garden office Archives

How To Finance a Garden Room

Posted on 6th May 202116th September 2021

The featured image is 4m x 4m Bespoke Garden Room by Evergreen Garden Rooms

A garden room is an excellent addition to any home. It’s a space that you can use for pretty much anything from an office to a guest bedroom or just somewhere for the kids to play. If you fancy more space but are wondering how to finance a garden room, then read on; we will explore some of the options below.

Savings

If you have savings available, then you can choose to purchase your new garden room outright. This option means that you won’t owe any interest on your purchase. Of course, not everyone has savings, so the below options will explore alternative options.

You can also use your savings to finance a garden room in conjunction with another form of financing.

This will mean that you don’t need to be paying interest on the entire cost of the garden room, only what remains after you have factored in how much money is owed by way of loans or mortgages.

Rent a Garden Room

Some of our partners offer a rental option for their garden buildings. This can be a more affordable solution for someone needing a garden office to work from. It could potentially be included under business expenses in the same way a conventional office rent would be. Find out more about that here.

We have a dedicated filter for renting on the left-hand side of the search results, so you can quickly review the garden rooms available to rent. Take a look at them here.

Below is the Cedar Pod – 2.87m x 2.27m by Eden Spaces available to rent from £63p/w

Garden Room Finance

Some garden room sellers offer finance for their products. This is similar to buying a car from a car dealership and getting finance at the dealership. The sellers have finance providers they work with to provide loans to cover the cost of the garden room. These loans are available subject to passing the credit checks.

We have several partners that provide the option to finance. You can find them quickly and easily by using the finance available filter on the left-hand side of the listings as pictured.

We are also in the process of developing our own finance calculator to offer the option of finance across all of the garden rooms on our website. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for more updates on this exciting new development. Click here to view garden rooms with finance options.

We have now partnered with iDeal 4 Finance to bring you financing options across all garden rooms on our website. You can apply via this link. Acceptance is subject to status, APR will vary depending on individual circumstances. Check out the tips below for getting credit.

Personal Loan

A personal loan is another way to obtain the financing needed to purchase a garden room. Personal loans can either be unsecured or secured against assets such as your home. Secured loans are a lower risk for the provider and usually have a lower APR; they are secured against assets such as your home. This means if you fail to keep up the repayments, you may lose the assets so consider this carefully first.

An unsecured loan is a popular choice because it isn’t secured against your home or assets. You can shop around online with comparison sites to find the best rates of interest for you. This will depend on your credit score. People with a higher credit score will secure better APR rates than those with lower scores. This is because they are a lower risk to the lender.

Equity Release

Another option is equity release. This is where a homeowner takes out one or more mortgages against their property and converts the value of this into an income. The money can be used in many ways, such as funding for renovations, retirement, holidays or even help with their children’s education fees.

Equity release is usually available to those over the age of 55. The money you release is yours to spend on what you want. This is repaid to the financiers when you die or sell your property.

One of the major benefits is that this form of finance doesn’t need to be paid back until death or sale, so that helps with peace of mind in retirement.

Tips for getting your credit application accepted

Any form of finance will need to be approved by a lender. This means you will be credit checked using data from your credit report. Below we have listed some ways to help you improve your chances of being accepted.

Check your credit report yourself first. This is now free to do online. Make sure you check the three main companies Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, as scores may differ.
The report will show you any errors, so they can be fixed before your application is made.
Ensure your payments are up to date.
Hard credit checks show up on a credit report, so if you know you’ll be applying for a loan, try not to apply for other forms of credit for a while first.
If you have had problems with debt in the past or bankruptcy, try and find specialist providers. Your APR will likely be higher.

As you can see, there are many ways to pay for the purchase of a garden room. Before committing it is always advisable to conduct your own research into finance available to you, the interest costs, the total repayable amount and to ensure the payments are affordable. Financing a garden room is the same as financing any other large purchase such as a car. Weigh up all of your options and make the right choice for you.

