Goodwoof Barkitecture and Cuprinol Shed of the Year Awards are probably the only two UK-based events that are very British-centric but make headlines globally. While Barkitecture takes place in the UK’s spring, Cuprinol Shed of the Year Awards are announced during autumn. As reported by House Beautiful, the results for the annual Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition are out, and it’s Mike Robinson, an engineer from Plumstead, South-East London, who has taken the bragging rights for his space-saving workshop.
Dubbed “Tiny Workshop”, the winner of the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2025 boasts a diminutive structure that is crafted from repurposed steel shelving units. It secured the top honor for its clever maximization of limited space, earning praise from judges as a “shining example of what can be achieved even in the most compact of space.”
So, what makes the shed so special? Well, first of all, it’s designed to fit into a small space. “We needed a good bit of storage for the garden necessities. Off-the-shelf options would have taken up too much room, so I went with a DIY design and build,” Mike states. The Londoner transformed a mere 9.10 x 3.3 x 7.10 feet footprint in his modest garden into a multifunctional haven. Facing the constraints of a tight outdoor plot, Robinson opted out of bulky off-the-shelf sheds, instead bolting together two heavy-duty steel shelving sets to form the shed’s skeletal frame.
From a design standout, there is a hatch-style door that shields contents from the rain, while the interior boasts birch plywood offcuts fashioned into shelving, drawers, a sturdy workbench, and dedicated tool walls. The shed is incorporated with Indirect LED lighting that illuminates the space for evening projects, and a freshly planted green roof promises to bloom into a verdant camouflage over the coming seasons.
“I think ‘The Tiny Workshop’ has worked a treat,” Robinson shared in a statement following the announcement. “It’s a creative space where I can tinker and mend, as well as have the storage space for garden stuff, kids’ games, and tools. The green roof will come into its own in the next year or so, too, and I’m looking forward to seeing it come to life – the shed really is the gift that keeps on giving! I’m so happy the judges loved it too, and can’t believe I actually won,” he elaborates.
Robinson’s design isn’t just about practicality. He has incorporated personal flair into the design by including 3D-printed brackets repurposed from old spanner handles, a testament to British ingenuity. The project first won the competition’s Workshop/Studio category, decided on public vote before advancing to claim the overall prize, underscoring its broad appeal in a competition that celebrates backyard innovation.
Robinson’s victory arrives at a time when urban gardeners and DIY hobbyists are increasingly squeezed by rising property costs and looking for budget-friendly alternatives on e-commerce stores. The Tiny Workshop serves as an inspiring blueprint for sustainable, space-efficient living, proof that even the smallest shed can house big dreams. For more details on entering future contests or exploring past winners, visit the official Cuprinol Shed of the Year website.
