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Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden retreat, a work-from-home spot or even a dedicated games room, there are tons of garden room ideas about.
‘Beyond traditional uses, garden rooms and log cabins offer endless possibilities for creative and functional spaces,’ says Sam Jenkinson, log cabin and garden shed expert for garden building retailers Tiger.
If you’re looking to make your outdoor space work harder for you all year round, now’s a brilliant chance to think about which garden room ideas could be most beneficial for you and your family — and we’ve rounded up our favourite concepts to get you started.
Sam Jenkinson has been at Tiger for over four years and has built up a vast knowledge and experience in all areas of the product. He is a keen gardener and self-proclaimed ‘shed head’.
1. Max out on windows for panoramic garden views
The huge windows of this Green Retreats garden room offer a lovely view.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
Most garden room ideas focus on what’s inside the building, but the structures are also a great opportunity to enjoy your garden without thinking about the weather.
How do you make the most of your garden from inside? Add huge surrounding windows to take it all in.
‘Many garden rooms and summer houses have windows around the entire interior, allowing an abundance of natural light to flood the room,’ says Luke Dejahang, founder of Crown Pavilions.
‘Garden rooms with large windows are highly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as garden offices, art or yoga studios, or serene, relaxing spaces.’
2. Decorate with climbing plants on a trellis
Climbing plants adorn the fence around this Green Retreats garden room.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
If you’re looking for garden room ideas that seamlessly blend the building into the rest of the garden, consider growing climbing plants along an adjacent trellis.
Although you can grow climbing plants along the walls of a garden room, Sam from Tiger doesn’t recommend it.
‘Climbing plants can damage a garden building if not carefully managed,’ he warns. ‘To prevent damage, choose non-invasive climbers and use trellis to keep plants off the walls of your garden building. Ensure you regularly prune the plants to protect gutters and roofs whilst also treating wooden structures with a quality preservative which will prevent moisture issues.’
Try fast-growing climbing plants like wisteria and clematis for beautiful flowers in spring and summer (even winter, if you go for winter-flowering clematis!).
Where to buy climbing plants:
3. For for a wood-finish exterior
A bright and airy art studio in a Crown Pavilions garden room.
(Image credit: Crown Pavilions)
Many of the garden room ideas you’ll come across will have a wooden exterior, or at least a wood-effect finish. It’s a brilliant choice for a range of garden design schemes, from modern to rustic aesthetics.
‘Most of our customers prefer a nature-inspired look, opting for natural woods and living roofs that blend harmoniously with the garden landscape,’ says Charlie Conibear from the sales and design team at Green Retreats.
4. Get smart with storage
A black- and wooden-exterior Green Retreats garden room.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
If you’ve got enough space to work with (or too little), consider adding garden storage space to your garden room ideas.
‘Incorporating storage solutions will significantly enhance the functionality of your garden room,’ says Sam from Tiger. ‘For garden rooms like log cabins, built-in storage can integrate seamlessly with your design.
‘Some may opt for a partitioned section, accessible via an external door, which provides a secure and weather-resistant space for storing all of your outdoor equipment without disrupting your main space.’
If you’re working with small garden storage ideas, Sam says you can create hidden storage sections within benches or wall-mounted units.
5. Turn it into a games room
A pool table and jukebox are the highlights of this Green Retreats garden room.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
For the ultimate gamers’ den, consider transforming your garden building into a games room.
‘Using a garden room as a dedicated games room is one of the most popular leisure uses for our garden room buildings and is a fantastic way to use extra space at home!’ says Charlie from Green Retreats.
‘The separation from the main house adds to the appeal, creating a truly immersive experience. Whether you’re hosting a poker night, battling it out on a console, or enjoying a nostalgic arcade setup, a garden games room gives you a dedicated space to have fun and unwind without interruptions.’
Make sure you’ve got a good wi-fi connection and access to electricity, and think about lighting and heating, too. A neon sign like this Pac-Man one from Amazon can really complete the look.
6. Express yourself in a cosy cabin
A cosy cabin-style garden room with a bright orange desk chair.
(Image credit: Future Plc/David Giles)
If you’re hankering for a home office but have run out of space (and major funds) try squeezing a cosy cabin into your garden as a place to express yourself and your creativity. This one came from BillyOh and starts from just £2375, making it a more affordable garden office than most.
‘Garden cabins can be a great excuse to have little fun and be adventurous with your design styles and tastes,’ says interior stylist and writer Joanna Thornhill.
Use colours and wallpapers you might be a little nervous to use in the house and fill your space with your personality.
7. Set up an office away from the house
A small office garden room by Green Retreats with black sliding doors.