Garden Office – Business Expenses and Tax

Posted on 23rd March 2021

featured Image is the Garden Studio by Heart Pods

A garden office is the ideal solution for those running a business from home. Garden structures are separate from the main property and, therefore, provide a quieter, more professional space that allows you to effectively separate work from home life. While there are many advantages to be had with a garden office, it is important to consider the financial implications before installation. In this post, we will explore the business expenses and tax implications of running a business from a garden office.

VAT

Whether you are a sole trader or running a limited company, you need to consider whether you are using your garden office solely for business purposes or not. Generally speaking, you can claim the VAT back for the cost of the structure if you are VAT registered. However, if you use your garden office for personal use some of the time, you can only claim the relevant percentage of VAT.

Example: You use your garden office for business purposes Monday to Friday. On weekends, your family uses the space for purposes such as relaxing, entertainment, exercising etc. You would, therefore, be using the garden office for business purposes roughly 70% of the time and could, therefore, only claim 70% of the VAT.

Initial construction or installation

The cost of constructing or installing a garden office is not tax-deductible from your business profits. This applies also to any costs associated with the installation, such as delivery charges and initial decoration.

It does not matter whether you construct the garden office yourself or purchase a ready-made structure from a company. Even though a garden room is technically a moveable structure, it counts as premises from which you run your business and not an item of business equipment.

Equipment, furniture and fixings

The good news is that any items you purchase for the structure, such as furniture, storage, IT equipment etc., do count as business expenses and are, therefore, tax-deductible. This counts also for thermal insulation and electrical works. Although the initial decoration of your structure is not tax-deductible, you can deduct the expenses of redecoration when this becomes necessary. Ensure you receive itemised bills for any such work as you will need these to evidence your expenses.

Utilities

When it comes to utilities, you may deduct the costs in full only if your garden office has a separate meter. Otherwise, you can deduct a percentage based on your use of the room for business purposes. One way of estimating this is by dividing the total cost of utilities by the number of rooms in your property, including the garden office. You would then pay the amount for the garden office only.

This counts for all utilities, including heating, electricity and water. Presumably, you would have a dedicated phone line for your business which would be entirely tax-deductible. However, if this is not the case, and you are using your personal landline or mobile for business purposes also, the percentage rule will apply.

Example: Your property has five rooms, including the garden office. You would then claim 20% of the cost of utilities as a business expense. Keep in mind, however, that this gets complicated if you are also using the space for personal use.

What if I use my garden office as a guest room?

If your garden office is in your company name and you use it as a one-off for a guest room, you do not need to worry. However, if there are people regularly sleeping in the room, then this would count as personal use and, therefore, affect your accounts in terms of tax and expenses.

If you are a sole trader, this is more relevant. You will need to demonstrate that your garden office is solely for business use in order to benefit from maximum tax deductions.

Do I need to pay capital gains tax if I sell my home?

If your garden office is a company asset, then technically, capital gains tax could be applicable if you sell your home. However, in reality, this is very unlikely to be an issue. This is because, although a garden room can increase the value of your property, its value in isolation will decrease over time. There is, therefore, no profit or gain to be had from it when selling your property. If there was any gain, it is likely to be exempt from capital gains tax.

Do I need to pay business rates on a garden office?

Business rates and associated reliefs vary between local authorities. It is, therefore, advisable that you check with your local authority to find out where you stand regarding business rates for your garden office.

It is possible that garden offices will attract business rates. However, there are reliefs available for small businesses as well as those located in designated economic areas and rural locations. Check with your local authority to see if you qualify.

Although there are some considerations to be made regarding the financial implications of running a business from a garden office, there are many advantages to be had. You will no longer need to commute to work which will save time and money. For those already working from home, it is much easier to separate home and work life when you have a separate building for work. It also presents a much more professional image to clients and business prospects.

If you are ready to take the plunge and invest in a shoffice, then you can start your search for a garden office here.

How to Maintain Good Mental Health While Working From Home

Posted on 6th January 202123rd January 2021

With another national lockdown just announced, many of us are back to remote working, that’s if we ever left it to start with. Working from home has become the new ‘norm’. While wfh has many upsides, it does take its toll on our mental health, we are social creatures after all.

Taking care of your mental health is important, especially during the uncertain and worrying times we are living in right now. We’ve put together some tips to help you take care of your mind while working from home.

