Painting & illustration
Space for an easel or drawing desk, with storage for paints and materials.
COTSWOLD TIMBER STUDIO
Bespoke garden studios,
built in the Cotswolds.
Small timber studios for painting, hobbies and everyday use.
Explore the studiosBespoke · Prices on request2 × 2m / 2 × 3m
Small by designSIP constructionConcrete base & insulated floorEPDM roofing membrane
ABOUT US
A separate space
for your hobbies.
Whether you paint, write or enjoy making things, a garden studio gives you somewhere to work and keep your equipment without taking up space in the house.
Cotswold Timber Studio is a new, family-run business. Joe has over 20 years of experience in carpentry and building, including garden buildings and extensions.
You’ll speak directly with Joe about your garden, how you want to use the studio and the finishes you prefer.
We’re based in Badsey, a small village near Broadway, and build locally within approximately 25 miles of our base.
Our area includes Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Shipston-on-Stour, Chipping Norton, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Cheltenham. Send us your postcode so we can confirm coverage.
How would you use
your studio?
Your studio can be used for a range of hobbies and activities. We’ll plan the layout around what you want to do and the equipment you need.
Writing & reading
A separate room for a writing desk, bookshelves or a comfortable reading chair.
Pottery & making
Space for pottery, sculpture and small craft projects. Tell us about your workbench or potter’s wheel so we can allow for its size and weight. Kilns, a water supply and specialist ventilation need to be discussed separately.
Sewing & crafts
A room for sewing, embroidery, jewellery making or model building, with space to keep your tools and materials organised.
Music & recording
A room for songwriting, a recording desk or vocal sessions. The standard studio is not soundproof. Any work to improve room acoustics or reduce sound travelling outside needs to be specified separately.
YouTube & podcasts
Space for filming, voiceovers or recording podcasts. We’ll discuss your desk, backdrop, lighting and sockets. Sound treatment and internet connections are agreed separately.
Quiet garden room
Somewhere to read, listen to music or sit and enjoy the garden.
Gaming room
A compact space for your desk, screen and console or PC. Plan socket positions, ventilation and an internet connection around your setup.
Studio sizes
Our studios start with two approximate sizes: 2 × 2 metres and 2 × 3 metres. We can also discuss a bespoke size. Each studio is quoted individually to suit your garden and chosen finishes.
2 metres
4m² footprint
Indicative footprint · not to scale01 / 2 × 2 METRES
The 2 × 2
A compact studio for a small desk, an easel or a reading chair. We’ll check the space available inside against the furniture and equipment you want to use.
Discuss a 2 × 2m studio3 metres
6m² footprint
Indicative footprint · not to scale02 / 2 × 3 METRES
The 2 × 3
A larger option with more room for a work area and storage. The layout can be adapted to suit your hobby and equipment.
Discuss a 2 × 3m studioThese measurements describe the approximate outside size of the building. The space inside will be smaller. Our studios are made to order rather than supplied as fixed-size SIP kits. We’ll agree the final dimensions and panel layout before the build.
Garden studio designs
Examples of proposed studio designs, garden settings and interior layouts.
How your studio
is built
Each studio has a concrete base, an insulated timber floor and structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the walls and roof. The details below are the starting point for your quote.
Talk through your build- 01Insulated SIP walls & roof
- We propose SIP walls with a 100 mm insulation core and a roof with a 150 mm insulation core. The panels’ outer structural layers add to their total thickness. The final panels must suit the design and meet the supplier’s checks for strength, performance and the distance between supports.
- 02Concrete base & insulated floor
- A concrete base supports an insulated timber floor with 100 mm floor insulation and a tongue-and-groove (T&G) hardwood finish. The concrete base is finished at ground level, with cladding ending just above a gravel perimeter. We plan moisture protection, drainage and the gap below the cladding to suit your garden.
- 03ThermoWood, cedar & other cladding
ThermoWood is our preferred cladding. It is treated with heat and steam, without added chemical preservatives. Exterior-grade Thermo-D softwood is typically treated at around 212°C. This changes the timber’s structure so it absorbs less moisture, improving resistance to decay and reducing seasonal swelling and shrinkage.
The timber still needs correct installation and maintenance; it is not rot-proof. Cedar and other cladding options are available on request. We’ll agree the shape, arrangement and finish of the boards with you.