(Image credit: Crown Pavilions)
Garden rooms have never been so popular. We homeowners look for the most affordable way to extend our homes – seeking extra space, without blowing the budget. Modern conservatory ideas offer extra space but giving up a portion of the patio to house a home office is the biggest trend in recent years.
A garden office idea is a dream scenario. Freedom from commuting while maintaining a safe distance from domestic temptations such as dishwasher-emptying or fridge-raiding. For comfortable year-round use, the building should be fully wired, insulated and heated, with access to wi-fi. This is due to home workers looking for a way to work outside of the home.
8. Give WFH a whole new meaning
A wall mural brightens the interior of this Green Retreats garden room office.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
Why not conduct your own business from your garden room? From a hair salon to a Pilates studio, you might even be able to work towards covering the cost of your garden building through the money you earn.
Of course, you’ll need permission from your local council to operate any business from your property, so it’s best to do your research first – but if you get the green light, you could be working from home permanently!
9. Ensure the party never stops with a home bar
This Green Retreats garden room has a bar setup beside a pool table.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
If you love to entertain friends and family, then a garden bar is sure to tickle your fancy — but how about making them a more permanent feature with a dedicated home bar garden room?
Get set up with a place for ‘punters’ to perch, a bar for preparing your tipples and even a fridge or two for keeping drinks cool on hot days. Pop a sofa and perhaps a projector inside your garden room, too, and you’ll be all set to host movie nights and private screenings.
10. Embrace the music
This Crown Pavilions garden room is filled with musical instruments.
(Image credit: Crown Pavilions)
If you happen to have any budding musicians in your house or have neglected the hobby because you don’t want to disturb the rest of your family, having a music room at the end of your garden can be a brilliant solution.
11. Get arty
This garden room has been transformed into a pretty art studio with Protek Royal Exterior in ‘Rose Pink’.
(Image credit: Crown Pavilions)
Another hobby that can take up quite a bit of space is painting and drawing, so why not dedicate a proper space for it and have your very own studio
Imagine having a separate space where you can keep your easel up with all of your essentials like paints, pencils, paper, canvases and paintbrushes within reach.
Even the humblest shed can be repurposed as an artist’s studio — you just need to discover how to paint a shed before getting started. ‘Fresh colour can transform a plain outbuilding quickly and inexpensively,’ says Becky Rackstraw, colour expert at Protek.
‘A little imagination, alongside a suitable colour palette, will create a haven for hobbies, and adding a door mat or extended front patio will help keep the interior clean.’
12. Create a meditation space
The houseplants in this Green Retreats garden room create a soothing atmosphere.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
Life can get pretty hectic, so why not create a space that will allow you to relax and unwind? Whether you need somewhere to do your yoga stretches or a place to meditate and calm your mind, your garden room can become a calm, minimalist meditation space for doing exactly that.
‘By filling the air with calming, seasonal fragrances and subdued lighting, you can create a proper meditation sanctuary right in your back garden,’ according to Andy Jones, marketing director at ULTRA LEDS.
‘You could even consider installing soothing elements like a water feature,’ says BoConcept’s marketing manager, Emma Cottrell.
13. Work out at home with your own gym space
We love this home gym setup in a Crown Pavilions garden room.
(Image credit: Crown Pavilions)
A garden room also gives you the opportunity to add a home gym. Creating a bespoke garden room home gym keeps all the equipment in one place and gives you the freedom to design the perfect workout space for you and your needs.
14. Create a cosy reading nook
A comfy sofa is the centre of this Green Retreats garden room — perfect for reading.
(Image credit: Green Retreats)
We can’t think of anything cosier than a reading nook, and thankfully, you don’t need too much to transform your garden room into one. All you really need is a comfortable chair or seating, along with space for all your favourite books and a side table to house your tea or coffee — or even a refreshing drink in the warmer months.
If you love to read or are trying to carve out more time to switch off and pick up a book, having your very own reading nook could be the perfect garden room idea.
15. Build a craft room to unleash your creativity
This timber garden room is the perfect spot for settling into some crafts.
(Image credit: Future PLC / David Brittain)
Fancy a quiet space to retreat to where you can pursue a crafting hobby or explore other creative outlets?
A timber garden room makes a great space for a craft workshop or peaceful retreat. It could double up as a home office, too — whichever is most important for your situation.
16. Add a ‘lean to’ for a sunny dining spot
A glass lean-to with shelving for books, plants and anything between.
(Image credit: Future Plc)
If a full architect-designed extension is too big an outlay, why not go for an old school ‘lean to’? These (usually glass) structures are more like a conservatory and often don’t need planning permission (although you should check with your local authority first).
