Gorgeous garden rooms

Given we’re spending more time than ever in our homes, we’re looking at how to make the most of every available space we have. Garden rooms offer a perfect solution, providing a home office, somewhere to practice our hobbies, to exercise in, or even simply to escape for some peace and quiet…

ENTERTAINING SOLUTIONS A garden room is ideal for creating extra room for family and friends to gather. You can simply pimp up a shed with cushions, benches and a lick of paint or go for an entire lounge or dining room set-up. You could even create a gin bar at the bottom of your garden, or create a games room complete with pool table.

THE STUDIO Make a space for for your hobbies, whether it’s an artist’s studio, or a music room. A garden room can also be used as a home gym or yoga studio. Look at how much privacy you might want though and plan accordingly if you don’t want your neighbours staring in on your sun salutations.

HOME OFFICE One of the most popular uses of a garden room, the home office can provide a productive spot to get on with your work without distractions and household noise. Helen Bygraves, co-founder of Hill House Interiors advises that you go as wireless as possible to keep a clean and uncluttered space, make sure you have an appropriate chair and a monitor, and task lighting – although one of the joys of an office in the garden is all the energising natural light that can flood in.

GARDEN ROOM – WITHOUT A GARDEN Who says you can’t have a garden room in an apartment? Take inspiration from the penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront, which has a clever indoor/outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames. A green living wall creates the impression of a garden setting and you can recline on rope lounge beds with a sundowner while the BBQ is firing up. On the market for £9,200,000, towerwestlondon.com

SPA-LIKE ZEN Head to the spa at the bottom of your garden. Your garden room could incorporate a hot tub or even a sauna. Go traditional with a log design or more contemporary with a glass structure. KLAFS at Guncast has tech that turns one sauna into five, with users able to choose different climates at the push of a button, as well as EASY Sauna – a DIY Sauna, ideal for city-dwellers as it can be quickly assembled with minimal kit.

GARDEN ROOM PLANNING • Consider whether you will need lighting, heating, air con or soundproofing. • Look at how the building will be secured, and the insurance needed. • Check the planning permission rules. It probably falls under ‘permitted development’ if under 2.5m tall and you’re not sleeping in it.

(Pictured top: Garden House Design Camargue)