Garden Room or Garden Office – Which Do You Need?
Garden rooms and garden offices are similar buildings, but how you plan to use the space should determine the specification you choose. A garden room is ideal for a gym, studio, hobby room, games room, entertaining or simply somewhere to relax away from the house. A garden office is intended for regular home working, where you’ll be spending several hours at a time throughout the year. Here, good insulation, double glazing, heating, electricity, lighting and reliable internet connectivity become much more important. Choose the building based on how you’ll actually use it, not the name attached to it.
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Royal vs Platinum Garden Rooms – Which Should You Choose?
Our Royal and Platinum garden rooms both provide well-specified, insulated space for home working, hobbies and leisure use, but there are some important differences. Platinum Fleet and Odiham offer excellent value if you want an insulated, double-glazed garden room without moving to our premium specification. Royal goes further, with insulation to the walls, floor and roof, 28mm residential-style PVCu double glazing, larger size options and a higher overall specification.
| Feature | Royal Garden Rooms | Platinum Fleet / Odiham |
| Best suited to | Premium home offices, studios and garden rooms for frequent year-round use | Home offices, hobby rooms and leisure spaces where comfort and value are both important |
| Insulation | Walls, floor and roof fully insulated as standard | Walls and roof insulated as standard |
| Double glazing | 28mm residential-quality sealed units | 14mm double glazing |
| Doors and windows | Residential-style PVCu double-glazed doors and windows as standard | Double-glazed timber doors and windows as standard, with PVCu upgrades available on selected specifications |
| External cladding | Painted LP® StrongCore™ engineered cladding or pressure-treated timber options | Pressure-treated T&G shiplap or loglap timber options |
| Wall framing | Approx. 85mm × 34mm finished joinery-grade framework | Approx. 70mm × 34mm finished pressure-treated framework |
| Internal finish | Choice of T&G lining or white MDF lining depending on specification | Ply lining as standard, with T&G matchboard upgrade available |
| Floor | Heavy-duty timber floor with insulated construction; laminate flooring option available | Pressure-treated T&G timber floor |
| Roof covering | EPDM rubber roofing on pent models; alternative finishes depending on roof style | Heavy-duty roofing felt as standard, with alternative coverings available on selected models |
| Apex and pent options | Yes | Yes – Fleet is apex and Odiham is pent |
| Bespoke options | Extensive choice of sizes, doors, windows and layouts | Flexible door and window positions with bespoke options available |
| Standard sizes | Approx. 8×6 to 20×12 ft, with other sizes possible | Approx. 8×6 to 16×12 ft |
| Assembly | Free assembly included within applicable delivery areas | Free assembly included within applicable delivery areas |
| Starting price | From approx. £7,269–£7,869 depending on model | From approx. £4,931 |
| Overall | Our premium garden room specification | Excellent value insulated garden room |
Specifications, prices and available options vary between models and sizes. Always check the individual garden room specification before ordering.
Choose a Platinum Garden Room If...
Choose a Platinum Fleet or Odiham if you want a properly insulated, double-glazed garden room while keeping the initial cost lower. Both have insulated walls and roofs, internal lining and 14mm double glazing as standard, making them a good choice for a home office, hobby room or leisure space. Fleet gives you the traditional apex roof, while Odiham provides the more contemporary pent-roof alternative.
Choose a Royal Garden Room If...
Choose a Royal garden room if you expect to use the building regularly throughout the year and want our higher specification. The main advantages are insulation to the walls, floor and roof, residential-style 28mm PVCu double glazing, heavier construction and a wider choice of sizes and bespoke options. This makes Royal particularly well suited to permanent home offices, studios and larger multi-purpose garden rooms.
Which Is Better for a Home Office?
Both make very capable garden offices. For regular home working where price and year-round comfort are both important, a Platinum Fleet or Odiham may provide everything you need. If you'll be working in the office for long periods throughout the year, particularly during colder weather, we'd favour Royal for its insulated floor, 28mm glazing and higher overall specification.
Remember that insulation reduces heat loss but doesn't generate heat. Whichever building you choose, you'll normally need a suitable heater during colder weather, while ventilation and shading are worth considering for the summer.