They’re generally less expensive than other extension ideas and are a great combination of a lovely light-filled garden room and extra living space.
17. Lay a green roof to help wildlife
Sedum is the main feature of the green roof above this garden room.
(Image credit: Future PLC / Darren Chung)
While it’s great to extend our living spaces outside, it means we lose grass, shrubs and green space. This has a knock-on effect for nature and wildlife, as birds and bugs lose the space to feed.
A way to remedy this and replace the lost greenery is by using a green roof on your garden room or conservatory. According to the RHS, a green roof will save energy through insulation, too.
Green roofs usually consist of ready-grown mats of sedum and should not require watering or weeding — but check which plants are best for your situation.
18. Create a garden cinema for movie nights
This modern garden room has a TV setup inside for cosy film nights.
(Image credit: Future PLC / Clare Lloyd-Davis)
Turn family films at home into an event with a big screen in an outdoor cinema room at the end of the garden.
‘Taking the whole family to a cinema room outside to enjoy their favourite film, surrounded by greenery with the bi-fold doors wide open, is a perfect way to relax on a summer’s evening,’ says interior designer Rudolph Diesel.
‘Add dimmable spotlights into the space, and if the room is big enough, include a ceiling-mounted projector and a bar for drinks and snacks. Soft seating is important, too, so go for a mix of sofas and beanbags.’
19. Create a glamorous ‘she shed’
We love the black exterior paint of this garden room, complete with cosy furnishings.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
A thoughtful she shed idea can create an idyllic garden retreat, perfect for use as an art studio or outdoor snug. Keep the exterior of your garden room simple and chic with a coat of dark paint. The interior can be as colourful and glamorous as you wish, though.
This garden room has been turned into a luxurious craft and sewing room, brimming with inspiration for future projects.
20. Take shelter in a hidden pod that blends into the garden
Log stores surround this petite garden room. The festoon lights add an even cosier touch.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Burford)
The lived-in look of this cosy seating pod makes it look like it’s been in your garden for years. It’s made from reclaimed rusted metal sheeting and rough-sawn reclaimed timber and planted with wildflower and a grass-filled roof.
Inside, it features wraparound bench seats with lift-up lids for stashing cushions and throws. Plus, the vertical log stores on either side of the entrance are ideal for storing a winter’s worth of stove fuel.
21. Prepare for future moves with a portable shepherd’s hut
The orange door of this shepherd’s hut really pops against the black surround.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes Photography)
Because it’s on wheels, a country-style shepherd’s hut is a great option if you see yourself moving home in the near future as you can take it with you.
Planning permission isn’t usually required for shepherd’s huts, provided they’re in your garden and are for personal use only. However, with any big investment, it’s always advisable to check with your local council first.
FAQs
Do you need airflow under a garden room?
Absolutely. Like all garden structures, ventilation is key to preventing issues like damp and mould from taking hold of your garden room.
Foundations are important — without a strong and solid foundation, you risk damaging your garden building beyond repair once installed. If the company you’re buying from doesn’t include foundations in the price, you’ll need to hire a builder to do the job for you.
Plus, just as you’d learn how to insulate a shed, it’s important to consider garden room insulation, too. That way, you’ll be cutting down on condensation and all the subsequent problems that come with it.
Do you need planning permission for a garden room?
It’s important you check the rules around planning permission before you build, as it’s possible your garden room could be breaking the law. Under Permitted Development, you are allowed to add a single-storey garden building to your property provided it is under 2.5m in height (if within 2m from the property boundary) and doesn’t exceed 50 per cent of the total land area around the house. Most importantly, it must not be a self-contained living accommodation.
You can install a bathroom, kitchen and/or bedrooms without requiring planning permission provided that the space is just for personal use — say, a hobby room, art or yoga studio or even an occasional guest room for friends and family.
If you live in a listed building or you plan to use your garden room as an Air BnB, you will need planning permission. As a rule, it’s always safer to check with your council before taking the plunge.
Mike Head, director at Atlas Ceramics advises, ‘If you’re building your garden room away from the house and it takes up less than 50 per cent of the garden and is smaller than 15 sqm, or in some cases 30 sqm, luckily, you’re unlikely to need planning permission.’
‘However, you will need planning permission for certain instances — for example, if your garden room would be located in a conservation area, near a listed building, or within a national park. Your garden room company should help you with this, too, but always double-check to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.’
Once you’ve decided which garden room ideas you want to try, you can start thinking about other garden layout ideas to bring the inside and the outside together.
It’s also worth weighing up the difference between a garden room and a conservatory to see which is the best option for your home and lifestyle.