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Imagine a workspace just steps away from the comfort of your home. That’s what garden offices are for—a dedicated spot where you can stay focused and keep work separate from home life.
If you’re thinking of investing in one soon, log cabins are a great choice, though the many options can feel overwhelming. How big should it be, what design works best, and which cladding type suits your needs? These choices matter not only for your work needs but also for how well the cabin fits your garden space.
This guide covers the key factors to help you decide.
Log Cabin Size Matters, But How Big?
Choosing the right size for your log cabin office is important to make it work for you. Start by considering the space you have in your garden and think about how you’ll use it. Too big, and it could take up too much of your outdoor space. Too small, and you might find it cramped.
A compact space and a small log cabin might be fine for a private office with just a desk, chair, and storage—perfect for your use only. But if you’re planning on having meetings or sharing the room with others, you’ll need a bit more room.
Here’s a look at your options:
Small log cabins
Perfect for smaller spaces, 10×8 ft log cabins offer a great workspace for small gardens and personal use. The BillyOh Mia Log Cabin is a fitting example. Inspired by a new way of working, it offers a contemporary, dedicated space where you can work in peace.
Limited space doesn’t have to be an issue, especially if you know how to make the most of it. Wall-mounted shelves, foldable furniture, and multifunctional pieces like a desk that doubles as storage do the magic! Log cabin lighting also helps make the space feel bigger and brighter.
By using every inch, even a small cabin can turn into a practical and comfy work retreat!
Medium log cabins
Medium garden log cabins, such as those sized 12×16 or 14×8 ft, are well-suited for everything from quiet work to small team meetings. They give you more room than smaller cabins without taking up as much space as the larger ones.
For reference, take a look at our BillyOh Canvas Insulated Garden Room. It’s a fully customisable modular structure that can be tailored to your exact needs—a great option if you’re looking for something between a small and a large unit.
We recommend this size for freelancers who meet clients or remote workers wanting a more comfortable and practical setup.
Large log cabins
Starting at spacious 18x16ft, large-sized log cabins take your home office experience to the next level. You’re not just getting room for a desk; you’re getting the flexibility to create different areas within one space. You could have a workspace for one, two, or even multiple people. Plus, a lounge or meeting area and storage—all under one roof.
Our BillyOh Kent Garden Office is built for this exact purpose. With a multi-room layout on its larger size options, it supplies expansive internal space separated by a partition wall. (More on the multi-room layout later.)
Roof Designs and Layout Options
In this section, we’ll go over roof designs and layout options to help you create a practical, comfortable workspace. The right roof style can make your cabin feel more open, allow in natural light, and even improve insulation. How you lay out the space is just as important—it decides where you can fit a desk, storage, and any extras you want.
Apex vs pent roofs
An apex roof is known for its classic triangular shape. It not only gives your garden office a traditional look but also offers more headroom. We’ll use the BillyOh Kent (above) as an example. Its apex roof design makes its interior feel more open, given its spacious layout.
Meanwhile, a pent roof has a simple, single-slope design. This gives off a modern, clean look, with the slope helping with rainwater drainage. Most of our insulated garden rooms, including the BillyOh Outpost and Canvas models, share this roof style.
An apex roof is ideal if you want a spacious, airy feel and prefer a more traditional style, plus additional standing height in the middle. Choose a pent roof if you’re working with limited space or prefer a more contemporary design.
Single-room vs multiroom designs
Single-room log cabins are great for those who want a simple and functional workspace. As the name suggests, they present an open layout with no internal walls. Whether it’s a small or medium-sized building, you’ll have a full floor space to make the most of. This design lets you maximise every inch, fitting all your essentials in a compact, efficient way.
Multi-room log cabins offer more versatility, giving you the freedom to create separate areas for work, meetings, and even relaxation. The partitions or internal walls also allow you to use smart furniture arrangements to create different zones. It’s perfect if you must switch between tasks or have multiple people use the space.
Note: The layout varies depending on the model and size option selection.
Log Cabin Wall and Cladding Options
When picking materials for the log walls of your garden office, focus on their durability and insulation. Solid logs, made of a single, thick piece of wood, are a popular choice. They provide excellent insulation, helping to keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The downside is that they may need more maintenance, e.g., staining or sealing, over time.
Timber frames use a wooden frame structure with panels or cladding on the exterior. They provide strong insulation and are often less prone to shrinking or warping. The trade-off, though, is that the frame can take up a bit more space inside the cabin, which might reduce the usable interior area.
Log siding looks like logs but is made using standard construction methods and gives the appearance of a log cabin without the need for solid logs. It offers a good balance of insulation and is easier to maintain than solid logs, as it doesn’t require as much upkeep over time.
Cladding
When it comes to cladding, tongue and groove (T&G) cladding is your best bet. This option uses interlocking wooden boards. The way these boards fit together creates a tight seal, enhancing insulation and protecting against the elements. The thickness options range from 19mm, 28mm to 44mm on log cabins, or up to 75mm, as seen in the insulated garden rooms unit. This thick insulated panel construction also offers an optional pressure treatment upgrade, extending the guarantee to 15 years.
Remember, the thicker the boards, the better the insulation and protection against the elements!
Round-up
When designing your perfect log cabin office, consider the size, style, materials, and custom options. Whether you choose a small, medium, or large cabin, each decision plays a part in creating your ideal work-from-home setup. Don’t forget to consider insulation and interior finishes to keep the space comfortable to work in year-round.
Have a look at our range of insulated garden offices, like the BillyOh Dojo E, which has everything you need for a modern garden building.
Next on your reading list for more tips: Office Design: How to Suit Your Garden Office to Your Job
