Avoiding these 8 garden room errors will prevent your outdoor structure from becoming less cozy and usable:
Creating a Functional and Beautiful Garden Room: A Guide to Successful Design
Garden rooms, the perfect extension of your living space, can serve as a home office, a tranquil retreat, or a versatile entertainment area. However, to ensure your garden room meets all your needs and complies with regulations, it's essential to consider several factors during the design process.
Firstly, garden rooms in the UK come under 'permitted development' rights, which means structures under 2.5m high are unlikely to require planning permission. Nevertheless, it's always advisable to check with your local authorities to avoid any potential complications [1][2].
The garden room's orientation and placement play a crucial role in its overall success. Positioning it without careful thought can lead to excessive heat, lack of natural light, compromised privacy, and blocking of beloved views. Instead, consider where the garden room will best catch the sunrise or sunset, protect privacy from neighbours, and harmonize visually with the home and garden [1].
When it comes to materials, cutting corners may seem like a cost-effective choice initially, but it often leads to poor weathering and the need for early replacement. Opt for durable and attractive materials such as thermowood, charred larch, composite cladding, or EPDM rubber roofing to ensure longevity and sustained aesthetic appeal, especially in challenging climates like the UK [1].
Inappropriate garden furniture and placement can make the garden room feel cramped and disconnected from the garden. Furniture should fit the space well and be oriented to face open views to create a more spacious and inviting atmosphere [3].
Ignoring scale and layout can cause awkward flow or make the space feel out of place. Design a clear, functional layout that serves distinct purposes to promote ease of use and visual harmony [4].
To prevent common mistakes, carry out a careful site analysis to optimize location, sunlight, privacy, and view corridors. Invest in high-quality, weather-resistant materials appropriate for local conditions. Select garden furniture scaled appropriately for the space and place it to enhance openness and connection with the garden. Plan layouts that consider flow, purpose, and the garden room’s relationship with the house and outdoor areas [5].
Applying for a Lawful Development Certificate is a great way to get formal confirmation from your local authority about permitted development rights. Consider having a larger space on one side of the garden room for planting a tree, storage, or a non-rectangular design. In cities like London, gardens are often standard 5m in width, and it can be more practical to allow a small gap (around 40cm) at the side of a garden room [6].
In cities, it's essential to consider the number of windows and glass doors. Having too many can reduce usable wall space and potentially cause constant glare on screens, making it impractical. Insulation is essential for a garden room to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, enabling year-round use, especially if used as a home office [7].
Lastly, building to the full width of a small garden may not be practical and can make the building appear 'shoe-horned' into the space. Leaving a gap at the side can make the building look less cramped and provide access to fences in the future [8].
By following these strategies, you can create a garden room that is functional, beautiful, and durable, providing you with an extension of your living space that you'll enjoy for years to come.
[1] Poor Orientation and Placement [2] Cutting Corners on Materials [3] Inappropriate Garden Furniture and Placement [4] Ignoring Scale and Layout [5] Preventing These Mistakes [6] Garden Room Design in Cities [7] Insulation for Year-Round Use [8] Building Practical Garden Rooms in Small Spaces
- To create a harmonious extension of your living space, ensure your garden room's positioning capitalizes on capturing the sunrise or sunset, protects privacy from neighbors, and aligns visually with your home and garden.
- When choosing materials for your garden room, select durable and attractive options like thermowood, charred larch, composite cladding, or EPDM rubber roofing to ensure longevity and maintained aesthetic appeal, particularly in harsh UK weather.
- Furnish your garden room with pieces that fit the space well and are oriented to face open views to foster a more spacious and inviting atmosphere.
- Design a functional layout that accounts for distinct purposes to navigate the space easily and promote visual harmony between the garden room, house, and outdoor areas.
- Prioritize weather-resistant materials appropriate for your local conditions, invest in high-quality garden furniture scaled for the space, and position it thoughtfully to maximize openness and connection with your garden.
