Many of us struggle with space around the house—trying to work and relax in the same room can be difficult, and a build-up of clutter can make an already busy household feel even more cramped. No wonder then, that demand for extra living spaces is growing.
Garden rooms are standalone structures that take advantage of the outdoor space on your property, without encroaching on your main house. Unlike traditional home extensions like conservatories and orangeries, garden rooms are separate buildings that can be almost any size or configuration.
Because of the flexibility and versatility of garden rooms, they can be used for a wider variety of applications than conservatories and orangeries. A custom, contemporary garden room built to your exact specifications can be anything you want it to be, whether that’s a home office, gym, bar, studio or something more outside of the box.
In this guide, we’re going to outline some of the many uses for garden rooms and discuss what makes these structures so effective for modern homes.
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Garden rooms for home working and studying
If your work is fully remote, you will want a dedicated office space so that you can concentrate and avoid the everyday distractions around the house. Not only will a garden office promise an extremely swift commute, but will also allow you to maintain a healthy work-life balance by drawing a clear line between your home and your workspace.
Instead of renting a desk, office or commercial unit, investing in a garden office is a more cost-effective solution in the long term. With a Garden Retreats pod, you can start small with a building of just 2 x 3 metres, then add more pods if you require extra space. You can also take your pod with you if you move to a new home in the future.
A custom garden building can also make an excellent classroom for helping the kids with their homeschooling. Rather than sitting around the kitchen table or on the living room floor, you can create an extra space just for learning. Similarly to a garden office, this will help keep your kids focused on their studies and free from household distractions.
Finally, you may be looking for a space that can be both a kitchen and a studio, so you can photograph what you make. A stylish, bespoke garden room kitchen with windows or glass doors that let in plenty of natural light is the perfect place to capture your creations.
For more ideas and inspiration, read our guides on garden rooms for home working and homeschooling.
Garden rooms for commercial businesses
If you’re a small business owner or freelancer, a garden room promises an excellent base for welcoming clients and doing your craft.
Maybe you’re a hairdresser or nail technician with an established reputation in your local area, or a mobile pet grooming professional wanting a more permanent base—a custom garden room offering lots of natural light and space is the ideal alternative to renting an expensive shop unit.
Or maybe you’re an artist struggling to fit all of your materials in your house—a Garden Retreats pod will not only solve your space issues, but you can even install a roof terrace for creating your art in the open air.
We’ve put together a selection of expert guides discussing how garden rooms can be used for commercial businesses such as pet grooming salons, creative studios and more so you can understand how these structures could benefit your business.
Garden rooms for leisure: entertainment
One of the most popular uses for garden rooms is as home bars and pubs. Because of the strong, flat roof of our pods, you can install a luxury roof terrace on your Garden Retreat to enjoy some open-air fun with friends and family.
If you’re a movie lover, having an extra room in your garden space provides the perfect opportunity to create a home cinema. You can furnish the room with a huge screen and surround sound, comfy sofas and storage space for snacks to make the ultimate viewing experience.
Alternatively, if you love hosting gatherings with friends, you might want to use your Garden Retreats pod as a games room complete with all the toys, machines, gadgets and amenities you couldn’t fit in your living room.
Our guides to garden rooms for home entertainment explain how these uses can be achieved in more detail and offer some useful tips to help you in the planning process.
Garden rooms for leisure: wellness
A garden gym or yoga studio will enable you to maintain your exercise regime without having to travel to and from a fitness studio that you have to pay a subscription to access. You can design your garden gym or studio to reflect your fitness interests, whether that’s weights, cardio or Pilates. Our pods are available with bifold doors that you can open up to let in some fresh air when your workout gets a bit sweaty!
Alternatively, you can use your garden room as a spa to achieve the ultimate home luxury experience. A garden spa will provide more privacy than a public spa and you can create an atmosphere that reflects what you find relaxing. What a perfect way to wind down after the workday or catch up with your closest friends!
For more information about how garden rooms can be used as leisure and wellness spaces, read check out our expert guides.
Garden rooms as an extra family space
While a conservatory or orangery may provide some additional space in the home, this kind of extension will require a lengthy build process and won’t be suitable as a guest bedroom or sleeping accommodation for staying visitors.
A bespoke garden room will provide all of the comforts of a bedroom in your main house without the need to renovate a spare room such as the loft. Much more than just a garden shed, a Garden Retreats pod is completely customisable and an ideal extra living space for cosy evenings with friends and family.
Your pod can be as small or as large as you want, and you can add additional pods in the future if you require more space. As an extra family space, your garden room should be multipurpose and furnished to suit the interests of everyone in your household. You have complete creative freedom to combine functionality and comfort when designing your luxury garden room.
Find out more in our guide, Garden Rooms as an Extra Family Space.