How we use our homes has changed significantly, and for many people they now double as workplaces. These days, there is a garden room revolution taking place in homes all over the country. Garden rooms are suitable as stand-alone structures and provide a great alternative to home extensions. They can be used as home offices, wellness spaces, or entertainment areas. A garden room is a fully insulated outdoor room which can be used all year round and is separate from the house. They have become very popular since the pandemic started because of increased remote working, and more people are trying to improve the value of their property and the flexibility of their lifestyle.
What Exactly is A Garden Room?
A garden room refers to a permanent, insulated building in a garden or yard that is designed with comfort in mind and can be used year-round. Unlike a shed or summerhouse, these products are built to a higher specification with things like electrics included and heating or cooling systems, plus a proper foundation and insulated double glazing. They are designed to be as comfortable and practical as the internal room of your home. Garden rooms have several key features that set them apart.
- Tough insulation for thermal efficiency whatever the season.
- Electrical systems including light, heat and technology.
- Materials that last long and can resist the weather.
- Secure doors and windows, often double-glazed, for comfort and safety.
Sizes commonly range from 8×10 ft units to larger 16×20 ft builds and constructed of timber, composite cladding, or even brick. This level of insulation clearly distinguishes garden rooms from uninsulated sheds or seasonal conservatories.
Why Garden Rooms Have Become So Popular
The demand for garden rooms has significantly increased due to modernization and changing lifestyles.
- Remote work and hybrid work have made dedicated, quiet spaces for home offices more important than ever. As a result, home offices have become the most common use for garden rooms. Garden rooms help create a clear physical distinction between professional work and home life. The objective is to eliminate the commute while still leaving the house for ‘work’.
- Adding more usable square meters to your home through them is convenient and cost-effective. This option proves to be much less disruptive than other ways. In many cases, installing a garden room is far more cost-effective than building a traditional home extension.
- Teenagers, parents or in-laws–whatever your family make-up is or will be, garden rooms create the perfect multi-generational living spaces.
Garden Rooms Are Commonly Used
Garden rooms can be adapted to suit a wide range of homeowner needs. They are most commonly used as home offices. Here are a few of their common purposes.
Garden offices are currently by far the most popular application. Providing a quiet and distraction-free environment is essential for productivity. The home office segment asserts market dominance when it comes to garden offices.
Creative Studios: Artists, musicians, writers and other crafters use garden rooms that are free from household interruptions for their creative pursuits.
Having the right kind of flooring and climate control, fitness and yoga studios can become a personal gym or a yoga and meditation space.
A nicely appointed garden room can serve as a comfortable sleeping area for your guests. This gives both you and your guest some privacy. Some high-end units might even yield Airbnb rental income.
Garden rooms can be useful for many different interests, whether you want a gaming den or a reading nook, or a place to retreat from it all.
Cost and Investment Value of Garden Rooms
The cost of a garden room is hugely variable due to size, specifications and whether you go for a DIY kit or a custom build. Many budget-friendly DIY kits start from around £4,000 to £12,000. While a custom-built unit which is fully insulated will cost you approximately £14,000 to £20,000+ in the UK. High-spec custom builds can exceed £25,000 and may reach £60,000 or more. Total cost depends on various factors.The prices of larger rooms or rooms constructed with premium building materials like cedar cladding or large glazing will be more expensive.
Year-round use needs proper insulation, which must be added to the final cost to get better energy efficiency.
Making a connection between electrical and plumbing like water and drainage for a toilet or kitchen raises the difficulty level and cost.
Internal finishes such as high-end flooring, lighting, and interior décor will also affect the final cost
A high-quality garden room can increase the value of a property by between five and fifteen per cent. In its study, MoveStreets stated that the average increase is around 8.4 per cent. If rented out, a garden room may generate additional income that helps offset installation costs over time. Planning permission and building regulations vary from place to place and may not be required for smaller structures when they are under a specific height and used under particular conditions.
Essential Things To Consider Before Installing
Before starting a garden room build, there are a number of things you need to consider before going ahead.
Such considerations include:
- Site Assessment: Look into the soil types, access to construction vehicles and trucks and position relative to the main house for mains connection.
- Don’t forget to plan for your utility connections like electricity, internet and even water/drainage if applicable. Keep the trenching costs and connection to existing services in check.
- In the UK, it is considered permitted development for most garden rooms to be single storey, having eaves height of 2.5 meters and covering not more than 50 per cent of the garden area. However, it is always advisable to check with your local authority, as regulations can vary by location and property type.
- To keep the building comfortable all year round in your climate, ensure adequate insulation (the recommended U-values are ≤0.18 W/m²K for walls and ≤0.15 W/m²K for roofs) and HVAC systems.
Consumer Guide: Is a Garden Room Right for You?
Garden rooms are a smart yet flexible way for homeowners looking to increase their living space, improve their quality of life and add value to their property. Garden rooms offer an alternative to home extensions, being a more cost-effective and less disruptive means of creating a dedicated space for working, chilling out or pursuing hobbies. With remote work on the rise and a focus on wellness, there’s no denying the attraction of a garden room. If you own your home and have enough space outdoors with a clear purpose in mind, investing in a garden room is a wise move. By investing in a garden room, you are improving both your property value and your quality of life, as the space can adapt to your needs over time.