We’ve been dreaming of a garden room for a while now and I’m pretty certain it’s going to happen.  Ben just needs to find a few extra days in the week to get the project underway.  He’s planning on building it by himself.  We have started prepping the garden this summer.  There was a big falling apart shed at the bottom of the garden with the neighbour’s tree growing through the roof!  Glad to report we have knocked it down this summer and replaced all the rotting fence panels behind it.  Now we have a lovely big space to plan our garden room. 

Our plan is a bedroom with ensuite shower room and a separate living space with a kitchenette.  We’ll section off the bottom of the garden with fencing or a hedge so the room will have its own garden, perhaps with decking and a seating area.  We’ve even discussed adding a hot tub!  We plan on running electricity and water down there so it’s really proper!  The overall aim is to rent it out as a short let, a couple of nights or so, and to have a regular income.  Luckily we have a 90 foot garden and it’s around 7 metres wide, so we have lots of space available for this project.

Garden rooms are becoming more popular in recent years and I’ve noticed them springing up everywhere.  We’ve also had so many conversations with friends and family who want their own, with lots of different ideas for the use.  If you, too, have a rotting away shed at the bottom of your garden, perhaps it’s time to think about using that space for a garden room of your own.

Oeco Garden Rooms has 10 useful tips (and some slightly unusual ideas) for what you can use the space for:

1: Work – Whether you want to be more creative with work or produce more efficient results, then escaping away from distractions of the main house will be a huge head start. If you want to skip the commute or run your own business from home, a garden room offers you the space and peace you require.

This would also be a good idea for your kids school work, bringing them out away from their distractions and into a peaceful office/library based garden room, allowing them to focus, achieve and improve overall results.

2: Airbnb/guestroom – Garden rooms are perfect for adding an extra room to your home for family and friends to stay in whilst they visit. Another idea is you could set up your own Airbnb, perfect for making some extra money on the side or gain your initial investment of the garden room back.

3: Home spa – Want to get that same spa experience at home, use a garden room to create your own. Fit a home sauna or steam room, or both, as well as a rainfall shower and somewhere to relax. You can add your own spa touches with oil burners or incense and you could even extend the spa experience outside with a hot tub.

4: Your own Yoga Ashram – It’s important to focus on health and wellness, and a garden room is the perfect space to create your own Yoga Ashram. Add some ambience with mood lighting, cushions and pillows and of course a yoga mat. You will have your own little space to escape to, to keep calm, clear and collected.

5: Helping hand – It could be a very productive idea to set up the summer house for your son, daughter or a close friend to stay in whilst their on the hunt to save money. Introduce the facilities they need, set up any extra necessities they require and charge them an affordable negotiated rent.

This would be a great way for youngsters to save money, whether they’re currently studying or only working part time.

6: Your own local - As UK pub numbers dwindle, why not turn your garden room into your own little bar. If you brew your own beer, make your own wine and enjoy making your own flavoured spirits, expand your hobby into your own bar. Get together with family and friends without having to leave your garden.

7: Vintage game arcade – Long gone are the game arcades of the 80’s and 90’s, but if you’re feeling nostalgic and enjoy retro games, why not use a garden room to make your own vintage video game arcade. Set up old and new consoles, dance and music games and even arcade machines for a blast to the past.

8: Gym – Have your very own gym, add different work out equipment to the garden room, leaving an area for floor work... Add in mirrors down one side, so you can watch your form and build in a music system to keep you motivated. Garden rooms also have enough space to add in a shower and changing room too.

9: Hobby room – If you and your family all share a number of hobbies, why not turn your garden room into a hobby space. Whether sewing or crafting, to beer making or furniture restoration, garden rooms make great areas to enjoy your favourite pastime. Keep the equipment, smells and dust out of your home.

10: Memorabilia room – Ever wanted to collect and horde your own memorabilia collection? With the space from your garden room you’ll be able to finally build up your dream collection.

As you can see, there are multiple ways you can use your garden room, whether you want to use it for work, your creative and passionate hobbies or just as a space away from the main house to relax and unwind. Anything is possible.

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