Garden Room Ideas

Do you like the idea of a garden office, a man cave, or a summer house? Well, you’re not alone! Garden rooms are becoming more and more popular as we find we need more space in our homes. In fact, both our co-founders have built their own garden rooms for completely different functions, really highlighting the versatile benefits of such a space.

If you could do with some inspiration or garden room ideas then look no further as we help guide you through how to create a garden room and why you should invest in one!

Dreaming of a beautiful garden room? Why not let us transform the space from as little as £395!

What can you do with a garden room?

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room

Many build a garden room to carve out the perfect space to unleash their creativity and enjoy their favourite hobbies. Just think, you could create a cosy, private reading retreat or a place with the light just right to create your artistic masterpiece. Or even the perfect place to begin working on your new business idea.

We’re looking forward to showing you more garden ideas in this blog but before we give you some inspiration to sink your teeth into, it's important to think through why you need the space and what you will use it for. Sure a spa sounds awesome but would it be more beneficial for you to build an office garden room? Functionality comes first! 

Do you need planning permission for a studio in the garden?

What makes garden rooms such a great idea is that usually, they do not require planning permission! They are classified as “outbuildings”, therefore you are allowed to build one as long as you abide by the rules and have permitted development rights, which you should have as long as your home is not a listed property, however, it's always best to check with your local planning office - just to cover all bases!

There are a few more ground rules that we should make you aware of. First, you cannot build a garden room in front of your home. You also need to make sure that other outbuildings do not cover 50% of the total area around your house, or shed, including this proposed new garden room. 

It can also only be a single storey and less than 3 metres high unless it’s within 2 metres of your boundary, then the maximum height is 2.5 metres. It's also very important to note that you may need planning permission for your garden room if you intend to install plumbing as then you may be creating what is considered a self-contained living accommodation. 

If you want more help figuring out what you need from your home, click the link to talk to our incredible team to see how we can help!

How much does a garden room cost?

Garden rooms are usually priced by square metre and on average they cost £1,450 per sqm. However keep in mind that this does not include the delivery of those materials, as the further they travel the more expensive it will be. Also if you will be using this space as a garden office space then you're going to need an electrician to not only connect you to your home’s existing circuitry but also connect you to the internet, which may include a separate router for this space. 

On average it costs around £16,000 to build a garden room but as we say, it does depend on the functionality of the space. If you want a high-tech, insulated garden office, this will cost more than a simple space for you to do yoga every morning. 

Does a garden room add value?

Yes! After all, you are adding another room to your property’s floor plan without having to sacrifice any space within the house! Of course, it all depends on the quality of the build and the cost that went into the detail of the garden office. Typically though, adding a garden studio can increase your home’s value by 1.5 times – depending on the quality of the build and cost of installation. 

Other methods of extensions like loft conversions and open plan extensions can be incredibly expensive, especially when dealing with older properties as lots of unexpected and pricey surprises come up. However, building a garden studio is a much more cost-effective way to add value to your property. 

How can I decorate my garden office?

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room 

One of the most popular uses of a garden room, especially since lockdown, has been a garden office. However, a lot of these rules will apply no matter what you would like to do with your garden room!

First things first, you need to decide how you will use the room. This will depend on where you build and how you position the furniture in your garden room. For example, if you want a garden office then sunlight is one of the most important aspects that you need to think about. You don’t want to build an office away from the house and the family distractions only to place your desk in direct sunlight then struggle to work with glare all over your screen! This can also be the case if you’re considering a movie room with a great big TV that you can never see clearly. 

Also, when considering furniture it's important to include soft and warm elements, after all, it's not summer all year long! We suggest adding rugs and pillows or even a sofa in your garden office to soften the space, making it feel more homely and it will combat the echo. 

When designing and decorating this space, try and keep the theme of the house. For example, if you have a regal Victorian terrace then having a modern chrome structured garden room will look very out of place. We recommend trying to keep it simple and take elements and colours you love from your home and implement it here. 

Don’t forget about the outside of the garden room! It’s always a good idea when implementing any new feature or extension to your home that you make it looks like it has always been there. A clever way to do this is to make sure the garden surrounding it has plants from other parts of the garden. For example, if you have some luscious pink flowers near the house maybe plant some around the garden room or up the path you have leading to it. You can then also throw in some pink cushions inside to continue the flow.

Do you want to avoid making expensive mistakes when designing your home? Then click the link to start your brief! Our interior designers can design a space you’ll love at a price you’ll love even more! 

8 garden room ideas

Home Office

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room - Laura's Home office

Our co-founder Laura has created a stunning garden office where she can let her entrepreneurial spirit run wild! Having a space separate from the house and the family life, gives her the breathing space she needs to keep improving and growing My Bespoke Room! 

Home Gym

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room

Thos workout space is complete with a punching bag and boxing gloves - perfect for letting off steam after a long day or even for working out and letting your brain tick over.

A garden room is a perfect place for a home gym as you can open up all the doors and let the fresh air in after a particularly hard-core workout!

Yoga Studio/Spa

Maybe you’re thinking you want a place to unwind and get away from the stresses of modern life. Well, have you ever considered creating a spa in a garden room? You could include a steam room or sauna and even add a hot tub on some decking on the side. You could even make your own yoga studio if you want to feel more centred. 

Ready to make guests jealous with your new space?! Book your room design today:

Garden Bar

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room

None of these garden room ideas for you? Perhaps this will tickle your fancy. Have you ever considered building a garden bar? These have been increasingly popular for those who love playing host! Add a darts board, a mini-fridge and build in some optics or kegs and you have yourself your own home pub! Don’t forget some comfy chairs and good space for a table to place your cocktails on - it can be like you're always on holiday!

Games Room / Man Cave / She Shed

If you love hosting games nights with your friends then a games room may be what you need! Give yourself the space for a proper pool table, retro arcade games or even a simple place to be able to play poker. It’s difficult to express your passion for this hobby in your home, as where would you find the space? But here you can make all the space you need! 

Hobby Room 

Do you dream of having your own art studio? Perhaps you’re a big gamer and would love a proper gaming space? Or maybe you’ve always had a passion for music and would love a recording studio? Whatever your passion, you can dedicate your garden room to it, making a haven for whatever it is that you love! 

Reading retreat

Many of us love to read the latest James Patterson or John Grisham thrillers but never find the time or space to relax and immerse ourselves in a whole new world. It’s easy in the house to find yourself distracted by chores or the TV where you can double screen to your heart's content. If you want to spend more time wrapped up in a classic Agatha Christie novel then why not build a reading nook. You could even have big sliding doors where you can unwind in the sunshine with a good book, just like you would by a pool on holiday! 

Want a relaxing space where you can simply getaway from life? Our designs are ready to create your dream space:

A snug/ spare bedroom

Image Credit: My Bespoke Room

You could always increase your functional space a little more by creating a snug, that can also function as a spare bedroom. It’s great for when the kids want to have a sleepover, but you actually want to get a decent night's sleep! Include a great big TV or projector for family movie nights and a big comfy sofa that also functions as a sofa bed and you have the perfect multi-purpose space!

If you want more time for yourself a garden room could be for you! If you want to start putting yourself first then click the link to start creating your garden room oasis today.