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A 5m x 4m garden room gives you a substantial amount of space for working from home, hobbies, exercise, or simply creating an extra room away from the house. A true 5m x 4m footprint is around 20 square metres, giving you enough room for several desks, substantial storage, seating or more than one activity within the same building.
I’m Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, and I’ve been involved with garden buildings since 1979. I left school at 15 and started Marina Sheds in 1979. In those early years I wasn’t simply selling garden buildings. I made them, delivered them and dealt directly with customers. That hands-on experience taught me to look beyond attractive photographs and concentrate on how a building is actually constructed and whether its size and specification genuinely suit the person buying it.
For me, a 5m x 4m garden office is where you start to have enough space to create different areas within the same room rather than simply filling it with desks. It can be a generous two-person office, a larger workspace with a meeting or seating area, or a room that combines home working with hobbies and leisure.
If you expect to use the building regularly throughout the year, I would also look carefully at a 5m x 4m insulated garden room. The current choices shown on this page are from our Platinum range, with Fleet and Odiham supplied with insulation as standard and Winchester, Kingclere and Highclere offering insulation upgrades.
You can compare the garden rooms on this page, browse our complete range of garden rooms and garden offices, explore our insulated garden rooms, or visit our Surrey garden building display site to inspect representative buildings for yourself.
Why Choose a 5m x 4m Garden Room?
A true 5m x 4m footprint gives you around 20 square metres of space. That is a substantial garden room and gives you much more freedom than a compact office when planning desks, storage, seating and other furniture.
For home working, there can be enough room for two substantial workstations together with filing, shelving and office equipment. Depending on the particular building and furniture, you may also be able to include an armchair, sofa or small meeting area.
The room can also work very well for hobbies and leisure. An art studio could have a large working area and separate storage, while a gym could accommodate several pieces of equipment while retaining useful clear floor space.
I would still plan the interior before ordering. Twenty square metres sounds generous, but large desks, cupboards, sofas and exercise equipment can use space surprisingly quickly. Marking the furniture out before deciding on the final size is well worth doing.
Does Every Garden Room on This Page Measure Exactly 5m x 4m?
No, and this is important to explain clearly. The 5m x 4m category is designed to help customers find garden rooms with a similar footprint. Still, the individual timber buildings are manufactured in their own standard or bespoke dimensions.
For example, Fleet, Odiham and Kingclere currently extend to approximately 4.8m x 3.6m, while Highclere reaches approximately 4.8m x 4.2m. The Winchester range provides much broader size flexibility and extends to considerably larger dimensions.
This means that some buildings shown here are slightly shallower than a true 5m x 4m room, while others can get much closer to the required footprint. If exact dimensions matter, I would never plan the base based only on the category title.
Check the actual dimensions of the individual model and tell us if you specifically need something close to 5.0m x 4.0m. We can then explain which range gives you the most suitable size options before you arrange the base.
Why I Like a 5m x 4m Garden Office
One reason I like a room around this size is that you have enough space to create separate working and leisure areas without needing an enormous garden building.
With a 5m x 4m garden office, two people could have their own workstations while retaining space for shelving, filing and a small seating or meeting area.
For one person, it can become a very generous office. You might have a main desk, secondary worktable, storage and somewhere comfortable to sit away from the computer.
The extra depth compared with a 5m x 3m room is particularly useful because it gives you more freedom to position furniture away from the walls and makes the room feel less like a long office and more like a proper additional room.
Can Several People Work in a 5m x 4m Garden Office?
Yes. A 5m x 4m garden office, or a building close to that footprint, can work very well for two people and may accommodate additional occasional workstations depending on the layout.
The most important thing is to plan the furniture rather than relying on the headline floor area. Think about desk depth, office chairs, monitors, printers, storage and how people will move around the room.
Door and window positions matter as well. With several people working in the room, a badly positioned door can remove a valuable section of wall that could otherwise be used for a workstation or storage.
If you tell us how many people will use the office and what furniture you need, we can help you think through the layout before you commit to a particular design.
Should You Choose a 5m x 4m Insulated Garden Room?
If you expect regular use throughout autumn and winter, insulation should be an important part of the decision. A 5m x 4m insulated garden room can provide a much more practical environment for working, hobbies or leisure throughout the year.
However, I would never choose a building simply because the word “insulated” appears in the description. Compare exactly what is included and look at the walls, roof, floor, glazing, internal lining, ventilation and heating as part of the complete room.
The Platinum Fleet and Platinum Odiham include insulated walls and roof, internal lining and double glazing as standard. They are particularly useful if you want an insulated garden office without having to add the insulation package separately.
