Here at Lazy Susan, we think that adding a greenhouse or garden shed will significantly enhance the functionality, utility, and general aesthetic appeal of your garden. From our point of view, they’re also a great place to store garden furniture in bad weather.
Our furniture is made from rust-resistant cast aluminium that is powder-coated to protect it from the elements. However, if you want to keep it clean, then a shed or greenhouse will protect it from all the dirt and debris that can accumulate when it rains, snows, or the wind picks up.
Why add a greenhouse?
A greenhouse is the perfect solution if you love gardening and want to extend the growing season in your garden.
They give you a controlled environment, in which you can protect your plants from frost, extreme heat, and heavy rain, allowing you to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers all year round.
You can cultivate tropical plants, orchids, or delicate non-native flowers and they provide greater food self-sufficiency as we can grow fruit and veg without worrying about whether they’ll survive our often erratic climate.
Even many of our native plants, when they’re seedlings or young plants, can be vulnerable to the elements. A greenhouse offers them shelter from wind, pests, and sudden temperature fluctuations.
A greenhouse can really up our gardening productivity and we can use them as a place to store and better organise our tools, planting, potting, and propagating, free from weather disruption.
Personally speaking, we also think they look great. They're a part of the fabric of the great British garden and garden design. Modern greenhouses come in various styles too, so as well as being functional, they can become an integral part of a thriving and sustainable garden.
Why add a garden shed?
A shed on the other hand, be it a plastic shed, metal shed, or wooden shed, is not only the perfect outdoor storage space, they also a British institution.
According to a recent article by the BBC, the humble shed is:
“A domestic oasis where owners seek refuge, an outlet for individual style, and, increasingly, an office space.”
The article even goes on to claim that:
“We have more sheds per capita than any other country.”
Here at Lazy Susan, we’re big fans, and we will often recommend them as a place to store garden furniture in the off-season. Especially with all the recent high-wind weather warnings we seem to be getting these days.
They’re a great way to declutter your home and garden, providing a space to store garden tools, garden equipment, seasonal items, bicycles, and generally just keeping your home and garden neat and tidy.
Theft from garden storage sheds is a common problem in the UK though, so a secure shed with lock and alarm is a great way to protect valuable items such as gardening tools, furniture, toys, etc from theft as well as weather damage.
They can be a dedicated space for DIY projects, crafting, and hobbies, or a potting shed for gardening tasks like sowing seeds or repotting plants.
To be honest, sheds are so versatile they can be whatever we want them to be. We’ve seen them repurposed as summerhouses, playhouses, art studios, or even set up as full bar with optics and beers on draught.
A well-maintained shed will bring functionality and appeal to your outside area. They are a great selling point for future buyers and can serve as a focal point that will add charm and personality to your outside space.
If you're buying a new shed or greenhouse this summer
If you’re thinking of getting a new shed or greenhouse this summer, then before we tackle the question of planning permission, there are a few other factors to consider:
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Space
You need enough room for the greenhouse or shed without overcrowding your outdoor area. -
Use
Decide if you need more growing space or storage and workspace. -
Budget
Greenhouses and sheds come in a variety of materials and sizes to suit different budgets so shop around. -
Style
Choose a design that best complements your home garden style.
Do you need planning permission for a shed or greenhouse in the UK?
In the UK, whether you need planning permission for a greenhouse or garden shed depends on specific conditions outlined in Permitted Development Rights.
These rights allow you to construct certain structures without needing planning permission, provided they meet specific criteria.
You typically do not need planning permission for a greenhouse or garden shed if the following conditions are met:
1. Height
The maximum height for a single-pitched roof (e.g. sloping roof) is 4 metres. A flat or dual-pitched roof is 3 metres. If within 2 metres of a boundary, then the maximum height is reduced to 2.5 metres.
2. Size
The total area or footprint of all outbuildings (i.e. the greenhouse or shed) must not cover more than 50% of the land surrounding the original house.
3. Location
As a general rule, sheds and greenhouses are not allowed in front of your house. There are exceptions but often they must be located in your back garden or the side of your house.
4. Use
The shed or greenhouse must be for incidental use (e.g. storing tools, gardening, or growing plants). It cannot be used as a living space or for commercial purposes without the correct compliance to local building codes, business regulations, etc.
4. Designations
If the property is in a conservation area, national park, or an area of outstanding natural beauty, then further restrictions may apply. If your property is listed, then you will generally need planning permission regardless of size. In a conservation area or other protected areas, restrictions on materials and placement/location may also apply.
5. Boundaries
The building must be a reasonable distance from boundaries to avoid disputes. While no specific distance is mandated under “Permitted Development”, structures must not significantly overshadow or impact your neighbours.
How to apply for planning permission for a garden building
You may need to apply for planning permission if the greenhouse or shed is outside any of the criteria listed above, and the starting point is to contact your local council’s planning department.
Regarding building regulations, sheds and greenhouses are generally exempt unless they contain living/sleeping areas and/or electrical systems and plumbing.
Start by checking your local council’s website as planning rules can vary from area to area.
If you're unsure, you can request pre-application advice and consult directly with your local Planning Officer. They will then advise you, and if permission is needed you will be requested to submit a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC).
While not always mandatory for a shed and greenhouse, this certificate will confirm that your project meets all the permitted development criteria.
Before contacting your local authority, if you want to gather some more information, then we would suggest you start with the Planning permission: When you do not need it? article on the GOV.UK website.
Our final thoughts…
If you want to store your Lazy Susan furniture in a garden shed or greenhouse, then you need to choose a solution that’s large enough to accommodate your furniture without overcrowding.
Our Can you store patio furniture in an unheated garage or shed during winter? article looks at this subject in detail. It has some great tips to ensure that your garden furniture is safe and protected during bad weather, regardless of whether you choose a greenhouse, garage, or wooden garden shed.
If you can't decide between a shed and a greenhouse, why not have both or one of the stylish combination plant house-style sheds? We love the wooden sheds with pent roofs and 2 tier greenhouse windows on the front.
A greenhouse and a shed complement each other beautifully. You can use the greenhouse for growing plants and the shed for storing tools, pots, soil, and other supplies.
Together, they streamline your gardening workflow by separating growing and storage spaces.
If you have our garden furniture positioned close to your shed or greenhouse, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload It Here.
