
What is a garden room and how does it work?
A garden room provides that space at a crucial distance from the main house, so that members of the household can enjoy privacy and independence while remaining in the same home.
What are the rules for a garden room in a house?
1) That the garden room is no higher than 2.5m from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof (if within 2m of boundary) 2) That you do not take up more than 50% of your garden area with this or any other buildings 3) It is not to be used for living or sleeping accommodation
What is the maximum height for a garden room?
1) That the garden room is no higher than 2.5m from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof (if within 2m of boundary) 2) That you do not take up more than 50% of your garden area with this or any other buildings NOTE: All our buildings are manufactured to meet the 2.5m height Planning restriction.
Where can I buy a good quality garden room?
DIY retailers, such as Homebase and Wickes, home-furnishing shops, garden centres and dedicated firms and websites sell a wide range of garden rooms between them. To make sure you’re buying a garden room that’s well built and safe, shop with trusted sellers online or in-store.
What can you use a garden room for?
How can I customise a garden room?
Do you need planning permission for a garden room?

What is the difference between a garden room and conservatory?
The main difference between a garden room and a conservatory is that a conservatory is attached to your house, whereas a garden room is built separately as a stand-alone building in your garden.
What constitutes a garden room?
A garden room is a fully insulated, double glazed, electrically wired building usually made from wood. Whilst a garden room can be attached to the house rather like a conservatory they are most often stand alone buildings situated in the back garden.
Can you sleep occasionally in a garden room?
Yes, you can sleep in a garden room but the same rules apply for living in a garden room: you will require the necessary planning permission.
What is the difference between a garden room and an extension?
So, what makes a garden room different from a traditional extension or a conservatory? Unlike a traditional extension or conservatory, garden rooms do not require planning permission and so the process of surveying a site, planning and building one can be completed in a much shorter period of time.
Can I put a toilet in my garden room?
Yes, a toilet can be installed in a garden room, so long as it meets building regulations approval. While building regulations are not common for a garden room, they are required under some circumstances and installing a toilet is one of those reasons.
Can you put a toilet in a garden room without planning permission?
The answer in most cases in no, you do not need planning permission for a garden room with toilet. This is because our garden buildings are not sold for use as self-contained living accommodation and therefore do not need to comply with the strict rules of building regulations.
Can my son live in a log cabin in my garden?
1) Can I live in a log cabin in my parents garden? It is possible for children to live in their parents' garden in a structure such as a granny annexe, provided the relevant annexe planning permission is obtained.
What are the regulations for a garden room?
Garden Rooms must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof, or 3 metres in any other case. If the Garden Room is within 2 metres of the property boundary the whole building needs to be less than 2.5 metres high.
Can someone live in my shed UK?
The big question is, can you live in one? The short answer is no, if you're talking about a traditional garden shed. A garden building that is to be used as a 'granny annexe' or regular sleeping accommodation will require planning permission and must meet current building regulations.
Can a garden room be used as an extension?
Garden rooms are a unique extra space at home that is highly versatile and able to be suited for almost any purpose. As well as a garden room extension being highly practical, they are a stylish, cost-effective and hassle-free way to make space at home.
Can you have a garden room as an extension?
There are no strict rules on what you use your garden room for and you can design your extension to suit your style and budget. When fully insulated, with heating and double-glazing, a garden room is ideal for use all year round.
Is an orangery the same as a conservatory?
A traditional conservatory has a glass roof, whereas an orangery has a solid flat roof perimeter with a glazed area in the centre.
Does a garden room add value?
The short answer to this question is yes, garden rooms do add value – by increasing the square footage of a property's living space. Leading property experts estimate adding a garden room can add 1.5 times their value to a home – depending on the quality of the build and costs of the installation.
What do you call a garden room?
Regardless if you call it a conservatory or garden room, a beautiful structure that creates a bridge between outdoors and inside will let you have fun relaxing…
What is a garden room used for?
What is a garden room used for? As a stand-alone building, a garden room gives separation from the distractions of home creating a space to relax, focus and get creative.
What is a garden room extension?
