Garden rooms have soared in popularity in recent years, particularly during lockdown where those working from home sought a quiet space to work away from the rest of the household.
A garden room is a building, most often of wooden construction, which is situated in the garden. It can be as simple or elaborate as you desire, from a pretty little shed-like hideaway to a grand design with bi-fold doors and veranda.
Garden rooms are nearly always stand alone structures but some people prefer to attach to the main house for easier connection to electrics and plumbing, also to avoid those wet and windy walks across the garden during winter.
The garden room may be a simple structure but it is built in a similar way to a timber framed house, it is fully insulated, double glazed with electricity and often also with plumbing and heating. The roof is traditionally tiled, although modern garden rooms are available with a variety of roofing materials.
Whether it is known as a garden or home office, log cabin, studio, den, etc., there are many uses for a garden room; the possibilities are endless as your insulated and heated outdoor living space is built for year round use. Most garden rooms will fall within the classification of an “outbuilding”, which means they do not require planning permission; however, there are restrictions and they can vary across the country so it is advisable to check with your local planning authority before you begin construction. The Government has produced a technical guide which you may also find useful