There is an important size consideration with Fleet and Odiham, though. Their current maximum size is approximately 4.8m x 3.6m, so they don’t offer a literal 5m x 4m footprint. If the full 4m depth matters, I look carefully at Highclere or the more flexible Winchester range.
Winchester, Kingclere and Highclere offer insulation upgrades. The exact construction and insulation package varies between ranges, so check the specification of the particular model rather than assuming every insulation option is identical.
You can compare the wider choices on our insulated garden rooms page.
Remember that insulation does not generate heat. It slows heat transfer, so you may still need suitable heating in colder weather. In summer, ventilation, opening windows, shading and glazing position can be equally important.
Which 5m x 4m Garden Rooms Are Currently Available?
The current 5m x 4m category is focused entirely on Platinum garden rooms. The seven models shown are Fleet, Odiham, Winchester Apex, Winchester Pent, Winchester Transverse, Kingclere and Highclere.
I would compare these by actual dimensions and specifications rather than assuming they are seven versions of the same 5m x 4m room. There are meaningful differences in size range, insulation and design flexibility.
Platinum Fleet and Odiham
Fleet and Odiham are natural starting points if included insulation is a priority. Fleet gives you an apex roof while Odiham provides a contemporary pent-roof alternative.
Both include insulated walls and roof, internal lining and double glazing as standard and currently extend to approximately 4.8m x 3.6m.
That makes them excellent larger garden offices where the slightly shallower footprint suits your garden, but I would not describe them as exact 5m x 4m buildings.
Platinum Winchester
The Platinum Winchester Apex is particularly relevant where you want greater control over the size and layout of a larger garden room.
The Winchester range extends from approximately 2.4m x 1.8m up to 8.4m x 4.8m and is available in Apex, Pent and Transverse designs. That broader size capability makes Winchester particularly worth considering if you want a footprint close to a genuine 5m x 4m room.
Full insulation is available as an option, and the greater design flexibility can also be valuable where you want doors and windows positioned around desks, seating or other furniture.
Kingclere and Highclere
Kingclere and Highclere provide further Platinum alternatives with insulation upgrades available.
Kingclere currently extends to approximately 4.8m x 3.6m, so its proportions are similar to Fleet and Odiham at the largest size. Highclere reaches approximately 4.8m x 4.2m and is therefore particularly relevant if you want a footprint close to 5m x 4m without moving to the more bespoke Winchester range.
Check the exact insulation and construction specification for whichever model you prefer because the available upgrades differ between ranges.
What Should You Look for in a 5m x 4m Garden Room?
After working with garden buildings since 1979, I would start with construction rather than decorative extras. Look at the cladding, framing, floor, roof, doors, windows, glazing, insulation and internal lining.
Two buildings occupying a similar amount of garden can be quite different once you examine how they are made. That is why I would compare complete specifications rather than choosing from photographs and headline prices alone.
I would also look carefully at what is included. Assembly, roof covering, glazing, timber treatment, insulation, colour finishes, base work and electrical options can all affect the final cost and overall value.
Most importantly, match the specification to how you intend to use the room. An occasional summer hobby room does not necessarily need the same construction as an office occupied for several hours every weekday throughout winter.
My Garden Building Experience Goes Back to 1979
I think customers should know who is behind the advice they are reading, particularly when they are considering a substantial garden room.
I left school at 15 and started my own garden building business in 1979, trading as Marina Sheds. I was hands-on from the beginning. I made buildings, sold them, delivered them and dealt directly with customers.
That gave me practical knowledge of timber construction and taught me where quality genuinely matters once a building is standing in somebody’s garden and being used.
I sold Marina Sheds in 1990. Unfortunately, I did not receive all the money that was due from the sale. It was a difficult business lesson, but I remained involved with garden buildings and carried on.
From Marina Sheds to 1st Choice Leisure Buildings
By 1992 we had expanded beyond traditional sheds and added summerhouses, garages, garden rooms and log cabins. That wider direction meant a change of name to Titan Garden Buildings.
My son Craig joined me in 1992 after studying carpentry at Guildford College from 1990. His carpentry training brought additional practical woodworking knowledge into the business, and from that point garden buildings became a father-and-son concern.
We sold Titan Garden Buildings in 1998. Then, in 2000, Craig and I formed 1st Choice Leisure Buildings because we wanted to retail carefully selected quality buildings from established manufacturers rather than being tied to the products of only one manufacturer.
That decision remains important today. It allows us to compare different ranges, specifications and prices and help customers choose what suits them rather than trying to make one particular building fit everybody.
Today Craig runs the day-to-day business, and I continue to support him and the team whenever required. You can read more about our history on the About 1st Choice Leisure Buildings page.