Maintain a routine

It can be all too easy to slip into a lackadaisical pattern but it won’t help your mood. The majority of us require structure and routine to keep us going. Rolling out of bed to a desk in your pj’s may seem tempting, but it won’t set the right tone.

In order to keep on track and productive you should establish good working routines and habits. You may wish to work in your pj’s, but make sure you get up, follow a good morning routine such as breakfast, coffee, shower, check emails, etc.

Create a routine that works for you, some need to get up and dressed for the day, others can manage in their loungewear, no one’s judging. When it comes to the routine, however, stick to it.

Create a home office

Of course, we don’t all have the means to convert a room into an office or erect a garden room office overnight, but a dedicated working space is vital. It’s all about that crucial work-life balance. You need to be able to have that divide between work and relaxation space. Working from bed won’t keep you productive.

Maintaining a good posture is important, when you slump over, you don’t breathe properly, and in turn, will feel more tired. This will impact productivity and mood. A good ergonomic chair to work from is a worthy investment.

Create your space at a desk or table in a quiet and relatively distraction-free area. Keep it clean and clutter-free. Perhaps add a plant or two for some colour.

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Remove distractions

When working from home, away from the gaze of colleagues you may easily slip into bad habits such as playing games on your phone, browsing websites, or watching TV. All of this will disrupt your routine and leave you rushing to finish tasks when you realise you’re behind.

Keeping to set working times, maintains discipline, and keeps you on track, focused, and above all maintains a healthy mindset.

Stay in touch

Stay in touch with colleagues and friends when you are not working. This past year has been lonely and isolating for many. Make sure you stay in touch through social media, messages, calls, and best of all video calls to maintain some form of socialisation.

Exercise

Sitting still for long periods of the day and not leaving the house is not great for either physical or mental health. Try to go for a daily walk, build it into your routine daily to get some fresh air, and get the blood flowing.

Alternatively, you may prefer to follow a workout video, or maybe you have some fitness equipment, and a well-established workout routine already. Yoga is a great way to unwind and improve mental health also. There are some great yoga videos on YouTube.

Take time for you

Remember to take some time for yourself, don’t work all hours to pass the days away. You need to take time for self-care. This can be in the form of meditation, pampering yourself while you can’t visit salons, barbers, etc, take baths, listen to your favourite music, read, learn new skills.

This time there is hope on the horizon in the form of vaccines, which will hopefully help end this pandemic. We will get through this together.

The Benefits of Composite Windows and Doors

Posted on 21st December 2020

Featured image is AuraPlus sliding doors by Okohaus

When having a garden room constructed, the consideration of windows and doors may not have occurred to you. They are, however, definitely worth thinking about. The windows and doors you select will need to be secure and be energy-efficient.

The technology involved in glazing has come a long way in the last few decades. Continually evolving to improve energy efficiency and security. With double and triple glazing options available, there is also a selection of frame materials to choose from.

When installing windows and doors, you should be considering several things.

What is the average lifespan of the windows and doors?
How much will the windows and doors cost?
How energy efficient are they?
Are they secure?
Will they keep sound out?
Will they complement the design of the building?

For many year’s uPVC was the material of choice. Today, however, there’s a new, more sustainable kid on the block. Composite Windows, constructed of aluminium and timber provides greater energy efficiency, have a longer life span and are more sustainable than their uPVC counterparts.

We spoke to experts, Okohaus to find out more about sustainable composite windows and doors.

How Environmentally Friendly are Composite Windows and Doors?

We are all having to be more conscious about our individual carbon footprint; the products we buy should demonstrate responsibility. UPVC windows are derived from oil production; this means they are bad for the environment, requiring a significant emission of CO₂ for their production. They are also difficult to recycle and once they reach the end of their lifespan, they are usually sent to landfill.

Composite windows are a far more sustainable product. This is because they use a combination of natural timber and long-lasting, robust aluminium external cladding. By utilising sustainable timber in the supply chain, manufacturers can achieve a much lower carbon footprint. Okohaus ensure all of their products are FSC Chain of Custody certified. This means that the forests used for timber production are sustainably managed and for every tree cut down to produce a window or door, at least two more are planted.

