As the name implies, a garden room creates extra space for your home, nestled right in the heart of your garden. This stunning outdoor structure adds a touch of drama to your garden, enhancing its appearance and feel. It serves as a tranquil retreat, providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Most importantly, it offers potential market value to your existing property, making it a worthwhile investment.
The ideal garden room showcases a wide array of designs and inspirations that are sure to enhance your garden or outdoor space. The best garden rooms feature a streamlined layout or blueprint that reflects your style and preferences while meeting your everyday needs and available space.
Here are the top 10 things you should know:
1. Combining Outdoor Charm with Indoor Comforts
The blend of outdoor aesthetics and indoor comforts is what makes a garden building truly remarkable. Landscapes benefit from a wooden structure amidst the foliage and garden features. A high-quality building adds a visual boost to your existing landscape or garden.
However, the ‘outdoorsy’ quality of this structure is matched by the year-round comfort you’d typically enjoy in an inner room. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone when you opt for this type of outdoor structure that has all the features and designs of an inner room for ultimate comfort.
2. Planning Permission Varies
Different planning permissions are required to build a garden room, depending on the type and size of the structure. You’ll find varying rules in different parts of the UK and elsewhere.
However, the general rule of thumb is that if the outbuilding has a maximum height of 2.5 metres, no planning permission is necessary. This includes a maximum roof height of 4 metres if you have a dual-pitched roofing system.
3. Power Source
In most cases, when you hire a contractor, the building is generally pre-wired with lighting and sockets. Some contractors or suppliers also provide exterior lighting, data cables, and audio-visual cabling for convenience.
The type of power source and readily available power supply come with their corresponding prices and building regulations to comply with.
4. The Plumbing System
Like any other type of structural building, a garden room also has its own plumbing system, which is an important factor. Modern buildings are multi-functional with various features, such as an integrated shower and kitchenette.
Thus, you can essentially live in it as a separate unit of your existing property. Most bespoke garden rooms have traditional plumbing solutions, such as tapping into the main sewerage or using composting toilets. There are also building regulations regarding the plumbing system.
5. Cooling and Heating
A cooling and heating source is very important. In most cases, the heating system is essential since garden rooms are usually cooler even during the summer due to their strategic location in the garden.
In terms of heating, most suppliers or contractors include heating sources as part of the structural specifications. Underfloor heating is one of the most popular options, along with air conditioning units for summer.
6. Insulation is a Must
The garden room should have appropriate insulation, particularly in the roof, walls, and floors. The best products usually have a U-value for their wall build-up, and in most cases, the lower the figure, the more effective the insulation systems. Quality insulation ensures lower heating and cooling costs.
7. Extra Space and Privacy
Solid and insulated garden rooms offer privacy, especially if you need more private space. Many people use their garden room as an entertainment area or garden office.
Whichever the case, it gives you added space if your primary residence is already cramped. It can also give you the privacy to spend the day by yourself without the disturbance that is usually present in busy areas.
8. Better Option for a House Extension
If you’re planning a house extension, creating a garden room is a much better idea. Instead of horizontally or vertically extending your existing house, why not create a separate garden room?
They are not just aesthetically valuable but also provide extra space while increasing the market value of your property through an outdoor structure.
9. Potential Income Generator
Contemporary garden rooms are outstanding investments, especially if you’re thinking beyond using the structure as personal space. Some designs and features of separate garden buildings are functional on their own. In many cases, modern garden rooms are standalone structures with complete amenities, including bathrooms, kitchenettes, and bedrooms.
Thus, you can easily lease or rent it out if you want additional income. It can also serve as a separate housing unit for a family member who needs to move out but can’t yet afford their own place.
10. A Designer Haven
It’s a designer’s dream room, even if you’re not professionally in the field of interior design. The fun part of investing in a garden room is furnishing and designing, where you can personalise your outdoor space. Choose from a wide range of design options, from conservatory wooden furniture to modern chic pieces.
Invest in a garden room to enhance your outdoor landscape while enjoying the comforts of an inner room.