Those years matter because I’ve seen garden buildings from both sides: first as somebody who manufactured and sold them myself and later as somebody comparing buildings from different manufacturers for our customers. It is one reason I pay so much attention to practical specifications rather than simply relying on marketing claims.
What More Than 45 Years Has Taught Me About Larger Garden Rooms
The first lesson is to choose the size around what you genuinely need. There is little point in paying for a large room that remains half empty, but buying something too small can be equally frustrating once you add furniture and storage.
The second is to check the actual dimensions rather than relying on a category name. That is particularly important on a metric page like this, where several different standard and bespoke sizes sit under the same general search term.
The third is to think about the future. A room around 5m x 4m may start as an office and later become a studio, gym, games room or family retreat, so flexibility in the layout can be valuable.
And finally, the most expensive option is not the best. Good value means choosing the construction and features that genuinely support how you intend to use the building.
What Else Can You Use a 5m x 4m Garden Room For?
A 5m x 4m garden room can be used for far more than home working. A room around 20 square metres can make a substantial art studio, music room, hobby space, home gym, games room or family retreat.
You could also combine different uses. One part of the room could have desks and office storage, while another has comfortable seating, exercise equipment, or a hobby area.
This ability to create different zones is one of the main advantages of moving up to a room of this size.
Can a 5m x 4m Garden Room Be Customised?
Yes, depending on the range. Different Platinum models offer different levels of flexibility over dimensions, doors, windows, glazing, insulation and colour finishes.
If you specifically need something close to 5m x 4m, tell us before ordering. Likewise, if you need a complete wall for desks, want the doors towards one side or need additional glazing for a studio, it is much easier to think about these points at the design stage.
Winchester is particularly relevant where bespoke flexibility is important, while the other Platinum ranges provide their own standard sizes and optional upgrades.
Could You Include Separate Storage?
With a room around this size, it is worth considering whether part of the building could also solve a storage requirement.
Selected bespoke buildings can incorporate an additional room or storage area for garden equipment, bicycles, tools or other items that you do not want cluttering the main office or leisure space.
If that would be useful, discuss it with us before ordering so the doors, windows and internal layout can be planned around both uses.
A 5m x 4m Garden Room Needs the Right Base
I have been saying this for decades: a good garden building needs a good base. A room around 5m x 4m needs a firm, flat and level foundation suitable for the exact building being installed.
A poor base can affect how the building sits and can cause doors and windows to operate incorrectly. Do not size the foundation based on the nominal category alone; confirm the actual dimensions and base requirements of your chosen model first.
Access should also be considered beforehand. Tell us about narrow passages, walls, steps, height restrictions or other difficulties between the road and the proposed installation position.
Free Assembly on Our 5m x 4m Garden Rooms
Free assembly is included with all seven of the current Platinum products shown in this category. This is an important part of the overall value because you won’t have to assemble a substantial timber building yourself.
You will need to make sure the agreed base and access requirements are ready beforehand. Check the individual product information and delivery arrangements for your chosen model before ordering.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a 5m x 4m Garden Room?
Many garden rooms can be installed under permitted development rights, but you should never assume that this automatically applies to every property.
The height and position of the building, proximity to boundaries, total land coverage, the property itself and the intended use can all be relevant. Listed buildings, designated land and other circumstances may have additional restrictions.
With a building of this size, I would pay particular attention to the position in the garden and the total area of land covered by buildings and extensions.
If you are uncertain, check the current requirements applying to your property with your local planning authority before ordering.
Why I Still Recommend Seeing Garden Rooms Before You Buy
The internet has made researching garden buildings far easier than when I started Marina Sheds in 1979, but photographs still cannot tell you everything.
You cannot feel how substantial a floor is, operate the doors and windows or properly judge how much usable space a larger garden room provides until you stand inside representative buildings.
That is why I continue to recommend visiting our Surrey garden building display site if you can. Seeing full-size buildings lets you compare different construction methods, specifications, glazing, finishes, and dimensions for yourself.
We cannot display every building in every possible size, but walking inside representative models and comparing their construction can tell you far more than photographs alone. If you are making a special journey to see a particular model, check with us beforehand.
Why Buy Your 5m x 4m Garden Room From 1st Choice?
1st Choice Leisure Buildings is a family business with garden building experience going back to 1979. Craig now runs the day-to-day business, and I remain involved to support him and the team whenever required.
Between Craig’s carpentry background and my practical experience of manufacturing, selling and supplying garden buildings, there is a considerable amount of first-hand knowledge behind the advice we give.