These fresh, new trees grow quickly and therefore absorb more CO₂ than older trees. CO₂ is captured in the timber during the window’s lifespan, which is at least twice as long as the lifespan of a UPVC window, so they are actually carbon negative!

How Long Do Composite Windows and Doors Last

Composite windows and doors have a much longer life expectancy than uPVC frames. If maintained well uPVC windows and doors are usable for a maximum of 35 years, in most cases, they don’t reach this. Composite alternatives have a life expectancy of 56-83 years!

How Efficient are Composite Windows and Doors?

In terms of performance, composite windows also have the upper hand over both uPVC and aluminium alone. The U values (thermal performance) in Okohaus’ double glazed systems are comparable to triple glazing in aluminium or UPVC!

How Secure are Composite Windows and Doors?

When it comes to security, they tick all the boxes. Okohaus’ windows and doors are secured by design certified, meaning they are as standard, some of the most secure products on the market. Usually, UPVC windows would have to have steel reinforcement added to achieve the same levels of security, which would also make them much poorer thermally.

Acoustically very high sound reduction levels are standard, even the busiest central London sites, for example, notice a difference.

When it comes to price, you may expect to pay more for this high-level product. Composite windows and doors actually often work out cheaper than aluminium alternatives, especially when you compare like for like in terms of performance. They do come in a bit more expensive than uPVC. But the benefits far outweigh the price difference. Not to mention they last at least double the time of uPVC windows.

Windows and doors are as you see, an important consideration. It pays to do your research.

Shed Quarters – The New Normal?

Posted on 17th November 202014th December 2020

Already halfway through our second national lockdown, it’s clear that home working is here for the foreseeable future. Some businesses may permanently offer staff the option to work from home now that the benefits and savings have been realised.

Research by insurer Direct Line has found that a million people have invested in a shoffice, and another 1.1 million plans to do so in the next year.

Since the first lockdown, many creators of garden rooms, cabins and high-end sheds have found their order books filling fast as people realise the potential of some extra space in the garden.

These buildings dubbed ‘shoffices’ or ‘shed quarters’ are likely to be in demand indefinitely. Below, we take a look at some of the key considerations and frequently asked questions of those looking to invest in a garden office.

Do I need planning permission to build a garden office?

In the majority of cases, no planning permission is required to install an office in your garden. Outbuildings can be built under permitted development rights. Providing it’s single-story, does not exceed 2.5 metres in height and is not intended to be lived. There are exceptions, so always do your research first. You can find out more about this here.

Will my garden office be covered by home insurance?

Of course, being away from the central living accommodation, you will worry about leaving expensive IT equipment in an outbuilding. The good news is, the majority of home insurance policies will cover outbuildings both in terms of buildings and contents. Of course, you should always advise your insurance company of the value of the contents in the outbuilding to be on the safe side, and check that you will be covered.

Does the cost include utility connection?

Most people will require electricity and an internet connection to be able to work from their garden office. Some companies offer a complete solution which includes electricity connection and internet connectivity. The majority, however, do not so this will be an additional consideration.

Options to keep the cost down could be a WiFi booster to boost the strength of the WiFi to your outbuilding. Alternatively, an armoured electricity cable and ethernet cable can be run from the home along a fence, for example.

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Can I have a bathroom installed in my shoffice?

Many garden room creators offer a bespoke service. This means you could potentially opt to add a bathroom or running water to your outbuilding. This will incur additional costs and require the services of a plumber, so in most instances, people choose to use the facilities in their home.

What’s the average cost of shed quarters?

The price can vary greatly, depending on your requirements. For comfort, we would recommend ensuring your garden room is fully insulated and weatherproof. So, while you could potentially pick up a shed for sub £1,000 – it won’t supply the comfort necessary to work in year-round.

As a minimum, you should expect to pay around £2,500 for a small office space. There are numerous options that vary in size and features. Some garden rooms provide dual-use such as office and storage; others are compact and offer a small area to work. You can start by considering your needs and requirements. Our suggestion wizard can help you find solutions. Try it out here.

