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Fun and functional garden games rooms designed for entertainment and leisure — perfect for games, hangouts, and outdoor fun.
FREE Installation
Toughened Glass
Bespoke Options
Double Door Option
Garden Game showroom
Wooden Floor & Roof
Base Building Option
Apex or Pent
Garden Games Rooms at a Glance
Construction: Quality made-to-order timber garden rooms · Sizes: Compact to large family entertainment rooms · Insulation: Fully insulated and insulation options depending on model · Glazing: Toughened and double-glazed options depending on range · Styles: Apex, pent, transverse, traditional and contemporary designs.
Uses: Pool room, gaming room, home bar, cinema room, darts room, family entertainment space or multi-purpose retreat · Installation: Free installation or assembly on our main ranges · Finishes: Colour paint options available · Bases: Base-building options available · Customisation: Bespoke sizes, layouts, doors, windows and internal options available · See before you buy: Full-size garden rooms on display at our Surrey show site near Guildford and Woking.
Need advice? Our experienced team can help with games room size, insulation, layout, glazing, base requirements and installation before you order.
Why Trust 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
Choosing a garden building is an investment, so it's important to buy from a company you can rely on. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we've been helping customers find the right garden sheds, summerhouses, log cabins, garden offices and workshops
since 1979 when
Robin Antill opened the doors. As a
family-run business, we believe in offering honest advice rather than a hard sell. We take the time to understand what you need and help you choose a building that suits your garden, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
Our approach is reflected in our
4.9 Trustpilot rating, where customers regularly mention our friendly, helpful service. We only work with manufacturers we trust, selecting buildings that offer good quality, durability and value for money. Most are made from
FSC®-certified timber and built to cope with the British weather. If you'd rather see a building before you buy, you're welcome to visit one of the
UK's largest garden building display sites. 1st Choice – Known For Quality – Loved For Design - Since 1979
Being able to compare different models and talk things through with our experienced team helps many customers make the right decision. Since 1979, we've supplied over 50,000 buildings across the UK, building our reputation on quality products, straightforward advice and customer service you can depend on. We are always available to meet your needs or requirements so
contact us NOW if you would like help or advice.
We live quite far away; is it really worth visiting our show rooms? Absolutely!
We strongly urge anyone looking for a new building – whether it's a new garden shed, summerhouse, workshop, garage, or a full garden room – to
visit and inspect the quality in person before committing to any purchase.
Seeing the craftsmanship, materials and finishes for yourself is the best way to make a confident and informed decision.
Whilst we cannot display everything we offer, we have carefully selected around 80 different buildings that allow us to demonstrate almost every feature, design option, and construction detail in one form or another.
This allows you to compare styles, sizes and specifications, ask any questions you may have, and find the building that best suits your needs.
So, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting.
Click here to see what buildings on display. If you are unsure then
why not walk through our site virtually using our walk through tour below (or
click here to open in a new full screen window). Garden Games Rooms Designed for Playing, Entertaining and Relaxing
A garden games room gives you a dedicated place for pool, darts, table tennis, gaming, watching sport, entertaining friends or simply spending more time together as a family. Instead of giving up a dining room, spare bedroom or other space inside the house, you can create a purpose-designed entertainment room in the garden.
At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, our garden games rooms are available in a wide choice of sizes and designs, with standard and bespoke options to suit different gardens and uses. Current models range from compact 8 x 6 buildings through to substantially larger rooms up to 28 x 16, so the right choice depends less on the name of the building and more on what you actually intend to put inside it.
If the room will be used throughout the year, pay particular attention to insulation, glazing, heating, ventilation and the floor, wall and roof specification. Some models offer higher levels of insulation and double glazing as standard or as options, so always compare the complete specification rather than assuming two similarly sized garden games rooms are equivalent.
Quick answer: the best garden games room is one large enough for your chosen games and the space needed around them, built on a suitable level base and specified for the months of the year you intend to use it.
What Can You Use a Garden Games Room For?
There is no single correct layout. A good games room should be designed around the activities you enjoy now while leaving enough flexibility for the room to change as your family or interests change.
- Pool and snooker: allow for the dimensions of the table plus comfortable cueing space around every side.
- Darts: plan the throwing distance, wall protection and a clear area where people will not walk between the player and board.
- Table tennis: remember that the playing area needs to be considerably larger than the table itself.
- Console and PC gaming: consider sockets, broadband, ventilation, screen positions, desk depth and glare from windows.