Which Offers the Best Value?
Platinum offers the best value if your priority is getting a well-insulated, double-glazed garden room at the lowest initial price. Royal costs more, but you're paying for a higher specification rather than simply a different name: floor insulation, thicker residential-style glazing, heavier construction, larger size choices and more extensive bespoke options.
Royal or Platinum – Our Simple Guide
Choose Platinum if you want excellent value, insulated walls and roof, double glazing and a comfortable garden room without paying for specification you don't need. Choose Royal if you want our premium option, with walls, floor and roof insulation, 28mm PVCu double glazing, larger sizes and greater scope for a bespoke building.
Still unsure? Visit our Surrey garden building display site and compare the buildings and construction details in person, or browse our garden rooms and garden offices to compare the available models, sizes and prices.
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). 1st Choice Garden Office Buying Advice: What 47 Years Has Taught Us
We’ve been supplying garden buildings since 1979, and over 47 years we’ve learned that choosing the right garden office is about much more than picking a design you like. Size, insulation, natural light, positioning and how you intend to use the building all make a difference. Here’s some practical advice from the 1st Choice team based on the questions customers ask us and the considerations we discuss with people buying garden offices.
For one person:
Don’t automatically assume you need a large garden office. If you mainly need space for a desk, office chair, storage and perhaps an occasional visitor, a compact building can work extremely well. Before choosing, measure the furniture you intend to use and allow enough room to move comfortably around your desk. If possible, mark the proposed dimensions out in your garden so you can get a better feel for the space.
For year-round working:
If your garden office will be your main place of work year-round, insulation should be one of your priorities. Look beyond the word “insulated” and consider the complete building specification, including the walls, roof, floor, glazing and doors. Heating an office occasionally is very different from keeping it comfortable for eight hours a day in January, so choose a building designed for regular year-round use.
If your garden is north-facing:
Think carefully about natural light and where the windows and doors will be positioned. A garden office that receives limited direct sunlight can feel darker and may take longer to warm naturally, particularly during winter. Larger glazed areas can help maximise available daylight, while desk placement can make a surprisingly big difference to how pleasant the office feels during the working day.
If you’re close to a boundary:
Check the position and overall height of your proposed garden office before ordering. Planning rules for garden offices can affect what you can build close to a boundary, and the requirements may differ depending on the building’s height, location and intended use. You should also allow practical access around the building wherever possible for installation and future maintenance rather than simply choosing the largest building that will physically fit the available space.
If you spend all day on video calls:
Consider more than just broadband and a desk. Think about where daylight will fall, what will appear behind you on camera and whether glare from windows will affect your screen. Position your desk so you have useful natural light without sitting directly in front of a bright window, which can make video calls much more comfortable. It’s also worth planning sockets, lighting and internet connectivity before the office is installed.
If two people will regularly use the office:
Allow more space than simply fitting two desks side by side. Two people need comfortable chairs, storage, clear access and enough separation to work without constantly disturbing one another. This becomes particularly important when both people make telephone or video calls. Marking out the proposed office size and positioning both desks within it before ordering can prevent an expensive compromise later. Our prefab garden offices are available in a choice of sizes and specifications, making it easier to compare options for single or shared workspaces.
If you have a small garden:
Proportion matters. A well-chosen compact garden office can provide valuable working space without dominating the garden. Consider the view from your house as well as the view from inside the office, and allow for paths, planting, maintenance access and opening doors. Bespoke sizing can be particularly useful where a standard building would either waste valuable space or be slightly too large.
The most common mistake we see:
Underestimating how the garden office will actually be used. A building that seems spacious when empty can feel very different once you add a desk, chair, monitors, drawers, shelving and other equipment. Customers’ requirements can also change over time. If the office might eventually accommodate a second workstation, meeting table, hobby area or additional storage, it makes sense to consider that before settling on the size.
Our advice before you buy:
See garden offices in person whenever you can. Photographs and dimensions are useful, but walking inside a full-size building gives you a much better understanding of its proportions, construction, headroom, glazing and overall quality. At our Surrey show site, you can compare different buildings and talk through your requirements with us before deciding what is right for your garden.
