A garden room is a fantastic way to create more space for you and your family. With the benefit of being separated from your main property, it makes a highly versatile space that you can use exactly how you want.
Here are all the things you need to consider when designing, planning, and building your garden room.
What will you use it for?
What you plan to use your garden room for will have an impact on its size, location, and design. The exterior is important, but it's also crucial to consider how you will use your room first, your power requirements, whether you need to integrate storage and how much light you require from the outset.
For example, a home office or study space may require plenty of natural light and a shady, more private spot for your desk.
Planning on using your garden room as a music studio, playroom or home cinema? Then you may require an integrated audio-visual solution, additional power supplies and sound insulation to ensure you don't disturb the neighbours.
Adding a bathroom or kitchen will be a consideration if you are creating an entertaining or sleeping space.
All these factors will impact on the design, build and finish you require for your garden room. Deciding what you need at the start of your project will ensure the finished result is exactly what you want. You'll also have a much better idea of the total project cost upfront.
Most importantly, your garden room should be able to evolve with you and the changing needs of your family.
Where will it be located?
The location of your garden room is an important consideration. You may want it close to the house or at the end of your garden. You may utilise an awkward space or integrate an existing tree or garden feature. All these things are possible (subject to planning permission).
Deciding on a location will help you understand what you can achieve in that space and ensure you can factor in any clearance or site maintenance that might need to take place before starting your build.
Will I need planning permission?
Planning permission is not required for most garden rooms or buildings, providing your garden room has a height under 2.5m and does not take up more than 50% of your garden.
You may, however, need planning permission if your property is Grade 2 listed, you live in a conservation area, or you are planning on using it for self-contained living accommodation.
The garden room company you choose should be able to advise you on the necessary planning permission and anything else you might need to consider before providing a quote.
How do I want it to look?
Exterior Finishes
You want your garden room to have the "wow factor". The exterior finishes are crucial to this and may be influenced by whether you want it to blend in with the surroundings or stand out as a feature.
How it is built will also impact its shape and the positioning of some internal and external features.
Walls
Most garden rooms are built using prefabricated panels known as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). These are pre-made and are slotted together on-site to create your garden room structure.
As these are prefabricated, the position of your electrics, lighting and windows are dictated in advance, with little room for changes on site. SIPs panels are also rigid, so they cannot be used to create curved walls or rounded edges.
At Zee Garden Rooms our highly skilled carpenters custom-make the timber framework in our workshop. This enables us to build a garden room that fits your exact specification and gives you the freedom to choose the position of your windows, lighting, and power supply.
Cladding
Most garden rooms are clad in wood to blend in with their natural surroundings. Siberian Larch or Western Red Cedar are our most popular finishes because they are durable and require minimal maintenance. However, your garden room can be finished with composite cladding, metal, tiles or even stone. It's up to you.
As all our garden rooms are bespoke to your requirements, we don't specify a type of cladding and will work with you to help you achieve your desired look and feel.
Windows and Doors
The location of your windows and doors will either make your garden room light and bright or dark and cosy. Consider bi-fold doors if you want to create an entertaining space with a decked area that brings the outside in. An aluminium finish will also help to minimise the frame and maximise your views.
In contrast, if you want a home cinema or dark room, you may just want a door to enter and a small window.
Whatever you decide, make sure you discuss all these elements at the start of your project.
Interior Finishes
The interior finish of your garden room is just as important as the exterior one, and there is a lot you will need to consider to ensure you get the look, feel and functionality you require for your new space.
Flooring
The type of flooring you decide on will be influenced by how you intend to use your garden room. Engineered wood is a popular luxury choice that works well with underfloor heating. You may want to consider an alternative flooring that fits your requirements.
If you plan to use your garden room as a gym or exercise studio, consider a rubberised floor, that is hard-wearing and not easily damaged. Before the build commences remember to make sure the base is suitable to take any additional weight.
Ceramic tiles can also be a good choice. Whatever you choose, it is essential to factor this in from the outset.
Power, Electronics and Lighting
High-quality lighting and a power supply that serves your needs are integral to your garden room's design. A music studio or entertaining space may have different power needs than a peaceful yoga retreat or storage space.
The amount of power you require will also be affected by the type of heating you choose and whether you have a water supply.
Your power requirements should be factored into your initial quotation. At Zee Garden Rooms, our certified electrician will ensure you are all set up and fully connected before we hand over the keys, so you can start using your garden room straight away.
Who will manage my project?
We know from experience that any home improvement project or building work takes a lot of time to manage and can be stressful, particularly if you want a bespoke solution and a garden room ready for you to use from the moment you get the key.
Therefore, consider having a Project Manager or choosing a company that offers project management services as part of their fee. We advise you to check what that company means by project management, so you know what you will be getting from the outset.
At Zee Garden Rooms, we offer an end-to-end project management service which means that from the moment you contact us, you will be assigned a dedicated Project Manager who will ensure you have considered all of the points in this article, keep you updated on the progress of your project and help you source everything from paint to paving stones.
Are you ready to start planning your garden room? Why not give us a call on 01296 668 102, send us an email at info@zeegardenrooms.co.uk or book a complimentary site survey and start realising your vision today.
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