- Home cinema and sports room: think about screen orientation, seating distance, sound, blinds and lighting before deciding where doors and windows should go.
- Garden bar and games room: allow enough room for the bar, stools, refrigeration or storage without compromising the playing area.
- Family entertainment room: combine games, comfortable seating, storage and perhaps a television to create a flexible room for different ages.
How Big Should a Garden Games Room Be?
Start with the equipment rather than the outside dimensions of the building. Measure the pool table, table-tennis table, gaming desk, sofa, bar or television unit you intend to use and then add the circulation and playing space needed around it. This simple exercise prevents one of the most common disappointments: buying a building that technically holds the equipment but does not leave enough room to use it properly.
Remember that quoted building sizes are normally nominal external dimensions. Internal usable space will be smaller because of the wall construction and lining, so check the actual internal measurements of the particular model before ordering large furniture or games equipment.
If size is the main factor in your decision, you can also compare garden rooms by size.
Garden Games Room Comparison: What Specification Do You Need?
| Feature | Occasional Leisure Use | Regular Games Room | Year-Round Entertainment Room |
| Insulation | May be optional depending on use | Worth considering for greater comfort | Recommended where the room will be regularly heated and used through winter |
| Glazing | Standard glazing may suit seasonal use | Better glazing improves comfort | Double glazing is preferable for regular all-season use |
| Heating | Often unnecessary in warmer months | Useful for spring and autumn | Plan an appropriate heating solution from the outset |
| Electrics | Lighting and basic sockets | Multiple sockets for TV and gaming equipment | Plan sockets, lighting, heating and data requirements together |
| Internet | You may not need it at all | Worth having for streaming, gaming and consoles | If you do need internet, make sure you can get a decent wired or wireless signal out to the room |
| Ventilation | An opening window is often enough | More important if the room will regularly have a few people in it | Don’t overlook ventilation when you’re thinking about insulation and heating – the room still needs to breathe |
| Internal layout | Simple flexible layout | Designed around main games or seating | Plan furniture, equipment, screens and circulation before manufacture |
There is no advantage in paying for features you will never use, but under-specifying a room that is intended for winter evenings can prove frustrating. Let us know how and when you expect to use the building, and we can help you compare suitable options.
Insulated or Uninsulated Garden Games Room?
If your games room is mainly for warm-weather use, a simpler building may meet your needs. If you envisage playing pool on a January evening, watching football with friends throughout the winter or using gaming equipment throughout the year, insulation becomes much more important.
Insulation does more than make a building warmer. In conjunction with suitable glazing, ventilation and heating, it helps create a more stable and comfortable internal environment. For a more detailed look at buildings specifically designed around thermal performance, see our insulated garden rooms.
Do not judge insulation by the word “insulated” alone. Ask what parts of the building are insulated, what materials are used and what is included in the floor, walls and roof. The complete construction matters.
Apex or Pent Roof for a Games Room?
An apex roof has a traditional pitched appearance and can provide a greater feeling of height towards the centre of the room. A pent roof slopes in one direction and is often chosen for a cleaner, more contemporary appearance. Neither is automatically better for games-room use; garden position, building height, appearance and the internal layout should influence the decision.
If you intend to position a tall arcade machine, projector, lighting system or other equipment inside, confirm the internal height available at the relevant point rather than relying only on the building’s maximum external height.
Bespoke Garden Games Rooms
A standard layout works well for many customers. Still, games rooms are particularly suited to bespoke design because doors and windows can interfere with tables, televisions and furniture if their positions are not considered carefully.
Depending on the building selected, options can include alternative sizes, window and door positions, cladding, coloured finishes, insulation and different internal specifications. If the exterior finish is particularly important, you may also want to compare our dedicated painted garden rooms.
For an awkward part of the garden, our corner garden rooms may also be worth comparing.
Need Games Space and Garden Storage?
One issue customers sometimes discover too late is that the lawn mower, garden furniture cushions, tools and children’s outdoor equipment still need somewhere to go. Putting them inside your new entertainment room soon turns a games room into an expensive storage shed.
If you need both leisure space and secure garden storage, consider a separate store or look at a garden room with an integrated side shed. Separating the two areas keeps the main room comfortable while making better use of the overall garden footprint.
Planning Electricity, Internet and Entertainment Equipment
Think about services before deciding the final internal layout. A modern garden gaming room may need more electrical capacity than expected once you include televisions, consoles, PCs, speakers, lighting, heating, refrigeration and device chargers.