If you’re looking for something small the Lugarde Napoleon Garden Home Office. This is a minimal space, purely dedicated for working. For those that require a little extra space, a mid-range garden office will set you back just over £7,000 like this Modular Garden Room by Urban Décor. For anyone looking for the complete solution. £10,000 will get you an eDen Hub which is ready to go with electrical sockets and an internet connection point.

For those that prefer something bespoke, eye-catching and unique the Anthropod GO! Or the Archipod are beautiful solutions.

There is something for everyone, with such a large range of options and sizes available. You can even. choose from different cladding options to blend into your garden with ease. You can browse a vast range of shed quarters here.

Manage Lockdown2 Like a Boss with a Shoffice

Posted on 4th November 20205th November 2020

*Pictured above is the Lugarde Napoleon Garden Home Office by Cotswold Garden Spaces from £2,699

With plans for a new nationwide lockdown announced at the weekend, the population is once again having to consider working from home.

This lockdown is different from the one back in March, with less stringent regulations. The key differences are that education settings such as schools and universities may remain open and people who cannot work from home may still go to work unless they work in non-essential shops that cannot offer a click and collect service.

The news has been welcomed with mixed reactions, but the message is clear – We must protect our NHS.

So, Can You Work Effectively From Home?

Many people discovered during the last lockdown that there are perks to working from home. There’s no commute time, you saved money on travel and lunch, coffees, etc and you can wear what you want!

Of, course there were some downsides, many weren’t equipped – Argos sold out of many desk designs back in March and the kids were also at home, so parents had more distractions than they would at work.

So, What’s the Key to Home Working Success?

Quiet
Comfortable
Warm
Connectivity

During the last lockdown, many people found themselves working in cramped and uncomfortable makeshift conditions. Productivity can be greatly reduced by poor posture, background noise, and discomfort.

You needn’t despair though. We have a solution that caters to all of the above points creating the perfect home office.

Garden offices or Shoffice’s (shed/office), have become increasingly popular since the first lockdown. Many people realised the potential of having a dedicated working space.

How Can a Shoffice Help Me Work More Productively?

Having a dedicated working space can greatly increase productivity and keep you focused on the task at hand. Somewhere quiet and away from distractions, as well as any embarrassing background noises that could interrupt phone calls or zoom meetings is the key. (If you need a laugh you can view some hilarious zoom fails here).

Being away from the main living accommodation, a garden office is the perfect solution.

Comfort Catered For

Garden Rooms make a perfect shoffice because they are versatile and come in a range of sizes. From the compact single person office space to large multi-room, multi-function spaces. Whatever your needs, there is a range of sellers ready to create off-the-shelf, or bespoke garden buildings to fit your exact requirements.

With double glazing, insulation, electrics, and even heating or running water if required, these rooms have everything you need to comfortably work throughout lockdown and beyond.

Need Some Shoffice Inspiration?

We have selected some popular shoffice choices below, but you can start your own search for the perfect home office here.

	Broadway by Nordic Garden Buildings from £13,395 The Broadway has a flat roof to maximise the space within the building. Constructed with modern materials Nordic Garden Buildings have created a durable space that is ideal for home working. The Broadway is a maintenance-free, insulated building that can be used comfortably all year round without the inconvenience of annual painting or staining. It also has the added benefit of high security locking on all the doors and windows, you can rest assured that your property within the building will be safe and sound.
	Serenity Garden Room – Self-Build Kit by Serenity Garden Rooms from £10,346 Save money with a ‘Serenity Self-Build’ garden room. If you’re a little handy you can build your own stylish, fully insulated, all year round, Serenity Garden Room. Supplied with a step by step tutorial, full support and detailed video guides to help ensure a high quality, professional finish for your new space. This garden building lends itself well to a home office set-up and looks great thanks to top-quality timber C24 which Serenity garden Buildings import from Sweden. Serenity uses timber only from a range of planed-all-round carcassing, providing a reliable and consistent high-quality finish.
	The Newhaven Corner Summerhouse by Scotts of Thrapston from £6,730 For smaller or odd-shaped gardens, corner buildings work really well. The Newhaven has been cleverly designed to make the most of a corner setting and to fit snugly into a confined location. It is supplied with lockable doors and casement windows with laminated glass. The doors and windows are all fitted with brass ironmongery, as standard. The Newhaven opens up to create a spacious and airy summerhouse offering the ideal view across the whole garden, which is great for those working from home.
	Dryspace Spaces – Small by Dryspace Structures from £14,394 Dryspace Spaces offer a fully configurable and modular semi-permanent maintenance-free space. Each space comes with a 10-year structural warranty to provide customers with peace of mind. Fabricated using carefully sourced and tested materials, a Dryspace Space has a projected life expectancy of more than 35 years. Insulated panels, ensure that these structures can provide the perfect year-round space to work, rest or play.
	POD Garden Room by Winslade Landscapes from £11,160 The POD Garden Room is ideal for use as a shoffice, It comes with a 10-year product guarantee and a 5-year installation warranty. An attractive unit with plenty of natural light and space to work. This garden building looks great while offering that all-important extra space to work, rest, or play. Winslade Landscapes cover Hampshire, Surrey, London, Berkshire, and other surrounding areas

