Transform Your Outdoor Living Space with a Garden Room

Over the last few years garden rooms have long been a popular choice for households looking to make the most of their outdoor space and bring a little luxury to their life. They were particularly popular when the pandemic meant more people than ever were working from home and needing some extra living space to accommodate this. If you’re looking to add some extra space to your home maybe it’s worth considering one too!

What is a garden room?

Is it a conservatory? A house extension? Understandably, you might be confused. A garden room is a stand-alone building separate from the home, providing a modern alternative to traditional extensions. A garden room is classified as an outbuilding and is usually built to less than 2.5m in height this means they generally don’t require planning permission so can be a cost-effective and hassle-free alternative to adding a conservatory, building an extension or having your loft converted. Unlike a shed where you might store your bric-a-brac and tools, a garden room allows for a multi-functional space with additional furnishings and versatile designs.

Garden rooms come in several materials including wood, constructed just like a timber-frame house, as well as brick or even prefabricated or modular garden rooms, which you can assemble yourself in hardly any time at all.

What are the benefits of a garden room over other extension options?

I have already mentioned that a garden room rarely requires planning permission which is a major plus, but there are other benefits such as:

• Cheaper and more cost-effective than a conservatory, other extension or loft conversion
• A garden room can be installed in just 2-5 days!
• Installation only has minimal disruption to your life
• No need for building control sign-off
• A unique and modern building solution

What are garden rooms used for?

Garden rooms offer a watertight and insulated additional space option meaning the room remains dry, healthy and comfortable to use all year round which means it is perfect for several uses. Here are some of the most common:

Office: Garden rooms make for comfortable and quiet workspaces, ideal for hybrid and remote workers. They offer separation from the main house, reducing distractions and creating a dedicated work environment that you can personalise to create a space you actually enjoy working from!

Workout space: Garden rooms can be transformed into exercise spaces, allowing you to work out without leaving your home. No more having to pay pricy membership costs, waiting for equipment to be available and no other people to distract you from achieving your fitness goals.

Studio: I am an avid crafter and am finding it increasingly difficult to not only find storage for my craft supplies but to find a quiet space in the house to craft in. I have half-finished projects all over the place! From artists to writers, musicians and more a garden room can offer some much-needed creative space.

Entertainment Room: Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to take a few steps across the garden and find yourself in your own private cinema? Simply installing a home theatre system in your garden room can offer fantastic movie nights or game days with space for all your friends and family to join you (if you’re willing to share).

Playroom: My little girl is only 9 months old and already her toys and stuff take up half the house, having a garden room offering play and storage space could be a massive game changer for any parent. Having a separate play space offers children the independence they desire while enabling parents to maintain a subtle presence.

Is it time for you to consider a garden room?