Plan where screens, tables and seating will go first, then decide where sockets and lighting are required. This usually produces a much neater result than relying on extension leads after the room has been installed.
For online gaming or streaming, test the quality of the internet connection at the proposed garden location rather than assuming the signal inside the house will remain strong enough outdoors. Depending on distance and construction, a suitable Wi-Fi extension, mesh system or wired network connection may be needed.
Get the Base Right Before the Games Room Arrives
A substantial garden room needs a sound, level and appropriately constructed foundation. The base supports the entire building, helps maintain correct door and window operation and contributes to its long-term performance.
Do not choose a foundation purely because it is the cheapest option. The appropriate solution depends on the building, its size and weight, existing ground conditions and site access. Our detailed garden room base guide explains the main options and considerations.
Heavy games equipment is another reason to discuss the intended use in advance. A pool table, arcade machines, bar equipment and substantial furniture can add considerable internal weight, so make sure the proposed floor and base are appropriate for the planned contents.
Garden Games Room vs Summerhouse vs Standard Shed
| Building Type | Best Suited To | Points to Consider |
| Garden games room | Gaming, pool, darts, entertainment, bars, cinema and family leisure | Choose specification around comfort, equipment and expected frequency of use |
| Summerhouse | Relaxing, reading, entertaining and mainly leisure-focused use | Some specifications are more seasonal, although insulated versions are available |
| Standard garden shed | Storage, tools and general practical garden use | Normally designed around storage rather than all-season room comfort |
| Garden room with store | People needing entertainment space and separate garden storage | Requires enough overall footprint for both compartments |
Don’t get too hung up on what the building is called. What really matters is how it’s made and what you want to use it for. There’s a big difference between somewhere for the children to play through the warmer months and a properly insulated garden room you can comfortably use all year round. Work that out first, then compare the specification rather than the name on the brochure.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Garden Games Room
Buying to the Outside Size Instead of the Usable Space
Always check the usable internal dimensions. A pool table that fits inside the room is no use if there is insufficient space to take a shot comfortably.
Choosing the Equipment After Ordering the Building
It’s easy to order the building first and think about the equipment afterwards, but that can leave you short of space. Work out what you want in the room, check the size of each item and allow enough clearance around it for comfortable use. Once you know the space you actually need, you can choose a building that will suit it properly.
Underestimating the Need for Insulation
A games room may feel wonderfully warm when viewed during summer but very different on a winter evening. Specify the building for the coldest months in which you realistically intend to use it.
Forgetting About Ventilation
Several people, gaming equipment, televisions and heating can quickly change the internal environment. Insulation and ventilation need to work together rather than being considered separately.
Putting Windows in the Wrong Place
Large areas of glass look attractive but can create reflections on screens or occupy the wall where you later want a television, dartboard or storage. Plan the interior before finalising the elevations.
Not Planning Enough Electrical Sockets
It’s worth putting in more sockets than you think you’ll need. Once you’ve added lighting, pumps, heaters or other equipment, they soon get used up. A few extra sockets in the right places will keep things tidy and save you relying on extension leads later.
Ignoring the Foundation
The base is not the glamorous part of a games-room purchase, but it is one of the most important. Confirm base requirements before preparing the site.
Buying on Headline Price Alone
Compare what is actually included. Timber specification, floor, roofing, glazing, insulation, doors, installation, treatment and optional extras can make two apparently similar buildings very different propositions.
Not Seeing the Quality Before Buying
Photographs are useful, but they cannot fully show timber quality, door operation, wall construction or internal proportions. Where practical, inspect representative buildings before making a significant purchase.
Why Buy Your Garden Games Room from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
1st Choice Leisure Buildings has supplied garden buildings since 1979. Our approach is to help customers compare the construction, practical details and available options rather than simply choosing the first design that looks attractive online.
Our garden games room range includes redwood deal and LP® StrongCore™ clad options, with different specifications and upgrades available according to model. Bespoke sizes and layouts are also available, helping you design around the games, furniture and equipment you actually want to use.
You can view representative garden buildings at our Surrey display site near Guildford, Woking and Ripley, where seeing construction details and dimensions in person can make choosing between models considerably easier.
Garden Games Room Buying Checklist
- Decide the main use of the room before choosing a building.
- Measure every major item of equipment.
- Add the required playing and circulation space around it.
- Check actual internal dimensions, not only nominal building size.
- Decide whether the building will be used seasonally or throughout the year.
- Compare floor, wall, roof, glazing and insulation specifications.