After 47 years in the garden building business, one lesson stands out: there is no single “best” garden office for everybody. The right choice is the building that suits your garden, how you work and how you expect to use it in the years ahead. Our job at 1st Choice Leisure Buildings is to help you understand those differences and make an informed choice before you buy.
7 Garden Office Mistakes We’ve Seen Buyers Make Since 1979
After more than four decades of supplying garden buildings, we’ve seen what works well and, just as importantly, the decisions people sometimes wish they had made differently. A garden office is a significant investment, so getting the size, specification and position right before you order can make a considerable difference to how useful and comfortable the building is in the years ahead.
1. Choosing the Size Based on the Desk Alone
One of the easiest mistakes is to measure a desk, see that it fits and assume the garden office is large enough. In practice, you also need space for your chair to move backwards, storage, shelving, equipment and a comfortable route around the furniture. If two people will occasionally work together, or you expect visitors, consider that too.
Our advice is to mark out the proposed internal dimensions at home and position your furniture within that area, or draw everything to scale. An extra couple of feet can make the difference between an office that merely accommodates a desk and one that is genuinely comfortable to work in. You can compare our garden offices by size to see the different options available.
2. Buying for Summer When You’ll Be Working in Winter
A garden building can feel wonderful when viewed on a warm, sunny day, but a home office may be occupied in January as well as July. If you intend to work from the garden year-round, consider the full specification rather than appearance alone.
Insulation, glazing, doors, ventilation and heating all contribute to comfort. Insulation helps reduce heat transfer, but it does not produce heat, so an insulated garden office may still need an appropriate heat source during colder weather. Similarly, large glazed areas can make a room warmer in summer, so ventilation and shading are worth considering. Our garden room and office range includes buildings with different insulation and glazing specifications to suit different requirements.
3. Forgetting About the Space Around the Building
Customers naturally concentrate on the size of the garden office itself, but the space around it matters too. You may need access during installation and, with a timber building, sufficient room for future treatment and maintenance. Roof overhangs can also extend beyond the nominal wall dimensions.
Before choosing the largest building that will physically fit into a particular part of the garden, check the actual external dimensions and make sure there is practical access around it where required.
4. Underestimating the Importance of the Base
A high-quality garden office still needs a suitable foundation. The base should be firm, flat and level and capable of supporting the building correctly. Base problems can affect the structure’s alignment, including how doors and windows operate.
Don’t automatically assume an existing patio, paving or area of compacted ground will be suitable. The correct foundation depends on the size, weight and construction of the garden office, so establish the base requirements before the building arrives rather than treating the foundation as an afterthought. Our garden room base guide explains the different options in more detail.
5. Planning Electricity and Internet Too Late
It is easy to concentrate on the building and leave electricity and internet connectivity until afterwards. Before installation, think about where your desk will sit and where you will need sockets, lighting, heating, computer equipment and other electrical items.
Internet access deserves the same attention. Wi-Fi that works perfectly inside the house may be less reliable at the bottom of the garden. Depending on the distance and construction of your property, a mesh system or suitable network cabling may provide a more dependable connection. If your working day involves video meetings or transferring large files, connectivity should be part of the initial plan.
6. Choosing the Position for Looks Alone
The most attractive position is not always the most practical. Think about the direction of the sun, privacy, views from inside the office, access from the house and how services will reach the building. Large windows facing strong afternoon sunshine, for example, can affect the internal temperature during warmer months.
Also look above and around the proposed location. Overhanging trees and vegetation can make maintenance more difficult, while poor drainage or water collecting around the building is something you want to identify before installation rather than afterwards.
7. Comparing Garden Offices on Price Rather Than Specification
Two garden offices of apparently identical dimensions can be very different buildings. Wall, floor, and roof construction, timber specification, insulation, glazing, doors, finishes, delivery, and installation can all influence the final price and how the building performs.
When comparing quotations, check exactly what is included rather than looking only at the headline figure. A lower initial price isn’t necessarily better value if achieving the specification you need means adding insulation, glazing, finishes, or installation later. If possible, it’s also worth seeing buildings in person; you can visit our Surrey garden building display site to compare different buildings, materials and specifications.
