If you’re looking to put your outdoor space to more use and expand your living area, then a garden room could be exactly what you’re looking for. But just what is a garden room?
Garden rooms are not a new concept, but their popularity soared during the pandemic here in the UK. With people looking to bring traditional entertainment activities to their homes, such as bars, studios and gyms. As well as those who began working from home, but needed a dedicated working space.
Here at OGEL, we specialise in building eco-friendly recycled plastic garden rooms, allowing you to expand your living space, without breaking the bank. But before we can do that, let’s look at a little more about garden rooms and why they are a fantastic choice if you’re wanting to add more living space to your existing home.
What is a garden room?
A garden room is exactly what it sounds like! It is a room in your garden, that is insulated and safe, that is separate from the main part of your home. You might be thinking that this just sounds like a garden shed, but it’s different. A garden room is more luxurious than a shed, and can be used for far more than just storing gardening materials.
Garden rooms can be built from a range of materials, from wood, to brick, but at OGEL we use eco-friendly plastics which make for a far more energy efficient space, and makes the build more affordable. A budget garden room is a great alternative to a much more expensive, traditional, home extension.
What is a garden room used for?
The great thing about garden rooms is their flexibility. From home offices, to gyms, to mancaves to bars. No matter what you need from your space, a garden room can be built to cater to those needs.
We’ve built garden pods for all kinds of purposes, so we’re going to list some of our favourite garden room ideas below.
Garden rooms for leisure
Some people choose to use their garden room for leisure. Perhaps you want a place where you can relax and just read in comfort. Or, perhaps you want somewhere to be creative, to complete a workout, or anything else that you can think of. If you just want some space to yourself for a while, a leisure garden room is a great choice.
If you’re looking to expand your leisure space then consider:
Garden rooms for work
Working from home can be tough when there is a lot of hustle and bustle in your house. It can also be hard to turn off from work when you don’t have a dedicated space. If your laptop is always on your dining table – you may find yourself checking emails while dinner is cooking.
If you’re interested in using a garden room as an office, check out our garden office ideas for inspiration.
A traditional extension can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Whereas a garden office room can give you a luxurious, spacious dedicated work space.
You can turn your garden room into a comfortable home office, away from all of the general noise of the house, while still being close enough if you are needed for an emergency.
Bespoke garden rooms
We offer bespoke garden rooms, made to suit whatever you could possibly want them for. Your wish is our command, as your garden room really can be anything that you want it to be. From mancaves to mam caves, garden salons to music studios. If you dream it. We can build it.
Why choose a garden room?
A garden room provides you with a space that is separate from your home so that you can be away from the general happenings of the house if you want to. They are especially helpful if you have a smaller house inside, or if you have a busy household where people are constantly on top of each other.
Garden rooms benefits
If you’re on the fence of investing in a garden room or summer house, we’ve listed some of the top qualities that our customers have told us they love about theirs.
Extra living space
Garden rooms offer additional space separate from the main house, suitable for a variety of purposes such as a home office, gym, studio, guest room, or relaxation space.
Connection with nature
Being situated in the garden, these structures provide a unique opportunity to connect with nature. Large windows or glass walls can provide views of the surrounding greenery, creating a tranquil and inspiring environment.
Versatility
Garden rooms can be designed and customised to suit specific needs and preferences. They can be insulated for year-round use, equipped with heating and cooling systems, and furnished according to the intended function.
Increased property value
Adding either a garden room or a summer house can enhance the value of your property, as it effectively increases the usable living space. This can be particularly appealing to potential buyers looking for extra space without the hassle of a traditional extension.
Cost-effective alternative to extensions
Garden Rooms are often more cost-effective than building a traditional house extension. They typically require less planning permission and construction time, making them a quicker and more affordable option for expanding living space. If you’re wondering how much a garden room costs, contact us for a bespoke quote.
Privacy and seclusion
Garden rooms offer a sense of privacy and seclusion away from the main house, making them ideal for work, relaxation, or hosting guests without disturbances.
Increased natural light
With ample windows and skylights, both garden rooms and summer houses can be flooded with natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day and creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
Outdoor living
Summer houses specifically provide a dedicated space for outdoor living, allowing you to enjoy your garden while being sheltered from the elements. They serve as a cozy retreat for relaxation, dining, or entertaining guests during warm weather.
Escape from the sun
While summer houses provide shade and protection from the sun’s rays, garden rooms offer shelter from other weather conditions such as light rain, wind, or occasional showers, enabling you to spend more time outdoors without worrying about the weather.
Customisation options
We provide plenty of customisation options from the size of the garden room, the style, interior and exterior designs, colours. Anything you can think of, we can build. At OGEL, we allow you to choose whatever fits your preferences and complements your garden’s aesthetic – and your own requirements.
You can personalise our garden rooms with furnishings, decor, and landscaping to create a unique and inviting space.
Enhanced lifestyle
Our customers have told us that the build of their garden room has had a massive, positive, impact on their quality of life. We’ve had customers tell us that they now have a dedicated space to workout from home, meaning there is one less obstacle when it comes to getting their workout done, as the equipment is good to go. We’ve had other customers tell us that setting up their home office in their garden has given them back a distinct separation between work and personal life.
Our garden rooms can enhance your lifestyle by providing a dedicated space for you to carry out your hobbies with proper space, contributing to your overall happiness. And you can’t put a price on that!
Benefits of a garden room over other home extension options:
- Separate structure from the main building
- Increases the value of your home
- No planning permission is needed
- An affordable option
- Allows for privacy
- Expands your home without expanding the home
- Enjoy your garden all year round
FAQ’s
What is the difference between a garden room and a shed?
What is a garden room when compared to a shed? Generally, garden rooms are made with thicker, and more solid walls. They are also decorated on the inside, and finished to a higher quality than most sheds.
What is the difference between a garden room and a conservatory?
The main difference between a garden room and a conservatory is that a conservatory is attached to the main building of your house, where a garden room is a separate structure. Determining which is better will depend on what you are looking to get out of this space. If you want somewhere separate from your home, a garden room is your best bet.
What are garden rooms a great alternative for?
Garden rooms are fantastic alternatives for sheds, conservatories and other home expansion options. The fact that they can be built to any specification and used for any purpose makes them an ideal choice for those who have a specific use in mind. They also tend to look a lot nicer than sheds which is a bonus on the aesthetic side.
How long do garden rooms last?
Garden rooms are built to last for years. Barring any natural disasters, your garden room should be able to last decades.
How big can a garden room be?
The size of a garden room all depends on the size of the garden. Obviously, your room cannot be bigger than the space that is available, so it will all come down to how much space is available.
How much does a garden room cost to build?
The cost of a garden room will depend on what you are looking for. Factors such as the size, the interior, and the materials needed and so on will all contribute to the cost of the build.
Do I need planning permission to build a garden room?
No, at least in most cases, you do not need planning permission to build a garden room. Garden rooms are classed as outbuildings, and therefore you can build them on your property without planning permission.
We do have a dedicated article exploring planning permissions for garden rooms in more detail.
Do I need to put in an electricity connection?
You don’t need to, but if you are going to be using it for something that requires electricity then yes. If you have plans to use the space as a home office for example, an electricity connection is a must.
Summary
Here at OGEL, we are dedicated to excellence for all of our customers. We create bespoke garden rooms that last for years, providing luxury space for our clients. Garden rooms are a fantastic addition to any garden, and allow you a place where you can escape just for a little while to a place that is your own. We want to help you create this space, and our eco-friendly approach makes us one of the leading providers across the UK.
Get in touch with us today to find out more.
