We spent £57,000 on a garden room – is it worth building one in your home?

Lisa Umakanthan and her husband Vimal spent £625,000 buying their detached new-build house in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, in October 2023. 

After buying their new-build, Vimal, a doctor, and Lisa, a homemaker, quickly realised they wanted to create more space at home. 

The couple initially considered getting a standard extension at the side of their house, but were put off by the need for permission from the developer and requirement to submit a full planning application to their local council. 

Instead, they opted to spend £57,722 on an external garden room built in two weeks which did not require any planning permission. 

The couple came to the conclusion that a separate room to relax in away from the main house would be preferable. 

‘We looked into doing a traditional extension at first. But the costs, timeframes and hassle of planning permission really put us of off’, Lisa told the Daily Mail. 

Outdoor living: A couple from Cumbria spent in excess of £57,000 on their garden room

Lisa said: ‘We went for a seating area around the media wall and, inside the main room, a fire with a separate bar area too. The bar was purchased separately, but everything else came from Tiger Module.’ 

She added: ‘Outside we chose the grey composite wood to blend nicely with the modern home we have.

‘Our favourite feature is the bespoke media wall and fire, and the Bluetooth wall-mounted control panel with recessed ceiling speakers.’ 

The couple now regularly use the garden room to relax in or host social occasions.

Lisa told the Daily Mail: ‘We have had a Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve party in the garden room and regularly watch football matches with family and friends in it.

‘Vimal and I usually go in the garden room a couple of times a week on an evening and watch a movie. 

‘Only two weeks ago it was my birthday and we had a large gathering of family for a barbecue with people sat under the canopy area, on the patio area and later inside the garden room. It’s been worth every penny.’

Content: Lisa Umakanthan and her husband Vimal have no regrets about their garden room 

No permission required: The couple did not need to secure planning permission to build the room

Drink up: The couple had a bar installed in their garden room and host social occasions at home

Design touches: The garden room is neutral internally, but sprinkled with pockets of colour

Be careful: Size and placement restrictions may apply to some garden rooms and offices

What to know: If you live in a conservation area, more stringent rules may apply 

Fortunately, Lisa and  Vimal’s neighbours are unconcerned by the couple’s outdoor living space.  

Lisa said: ‘One neighbour loves our garden room so much they are now in the process of getting their own. 

‘Adjoining neighbours have had no objection to the garden room and have never complained about noise. It is not soundproofed as such but is quiet enough with the door closed.’  

Is planning permission required? 

In most cases, you will not need planning permission to construct a room, which could take the form of anything from an office to a mini library, in your garden. 

Sam Jenkinson, an expert at Tiger Modular, said: ‘Most garden buildings fall under permitted development rights, meaning planning permission isn’t necessary if the structure meets certain size and use requirements.’

However, it is essential to stick to size limits and placement restrictions. 

Jenkinson added: ‘If your garden room is within two metres of a boundary, it must be no taller than 2.5 metres to remain exempt from planning permission.

‘If placed further than two metres from any boundary, you may be able to go up to three metres in height, or four metres with a dual-pitched roof. Always confirm before building to avoid costly charges later.’  

If your property is listed or in a conservation area, different rules may apply. Even smaller garden buildings may require planning permission or need to follow stricter guidelines. Always contact your local planning authority before starting any works.

Can you live in a garden room full-time?

Garden rooms ca be useful for hobbies, working from home, or entertaining – but they cannot be used as permanent self-contained accommodation without planning permission. 

Jenkinson said: ‘The occasional overnight guest is fine, but if you are adding a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, you may need both planning permission and building regulations approval.’ 

Will a garden room add value to a house?

In terms of whether a garden room can add value to a property, Liam Gretton, owner of Liam Gretton Bespoke Estate Agent, on Wirral Peninsula, told the Daily Mail: ‘Garden rooms have become increasingly popular, particularly since the pandemic. 

‘Homeowners and buyers place more value on flexible, private space at home. 

‘Now, done well, a garden room can absolutely add value, especially when it serves a clear purpose like a home office, gym, studio however, if not looked after they can also become an inconvenience. 

‘We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in these additions over the past few years, and in many cases, a high-quality garden room can add between 5 per cent and 15 per cent to a property’s value.’

He added: ‘The key factors buyers consider are location, the quality of the build, and whether the space is usable all year round. They’re a great way to enhance lifestyle appeal without major structural changes to the main house.’