The Best Garden Office Is the One That Fits How You Work
One lesson we’ve learned from supplying garden buildings since 1979 is that there isn’t a single specification that’s right for everyone. Someone working from home five days a week has different requirements from somebody who wants somewhere quiet to use occasionally, and a one-person office does not need the same layout as a room combining work, hobbies and family use.
Start with what you will actually do inside the building, then work backwards to the size, insulation, glazing, position and services you need. Getting those practical decisions right before ordering is far more important than simply choosing the biggest building or highest specification your budget allows.
What Size Garden Office Do I Need?
Choosing the right size garden office depends on how many people will use the space, the furniture you need and whether the room will have more than one purpose. A compact garden office can provide everything needed for comfortable home working, while larger buildings give you extra room for storage, meetings, exercise equipment or hobby space. The table below provides a simple starting point when deciding which size is likely to suit your needs.
| Use | Typical starting size | Suitable for |
| Compact 1-person office | 8×6 ft | Desk, chair and small storage |
| Comfortable 1-person office | 10×8 ft | Larger desk, chair and cabinets |
| 2-person office | 12×8 / 12×10 ft | Two desks plus storage |
| Office + meeting area | 14×10 ft+ | Desk plus seating or meeting space |
| Office + gym/hobby use | 16×10 ft+ | Flexible multi-purpose layout |
Or you can start by considering what will actually need to fit inside the building and how you intend to move around the space. For a garden office, measure your desk, chair and storage furniture and allow sufficient room to work comfortably. For a garden gym, consider the space required to safely use exercise equipment rather than simply the dimensions needed to store it. For an entertainment or family room, think about seating, tables, televisions, cabinets and any other furniture you plan to include.
You should also consider the external space required around the garden room. Access may be needed for installation, maintenance and timber treatment, and the roof can project beyond the nominal wall dimensions. Drawing a simple floor plan to scale before ordering can help prevent an expensive mistake and make it easier to choose the correct size.
How Much Does a Garden Room Cost?
Our garden rooms currently start from around £3,249, while fully insulated and double glazed Platinum Fleet and Odiham models start from £4,931 and premium Royal garden rooms start from around £7,269. Final prices depend on size, specification and optional features.
These prices include free assembly onto your prepared base. If you need help with that,or any other service in relation to your garden room we can help and make this ‘worry’ free
A compact garden building intended mainly for seasonal leisure use will normally cost less than a fully insulated, double-glazed garden office designed for regular year-round occupation.
When comparing garden room prices, always check exactly what is included rather than comparing the headline price alone.
Garden Rooms at a Glance
Uses: Home office, hobby room, studio, gym, games room, entertainment space or garden retreat.
Sizes: Compact garden rooms through to large multi-purpose buildings, with bespoke dimensions available on selected ranges.
Insulation: Uninsulated, optional insulation and fully insulated garden rooms depending on the range.
Glazing: Toughened and double-glazed options are available depending on the building.
Roof styles: Contemporary pent and traditional apex designs.
Finishes: Natural timber and factory-painted garden rooms across selected ranges.
Installation: Professional assembly is available, with FREE installation included on qualifying ranges.
Customisation: Bespoke sizes, layouts and configurations are available on selected ranges.
Specifications vary between ranges, so always check the individual product page for the exact construction, glazing, insulation, delivery and installation details.
Which Garden Room Is Right for You?
The best garden room is not necessarily the largest or most expensive. Start with how you intend to use the building, how frequently you will use it and whether you need comfortable year-round space. A room used occasionally for relaxing during warmer months has very different requirements from a home office occupied for several hours every working day.
For regular or year-round use, pay particular attention to insulation, glazing, ventilation and heating. If the room will be an office, also plan electricity, lighting, internet connectivity, desk positioning and storage. Multi-purpose rooms need enough flexibility for furniture or equipment to be rearranged, while an integrated storage area can be useful if you need both usable room space and somewhere for tools, bicycles or garden equipment.
Garden Room or Garden Office: What’s the Difference?
A garden room is a general term for an additional room in the garden and can be used as an office, gym, studio, hobby room, games room or leisure space. A garden office is essentially a garden room selected and configured specifically for working from home.
