They are separate from the main house and are typically located in the backyard or garden area. These beautiful additions to a property offer a range of benefits, including:
- additional living space,
- a dedicated workspace,
- a relaxation area,
- a place to pursue hobbies and interests.
Depending on the build quality and size, a well built garden structure can add 20% or more to the value of your home, making it a sound investment.
Types of Garden Rooms
- Home Offices: With the rise of remote work and self-employment, garden rooms have become a popular solution for creating a dedicated workspace. These rooms provide a quiet and inspiring environment perfect for productivity and focus.
- Garden Studios: Artists, musicians, and creatives often find garden studios to be the perfect place to practice their craft. These rooms offer ample natural light and can be customised with soundproofing materials for a private and peaceful atmosphere.
- Garden Gyms: Fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals can create their own personal gym in a garden room.
- Garden Retreats: Garden rooms can be transformed into a peaceful retreat where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is the perfect place to create a cosy reading nook, a meditation room, or a spa-like space for relaxation.
- Playrooms: Families with children can benefit from a garden room transformed into a dedicated playroom. This allows kids to have their own space to play and be creative, keeping toys and games organized and separate from the main living areas.
- Garden saunas: For those who enjoy the relaxation and health benefits of saunas, a garden room can be transformed into a private sauna retreat. With the right insulation and ventilation, these rooms can provide a comfortable and enjoyable sauna experience year-round.
Why Choose a Garden Room?
- Versatility: One of the key reasons to choose a garden room is its versatility. These structures can be customised to suit your specific needs and preferences. Whether you want a cosy retreat or a functional workspace, a garden room can be designed accordingly.
- Additional Space: Garden rooms offer a cost-effective way to add extra space to your property. They are a great alternative to traditional home extensions and can be built in a fraction of the time.
- Connection to Nature: Garden rooms allow you to enjoy the benefits of nature while staying indoors. With large windows and doors, they bring in abundant natural light and offer views to enhance your well-being and productivity.
- Often do not require planning permission: Unlike traditional home extensions, garden rooms can be built much faster and do not usually require planning permission. This makes them a convenient and efficient choice for adding extra space to your property.
- Add Value to Your Home: One of the significant advantages of having a garden room is that it can add value to your home. With the increasing demand for additional space, and a trend of increasing numbers of people working more from home, a garden room can be an attractive selling point for potential buyers of your property.
Garden Offices have topped the list of Rightmove’s recent analysis of the home features that have grown in popularity. The UK’s biggest property website has seen the proportion of property listings that mention ‘garden offices’ up by 1,046% compared to 10 years ago.
“Agents and developers have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the home features that will attract suitable buyers. Where dining rooms and fitted wardrobes may not be as important to some potential buyers compared with ten years ago, other features like an outdoor office space have soared as working patterns have changed”
Tim Bannister – Rightmove’s Property Expert
Building Regulations and Planning Permission
When you are looking for a garden room in the UK, be aware of building regulations and planning permission requirements. Generally, garden rooms fall under permitted development rights, which means you may not need planning permission as long as certain criteria are met. These criteria include:
- Size: The garden room must not exceed a certain size limit, typically 30 square meters for a single-story building. If you plan to build a larger garden room or a two-story structure, you will likely need planning permission.
- Height: The height of the garden room must not exceed the height of the existing house.
- Placement: The garden room should be built at least 2 meters away from any boundaries, such as fences or walls.
- Use: The garden room should be used for recreational purposes and not as a separate residential dwelling.
- Materials: The materials used for the construction of the garden room should be in line with the overall appearance of the property.
It’s always advisable to consult with your local planning authority before starting any construction to ensure you comply with the regulations specific to your area.
Cost and Construction
The cost of a garden room in the UK can vary depending on factors such as size, design, materials, and any additional features you choose to include. On average, a garden room in the UK can cost between £12,000 to £50,000.
You will find many offerings, some very cheap on sites like Ebay. This is however false economy, as even though some might look amazing, these are essentially garden sheds, built from cheap materials. They will not last, and you will always have to spend more on cladding, insulation, waterproofing, etc to make it suitable for year round use. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is just a rough estimate and the final cost can be influenced by various variables.
When it comes to construction, garden rooms in the UK are typically built using timber frame construction. This method allows for a quick and efficient build process, with most garden rooms being completed within a few weeks. The construction process involves laying foundations, erecting the timber frame, adding insulation, installing windows and doors, and finishing the interior and exterior.
Prefabricated Garden Rooms VS Custom Built Garden Rooms in the UK.
Prefabricated garden rooms are pre-designed and built off-site, then delivered to your location for installation. These garden rooms offer the benefit of being quicker to install as they are already made and can be assembled in a matter of days. They also tend to be more cost-effective compared to custom-built options.
On the other hand, custom-built garden rooms offer more flexibility in terms of shape, design and size. They can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences, allowing you to create a truly unique and personalised space. While they may take longer to construct, the end result is a garden room that perfectly suits your requirements and premium versions have a far higher build quality.
At Subterra we offer both options, and all of our installations are backed by our 10 year guarantee. Book a free consultation.
Design and Customisation
One of the greatest advantages of custom built garden rooms is their versatility in design and customisation. Whether you want a modern and sleek space, office, gym or a cosy retreat, custom designs are the most ideal way to create a garden room that reflects your personal style and meets your specific needs.
You can choose from a variety of external finishes, such as timber cladding, brick, or render, to complement the style of your existing property or blend into the surroundings.
Additionally, you have the freedom to design the layout and interior finishes according to your desired purpose. This means you can create a garden office, a gym, an art studio, a playroom, or even a guest bedroom – the possibilities are endless.
Furthermore, garden rooms in the UK can be tailored to fit your specific requirements. If you need additional storage space, you can incorporate built-in shelving or cupboards. If you want to enjoy the garden view, you can opt for large windows or even a folding glass wall that opens up to the outdoors. If you need extra insulation for year-round use, you can choose to add double glazing or insulation materials to ensure optimal thermal performance.
You can also enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your garden room with various additional features. These can include integrated lighting systems, heating and cooling options, soundproofing, and even eco-friendly features like solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems.
Build your Garden Room
Interested in getting your very own garden room? Let’s talk!