- Plan electrical sockets, lighting, heating and internet access.
- Consider ventilation and solar gain through large glazed areas.
- Confirm that the base is suitable for the building and intended contents.
- Check access from the road to the installation position.
- Think about storage before filling the games room with garden equipment.
- Check planning requirements that apply to your particular property and intended use.
- Compare exactly what is included in the quoted price.
Do Garden Games Rooms Need Planning Permission?
Many domestic garden buildings can be installed under permitted development rights, but this should never be treated as an automatic guarantee that every garden games room is exempt from planning permission. Building height, location, the amount of land already covered by additions and other structures, the property itself and how the room will be used can all affect the position.
Additional restrictions may apply to listed buildings, designated land and other circumstances. Check the requirements that apply to your own property before installation rather than relying on a general rule of thumb.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Games Rooms
What is a garden games room?
A garden games room is a detached garden building designed primarily for indoor leisure activities such as pool, darts, table tennis, console gaming, watching television, entertaining or family recreation. The specification can range from a relatively simple seasonal room to an insulated building intended for regular year-round use.
What is the best size for a garden games room?
There is no universal best size. Work backwards from your largest equipment and the clearance needed around it. Pool and table-tennis rooms generally require more open floor space than a console gaming or cinema room.
Can you put a pool table in a garden room?
Yes, provided the room offers enough internal floor area for both the table and unrestricted cueing space around it and the floor and base are suitable for the weight involved. Obtain the dimensions and recommended playing area for your particular table before selecting the building.
Can a garden games room be used all year?
Yes, when it is specified appropriately. For regular winter use, consider insulation to the relevant parts of the building, suitable glazing, heating and ventilation. The precise specification varies between models, so confirm what is included before buying.
Can I have electricity in my garden games room?
Yes. Electricity is commonly used for lighting, televisions, games consoles, computers, heating and other equipment. Electrical installation should be properly designed and carried out in accordance with applicable requirements by a suitably qualified person.
Can I get Wi-Fi in a garden games room?
Yes. Depending on the distance from the house and the strength of the existing network, solutions can include Wi-Fi extenders, mesh networking or a wired data connection. Test the signal at the proposed building position before deciding what is required.
Can I use a garden games room as a bar?
A games room can be designed with a home bar area, seating, refrigeration and entertainment equipment. Plan these features before ordering so adequate floor space, sockets and ventilation can be incorporated without reducing the playing area too much.
Can a games room also be used as a home office?
Yes. A sufficiently large and appropriately specified building can serve more than one purpose, although the layout needs careful planning so desks, monitors and storage do not interfere with games equipment. If working from home is the main requirement rather than leisure, compare the dedicated prefab garden office and office shed ranges.
Are bespoke garden games rooms available?
Yes. Bespoke options can allow the size, layout and positions of doors and windows to be adapted to the intended room layout, subject to the construction and model selected.
How long can a garden games room last?
A well-built timber garden room can provide service for decades when correctly installed and maintained. Material quality, foundation, roof, ventilation, external protection and ongoing maintenance all influence lifespan. See our guide to how long garden rooms last for more detail.
Should I buy an insulated games room?
If you expect regular winter use, insulation is generally one of the first specifications to consider. If the building will only be used occasionally during warmer months, your requirements may be different. Compare the total construction rather than basing your decision solely on whether a product description uses the word insulated.
Should I visit a garden room showroom before buying?
For a substantial purchase, seeing representative buildings is valuable because you can compare construction, finishes, doors, windows and actual internal dimensions. 1st Choice has a display site near Guildford, Woking and Ripley in Surrey where customers can inspect a range of garden buildings before ordering.
Compare Other Garden Room Options
A games room is only one way of using an outdoor building. If your priorities change after considering the options, explore our main garden rooms and offices collection, compare insulated models, browse rooms by size, or look at combined rooms with storage. Each collection is intended to answer a different buying requirement, making it easier to compare the most relevant buildings rather than treating every garden room as the same product.
Start Planning Your Garden Games Room
The easiest way to choose well is to begin with a simple list: what will be inside the room, how many people will normally use it, which months you want to use it and how much garden space is available. From there, size, insulation, glazing, layout and other options become much easier to decide.
Browse the garden games rooms above, request a quotation or visit our Surrey display site to compare representative buildings in person. Bring the measurements of any pool table, games equipment, bar or furniture you want to include, and we can help you work out which building sizes and specifications are worth considering.
From £3928