The important difference is therefore the specification you need. For occasional use, a general garden room may be sufficient. For regular office or year-round use, concentrate on insulation, glazing, heating, ventilation, electricity and reliable internet access rather than appearance alone.
Can You Use a Garden Room All Year?
Yes, a suitably specified garden room can be used throughout the year. For regular winter use, particularly as a home office, consider the complete building specification rather than insulation alone. Walls, floor, roof, glazing, doors, draught resistance, ventilation and heating can all affect comfort.
Insulation reduces heat transfer but does not generate heat, so an appropriate heat source may still be required during colder weather. During summer, ventilation and shading can also be important, particularly where the building has large areas of glazing.
What Size Garden Room Do I Need?
Start by considering what needs to fit inside and how much space you need to move around comfortably. For an office, measure your desk, chair and storage; for a gym, allow enough room to safely use equipment rather than simply store it; and for an entertainment or family room, consider sofas, tables, televisions, cabinets and other furniture.
Also allow sufficient external space for installation and future maintenance, remembering that roof dimensions can extend beyond the nominal wall size. Drawing a simple floor plan to scale before ordering is one of the easiest ways to check that your chosen size will work.
| Use | Typical starting size | Suitable for |
| Compact 1-person office | 8×6 ft | Desk, chair and small storage |
| Comfortable 1-person office | 10×8 ft | Larger desk, chair and cabinets |
| 2-person office | 12×8 / 12×10 ft | Two desks plus storage |
| Office + meeting area | 14×10 ft+ | Desk plus seating or meeting space |
| Office + gym/hobby use | 16×10 ft+ | Flexible multi-purpose layout |
Choosing the Best Position for Your Garden Room
Choose a position that gives you the right balance of sunlight, privacy, views and easy access. Large areas of glazing facing strong afternoon sun can make a garden room warmer in summer, while the position of doors and windows can make a significant difference to privacy and the view from inside.
Allow enough space around the building for installation and future maintenance. Keep overhanging branches and vegetation away from the walls and roof, and make sure water cannot collect around or beneath the building.
If you are planning a garden office, also think about how electricity and internet will reach the room. Deciding this before installation is usually much easier than adding services afterwards.
What Base Does a Garden Room Need?
A garden room needs a firm, flat and level base capable of supporting the weight of the building. The correct foundation helps keep the structure properly aligned and allows doors and windows to operate as intended.
The most suitable base will depend on the size, weight and construction of your chosen garden room. Don’t assume that an existing patio, paving or compacted ground will automatically be suitable.
See our garden room base guide for the different foundation options and what to consider before installation.
Do Garden Rooms Need Planning Permission?
Many garden rooms can be installed without planning permission under permitted development rights, but this isn’t automatic.
The rules can depend on the height and position of the building, its proximity to boundaries, how much of the land around the original house is already covered and how you intend to use the room. Different restrictions can also apply to listed properties, conservation areas and other designated land.
Using a garden room as a normal home office does not automatically mean that planning permission is required. More intensive business use involving employees, customers, regular deliveries, noise or additional traffic may be treated differently.
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate requirements, so check what applies to your property before ordering.
Read our garden room planning permission guide for a more detailed explanation.
Electricity, Heating and Internet for a Garden Room
Unless it is specifically included in the product specification, don’t assume that a garden room includes an electrical installation.
Before installation, think about where you will need sockets, lighting and heating, as well as power for computers, televisions, exercise equipment or anything else you intend to use in the room. An appropriately qualified person should carry out electrical work.
Internet access can usually be extended using Wi-Fi, a mesh system or network cabling. For a garden office used for video calls, cloud applications, or large file transfers, consider a reliable connection when deciding both the building specification and its position in the garden.
For year-round use, look beyond heating alone. Insulation, glazing, doors and ventilation all affect how comfortable and economical the room will be. You can compare suitable options in our range of insulated garden rooms and offices.
Timber, Painted and Bespoke Garden Rooms
Timber garden rooms offer a natural appearance and plenty of choice in size, style and specification. Like any external timber building, the exterior needs appropriate maintenance to protect it from the weather.
