Should you have a garden room?

I am often asked if a garden room would add to the value of the property. It’s a difficult one to answer, as it depends on several factors – the size and potential use of the space, the quality of the existing building (is it obviously going to need replacing very soon) and does it actually look good in the garden? I have seen homes where a garden room has been stuffed at the end of a narrow garden, taking up a disproportionate amount of space. Fine if you’re a downsized couple who want a garden studio or office, but not great for a family with children who need to kick a ball about or just dash around.

Today, however, I am not writing about the value of a garden room when selling your property, but the value it adds to your life when you are living in that property.

What uses are there for a garden room?

Oh, so many! These range from the traditional summerhouse, filled with sofas and perhaps a TV (for those all-important big matches) where family and friends can gather to home offices. After Covid there was a huge demand for space for home offices, and adding a designated room to allow working from home had retailers rushed off their feet. Home gyms also increased in popularity during Covid, but I wonder now how many of these get the use they did. I have visited homes where a garden room has been built as a painter’s studio, a guest bedroom (where the oldest teen slept while the grandparents took his room), and a music room. One of our clients ran one-on-one yoga classes from hers, while another had it set up for filming video and podcasts.

Of course, the space you have to dedicate to the garden room will influence the size of room you can build, which will influence the use to which you put it – but if building even a small space in the garden frees up some extra space inside the home it’s worth considering. And it’s a lot cheaper than a conservatory…

Does a garden room need planning permission?

Mostly, a garden room does not need planning permission, as it generally falls under the ‘permitted development’ regulations of local authorities, as it is classified as an outhouse. To remain within regulations, there are a few things you need to make sure you adhere to:

The garden room must be single-storey.
The garden room cannot be built in front of the main house
There are restrictions on the size of the garden room, such as a maximum height of 2.5 meters if within 2 meters of a boundary
The garden room (including any other outbuildings) should not cover more than 50% of your garden area
The garden room cannot be used as self-contained living accommodation
In areas like Conservation Areas, special rules may apply, and planning permission may be required, so always check with your local planning department

Can I build my own garden room?

Yes, you can, if you’re brave enough! You can buy ‘flat-pack’ kits to construct yourself, but there’s a lot more to building a garden room than just putting up walls and a roof.

Building a garden room involves careful planning and execution: you need a proper foundation (concrete slab or wooden base); you will need to run power to the room, you will need to properly insulate (if you want it to be year-round useful), you will need to consider drainage and water run-off, and what design of room you want – how many windows, type of door, how much decking in front, etc. It’s definitely not a one-person job – unless you have multiple arms and are a qualified electrician.

Do garden room retailers do everything?

Yes, garden room retailers generally handle the design, manufacture, and installation of the garden room structure. They may also offer services like electrical and plumbing work, but often outsource these to local trades.

So the big decision now is – DIY or call in the experts? It’s your choice, balancing time, money and risk for an end result that can bring pleasure and purpose for years and years.

Eddie – Friday 27th June 2025. (Images used from JP & Brimelow market team).