Garden Rooms: Why You Need One in Your Life (and Your Backyard!)

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Are you yearning for extra space in your home but don’t want to build an extension or move to a bigger house? Well, you should consider a garden room. These versatile structures have become increasingly popular as more people seek to enhance their outdoor living space.

Whether you need a home office, a gym, a playroom, or a quiet space to unwind, a garden room is a perfect solution. With a wide range of designs, styles, and sizes to choose from, garden rooms can easily be tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

In this blog post, we'll explore the different types of garden rooms and some legal considerations you need to make. We'll also discuss the benefits of having a garden room and discuss important factors you should consider when planning for one.

Let’s get started.

What is a Garden Room?

This is a standalone structure usually located in your garden or outdoor area. It is a great way to add more space to your home without the expense and hassle of a full-blown extension or renovation project.

A garden room is designed to be an extension of your indoor living space but outdoors. This means that much like an indoor space, you can customise your garden room to suit your taste with things such as hand-picked furniture, plants or art.  

You can use a garden room for various purposes, such as a home office, guest house, gym, man cave, art room, or even a full-fledged outdoor kitchen.

Types of Garden Rooms

Summerhouses

Summerhouses are an old-fashioned luxury designed to provide a charming and cozy retreat during summer. They offer a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the warm weather surrounded by nature.

Summerhouses are designed with a focus on natural lighting. They have large windows allowing for plenty of sunshine and views of your surrounding garden.

You can furnish your summerhouse with seats, tables, and other amenities to make it more functional and comfortable.

Garden offices

For most people who work from, it can be challenging to be productive, especially if you don’t have a dedicated home office space. If your work area also doubles as your dining room, bedroom, etc., you will constantly deal with disturbances from family members.

With a garden office, you can say goodbye to all these problems.  You can have your workspace separate from the main building but within the home, where you can concentrate on your work uninterrupted.

For maximum convenience, wire your garden office for electricity and install central heating and Wi-Fi to make it suitable for year-round use.

Barbecue cabins

If you enjoy cooking and entertaining, instead of always trying to brave the elements, why not build yourself a barbecue cabin? These garden rooms provide a cozy and functional space for outdoor cooking and dining. They offer a sheltered area to prepare and enjoy meals with family and friends.

Most of them usually feature a grill or fire pit and have enough space for seats and tables for dining. You can use them all year round, as they are often fully insulated and heated to provide warmth even during the colder months.

Garden studios

Garden studios offer a quiet and inspiring space to work on creative projects without the distractions of everyday life. They can be furnished with desks, chairs, and other amenities to make them more functional and comfortable.

They are popular among artists, writers, musicians, and other hobbyists who prefer having a dedicated space for creative work while still being close to nature and the outdoors.

Benefits of Garden Rooms

Additional living space

As years go by, your household will likely become busier and more crowded, necessitating additional living space. A garden room provides that valuable extra living space you can use for various purposes, such as a guest room, mancave or studio.

This additional space greatly enhances the functionality of your home and makes it more comfortable. It also provides a place where you can go to enjoy some peace and tranquillity that may be lacking in other parts of the house.

Flexibility

Another benefit of garden rooms is their flexibility. They provide an adaptable space you can customise to meet the changing needs of your household. This means that a garden room designed for one purpose can easily be adapted and used for a different purpose as needs change over time. For example, a garden room created as a home office can be converted into a guest room or gym as required.

Cost-effective

Garden rooms are ultimately cheaper than house extensions or loft conversions. The reason is that garden rooms generally need less structural work and fewer materials. They can often be constructed off-site and installed quickly, reducing labour costs.

In addition, garden rooms require less planning permission and building regulation approvals, significantly saving time and money at the planning stage.

Increased property value

A well-designed garden room has the potential to substantially increase the value of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers. How?

Well, a garden room creates additional living space, increasing the overall square footage of your property. This makes your property very attractive, especially to buyers with large households.

Also, if it is well constructed, your garden room will improve the overall visual appeal of your property, making it stand out from similar properties in the market. So make sure to create a stylish and functional garden room to give a great first impression. Ensure it integrates well with the rest of the garden and landscaping.

Promotes good health and wellbeing

Garden rooms usually provide a private and tranquil space to relax and unwind while surrounded by nature, positively impacting your mental health and well-being.

Whether you use it for yoga, meditation, or as a reading nook,  a garden room provides an excellent opportunity to connect with nature in a peaceful and secluded environment, promoting rest and rejuvenation for a healthier mind and body.

Do You Need Planning Permissions For a Garden Room?