A Garden Room Can Increase Your Property’s Value by up to 10%

Posted on 25th October 202014th December 2020

*Image is Green Retreats TG04

Did you know that installing a garden room could increase the value of your property by as much as 10 per cent? Which, means that as well as making your living space more practical for you, you could also get a return on your investment, should you ever decide to sell up.

Garden rooms go down well with potential buyers because they are a blank canvas, a room to use for whatever you desire. A kitchen, is a kitchen, a bathroom is a bathroom but a garden room, with a little imagination, can be anything you wish; a gym, office, game room, entertaining room, outdoor dining room, a bar, yoga studio, playroom, sound studio or much, much more. Your only limitation is imagination.

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We have covered small business owners who have made their dreams come to life with a garden room or cabin, people have set up remote offices or even garden bars which have got them through Covid. Fitness instructors have taken to zoom from a garden room to keep their clients on track, bands can practice in garden rooms without disturbing the family and all while maintaining a healthy balance in their work/home life.

We take a look at 5 versatile garden rooms that could be your blank space below.

POD Garden Room by Winslade Landscapes

This gorgeous garden pod design by Winslade landscapes is incredibly versatile, a spare room in the garden for use as you please. The large glass doors provide ample light and the design makes an attractive addition to any garden. The POD comes with a 10-year product guarantee and 5-year installation warranty. This building is available for delivery throughout Hampshire, Surrey, London, Berkshire and surrounding areas.

Summerhouse Room by Bentley Garden Buildings

A bespoke summerhouse room by Bentley garden Buildings is designed to your requirements, meaning it can be suited to your own taste, style and sizing requirements. Whether you need a tapered building to make the most of a small space, a door ramp to help with access or a partition wall to keep your gardening tools separate from your summerhouse, Bentley garden Buildings can accommodate.

Tranquil by Garden Rooms Cabins

This is a room with a difference, it can actually be moved with you should you decide to move home as it’s completely transportable! Included in the price are exterior cladding, an overhanging flat roof, full electrics package, plaster boarded and even come decorated and finished with a choice of flooring. Delivery can be arranged anywhere in the UK.

The Claremont from The CDR Range by Outdoor Modular Spaces

The CDR Range is a popular range of garden buildings by Outdoor Modular Spaces. Designed with a beautiful Western Red Cedar cladding, Aluminium flashing, and a finished design that gives it that WOW factor. Finished internally with a flat ceiling and a canopy roof with spotlights and even recessed spotlights on the composite decking. There are many internal finishing options available, along with your choice of a single door, bi-fold doors or sliding doors making it a customisable and versatile solution to your extra space needs. This is available for delivery within the Home Counties.

The Aspen by Under The Living Sun

The Aspen is our no-expense-spared, zero-maintenance garden room, complete with large LED-lit composite decking area surrounded by a toughened-glass balustrade. It boasts heaps of potential, from a high-end holiday-let to a home fitness studio to a garden office. The decking area surrounded by stunning toughened-glass balustrade comes complete not only with LED downlights but also a double external power socket. Available throughout England a Wales this is a great dual-purpose solution which is definitely eye-catching.

