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One of these garden room ideas could help you save more compared to having a full house extension. Installation is also quicker than building one, which can take months.
What type of building and how you use it are for you to decide. If you don’t know where to start, read on to get some inspiration.
With a garden room, you get a blank canvas that can be set up in different ways. The bigger it is, the better. But even a small garden room can work for these uses:
Summer house outdoor living space
An outdoor escape that gives you the full view of your garden while being sheltered from the sun, rain, or snow – that’s what a summer house is. The floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the front and one side of the structure make it all possible.
Take a cue from our Bella summer house. Inside, furnish the space as you would a home living room, and enjoy the bright and airy hideaway. For afternoon tea, sipping a wine or beer, watching the kids play outside, or taking a break from manning the BBQ, you name it!
Log cabin year-round workspace
It’s time to pack up your computer from your makeshift ‘office’ at home, wherever that is, and work close to nature, a.k.a. your garden.
A small log cabin will suffice for one desk, chair, and storage. But if space allows, we’d recommend the BillyOh Dojo E. It’s our most premium unit yet, being fully insulated across the generous interior.
You get the best of both worlds: a workspace and a living room under one roof. Use it year-round with comfort thanks to its hybrid insulation.
Personal workout area
Garden gym? Yes, please. The joy of exercising whenever you want, without distractions or the costly monthly membership fee! Wooden sheds can work for this, as long as there’s good ventilation around.
Strong floorboards are also a must. If you’re using your existing shed, ensure the floor is solid and levelled. For extra support and grip, lay heavy-duty rubber floor mats.
Children’s playhouse
A standalone playhouse is a clever temporary entertainment solution for the little ones. It gives them a fresh backdrop for play: the sky, sunshine, breeze, and nature.
Decorate a Star Wars-themed playhouse, or let your children decide. If they’ve outgrown it, take it down to make room for something else in the garden. Or keep it as is and donate it to a family member, friends, or neighbour with a young bunch.
Green thumb haven
A potting shed will always be in use for gardeners, whether it’s a beginner green thumb or a more experienced one. It does the job for potting works, propagation, and planting.
Unlike standard sheds, most feature large windows on one side to cater for plants’ need for sunlight. Built-in shelving is also common to house potted plants.
It’s practical and suitable alternative to a full greenhouse. But if you’ve got space, why not have both?
Outdoor hot tub under a gazebo
This is quite different from other garden room ideas. A gazebo has open construction – a small, roofed structure with open sides. It doesn’t offer much privacy, but you can enjoy the fresh air without feeling boxed in, all while staying in the shade. That’s where the idea of setting up an outdoor hot tub or jacuzzi comes in.
Imagine having one in your garden. Soak while listening to birds or even stargazing at night. Decorate the roof beams with waterproof, solar-powered fairy lights. Around the perimeter also works to set the ambience.
It’s ready for spontaneous evenings, weekend lounging, or catching up with friends over a glass of wine.
Storage rooms
Your garage or basement did its best, and perhaps the moment has come to relieve it of storage duty and invest in a shed instead.
It lives up to its name for stowing items that may otherwise take up valuable space indoors. This can include garden tools, outdoor equipment, and other household items.
Our available units come in a range of sizes and materials to suit different storage needs. Find yours below:
Private studio
This is a brilliant idea if you wish to pursue your hobbies or work. The same goes for artists, musicians, writers, or those who need a quiet and inspiring space to create.
A private studio in a garden room, like a log cabin, lets you separate your creative space from the daily buzz at home. Better yet, you can leave your projects in progress without cleaning up. A space that’s entirely yours and your workflow.
Contemporary receiving area
A summer house can double as a space to welcome guests without building onto your home. You’ve got room for drinks, conversation, or games, and the garden views do most of the work. Move furniture around, try a different setup, or keep it minimal. This space bends to how you want to use it, perfect if you often have people coming over for get-togethers.
Freestanding wooden garage
Wooden garages, like most garden rooms, come as a kit you can put together yourself at home. This cuts out the cost of major construction work, such as altering your house. It also gives you the freedom to set it up wherever it fits in your outdoor space.
If you’re considering this, the BillyOh Aston Wooden Garage might be for you. With a depth of 18’9”, it can fit an average-sized car or boat/canoe up to 16 feet in length. The generous lockable double doors (7’9” x 6’2”) at the front add to the convenience.
It’s built with 44mm thick interlocking walls, metal brackets at the base, and an 11mm roof. This solid build keeps whatever you park inside safe from rough winter and prying eyes.
It doesn’t come with flooring, which makes it easy to roll a boat trailer or drive a car straight in. Do not, however, overlook the importance of a stable, level ground. That’s still crucial for long-term stability.
Gaming room
This one’s for you if you’re a gamer! An insulated log cabin is ideal for this kind of setup. The building itself is ready for year-round of fun, challenges, and entertainment. That leaves you to decorating the space to immerse yourself in your favourite video games and more.
A gaming chair alone won’t cut it. Refer to this guide to get the essentials: Game On! The Essentials for Your Ultimate Gaming Space
Movie house
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie in your garden, and it’s a luxury. But instead of the usual white projector setup on the lawn, a summer house makes a great cinema booth. Assuming it’s already been put together (with electricity installed), furnishing the space should be easier.
Go for a 100 to 120-inch projector screen and connect it to an equipment hub. It lets you switch between multiple movie players and gaming consoles without cable clutter. A mounted 42- to 65-inch TV will do if you’re working with a smaller setup or don’t need a projector. \
Then there’s the surround sound or a few speakers, seating, and choosing what movie to watch for the night.
Garden bar
With a bar shed, you choose the drinks, set the playlist, and keep it all within a few steps of your back door. Fit some shelves, hang lights, and paint to match it to your garden theme. It keeps the chill out far better than metal or plastic, especially if it’s insulated.
One popular theme is sports bar, bringing the match-day atmosphere into your garden bar.
A TV in the corner, comfy chairs, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks will give you everything you need for game day. Throw in team colours or a few bits of memorabilia, then gather your friends to cheer for your favourite team.
Power Your Garden Rooms
Whatever idea you go with, electricity is an important consideration in room design. There will be appliances and electronics present, including lighting fixtures, entertainment devices, and heating or cooling systems, and more.
Assess the power requirements for each to avoid overloading circuits. It’s also wise to anticipate potential future additions, such as extra lighting, and plan the electrical system accordingly to accommodate them.
Seek advice from a professional electrician if you lack expertise in this area.
Round-up
There you have it! A range of garden room ideas and inspiration to help you build your outdoor retreat with the right building. Browse our garden buildings for more options:
FAQ
Do garden rooms add value to property?
Generally speaking, yes. According to experts, most outbuildings add around 5% to the overall value.
Can I live in a log cabin in my garden?
There are actually two questions to answer here – can you physically live in a log cabin permanently? And can you according to law?
This blog post can answer all your questions so make sure to check it out.
What do you think ?