How to Turn a Garden Room into Your Own Private Haven
There’s an exciting choice of garden structures perfect for all kinds of uses out there these days, but which would work for you?
No longer limited to sheds and conservatories, garden rooms now come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s something to suit all budgets and uses. But how to choose and style the right space for you? Check out these ideas to help you get the most from your indoor/outdoor room, whether you want your space for relaxing, working or just pottering about.
Say yes to something sculptural
This combined shed and office (known as a shoffice) provides a sculptural object that flows in the garden of a 1950s terraced house.
The elliptical timber shell looks a little like a wood shaving that unfurls to form a small terrace on the lawn. The interior is oak-lined and fitted with a cantilevered oak desk and storage. A roof window above the desk brings in light and is complemented by one open to the sky.
This imaginative garden pavilion provides the perfect space for creative thinking while enhancing the outdoor space – something to consider if you like a talking point in your home!
Take a tour of the ‘shoffice’
This combined shed and office (known as a shoffice) provides a sculptural object that flows in the garden of a 1950s terraced house.
The elliptical timber shell looks a little like a wood shaving that unfurls to form a small terrace on the lawn. The interior is oak-lined and fitted with a cantilevered oak desk and storage. A roof window above the desk brings in light and is complemented by one open to the sky.
This imaginative garden pavilion provides the perfect space for creative thinking while enhancing the outdoor space – something to consider if you like a talking point in your home!
Take a tour of the ‘shoffice’
Revel in a room with a living wall
A vibrant living wall gives a delightful horizontal dimension to this garden, helping the structure to blend in with its surroundings.
Living walls are effective at reducing the internal temperature of buildings in urban areas, as the plants inhibit the absorption of solar radiation. This can help address the issue of over-heating for many types of garden room, especially in summer. It will, however, require upkeep, so be sure you’re confident you can look after it.
Whether or not you want a living wall, it’s important to address the key practical elements of your garden structure at the design stage, such as how it will be heated or cooled, and what standards of insulation it will require.
See more inspiring living walls
A vibrant living wall gives a delightful horizontal dimension to this garden, helping the structure to blend in with its surroundings.
Living walls are effective at reducing the internal temperature of buildings in urban areas, as the plants inhibit the absorption of solar radiation. This can help address the issue of over-heating for many types of garden room, especially in summer. It will, however, require upkeep, so be sure you’re confident you can look after it.
Whether or not you want a living wall, it’s important to address the key practical elements of your garden structure at the design stage, such as how it will be heated or cooled, and what standards of insulation it will require.
See more inspiring living walls
Set up an ‘outdoor’ home office
If you’re more about productivity than all-out relaxing, a contemporary workspace like this could be for you. The space has been kept deliberately spartan to emphasise the simplicity and beauty of the materials. Who needs decoration with such lovely colour and texture from the timber and plywood – not to mention the greenery?
Floor-to-ceiling glazing makes the space feel at one with the garden, while the position of the desk allows the owner to benefit from the light and proximity to the window.
In designing a garden room to use as a home office, it makes sense to avoid facing directly into the garden – otherwise you’d never get any work done!
If you’re more about productivity than all-out relaxing, a contemporary workspace like this could be for you. The space has been kept deliberately spartan to emphasise the simplicity and beauty of the materials. Who needs decoration with such lovely colour and texture from the timber and plywood – not to mention the greenery?
Floor-to-ceiling glazing makes the space feel at one with the garden, while the position of the desk allows the owner to benefit from the light and proximity to the window.
In designing a garden room to use as a home office, it makes sense to avoid facing directly into the garden – otherwise you’d never get any work done!
Blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors
A garden room doesn’t have to be completely enclosed. This Zen-inspired pavilion provides a sheltered spot from which to enjoy the garden without the effort of constructing a completely enclosed building. This would be a wonderful place to practise tai chi and yoga.
Perspex screens are a clever way to allow light in while hiding what lies beyond. You can also provide additional textures and interest by illuminating the Perspex at night.
Check out some more garden rooms you’ll never want to leave
A garden room doesn’t have to be completely enclosed. This Zen-inspired pavilion provides a sheltered spot from which to enjoy the garden without the effort of constructing a completely enclosed building. This would be a wonderful place to practise tai chi and yoga.
