It was estimated almost half of homeowners did some sort of home renovation work in the United Kingdom in 2022.
But the traditional means of touching up our houses are changing somewhat, and there is an ever-growing trend of people putting up garden rooms to be used for various means.
What is a garden room?
Garden rooms have been growing in popularity exponentially, particularly over the past decade and yet not everyone is aware of the benefits of having one or the various uses they can provide.
Essentially, a garden room can be whatever you want it to be but at their heart they are standalone buildings or cabins, using natural materials that really add an aesthetically pleasing look to your garden.
The beauty of a garden room is that because they are an outbuilding and under 2.5 metres, they do not ordinarily require planning permission, leaving you free to crack on with your design.
Another benefit is the fact they are not as expensive as other redevelopment work such as a conservatory or a loft conversion, but still offer a private setting and extra space for your home.
The current trends
The beauty of a garden room is that it can be used for whatever purpose you wish.
For example, since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted our lives in 2020 more and more people have worked from home full time in the United Kingdom. Indeed, last year the percentage varied from between 25 and 40 per cent of people.
So, for some a garden room can be used as a home office – a space to detach away from the home and work in peace and comfort. A little tip, though, if you are wishing to use your garden room as a home office, having it insulated is a must if you want to work from it all year round.
Alternatively, for the fitness buffs among us, a garden room could be used as a home gym. The initial outlay of buying equipment may be expensive but over time it can be cheaper than having a gym membership and is more private and secluded.
For others, it can be used as a bar or a space for entertainment (games machines, pool tables etc), while the growth of smart technology such as smart lighting, heating, and entertainment systems has become more prominent.
And there has also been an upward trend in biophilic design, which is the integration of natural elements such as plants and light into interior spaces to improve mental wellbeing.
Where to start when creating your own garden room
Before moving forward with your plans there are some things you will need to consider.
First of all, do all your measurements to make sure you have enough room for the building to be erected – you don’t want to have all the materials and find you do not have the room.
Ensure the ground is properly prepared and that there is ample cover, and it goes without saying to make sure you have all the relevant materials.
And if you are planning to use a garden room to work from home then you will need to sort the electrics and have the right insulation.