What is a garden storage room and why you should consider having one in your home?
Garden storage rooms evolved from the traditional garden shed: a place where one could stash their gardening tools and was mainly for practical use. A garden storage room, also called a garden room or summerhouse, takes the idea of a shed that merges comfort, aesthetics, and practicality to add value and beauty to an otherwise normal and boring everyday garden.
Garden rooms have gained more recognition as an unexpected effect of the pandemic: people working from home often crave the privacy, peace and quiet conducive to productivity that a bedroom or a living room cannot accommodate.
It also helps families who have been in quarantine for so long to be able to enjoy new spaces around their home and provides privacy for members of the family to unwind and relax.
Kinds of Garden Storage Room
A garden storage room is basically just a stand-alone room in your garden with space for storage and some other use.
The most common kind of garden storage room is a garden utility room. There are also garden storage rooms that double as a personal office, guest bedroom, personal gym and a living area, among other things. That is the beauty of a garden storage room, the flexibility to be whatever your family needs.
Perks of having a Garden storage room
The first perk of having a garden storage room is having a secure extra space and storage tailored for your needs. It adds additional living space, whether for storage, utility, or recreational space.
Second, having a garden storage room is more cost-effective than adding an extension to your home. It requires less paperwork from the authorities, as garden storage rooms usually do not require planning permission, as long as they will not be used for living purposes. With the popularity of garden storage rooms increasing, there are many options in the market, allowing you to choose what suits your needs and your budget.
Third, garden storage homes are easier and faster to install compared to renovating your own home in order to just to add a little bit of space. Some models of a garden storage room can be easily moved to other parts of your property or taken apart (especially the commercially made ones).
Fourth, it will add value to your home. According to studies, most garden storage rooms add around 5% to the value of the property, which means it will also double as a good investment.
What to consider when building a garden storage room
First, you should consider your needs. What will you need the garden storage room for? A studio, an extra bedroom or a garden utility room? Once you know what your purpose for the garden storage room is, the next step is to…
Second, consider your budget. You can opt for a pre-made garden storage room, you can DIY, or you can hire someone to create it for you. The type of materials you will use will also affect the total pricing.
Pre-made will be cheaper, but the more you personalise, the higher the price will be. Next, watch out for hidden costs and always read the fine print. Delivery costs could be higher than expected, or there could be additional installation costs. Also, take note that adding extra features like heating or air conditioning will drive the prices up. Doing research beforehand and exploring many options can save you money.
Third, you must consider the space. The size of your garden should be proportional to the design, build, and size of your garden storage room. If you have limited space, a smaller garden room is likely to be more suitable for your needs than a larger one. Also, think forward and consider how you will use the garden storage room in the coming years. Long-term planning can help you get more value for your money.
Fourth, what will the size of your garden storage room be? That may depend on what your planned use for the garden storage room is. For example, a garden utility room might fit washers and dryers, a few storage racks and ample space for moving about. A garden storage room with a bedroom will have to be large enough to fit a bed, closet and a bathroom, while a studio or office garden storage room might need to have space for seating and a desk.
You will also need to consider the following:
Electricity– this is crucial, especially if you will design your garden storage room as a utility room, an extra bedroom, or an office or studio space. Always have the installation done by a professional; after all, safety is key.
Insulation– If you will be spending most days in your garden storage room then floor, roof, and wall insulation will be essential to help regulate the temperature.
Security- this is also important, as you could accumulate valuable items in your garden storage room, adding additional security measures will deter thieves from breaking in. Window bars, anti-pick locks, security screws, CCTV cameras, and the like are effective thief deterrents.
Fifth, consider the location. If your garden room is a garden utility room, then it will make sense to be near to the house to facilitate convenience. If the garden storage room is designed as a guest room, a studio or an office, then it will make sense to have it further away from the main house to provide privacy.
Sixth, planning, and building permissions. This can often vary depending on the locality, but first, let us explain the differences between planning permission and Building Regulations. Planning permission is concerned about how a building looks, what size it is and where it is situated, Building Regulations ensure that the building is structurally sound, well built, and meets the standards for foundation, fire safety, electricity, ventilation, insulation, and plumbing, among others.
There are a lot of things to consider when building a garden storage room, but the convenience, the comfort and extra space will be a great addition to your family’s overall living experience.
Special thanks John Coley for providing the image