Our aim is not to point everybody towards the most expensive option. I would rather understand how you intend to use the room and then help you compare the relevant dimensions, construction, insulation and layout choices.
That is particularly important on a page such as this because the seven buildings returned by the 5m x 4m category do not all have the same dimensions. Our job is to explain those differences rather than pretend they are all interchangeable.
If you are considering a 5m x 4m garden room, contact us if you would like help comparing the available dimensions, insulation, layouts, bases or assembly before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5m x 4m Garden Rooms
How big is a 5m x 4m garden room?
A true 5m x 4m footprint is 20 square metres, approximately 16ft 5in x 13ft 1in. Individual timber garden rooms may use nearby imperial or bespoke dimensions, so always check the actual measurements of the model you are considering.
Does every garden room on this page measure exactly 5m x 4m?
No. The 5m x 4m description is a useful category for buildings with a similar footprint. Fleet, Odiham and Kingclere currently extend to around 4.8m x 3.6m, Highclere reaches around 4.8m x 4.2m, and Winchester provides a much broader range of bespoke sizes.
Is a 5m x 4m garden office suitable for two people?
Yes. A 5m x 4m garden office, or a building close to that footprint, can make a generous two-person workspace with room for substantial desks, storage and potentially a meeting or seating area.
Can several people work in a 5m x 4m garden office?
Potentially, yes. The available floor area can accommodate more than two workstations depending on the size of the desks and storage, although I would plan the furniture carefully and allow plenty of space for movement.
Can I buy a 5m x 4m insulated garden room?
Yes. Fleet and Odiham include insulation and lining as standard, while Winchester, Kingclere, and Highclere offer insulation upgrades. If you specifically need a footprint close to 5m x 4m as well as insulation, compare the actual dimensions and specification carefully.
Which garden rooms are currently shown in this category?
The current 5m x 4m category shows seven Platinum products: Fleet, Odiham, Winchester Apex, Winchester Pent, Winchester Transverse, Kingclere and Highclere.
Which model is closest to 5m x 4m?
Highclere reaches approximately 4.8m x 4.2m and therefore offers a standard footprint relatively close to 5m x 4m. Winchester provides much broader size flexibility and is particularly worth discussing where you want the dimensions tailored more closely to a particular footprint.
Can I customise a 5m x 4m garden room?
Yes, depending on the range. Options can include dimensions, doors, windows, glazing, colour finishes and insulation. Winchester is particularly relevant if bespoke sizing and layout flexibility are priorities.
Does a 5m x 4m garden room need a proper base?
Yes. A firm, flat, and level base suitable for the exact building is essential. Confirm the actual external dimensions and foundation requirements before arranging your base.
Is assembly included?
Free assembly is currently shown with all seven Platinum garden room products in this category. Check the individual product information, along with the relevant delivery, access, and site requirements, before ordering.
Do I need planning permission for a 5m x 4m garden room?
Many garden rooms can fall within permitted development rights, but the answer depends on the property, building height, position, total land coverage and intended use. If you are uncertain, check the requirements applying to your property with your local planning authority before ordering.
My Final Advice on Choosing a 5m x 4m Garden Room
A 5m x 4m garden room gives you a substantial and highly flexible amount of space. It can make a generous two-person office, accommodate several smaller work areas or provide a room combining work, seating, hobbies and leisure.
If you expect regular year-round use, compare the 5m x 4m insulated garden room options carefully. Fleet and Odiham include insulation as standard but are slightly shallower than a true 5m x 4m footprint. At the same time, Highclere and the more flexible Winchester range may be particularly relevant where the full depth matters.
Most importantly, remember that 5m x 4m is a category description rather than a guarantee that every building measures exactly five metres by four metres. Check the actual dimensions and insulation specification of the model you are considering before arranging the base, furniture or surrounding clearance.
After working with garden buildings since 1979, my advice remains simple: decide what you genuinely need the room to do, compare complete specifications rather than photographs and headline prices and make sure the dimensions, furniture, layout and base are right before you order.
If you are unsure which 5m x 4m garden office is right for you, ask us. Our job is to explain the differences and help you make a sensible decision rather than automatically steering you towards whichever specification happens to cost the most.
If possible, visit our Surrey garden building display site and compare representative buildings for yourself. If you cannot visit, contact us and tell us what you are trying to achieve. Craig, the team and I would much rather help you get the dimensions and specification right before you buy.
Robin Antill
Founder, 1st Choice Leisure Buildings
Browse our complete range of garden rooms and garden offices, compare our insulated garden rooms, read more about Robin, Craig and the history of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, or contact us for help choosing your 5m x 4m garden room.
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