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How to buy the best garden room
Garden buildings can give you extra living space fast, providing a tranquil space for relaxation, a distraction-free working space or even a home gym.
They’re also pricey, so if you’re seriously considering one, finding the best type and deciding whether it's right for the way you plan to use it are essential.
Read on to discover how much you should expect to spend, the extras you should consider and whether it could add value to your home.
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How much does a garden room cost?
The amount you pay for a garden room can vary hugely depending on whether you’re looking for a small and basic self-assembled log cabin or a large and luxurious bespoke design, or somewhere in-between.
Cheaper options include traditional-looking wooden summer houses. You might be able to construct it yourself to keep costs down. If it's uninsulated, it will only be usable in warmer weather.
A garden room is generally a sturdier structure with double glazing, insulation and heating, so you can use it year-round. You might also want to include furnishings, electricity and a broadband connection.
Structures with concrete foundations will be part of your garden for many years to come, so it’s worth spending the time considering the best position for it.
A simple, uninsulated log cabin can cost around £3,000 to £5,000, presuming you assemble it yourself.
A more sturdy structure with insulation will typically cost you upwards of around £10,000. You might still be able to build it yourself as many firms sell flat-packed rooms.
We asked The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) for accurate cost data for building a garden room. These are indicative costs for the supply and installation of a typical, standard design attached garden rooms fitted on dwarf walls, steel frame and composite felt flat roof.
You can join Which? to access this cost data and all other member-only content across the site.
Before you buy, look at garden rooms from various sellers to get a good idea of the price for the structure you want. If you’re planning to hire a builder to create it from scratch, we recommend you get at least three quotes so you know the going rate for the job in your area.
Take care with any quotes that are substantially cheaper than others. Ask for them to be itemised so you can check exactly what the price includes. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable trader near you.
Find out whether you need planning permission for a garden room
Does a garden room add value to your home?
A garden room can be a great way to add additional living space separate from the main house, be it for entertainment, work or exercise. It can add value to your property, as well as adding to its general appeal and saleability, too.
It’s a pricey investment, though, so think carefully if you plan to sell your home soon.
The quality, size and how it fits within your garden are all important factors to think about. A poorly executed garden room, or one that takes up a significant amount of space in a small garden may even put some buyers off.
If you’re considering adding a garden room with a view to selling, consult an estate agent to get a better idea about your local market as well as their opinion on whether it’s a worthwhile investment for you.
Should you move or improve? Read: Property in 2025: should you buy, sell or stay put?
Types of garden room
- Composite garden rooms
- Bespoke garden rooms
- Contemporary garden rooms
- Glass garden rooms
- Prefab garden rooms
- Cheap garden rooms
- Corner garden rooms
Confident in your DIY skills? Find out how to build a garden room
What can garden rooms be used for?
The most popular uses for garden rooms, according to Which? members who already have one*, are:
- 31% Multi-purpose space
- 19% Entertaining and socialising
- 13% Hobbies, including arts, crafts and music
- 6% Home office - be inspired by our home office ideas
- 3% Home gym - read our advice on how to set up a home gym
Another 28% said they used it for something else, including a children's playroom, bar or games room. Some people have made them into a photography studio, yoga studio or observatory.
Garden rooms last a long time, so think about how you might adapt it in future. Members in our survey advised: ‘Think about how you might want to adapt its use over time and keep your future needs in mind as well as current ones.’
From home office to teenage hangout, check out 5 garden room ideas to help you make the most of yours
Insulated garden rooms and heating
Keeping your space warm enough in winter and cool enough in summer is crucial in determining how much you’ll use it.
The location – including whether it’s in full sun or in a shaded spot – plays a part in how warm it gets in summer. It’s possible to install air conditioning to keep the space cool, if you wish.
To use your room year-round, look for insulation, double glazing and some form of heating. Higher-spec rooms often come with oil radiators.
It’s also possible to install underfloor heating or have a wood burner. Think about the size of your room and the cost, to determine whether these are the best options for your space.
For heating engineers who can help you install underfloor heating for garden rooms and outdoor spaces, visit Which? Trusted Traders to find reliable traders near you.
For more on insulation, read our advice on how to insulate your home
Where to buy a garden room
DIY retailers, such as Homebase and Wickes, home-furnishing shops, garden centres and dedicated firms and websites sell a wide range of garden rooms between them. To make sure you’re buying a garden room that’s well built and safe, shop with trusted sellers online or in-store.
You can purchase a prefabricated garden room directly online from some popular retailers:
Otherwise, you can opt for a more bespoke retailer, who will tailor and build a garden room to meet your specifications.
Some popular bespoke retailers include:
Ideally, you’ll be able to look at a fully constructed garden room similar to the one you're planning so you can get a feel for it. If that’s not possible, make sure you have detailed plans or find out as much as you can before you buy.
Use our shopping online tips for how to stay safe and arrange refunds for faulty products.
Another option is to hire a carpenter or builder to create you a garden room from scratch. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable firm near you:
Where to put a garden room or summer house
The size of your outdoor space, and any trees and features, such as ponds, will affect where you can put your garden room.
‘People design their room from the outside, when in fact you should always design from the inside,' says Sue Phillips, sales and marketing director at SMART, which makes purpose-built garden offices and rooms. 'To start, think where is the best place in the garden to place it and where you want to sit to get the best views. From there you can work out the best places for the doors and windows.’
We also spoke to Which? members who have garden rooms, and they advised the following:
'Mark out the space you’re planning for it to occupy with bamboo canes in your garden so you can see what it would look like. Stand inside as well as outside to visualise what it will look like and what your view will be.'
'Look at where the sun is in your garden both in summer, winter, morning and afternoon to decide where you want to put it.'
'Putting it as far away from the house as possible ensures it feels like a separate space.'
Our garden room research
*In September 2020 we surveyed 11,539 Which? members about garden rooms, including 1,264 people who own one.