5 Types of Garden Room

Posted on 13th September 202014th December 2020

Pictured is the Buddha Lounge by Into The Garden Room

Garden Rooms have become a popular way to add some extra space at home, providing you have a garden, then it’s quick and simple to gain an extra room. With so many options on the market, there are solutions to most needs, from additional space to somewhere to work and even additional living accommodation.

In this blog, we take a look at 5 popular types of garden room; you can find out how to choose the perfect garden room for you here.

Garden Office

With the rise of home-working has come the need for a dedicated space to work. Garden Rooms are the ideal way to gain some extra space, purely dedicated to your working set up. Some people simply want a small ‘box’ in the garden with a desk, chair, internet connection and heating to work from year-round, while others prefer something larger that can be used as a multi-use room for both work and play. Whatever your requirements, the clever creators of these rooms have something to fit your needs. Below we have picked three options to give you an idea what’s available, but you can start your own search for a garden office here.


The Solis by Under The Living Sun	The Cube by Aspen Garden Rooms	The Ufficio by Urbanpods

Sunroom

Sunrooms are the perfect place to relax and bask in the sunshine, when possible, year-round. From the height of summer to the chilly winter sun, you can relax and perhaps read a good book or have a coffee and catch up with friends. Traditionally thought of as conservatories, there are now multiple options to enjoy some covered dinner al fresco or catch up with friends and be sheltered from the unpredictable British weather. We have listed some below for you, but you can start your own search for sunrooms here.


The Burghley by Scotts of Thrapston	Melbourne 1200 by Nordic Garden Buildings	SOLARDOME® Retreat by Solardome Industries

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Annexe

For those looking to provide some extra living accommodation, be it for an elderly family member, a first time home for a young adult, or as a way to earn some extra income from renting it out, then a garden room could be the ideal solution. Annexes provide independence for both parties, are attractive, and come in many different shapes and sizes to suit all tastes and styles. Whether you only have a small bit of space or lots of land to build a pre-fabricated home on, then you can find the ideal solution on our marketplace. We have selected three to showcase below, but you can start your search for an annexe here.


Bespoke Camping Pod by Garden Room Design	Cresta 2 Bedroom Log Home by Norwegian Log	Bespoke Tiny House by Tiny Homes Ireland

Workshop

Gardens have always been the ideal place to have a workshop, close to the main living accommodation but separate enough to keep things segregated such as mess and clutter. Garden rooms provide the perfect versatility, allowing you to choose a solution that works for you. Whether you need a workshop to let your artistic talents flow, or perhaps somewhere to create or repair objects a garden room could be your ideal solution. We have chosen three options below, but you can start your own search for a workshop here.


Aldford Barn by 1 Click Log Cabins	The Garden Workshop by Green Retreats	Standard Workshop by HG Spaces

Recreational Room

Finally, garden rooms are the ideal place to create recreational space. Whether its a mancave, gaming room, garden bar, gym or somewhere to host band practice, for example, there is a garden room to suit. There are many optional extras that can be installed such as soundproofing if needed, making them versatile and functional for a host of purposes. Once again we have selected three to share on this blog, but you can start your search for a recreational room here.


Sound Studio by Garden 2 Office Ltd	Composite Garden Room 3W by Garden Rooms East Anglia	Steel Framed Games Room by Option Garden Buildings Ltd

How To Choose The Perfect Garden Room For You

Posted on 5th September 202014th December 2020

Featured image is Cedar Cladded garden Building by Oakstone Solutions, find it here.

Garden rooms are an incredibly versatile way of gaining some extra space, whether it’s for living, relaxing, working or storage there is something to suit. But, how do you know which garden room is the best choice for you with so many choices on the market?

We take a look below at some of the key considerations.

What will the garden room be used for?

This is the primary consideration and will be the largest influence on your choice. Do you need the space for work, relaxation, perhaps it’s a spare guest bedroom or an annexe for a family member? Will it be a multi-functional space such as somewhere to work and relax, or do you just need a small area to work from? Your deliberation will also require the contemplation of the following points:

Will it be used for one sole purpose or multiple purposes?
Do you need utilities connected to the garden room such as electricity for lights and power, or water for a sink or toilet?
How much space do you need?
How frequently will the garden room be used?
Will it need insulation to be used year round?

