About this office
This backyard office fits into a small yard in Deep Cove, in North Vancouver. It’s 8′ x 18′ (144 sq/ft) with corrugated steel siding, a curved roof edge and a 10-foot full-glass sliding door that opens onto the deck. A built-in desk and a long window fill the inside, and a storage box at one end keeps garden tools out of the room.
Fitting a small backyard
The yard is tiny, so the office was shaped to fit it. It sits close to the house and ties into the existing deck and walkways, so it feels like part of the yard instead of something dropped in.
Inside the office
Inside, the walls are white melamine and the ceiling is pine tongue-and-groove. A built-in desk and filing drawers sit under a long window, and the clerestory windows and the wide sliding door bring in light from the trees. (The room photos were taken with a wide-angle lens, so lines look curved.)
Storage box and window details
At one end, a black-stained storage box with two doors holds bins and garden gear. Its metal roof also works as a small bench top under the long window.
| Location | Deep Cove, North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8′ x 18′ (144 sq/ft) |
| Design | Contemporary |
| Deck | Yes, treated wood, tied into the existing deck and walkways |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides and rear 6″ |
| Siding | Corrugated steel |
| Ceiling | Pine tongue-and-groove |
| Walls (inside) | White melamine |
| Door | 10′ full-lite sliding door |
| Windows | Two 24″ x 72″ windows and one 18″ x 30″ window |
| Electrical | 4 plugs and lighting |
| Heat | 2,500 W forced-air heater |
| Extras | Storage box at one end, built-in desk |
More photos
The photos below show more of the steel siding, the deck and the details.
What to plan before building a backyard office in a small yard
A narrow yard still has room for an office if the building is planned around it.
- Footprint: measure the space, the access path and the distance to the lot lines before choosing a size.
- Existing deck and paths: a new deck can tie into what is already there so the yard stays easy to walk through.
- Door and windows: a wide sliding door and a long window give a small room its light.
- Rules: at 144 sq/ft this building is larger than the permit-free size (10 m² or 108 sq/ft), so expect a building permit, and check zoning, height and setbacks.
- Power: lights, outlets and a heater need an electrical permit and a licensed electrician.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this backyard office?
It’s 8 feet by 18 feet, which is 144 sq/ft (about 13.4 m²).
What is the siding?
Corrugated steel, which is light, tough and needs very little upkeep.
Do you need a permit for an 8×18 building in North Vancouver?
Probably yes. Most BC municipalities only allow a permit-free shed under 10 m² (108 sq/ft), and this building is 144 sq/ft. Check with the municipality, and see North Vancouver Shed Regulations.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, read the North Vancouver Shed Regulations, or see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.