21 garden room ideas for year-round fun, entertainment and practicality

Whether you're looking for a relaxing garden retreat, a work-from-home spot or even a dedicated games room, there are tons of garden room ideas about.

Sure, most garden shed ideas will allow you to store furniture and equipment, but with a garden room, the world's your oyster. In fact, you can allocate a garden room to almost any activity, from music practice and watching films to garden bar ideas.

'Beyond traditional uses, garden rooms and log cabins offer endless possibilities for creative and functional spaces,' says Sam Jenkinson, log cabin and garden shed expert for garden building retailers Tiger.

If you’re looking to make your outdoor space work harder for you all year round, now's a brilliant chance to think about which garden room ideas could be most beneficial for you and your family — and we've rounded up our favourite concepts to get you started.

Sam Jenkinson

Sam Jenkinson has been at Tiger for over four years and has built up a vast knowledge and experience in all areas of the product. He is a keen gardener and self-proclaimed 'shed head'.

1. Max out on windows for panoramic garden views

Most garden room ideas focus on what's inside the building, but the structures are also a great opportunity to enjoy your garden without thinking about the weather.

How do you make the most of your garden from inside? Add huge surrounding windows to take it all in.

'Many garden rooms and summer houses have windows around the entire interior, allowing an abundance of natural light to flood the room,' says Luke Dejahang, founder of Crown Pavilions.

'Garden rooms with large windows are highly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as garden offices, art or yoga studios, or serene, relaxing spaces.'

2. Decorate with climbing plants on a trellis

If you're looking for garden room ideas that seamlessly blend the building into the rest of the garden, consider growing climbing plants along an adjacent trellis.

Although you can grow climbing plants along the walls of a garden room, Sam from Tiger doesn't recommend it.

'Climbing plants can damage a garden building if not carefully managed,' he warns. 'To prevent damage, choose non-invasive climbers and use trellis to keep plants off the walls of your garden building. Ensure you regularly prune the plants to protect gutters and roofs whilst also treating wooden structures with a quality preservative which will prevent moisture issues.'

Try fast-growing climbing plants like wisteria and clematis for beautiful flowers in spring and summer (even winter, if you go for winter-flowering clematis!).

Where to buy climbing plants:

• Crocus: Clematis 'Mayleen' produces beautiful pink flowers.
• Gardening Express: Buy blue climbing wisteria plants for Bridgerton-esque displays.

3. For for a wood-finish exterior

Many of the garden room ideas you'll come across will have a wooden exterior, or at least a wood-effect finish. It's a brilliant choice for a range of garden design schemes, from modern to rustic aesthetics.

'Most of our customers prefer a nature-inspired look, opting for natural woods and living roofs that blend harmoniously with the garden landscape,' says Charlie Conibear from the sales and design team at Green Retreats.

4. Get smart with storage

If you've got enough space to work with (or too little), consider adding garden storage space to your garden room ideas.

'Incorporating storage solutions will significantly enhance the functionality of your garden room,' says Sam from Tiger. 'For garden rooms like log cabins, built-in storage can integrate seamlessly with your design.

'Some may opt for a partitioned section, accessible via an external door, which provides a secure and weather-resistant space for storing all of your outdoor equipment without disrupting your main space.'

If you're working with small garden storage ideas, Sam says you can create hidden storage sections within benches or wall-mounted units.

5. Turn it into a games room

For the ultimate gamers' den, consider transforming your garden building into a games room.

'Using a garden room as a dedicated games room is one of the most popular leisure uses for our garden room buildings and is a fantastic way to use extra space at home!' says Charlie from Green Retreats.

'The separation from the main house adds to the appeal, creating a truly immersive experience. Whether you're hosting a poker night, battling it out on a console, or enjoying a nostalgic arcade setup, a garden games room gives you a dedicated space to have fun and unwind without interruptions.'

Make sure you've got a good wi-fi connection and access to electricity, and think about lighting and heating, too. A neon sign like this Pac-Man one from Amazon can really complete the look.

6. Express yourself in a cosy cabin

If you're hankering for a home office but have run out of space (and major funds) try squeezing a cosy cabin into your garden as a place to express yourself and your creativity. This one came from BillyOh and starts from just £2375, making it a more affordable garden office than most.

