you’re exploring the idea of adding a garden room – whether for fitness, hobbies, work, or simply to gain more usable space – Cosy Garden Rooms can help you design a building that works with your garden. They’ll talk through how you’d like to use the room and design it around the space you have.
You can chat with the team on 0115 77 22 715 or by emailing: info@cosygardenrooms.co.uk. You may also like to browse more examples of their work on their website.
Explore other examples of Cosy Garden Rooms projects we have featured, showcasing how each building is designed around the client and the setting.