A garden room is usually classified as an outbuilding. Outbuildings are separate structures on the same property as the main house but are used for different purposes. Examples include sheds, garages, garden rooms, etc.

You do not need to get planning permission for outbuildings, as they usually fall under the Permitted Development (PD) rights. However, a garden room will only fall under PD rights if it meets certain conditions. They are

● The building should be a single-storey structure with an eaves height of 2.5m. It should also not exceed a height of 4m if it has a dual-pitched roof and 3m if it has any other type of roof.

● It should have no raised platforms, i.e. verandahs and balconies.

● It should not cover more than half the land surrounding the original house.

● It shouldn’t be constructed on the portion of the land in front of the wall that forms the main front of the building.

● If the garden room is within two meters of a boundary of the existing house's curtilage, it must not exceed a maximum height of 2.5 meters.

Also, the use of your garden room must be different from the use of the rooms in your main house. This means the garden room should be a yoga studio, home office, etc. This way, it is regarded as an outbuilding. But if your garden room is a bedroom, for example, it might be seen as more of an annexe, requiring you to apply for planning permission.  

Make sure to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, especially if you don’t have planning permission. This document proves that the construction of your garden room is legal and approved by your local council.

To be safe, employ a professional, such as an architect, who can prepare your building designs and handle the legal aspects of your construction, such as planning permission applications.

Garden Rooms Building regulations

The building regulations for a garden room are not very straightforward. As mentioned earlier, garden rooms are classified as outbuilding when they serve a different purpose than the rooms in your house.

The regulations will also depend on a few factors, such as the size of the garden room and its placement.

In general, if your room is less than 15 square meters in floor area, and is atleast one meter away from any boundaries on your properties, then you do not require any building regulations approval. This is also the case if the room is made of non-combustible materials.

However, if the room is used for sleeping accommodations, then you will need building regulations approval.

If your garden room does require approval, there are specific requirements you will have to meet, those related to structural stability, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, and electrical installations.

It is essential to work with a qualified architect or builder who is familiar with building regulations and can ensure that your garden room meets all the requirements.

Factors to Consider When Planning a Garden Room  

Purpose

This is the first thing you should consider before you even begin planning and designing. This is because defining the purpose of the garden room will guide the entire planning and building process.

The purpose will affect several things like the space, size and functionality. It will also influence the choice of materials, insulation, and utility connections needed.

Carefully thinking through the intended use of your garden room will ensure you get something that meets your needs and requirements.

Access

You should also consider the accessibility of your garden room. Access routes should be convenient and safe. Have proper pathways leading to and from the garden room and connecting it to the main house. Also, ensure that the entrances and exits are easily accessible to all the users of the garden room.

Location

Something else to consider is the location of your garden room. If you are building a garden room that will be used heavily and regularly, such as a dining or entertaining area, consider having it closer to your main home. If possible, let it be closer to the kitchen for easy transportation of food.

Reserve areas further away from the house for a garden office, yoga studio etc., where you can concentrate on your work without disturbances. Remember to choose a location where the garden room won’t block views or access to other buildings on your property.

Design

Design plays a vital role in a garden room's overall aesthetic and functionality. The design you choose should easily blend with the existing architecture of your house main and its surroundings. Therefore, pick a style, materials, and colours for your garden room to create that harmony.

For instance, using natural materials, such as timber and stone, can make a harmonious connection between the garden room and the surrounding landscape.

Also, remember to pay attention to details such as lighting, insulation, and finishes, which contribute to the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the space.

Ultimately, a well-designed garden room will add value to your property and provide a beautiful and functional space for its intended purpose.

Budget

This basically refers to the amount of money you are willing to spend on your project. Your budget will depend on various factors, such as the project's size, materials, design, and labour required.

As you set your budget, it is essential to ensure that it covers all aspects of the project, including building permits, foundations, insulation, and finishes. Also, remember to factor in ongoing maintenance costs, such as heating, cooling, and lighting.

Setting a realistic budget will ensure that your garden room meets your needs and adds value to your property without breaking the bank. Remember to obtain price quotes from multiple builders or architects to ensure you are charged fairly for all the work.

Conclusion

We have come to the end of this article. We hope that from this discussion, you've realised just how amazing and practical garden rooms are for expanding your living space and boosting the value of your home.

Whether you're looking to create a quiet oasis to escape to or a functional home office, a garden room offers endless possibilities for customisation and creativity. And the best part? You get to enjoy all the benefits of being outdoors without ever leaving your backyard!

We encourage you to explore the idea of adding a garden room to your outdoor space. It's an affordable and convenient way to enhance your living space and create a unique, inviting environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy.

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