Our factory-painted garden rooms arrive with a professionally applied finish, giving you a completed appearance from the outset. However, painted surfaces will still require maintenance over time.
If standard dimensions don’t suit your garden or intended layout, take a look at our bespoke modular garden rooms. Depending on the model, options can include alternative dimensions, repositioned doors and windows, different internal layouts and combinations of garden room and storage space.
See Our Garden Rooms Before You Buy
Photographs and specifications can tell you a lot, but seeing a full-size garden room makes it much easier to judge its quality, proportions and usable internal space.
At our Surrey garden building display site, you can compare different garden room sizes, roof styles, doors, windows, glazing and finishes, as well as insulated and non-insulated buildings.
It is also a useful opportunity to stand inside different sizes before ordering. A garden office that looks large enough from the outside can feel quite different once you allow space for a desk, chair, storage, and other furniture.
Garden Room Buying Checklist
Use: Decide what you will primarily use the garden room for, such as a home office, gym, studio, hobby room or general-purpose space.
Frequency: Consider whether the room will be used occasionally or every day throughout the year.
Size: Check that your desk, furniture, gym equipment or other items will fit comfortably while leaving enough space to move around.
Insulation: Decide whether you need a fully insulated garden room for regular year-round use.
Glazing: Check that the doors, windows and glazing specification are suitable for how often and when you intend to use the room.
Position: Consider sunlight, views, privacy, surrounding vegetation and drainage before deciding where the building will go.
Services: Plan how electricity, heating and internet will reach the building before installation.
Base: Make sure you have a suitable firm, flat and level foundation capable of supporting the building.
Access: Check that there is sufficient access to your garden for delivery and professional installation.
Planning: Check any relevant planning permission and Building Regulations requirements before ordering.
Maintenance: Understand what maintenance the timber, paint finish, roof and other external components will require.
What’s included: Check exactly what is included in the price, delivery and professional installation before comparing one garden room with another.
Comparing garden rooms on these points is more useful than comparing headline prices alone.
Garden Room FAQs
We’ve been supplying garden buildings since 1979, so we’ve answered most garden room questions more than a few times. Here are straightforward answers to some of the questions customers commonly ask us before buying.
What Is a Garden Room?
A garden room is a separate building in your garden designed to provide useful additional space without extending your house. It can be used as a home office, gym, studio, hobby room, games room or general-purpose room.
Modern garden rooms can include insulation, double glazing, higher-specification doors and windows, painted finishes and other features designed to make them more comfortable than a traditional garden shed.
What’s the Difference Between a Garden Room and a Garden Office?
A garden room is a general-purpose outdoor room, while a garden office is a garden room chosen and equipped specifically for working from home.
For occasional leisure use, you may not need the same specification as someone working in the building eight hours a day. For a regularly used garden office, we’d prioritise good insulation and glazing, suitable heating and ventilation, enough electrical sockets and a reliable internet connection.
How Much Does a Garden Room Cost?
Garden room prices vary considerably according to size, construction, insulation, glazing, doors, windows, finish and installation requirements.
When comparing prices, look at the complete specification rather than the headline figure alone. A cheaper building may not include the same insulation, glazing, finish, delivery or professional installation as another model.
See our garden room cost guide for a detailed explanation of what affects the price.
Can a Garden Room Be Used All Year?
Yes, if you choose a specification suitable for year-round use.
For regular use during winter, we’d recommend insulation to the walls, roof and floor together with good-quality doors and glazing. Some form of heating will normally still be required during colder weather.
Summer comfort matters too. Opening windows, ventilation, glazing, and the building’s position can all affect how warm the room becomes on sunny days. Our insulated garden rooms are a good starting point if you expect to use the building regularly throughout the year.
What Is the Best Insulation for a Garden Office?
Don’t compare garden offices on insulation material or thickness alone. The thermal performance of the whole building matters.
Wall insulation will have limited benefit if significant heat is being lost through the roof, floor, doors or glazing. For regular year-round working, start with a properly insulated garden room or office and compare the complete wall, roof, floor, glazing and door specification.
What Size Garden Office Do I Need?
