A buyers guide to garden rooms

Garden rooms are the perfect way to add a new room without altering your home. whether you plan to use it as an office, a space to relax in or to house a hot tub, consider style, design, size and colour when choosing the new addition to your home.

In the gallery:

1. Compact office: The Lifespace premium insulated office has a 50mm timber-wall construction, double doors and three opening windows with toughened safety glass. A base frame of galvanised steel is covered with a 28mm deckboard floor. Larger options with insulation are available. Measures (H)228x(W)298x(D)236cm, £3,799, B&Q.

2. Eco choice: Studio 192 is an eco-friendly office building, constructed to housing standards and with double layers of insulation in every surface. The interior has a ‘cathedral’ ceiling with a large, decorative beam supporting the roof, and the exterior is clad with Heartwood larch. Measures (W)530x(D)400cm, £28,749, InsideOut Buildings.

3. Latest design: The Curve is a modern garden building built bespoke to your space, incorporating a unique design: the ceiling inside curves down to become the back wall, creating an unusual interior. There’s the option to add a sedum grass roof covering to harmonise with the natural surroundings. From £22,425, The Garden Escape.

4. Multipurpose cabin: Ideal for entertaining or as a home office, the Gudrum Branson log cabin is double glazed for warmth. As with many of this range, it’s available direct from the warehouse and delivered within seven working days. Measures (H)279x(W)500x (D)400cm, £2,489, Simply Log Cabins.

5. Freestanding model: This free-standing, ten-sided Bower can be fitted with plain windows or elegantly interlaced, gothic-style leading, and has insulated twin-wall construction and double glazing. And as it’s free-standing, it’s an investment you can take with you if you move house. Measures (H)350x(D)426cm, from £15,000, Belleweather.

6. Seaside style: The boldly designed Larchlap Southwold beach hut has a 14mm tongue-andgroove wall construction, 20mm tongue-and-groove roof and floor, two unglazed windows with shutters and security bars, green mineral-felt roofing and a 15-year guarantee against rot. Measures (H)281x(W)176x(D)300cm, £1,799, B&Q.

7. Oak option: The Hatton is a new garden office, fully insulated and with full-height doubleglazed windows. It features a sliding patio door, or French doors if preferred. Shown is a medium oak external stain; it is available in 12 colours. Measures (H)245(W)366x(D)244cm, from £6,995, GBC.

8. Entertaining area: Bespoke ‘Glazebos’ can be made to order in cedar, stainless steel, oak and redwood, with the option of glazing three sides as well as the roof. These outdoor rooms are almost invisible and provide a year-round setting for entertaining, dining or relaxing. From £14,000, Designer Gardens and Homes Ltd.

9. Wooden chalet: The Karina Log Chalet garden building is available in two standard sizes and features four-paned doors with Victorian-look brassware and an Alpine-style, overhanging roof. Side windows are also an option. Karina 6, measures (H)239x (W)274x(D)182cm, £4,889; Karina 9, (H)239x(W)274x(D)274cm, £5,574; Pinelog.

10. Traditional style: This Belvedere octagonal summerhouse comes in a choice of colours, with a lead cathedral-style or ‘bell’ roof, tall windows on five sides and door with espagnolette locking system. Available with plywood deck or optional hardwood floor. Measures (H)380x(D)300cm, from £9,499, The Cutting Edge Collection.

11. Stylish summerhouse: The Chelsea Pavilion is a Regency-style rectangular summerhouse with a frame in hardwood, folding double doors and downlighters in the roof ridge. Fully insulated options are available and it comes in four sizes. Measures (H)360x (W)380x(D)240cm, from £9,805, The Cutting Edge Collection.

12. Versatile space: The Corsica summerhouse comes with a 28mm deck floor, two sets of bi-fold doors, green mineral-felt roofing and a 15-year manufacturer’s guarantee. Modular construction – it comes flat-packed – means doors and windows can be placed anywhere. Measures (H)299x(W)355x(D)384cm, £2,799, via mydeco.com.

All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing
Featured in the July 2009 issue of Real Homes