- 04EPDM roofing membrane
- The roof is covered with an EPDM single-ply roofing membrane. We’ll specify the slight slope needed to drain rainwater, along with the edge trims and drainage details.
- 05Doors & windows
- The starting specification includes one entrance door and one window. We’ll agree their positions with you, considering access, daylight, views and privacy. Extra windows can be added if the design allows, with the cost included in your quote.
- 06Lighting, sockets & optional heating
The starting specification includes two internal spotlights and power sockets, installed by an electrician. We’ll agree the number and position of sockets in your quote.
The power connection from your house is arranged separately. Underfloor heating is an optional extra, with the heating system and hardwood floor chosen to work together.
- 07Positioning & boundary fire safety
- We consider boundaries and neighbouring buildings when planning your studio. Where appropriate, we can install metal sheet cladding as part of a suitably specified boundary-facing wall. Fire performance depends on the complete construction, not the metal covering alone. Any required fire-resistant construction and cavity barriers are agreed as part of the design, with building control involved where required. Read our boundary fire-safety guidance.
- 08A bright, finished interior
- Reed-and-bead timber wall lining, skirting boards and a painted plywood ceiling. Walls, skirting and ceiling are finished in brilliant white. Final lining specifications are agreed as part of your studio’s design, including any fire-safety requirements.
Planning your build
Tell us about your plans
Tell us where you live, how much space you have and how you want to use the studio. Garden photographs are helpful.
Agree the design and quote
We’ll discuss the size, access, base, insulation, cladding, windows and finishes. Your written quote will explain what is included.
Arrange the build
Once the design, permissions and site requirements are confirmed, we’ll agree the arrangements for your build.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a studio cost?
Prices are available on request. Every studio is quoted individually, taking account of size, site access, ground conditions and your chosen finishes. Your quote will clearly set out the base works, installation, electrical connection, optional extras and whether VAT applies and is included, so you can see exactly what is covered.
How much space do I need?
Our starting sizes are approximately 2 × 2 metres and 2 × 3 metres, measured outside the building. SIP panels can be cut to suit the design, so these are not fixed kit sizes. The space inside will be smaller than the outside measurements. You’ll also need room for installation access, roof overhangs and maintenance. We’ll agree the exact dimensions and supplier’s panel layout before the build.
What does the studio sit on?
The studio sits on a concrete base finished at ground level, with an insulated timber floor above it, 100 mm insulation and a T&G hardwood finish. The cladding finishes just above the surrounding gravel. Ground preparation, drainage, moisture protection and the complete floor construction are agreed after assessing your site and set out in your quote.
Can I choose where the door and windows go?
Yes. One door and one window form the starting specification, and extra windows can be added if required, subject to the design. We’ll discuss the layout, daylight and privacy with you, and include the cost of any extra windows in your quote.
Are electricity and heating included?
Two internal spotlights and power sockets are part of the starting specification, installed by an electrician. We’ll agree socket quantities and positions with you. Bringing power from your home to the studio is a separate arrangement and is not included in the standard internal electrical installation. The supply route, connection and any groundwork must be agreed separately. Underfloor heating is an optional extra, subject to the chosen hardwood floor and heating system being suitable together.
What guarantee do you offer?
We provide a 12-month workmanship guarantee from completion, covering defects caused by our installation work. Covered faults are put right at no charge. Your quotation or estimate will include the guarantee details and terms before work begins. Manufacturers’ warranties are separate, and your statutory rights are unaffected. Read our workmanship guarantee terms.
What about planning and other requirements?
Start with our planning-permission checklist and building regulations guide. They explain the main checks and link to official guidance. Requirements depend on your location, property and final design; confirm them before commissioning a build.
An introductory offer
on our first two studios
We’re offering a discount on our first two studio builds so we can photograph completed examples of our work.
In return, we ask for permission to photograph your finished studio and use the photographs on our website and in our advertising.
The design, scope, discount and photography arrangements will be agreed with you in writing before work begins. Ask Joe about the introductory offer when you enquire.
Ask about the introductory offerTell us about
your plans
Tell Joe about your garden and how you would like to use your studio. He’ll discuss the details with you and prepare a quote.
cotswoldtimberstudio@gmail.comBased in Badsey, near Broadway. We work within approximately 25 miles. Email your postcode, garden photos and an idea of the space available.