What is a garden room extension? A garden room extension is a stand-alone garden building that is completely detached from your home. Built to be fully insulated to the same high standard as a room in your house, an insulated garden room from Green Retreats is designed to be used all-year-round.
What is a Garden Room?
Garden Rooms are similar to conservatories in the way in which they typically have glazing on the side elevations but they have a solid tiled roof and vaulted ceilings inside to stop the extremes of temperature in winter and summer.
What is the difference between a Garden Room and an Orangery?
The only difference between a Garden Room and an Orangery is that the a Garden Room has a solid tiled roof with vaulted ceilings and an Orangery has a flat roof with glass roof lantern.
What can you use a garden room for?
Our creative clients have found multiple uses for their garden rooms. Below is a list of the most common uses we’ve seen:
How can I customise a garden room?
While the basic frames of our garden rooms are very similar, there are multiple ways you can make them uniquely yours.
Do you need planning permission for a garden room?
In most cases, our garden rooms don’t require planning permission. The reason for this is that have been designed to meet “permitted development” rules. That said, it’s always best to check with your local authority before commissioning the installation of one and if you live in a conservation area you absolutely will require permission but worry not, we handle the entire process for you.
Why do people use a garden room?
Many people use their garden room simply to enjoy time in their gardens. As our rooms are warm and well insulated, you can use a garden room to shelter from the wind in the chill of the evening. To watch the sun go down, or relax outside away from the glare of a hot day.
Who Might Need A Garden Room?
You’re a young, professional couple, thirty something and loving life. You both work from home quite regularly and have a couple of kids. Maybe you’ve got another one on the way. Your house is feeling a little bit crowded and you could do with some more space. Maybe a playroom, a separate office away from the kids, or just a place to go and chill away from the mess when your friends come over? You’re reluctant to move though, because your kids are at a good school and you’ve got friends in the area. What do you do?
How long does it take to build a garden room?
Fortunately, the two experiences can’t even be compared! Even large garden rooms can normally be erected within two or three working days. Laying the base and foundations is the most important part and is what takes the most time. After this, the structure itself, made from prefabricated parts, can be erected quickly. Putting up a garden room is comparatively quiet, less disruptive and a lot quicker than building a conservatory or extension. Furthermore, as there are fewer elements involved with building a garden room, there are less opportunities for delays caused by deliveries and labour issues.
What is the most important part of a garden room?
Laying the base and foundations is the most important part and is what takes the most time. After this, the structure itself, made from prefabricated parts, can be erected quickly. Putting up a garden room is comparatively quiet, less disruptive and a lot quicker than building a conservatory or extension.
Why is it important to have a garden office?
It can also be difficult to switch off from work and live in the same space. A garden office solves all of these problems. Your working space is sufficiently removed from the home so that you can do your job undisturbed, and then relax when you shut down your computer and commute across your garden back to the house.
What is a summer house?
Summerhouses are an old-fashioned luxury that, thanks to affordable designs and cost-effective materials. These are now available to anyone with a reasonably sized garden. Whether you want a small retreat to enjoy the cool of the summer morning, or a self-contained entertainment room, a summerhouse augments any garden and adds value to a property. We love summerhouses and have designed both traditional and contemporary styles for clients across the country
Is a conservatory good for family?
However, there are some drawbacks with conservatories that mean it might not be the best option for your family. First and foremost, a conservatory depends on the sunniest part of your garden being close to your house. If it isn’t, then you can rule this option out. A shady conservatory isn’t much fun.
What is a good idea for a garden room?
A great idea for a garden room is to use it as a pantry. Rustic materials and pieces of furniture more often used in an outside context create a stylish look when used inside.
How to bring the outdoors into a garden room?
The best way to bring the outdoors into a garden room is with plants and a slanted roof can allow for tall house plants or even small trees. Go for plants that need lots of light and embrace the jungle feel.
How to decorate a garden hideaway?
If the interior is boarded, you can create different looks by painting it and introducing artworks or shelving, plus cupboards for storage. Or create a working area with a desk and chair or a potting bench to make a space for relaxing , as well as propagating and raising plants. Using rustic materials and pieces of furniture more often used in an outside context to create a stylish look.