For a compact one-person garden office, an 8 x 6 ft building can work. For a more comfortable one-person office with additional storage and space to move around, we’d normally consider 10 x 8 ft.
For two people working from the same garden office, we’d normally start at around 12 x 8 ft or 12 x 10 ft. If you also need a meeting or seating area, consider 14 x 10 ft or larger.
If the building needs to combine an office with a gym, hobby area or other use, 16 x 10 ft or larger will usually give you considerably more flexibility.
These aren’t fixed rules. Desk size, storage, door positions and how much space you need behind your chair can make a substantial difference. Compare our garden offices by size to see the available options.
Does a Garden Room Add Value to a House?
A well-designed garden room can make a property more attractive to buyers by providing usable additional space without taking a room away from the main house.
A proper home office, gym or studio may be particularly appealing, but there is no reliable percentage that applies to every property. The value will depend on the quality and condition of the garden room, your property and the local housing market.
Read our guide to garden rooms and property value for more information.
How Long Does a Garden Room Last?
A good-quality garden room that is properly installed and maintained can last for decades, although its lifespan will depend on its construction, materials, exposure and maintenance.
For timber garden rooms, keep exterior treatment or paintwork in good condition, prevent vegetation from growing against the walls and deal with roof, seal or drainage problems promptly.
Our guide to how long garden rooms last explains the main factors affecting longevity.
How much does a garden room cost?
Garden room prices vary depending on size, construction, insulation and specification. Our garden rooms start from £3,249, with insulated and double-glazed options available for comfortable year-round use. For more information, see our guide to garden room and garden office costs.
Do garden offices need planning permission?
Many garden offices can be installed without planning permission under Permitted Development rules. However, this depends on the building’s size, height, position and how it will be used, so you should always check the requirements for your property.
What size garden office do I need for one person?
For one person, a compact garden office can provide plenty of space for a desk, chair and storage. An 8ft x 6ft garden office or 8ft x 8ft garden office can work well, while a larger size gives you more room for shelving, equipment or occasional visitors.
Do your garden rooms include installation?
Yes. Our garden rooms include free professional installation, helping ensure your new building is assembled correctly on a suitable prepared base. You can also read our garden room base guide for advice on preparing a suitable foundation.
Can you make a garden room to a bespoke size?
Yes. Many of our garden rooms and offices can be made in bespoke sizes to suit your garden and available space. We can also offer different layouts, finishes and options depending on the model.
More Information In Our Help Articles and Blogs
Our garden room and garden office articles are packed with practical advice to help you plan, build, improve and look after your outdoor space. Whether you are considering planning permission, choosing the right base, comparing costs, improving insulation and heating, dealing with condensation or making your garden office more secure, these guides provide useful information for homeowners. Explore the articles below for straightforward advice covering everything from planning and construction to maintenance, security and long-term use.
Garden Room Planning Permission Guide – Learn when planning permission may be required for a garden room and the important rules and restrictions to consider before installation.
Garden Room Base Ideas & Guide – Explore suitable base options for garden rooms and why a strong, level foundation is important for a secure and long-lasting building.
Garden Room Insulation & Heating Guide – Discover how insulation and heating can help make your garden room comfortable and practical throughout the year.
Garden Room Costs & Ways to Save – Understand the main costs involved in creating a garden room and explore practical ways to keep your project within budget.
How Much Does a Garden Office Cost? – Find out what affects the cost of a garden office in the UK, from size and specification to installation and additional features.
DIY vs Professional Garden Room Costs – Compare DIY and professionally installed garden rooms to understand the potential costs, savings and considerations of each approach.
Garden Office Security Guide – Explore practical ways to improve garden office security and help protect valuable equipment, documents and personal information.
Can a Garden Room Be Attached to a House? – Learn what to consider when positioning a garden room next to or attaching one to your home, including practical and planning considerations.
Preventing Garden Office Condensation – Discover ways to reduce condensation and moisture in a garden office and help protect the building, furnishings and equipment inside.
Can Garden Offices Be Moved? – Find out whether a garden office can be relocated and the key practical considerations involved in dismantling, moving and reinstalling the building.
From £4931
