5 minute read
Create a Backyard Hobby Cottage
from View - Florida
Whether you dream of a quiet yoga space, a sturdy expanse of work bench and shelves for gardening, a charming playhouse or a light-infused craft room, a backyard cottage can be the answer. But before you meet with the professionals – designer, contractor, builder – here are some considerations to inform the conversation.
Size Matters
While you may have lots of space and a budget to match, you can minimize red tape by keeping your cottage within specified size limits. Check with your county planning department for the maximum square footage allowable without a permit. This varies widely and is a good place to begin. Local regulations may also specify the distance between the main house and the new
structure, the roof height and how high above grade the structure can sit (think stilt houses and tree houses, for example). Making sure your backyard studio conforms to local regulations can save you heartache – and increase your profit – when it comes time to sell
your home.
Location, Location, Location
Once you know the maximum size, it’s time to think about where
your new structure will sit. That may be determined in part by its
function. A woodshed or tool storage shed can be tucked into the back of the yard, while you may want your music room or meditation space to open onto the prettiest vantage. Do you need natural light? Access to water? You will also need to consider climate and soil
conditions and whether your structure will require a foundation.
It can be a big leap from the “cute cottage” you have in your mind to the reality of (for example) 200 square feet. The best way to visualize
the new space is to lay out a life-size “floor.” Fold, unfold or join drop
cloths to equal the square footage of your cottage, then lay them on the ground to get a sense of the size, fit and placement. (You can measure out the dimensions with tape or string, but cloth, or even plastic sheeting, will give you a more realistic view.) Will you have to remove shrubs or trees? Will the structure block access to paths, doors or gates? And speaking of paths, will you need to include a ramp or accessible pathway?
The Look You Love
If you want a structure that echoes the architecture of your home, a
building designer can help you maximize both interior and exterior space to create the cottage of your dreams. Form and function need to work together in a small backyard structure, so consider carefully what is important to you.
Will your dream space serve a single purpose – for example, stained glass work or piano practice – or will it be an “extra room” for everyone’s special projects? Do you want direct sunlight through windows, glass doors and skylights or do you prefer the filtered light afforded by a deep porch (perhaps with a porch swing)? How about a window seat for reading? Do you want your sewing machine or other equipment tucked into a closet or out in the open? Will you need soundproofin for listening to music or band practice? What about display shelves and lighting for artwork, books or other special collections? Would a bulletin board wall be a useful addition? Do you prefer built-ins or movable furniture? Will you need washable
surfaces and perhaps even a floor drain for a ceramics studio or kids’ painting room?
Pinterest is a great source for more inspiration. In addition, a growing number of companies now offer handsome pre-fab structures that may provide more ideas. Get inspired by having a look at Studio Shed, Summerwood Products, kitHAUS and
Drop Structures.
Whether you plan to write poems, finish your symphony or set up a darkroom, your backyard studio/cottage should meet your needs for space, privacy and convenience. It could be the best thing you ever did for yourself – and your house!
Coldwell Banker Realty | Office Directory
EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA
Boynton Beach 362 N Congress Avenue Boynton Beach, FL 33426 561.736.2400
Central/North Brevard 7100 N Atlantic Avenue Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 321.799.0221
Central/South Brevard 1491 NE Emerson Drive Palm Bay, FL 32907 321.768.6400
Flagler 1 Hammock Beach Parkway Palm Coast, FL 32137 888.525.5589
Jupiter Beach 1061 E Indiantown Road Suite 100 Jupiter, FL 33477 561.744.2500
Melbourne 2955 Pineda Plaza Way Suite 124 Melbourne, FL 32940 321.259.5280
Orlando 211 E Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32801 407.841.6060
Orlando North/Heathrow 1120 Townpark Avenue Suite 1042 Lake Mary, FL 32746 407.333.8088 Palm Beaches 4590 PGA Boulevard Suite 108 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 561.622.5000
Port St. Lucie 1973 SW Savage Boulevard Port St Lucie, FL 34953 772.344.7279 Crestview 2514 S Ferdon Boulevard Crestview, FL 32536 850.682.4300
Southwest Orlando 7626 W Sand Lake Road Orlando, FL 32819 407.352.1040 Fort Walton Beach 131 NW Racetrack Road Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 850.863.4563
Stuart 2369 SE Federal Highway Stuart, FL 34994 772.286.1300 Navarre 8871 Navarre Parkway Navarre, FL 32566 850.684.1003
Niceville 4504 Highway 20 East Suite A, Niceville, FL 32578 850.897.4563
Pace 5561 Woodbine Road Pace, FL 32571 850.736.8050
Wellington 12300 South Shore Boulevard Suite 100 Wellington, FL 33414 561.793.3400
West Palm Beach 1911 N Flagler Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33407 561.832.4663
Winter Park 400 S Park Avenue Suite 210 Winter Park, FL 32789 407.647.1211 Panama City Beach 726 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 850.234.6696
Winter Springs/Oviedo 5965 Red Bug Lake Road Unit 101 Winter Springs, FL 32708 407.696.8000 Pensacola 4475 Bayou Boulevard Pensacola, FL 32503 850.432.5300
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Beaches of 30A 4458 Legendary Drive Suite 100 Destin, FL 32541 850.660.1691 Pensacola Beach 22A Via De Luna Drive Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 850.677.8040
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Aventura 20803 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 102 Aventura, FL 33180 305.931.8266
Boca Raton Resort and Beaches 1200 N Federal Highway Suite 111 Boca Raton, FL 33432 561.395.2233
Brickell - Key Biscayne 328 Crandon Boulevard Suite 127 Key Biscayne, FL 33149 305.361.5722
Coral Gables 4000 Ponce De Leon Boulevard Suite 700 Coral Gables, FL 33146 305.667.4815
Coral Springs/Parkland 5810 Coral Ridge Drive Suite 100 Coral Springs, FL 33076 954.753.2200
Delray Beach 1185 E Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33483 561.278.0300
Ft. Lauderdale Beach 4757 N Ocean Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.781.9393
Fort Lauderdale Las Olas 901 E Las Olas Boulevard Suite 101 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954.527.5900
Hollywood 3319 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954.963.1600