Consider Your Budget

Once you have decided what the room will be used for you should do some research on pricing and options. There’s no point getting carried away with plans and then discovering the garden room of your dreams is way out of reach. Make a list of your wants and needs, needs are things the structure HAS to have, while wants are optional extras that would be nice and can be added if the budget affords.

You can get a good idea of prices on our marketplace here. This can serve as a guide to start making your plans.

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What Style do you like?

Garden rooms come in a range of styles and finishes, from conventional log cabin designs to funky and modern shapes in a range of colours. Consider the finish you would like, would you prefer natural wood or a composite wood finish? Which colour would best fit in with your garden and home? With wood, there’s the choice of natural, stained or painted and with composite finished there is a range of colours to select.

Choosing the shape will be dependent on the space you have to install the garden room. For small gardens a corner unit may work best, L-shape structures are a good way to increase the footprint, for annexes there is a huge range of shapes and styles available, with some unique looking buildings.

Do you need installation?

Some garden rooms come as kits to build yourself at home, while others can be installed by the company you buy from. Of course, installation is a more costly option, so for those that are quite handy and can find something off the shelf so to speak, a self-build option could be the way forward. For anything fairly complicated though, that requires the connection of utilities etc, it’s always advisable to use the correct trades for the job, this will increase the cost of the build and should be considered first.

Does a garden room require planning permission?

If you are building an annexe for dwelling then yes, planning permission will need to be obtained. Most garden rooms, however, can be built under permitted development rights if they are for an office, summerhouse etc. This is providing they are below 2.5 metres in height and are of a single story. Some areas of outstanding natural beauty are excludes from permitted development rights, so we always advise checking with your local council first, but here are the general rules for outbuildings under permitted development rights.

As with any large purchase, it’s always sensible to look around at what’s available and do proper research before committing to a purchase. We have some other interesting blogs that may help you in the search for a garden office, search for an annexe or somewhere to for the offspring chill out perhaps.

Remember, our marketplace is full of fantastic options from the usual the quirky, start your search for a garden room here.

Compact Garden Offices – Don’t Sacrifice Style

Posted on 17th August 202014th December 2020

With an increasing number of people now willing and able to work from home, people are turning to the garden to get the space they need to work in peace, quiet and calm. With so many garden room office options providing the ideal working area we have decided to narrow down the options and share some compact Garden Office solutions that are ideal for people who just need space for a desk, computer and chair to get their work done.

Lugarde Napoleon Home Office

The Napoleon Garden Home Office is available through Cotswold Garden Buildings. It utilises the Lugarde System which means it is easy to build at home and comes with easy to follow tutorials. Its compact size belies its capacity to be the perfect tiny home office which is planning rules friendly at less than 2.5m high. It’s flooded with natural light through its double-glazed windows and matching door and the interior is beautifully finished in natural pine with an internal roof finial, requiring no further wor, unless you choose to decorate to make it your own.

Barbados Mini Garden Office

The Barbados Mini is a compact office solution by Cabin Living which incorporates a stylish design with a smaller footprint for tight spaces. The lowered ridge height allows placement close to a boundary often without the need for planning. This stylish timber cabin is delivered for self-assembly by the owner although you can opt for installation for an additional charge by contacting the seller in advance.

The Micro

The Micro by ModuLog is the smallest building in their range and is made up of 2 modules creating an internal space area of 2.44m x 2.2m. Taking up very little garden space, and with a curved design, this cute little garden room is certainly eye-catching. This building g can be delivered as a flatpack making it ideal for anyone with access issues and can be built at home as a DIY project. You can even customise your Micro with cladding and window options including Bi-fold doors.

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The Madison 1900 Small

The Madison by Nordic Garden Buildings is a superb garden room specially designed to make the best use of those awkward corners in the garden. Retaining privacy towards the rear, the front of the building allows light to flood in bringing you closer to the surroundings of the garden for a beautiful view while you work.

As you can see, being limited on space doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style or taste. There are numerous options, in a multitude of styles, colours and materials even at the smallest end of the scale, allowing you that dedicated, peaceful working space to get your job done and maximise productivity.