What color is the cladding on a garden studio?
Traditional wooden cladding in a subtle blue-grey brings rustic charm to this pretty garden studio, which serves as an extra room. Escaping the main house can help create a mental space for creativity.
What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?
Both types of building can be integrated into the style of your house better than a glass conservatory, as you can match up materials such as roof tiles and bricks. It's easier to regulate the temperature in orangeries and garden rooms as they're less subject to extremes of weather than a room constructed solely of glass.
What is a vine in a garden?
A vine is also used in this bright and open garden room. It creates dappled light, shields users from the elements on winter days and looks fantastic against the natural wooden finish of the frame.
What is a summer house?
A summerhouse gives you the chance to indulge in a sense of escapism and create a personal retreat. It could serve as an extra living space or bedroom but it is well worth investing in running electricity to provide heating and lighting, in addition to insulation so it can be used year round.
What is a garden room called?
Garden room and summer house ideas. Extra living space in your garden can be called a garden room, summer house, garden office or log cabin (among other things) depending on who you’re speaking to or where you’re shopping. These cover a range of styles and uses.
How much does a garden room cost?
A simple, uninsulated log cabin can cost £2,000-£3,000. That’s presuming you build it yourself.
What will affect where you can put your garden room?
The size of your garden and any trees and features, such as ponds, will affect where you can put your garden room.
How to design a garden room?
To start, think where is the best place in the garden to place it and where you want to sit to get the best views. From there you can work out the best places for the doors and windows.’
How to use a room year round?
To use your room year-round, look for insulation, double glazing and some form of heating. Higher-spec rooms often come with oil radiators.
What to think about when building a garden?
When planning a new building in your garden, you’ll need to think about how much you’re willing to spend, where you plan to put it, how you intend to use it and which features are important to you. Your budget is a good place to start. Cheaper options include traditional-looking wooden summer houses.
When planning a new building in your garden, do you need to think about how much you're willing to spend?
When planning a new building in your garden, you’ll need to think about how much you’re willing to spend, where you plan to put it, how you intend to use it and which features are important to you.
How high should a garden room be from the roof?
1) That the garden room is no higher than 2.5m from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof (if within 2m of boundary) 2) That you do not take up more than 50% of your garden area with this or any other buildings. 3) It is not to be used for living or sleeping accommodation.
What is part P in garden building?
Part P In the case of Garden Buildings Part P applies and any work is notifiable to the Local Authority. Work can be self-certified by an Electrical Installer who is registered as a competent person using aBS7671 electrical installation certificate for every job they undertake, with a copy given to the householder. This is supplied by Modern Garden Rooms where we are contracted to do this work.
How tall is a single storey garage?
Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
Do garden rooms have to be electrically fixed?
Our standard Garden Rooms are electrically 1st and 2nd fixed internally only. Although we are happy to quote for the installation of an armoured cable from the house to the garden room as required, it is not included in our standard Garden Room prices. This is due to the many on-site variables such as: distance from your house to the Garden Room, paths, patios, driveways and other obstacles which could be in the way etc. In most cases it is almost always more beneficial for our clients to engage a local Electrical Contractor, rather than pay the higher costs which we would need to charge due to the distance travelling to site by our own Electrical specialist.
Do I need Planning Permission for a garden room?
Modern garden rooms do not usually require a planning application as they fall within permitted development rules under class E. This is pre-approved planning permission as long as your room is built subject to a number of limits and conditions
What can you use a garden room for?
Our creative clients have found multiple uses for their garden rooms. Below is a list of the most common uses we’ve seen:
How can I customise a garden room?
While the basic frames of our garden rooms are very similar, there are multiple ways you can make them uniquely yours.
Do you need planning permission for a garden room?
In most cases, our garden rooms don’t require planning permission. The reason for this is that have been designed to meet “permitted development” rules. That said, it’s always best to check with your local authority before commissioning the installation of one and if you live in a conservation area you absolutely will require permission but worry not, we handle the entire process for you.
