FOCUS ON BUILDING A GARDEN ROOM

From rules and regulations to the best type of foundations for your space, here's what you need to consider when adding an outdoor room

- MARK STEVENSON

A garden room can be a great way to add extra space to your home without going through the hassle of building a traditional extension. Whether you want a home office, gym, studio, or just somewhere to chill out, getting the design right and choosing the most appropriate method of build is key.

Before you start, there are several things to consider – how you'll use the space, how big it needs to be, what services you need installed, whether you'll need planning permission or Building Regs approval and what's the best way to get it built.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GARDEN ROOM

How you plan to use your garden room will influence everything from its size to how it's built. For example, a home office needs good insulation and soundproofing, and a noisy metal roof might not be ideal, especially when it rains. On the other hand, a gym or workshop needs a solid floor to support heavy equipment, so a concrete base is best. If it's a hobby room or studio, large windows or rooflights will help bring in natural light. And if you want to use it as an Airbnb, things like the heating, ventilation and even plumbing must comply with Building Regs.

The space you have in your garden will also influence the size of your garden room. A compact home office might only need to be 2.5x2.5m, while a gym or studio might need to be bigger, for example 4x5m. But bigger isn't always better and you don't want to take up more than 50% of your garden otherwise planning consent will be needed.

PLANNING PERMISSION