Perspex screens are a clever way to allow light in while hiding what lies beyond. You can also provide additional textures and interest by illuminating the Perspex at night.
Check out some more garden rooms you’ll never want to leave
Open up both sides
This contemporary lodge house, open on both sides, provides great views from a number of directions, both to and from the main house.
Sleek, slimline, high-performance sliding doors and use of the same flooring inside and out contribute to a seamless transition between outdoors and in, evoking a calm, restful feel in this contemporary space.
This is a great option if you have the space to create an echo of your house that’s visible across the garden. Even if you don’t, it’s still possible to create a garden room that invites you to explore it as soon as you spy it.
This contemporary lodge house, open on both sides, provides great views from a number of directions, both to and from the main house.
Sleek, slimline, high-performance sliding doors and use of the same flooring inside and out contribute to a seamless transition between outdoors and in, evoking a calm, restful feel in this contemporary space.
This is a great option if you have the space to create an echo of your house that’s visible across the garden. Even if you don’t, it’s still possible to create a garden room that invites you to explore it as soon as you spy it.
Give it a little grandeur
This beautiful, sunny garden room is the perfect place to soak up some rays, whatever the season. The armchairs and rug give it a cosy feel, while the hand-painted murals make you feel as if you’re resting in a verdant formal garden. A similar effect could be achieved with a floral wallpaper.
A sculptural topiary piece combined with colourful, botanical-themed accessories reinforce the playful garden theme.
Get some ideas for modern floral wallpaper
This beautiful, sunny garden room is the perfect place to soak up some rays, whatever the season. The armchairs and rug give it a cosy feel, while the hand-painted murals make you feel as if you’re resting in a verdant formal garden. A similar effect could be achieved with a floral wallpaper.
A sculptural topiary piece combined with colourful, botanical-themed accessories reinforce the playful garden theme.
Get some ideas for modern floral wallpaper
Make it the star of the show
This Mediterranean-inspired garden follows classical principles. The wide lavender hedges lead the eye to a pavilion inspired by a Greek temple.
Note that the surrounding plants support the upward and onward sweep of the path to the pavilion. The only colours are lavender and green – there are no other shades to distract the eye, so you feel yourself drawn to explore the pavilion.
This clever trick of leading the eye to your structure can be repeated on a smaller scale, whatever form your garden room takes.
Read expert advice on how to create a Mediterranean-style garden
This Mediterranean-inspired garden follows classical principles. The wide lavender hedges lead the eye to a pavilion inspired by a Greek temple.
Note that the surrounding plants support the upward and onward sweep of the path to the pavilion. The only colours are lavender and green – there are no other shades to distract the eye, so you feel yourself drawn to explore the pavilion.
This clever trick of leading the eye to your structure can be repeated on a smaller scale, whatever form your garden room takes.
Read expert advice on how to create a Mediterranean-style garden
Cheat!
If you don’t have space for a standalone garden room, could you use a room in your home? This extension uses natural materials – an oak frame and cabinetry with birch ply ceiling panels – to enhance its connection to the garden.
The shape of the ceiling and roof was informed by the original bay window on the back of the house, which is next to this room. The owners, keen to retain the original feature, also wanted to reflect it in the design of the new contemporary space.
If there’s something about your home or garden you particularly love, try to enhance it in your garden room design.
TELL US…
Have these ideas inspired you to look at installing a garden room? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
If you don’t have space for a standalone garden room, could you use a room in your home? This extension uses natural materials – an oak frame and cabinetry with birch ply ceiling panels – to enhance its connection to the garden.
The shape of the ceiling and roof was informed by the original bay window on the back of the house, which is next to this room. The owners, keen to retain the original feature, also wanted to reflect it in the design of the new contemporary space.
If there’s something about your home or garden you particularly love, try to enhance it in your garden room design.
TELL US…
Have these ideas inspired you to look at installing a garden room? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
This larch-clad structure with a reclaimed slate roof is designed for use as an artist’s studio. A seamless transition to a decked area increases the amount of space available for work and relaxation.
This type of garden room is ideal if you require specific light conditions or need a separate space away from the hubbub of the house. Most artists prefer indirect northern light when working, so if that’s what you’ll be using your room for, take account of this when deciding on the location and orientation of any roof lights and windows.
Browse more garden room photos