'Garden cabins can be a great excuse to have little fun and be adventurous with your design styles and tastes,' says interior stylist and writer Joanna Thornhill.

Use colours and wallpapers you might be a little nervous to use in the house and fill your space with your personality.

7. Set up an office away from the house

Garden rooms have never been so popular. We homeowners look for the most affordable way to extend our homes – seeking extra space, without blowing the budget. Modern conservatory ideas offer extra space but giving up a portion of the patio to house a home office is the biggest trend in recent years.

A garden office idea is a dream scenario. Freedom from commuting while maintaining a safe distance from domestic temptations such as dishwasher-emptying or fridge-raiding. For comfortable year-round use, the building should be fully wired, insulated and heated, with access to wi-fi. This is due to home workers looking for a way to work outside of the home.

8. Give WFH a whole new meaning

Why not conduct your own business from your garden room? From a hair salon to a Pilates studio, you might even be able to work towards covering the cost of your garden building through the money you earn.

Of course, you'll need permission from your local council to operate any business from your property, so it's best to do your research first — but if you get the green light, you could be working from home permanently!

9. Ensure the party never stops with a home bar

If you love to entertain friends and family, then a garden bar is sure to tickle your fancy — but how about making them a more permanent feature with a dedicated home bar garden room?

Get set up with a place for 'punters' to perch, a bar for preparing your tipples and even a fridge or two for keeping drinks cool on hot days. Pop a sofa and perhaps a projector inside your garden room, too, and you'll be all set to host movie nights and private screenings.

10. Embrace the music

If you happen to have any budding musicians in your house or have neglected the hobby because you don’t want to disturb the rest of your family, having a music room at the end of your garden can be a brilliant solution.

‘It can be a great way to allow you or a loved one to practise an instrument freely without feeling self-conscious or being distracted,’ MyJobQuote.co.uk’s interior design expert, Ryan McDonough, explains. ‘You can also put a music system in there so everyone can enjoy listening to their music in a comfortable and relaxing space.’

11. Get arty

Another hobby that can take up quite a bit of space is painting and drawing, so why not dedicate a proper space for it and have your very own studio

Imagine having a separate space where you can keep your easel up with all of your essentials like paints, pencils, paper, canvases and paintbrushes within reach.

Even the humblest shed can be repurposed as an artist’s studio — you just need to discover how to paint a shed before getting started. ‘Fresh colour can transform a plain outbuilding quickly and inexpensively,’ says Becky Rackstraw, colour expert at Protek.

‘A little imagination, alongside a suitable colour palette, will create a haven for hobbies, and adding a door mat or extended front patio will help keep the interior clean.’

12. Create a meditation space

Life can get pretty hectic, so why not create a space that will allow you to relax and unwind? Whether you need somewhere to do your yoga stretches or a place to meditate and calm your mind, your garden room can become a calm, minimalist meditation space for doing exactly that.

‘By filling the air with calming, seasonal fragrances and subdued lighting, you can create a proper meditation sanctuary right in your back garden,’ according to Andy Jones, marketing director at ULTRA LEDS.

'You could even consider installing soothing elements like a water feature,’ says BoConcept’s marketing manager, Emma Cottrell.

13. Work out at home with your own gym space

A garden room also gives you the opportunity to add a home gym. Creating a bespoke garden room home gym keeps all the equipment in one place and gives you the freedom to design the perfect workout space for you and your needs.

Not only that, but it should save you from shelling out on gym membership fees, too. 'With a home gym at the bottom of the garden, it may encourage other family members to get active and have a go,’ Ryan adds.

14. Create a cosy reading nook

We can’t think of anything cosier than a reading nook, and thankfully, you don’t need too much to transform your garden room into one. All you really need is a comfortable chair or seating, along with space for all your favourite books and a side table to house your tea or coffee — or even a refreshing drink in the warmer months.

If you love to read or are trying to carve out more time to switch off and pick up a book, having your very own reading nook could be the perfect garden room idea.

15. Build a craft room to unleash your creativity

Fancy a quiet space to retreat to where you can pursue a crafting hobby or explore other creative outlets?

A timber garden room makes a great space for a craft workshop or peaceful retreat. It could double up as a home office, too — whichever is most important for your situation.

16. Add a 'lean to' for a sunny dining spot

If a full architect-designed extension is too big an outlay, why not go for an old school 'lean to'? These (usually glass) structures are more like a conservatory and often don't need planning permission (although you should check with your local authority first).

They're generally less expensive than other extension ideas and are a great combination of a lovely light-filled garden room and extra living space.

17. Lay a green roof to help wildlife

While it's great to extend our living spaces outside, it means we lose grass, shrubs and green space. This has a knock-on effect for nature and wildlife, as birds and bugs lose the space to feed.

A way to remedy this and replace the lost greenery is by using a green roof on your garden room or conservatory. According to the RHS, a green roof will save energy through insulation, too.

Green roofs usually consist of ready-grown mats of sedum and should not require watering or weeding — but check which plants are best for your situation.

18. Create a garden cinema for movie nights

Turn family films at home into an event with a big screen in an outdoor cinema room at the end of the garden.

'Taking the whole family to a cinema room outside to enjoy their favourite film, surrounded by greenery with the bi-fold doors wide open, is a perfect way to relax on a summer’s evening,' says interior designer Rudolph Diesel.

'Add dimmable spotlights into the space, and if the room is big enough, include a ceiling-mounted projector and a bar for drinks and snacks. Soft seating is important, too, so go for a mix of sofas and beanbags.'

19. Create a glamorous 'she shed'

A thoughtful she shed idea can create an idyllic garden retreat, perfect for use as an art studio or outdoor snug. Keep the exterior of your garden room simple and chic with a coat of dark paint. The interior can be as colourful and glamorous as you wish, though.

This garden room has been turned into a luxurious craft and sewing room, brimming with inspiration for future projects.

20. Take shelter in a hidden pod that blends into the garden

The lived-in look of this cosy seating pod makes it look like it’s been in your garden for years. It's made from reclaimed rusted metal sheeting and rough-sawn reclaimed timber and planted with wildflower and a grass-filled roof.

Inside, it features wraparound bench seats with lift-up lids for stashing cushions and throws. Plus, the vertical log stores on either side of the entrance are ideal for storing a winter’s worth of stove fuel.

21. Prepare for future moves with a portable shepherd's hut

Because it’s on wheels, a country-style shepherd’s hut is a great option if you see yourself moving home in the near future as you can take it with you.

Planning permission isn’t usually required for shepherd’s huts, provided they’re in your garden and are for personal use only. However, with any big investment, it’s always advisable to check with your local council first.

FAQs

Do you need airflow under a garden room?

Absolutely. Like all garden structures, ventilation is key to preventing issues like damp and mould from taking hold of your garden room.

Foundations are important — without a strong and solid foundation, you risk damaging your garden building beyond repair once installed. If the company you’re buying from doesn’t include foundations in the price, you’ll need to hire a builder to do the job for you.

Plus, just as you'd learn how to insulate a shed, it's important to consider garden room insulation, too. That way, you'll be cutting down on condensation and all the subsequent problems that come with it.

Do you need planning permission for a garden room?

It's important you check the rules around planning permission before you build, as it's possible your garden room could be breaking the law. Under Permitted Development, you are allowed to add a single-storey garden building to your property provided it is under 2.5m in height (if within 2m from the property boundary) and doesn’t exceed 50 per cent of the total land area around the house. Most importantly, it must not be a self-contained living accommodation.

You can install a bathroom, kitchen and/or bedrooms without requiring planning permission provided that the space is just for personal use — say, a hobby room, art or yoga studio or even an occasional guest room for friends and family.

If you live in a listed building or you plan to use your garden room as an Air BnB, you will need planning permission. As a rule, it’s always safer to check with your council before taking the plunge.

Mike Head, director at Atlas Ceramics advises, 'If you’re building your garden room away from the house and it takes up less than 50 per cent of the garden and is smaller than 15 sqm, or in some cases 30 sqm, luckily, you’re unlikely to need planning permission.'

'However, you will need planning permission for certain instances — for example, if your garden room would be located in a conservation area, near a listed building, or within a national park. Your garden room company should help you with this, too, but always double-check to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.'

Once you've decided which garden room ideas you want to try, you can start thinking about other garden layout ideas to bring the inside and the outside together.