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A Beginner’s Guide to Maintaining a Wooden Garden Room This Summer

Practical, versatile, and stylish, it’s easy to understand why wooden garden rooms have become immensely popular in the UK over the last few years. These stunning buildings for outdoor spaces have proved they can be used for almost anything, from home offices and living areas to workshops, art studios, and more. 

But, if you want to get year-round use from your own garden room, you have to do some work to maintain it. This includes during the summer, when you might feel like it doesn’t need touching.
As experts in the creation of precision-crafted oak frame garden rooms, we know exactly what needs to be done to keep one in its best condition. Explore our beginners’ guide to maintaining every part of your garden room this summer below, or start browsing our selection of ready-made designs.

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Inspecting and Cleaning the Exterior

A clean and well-maintained exterior is crucial for the longevity and appeal of your garden room. You should start by inspecting it for any signs of damage, such as cracks, rot, or pest infestations. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent further deterioration. 

Make sure you’re using appropriate methods and products for each surface when cleaning. This includes the roof, walls, windows, and doors. Regular cleaning not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also ensures proper functionality by keeping dirt at bay. If your design has gutters, you should ensure these are emptied of leaves and other debris as well to prevent flooding later.

Inspecting and Cleaning the Interior

Cleaning and maintaining the interior of your garden room is equally important for a comfortable and enjoyable space. You should start by dusting and vacuuming regularly to remove any dirt or debris. Pay attention to areas that often accumulate dust, such as corners, shelves, and furniture. Wipe down surfaces, including windows, countertops, and furniture, using the appropriate cleaning products. 

For wooden surfaces, you might consider using a gentle wood cleaner to help maintain their natural beauty. It will also ensure they continue to complement the timeless appeal of your timber exterior. Additionally, check for any signs of moisture or humidity and take steps to address them promptly to prevent mould or mildew from forming.

Insulated Garden Rooms

Having a fully insulated garden room can help prevent the growth of mould or mildew. Insulation plays a crucial role in regulating temperature and moisture levels inside a space. It creates a more stable and controlled environment, minimising condensation and excess moisture. 

When you decide to build your garden room with us, having it insulated to make it weather-resistant is part of the standard design. This will help your space to remain long-lasting and won’t detract from the traditional appeal you’re aiming for.

Insulation also helps to improve ventilation and airflow, allowing for better air circulation and reducing the chances of dampness. We’ll talk about this more in the section below.

Maintaining Ventilation and Airflow

Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable environment and preventing overheating in your garden room. Good airflow helps to regulate temperature and reduce humidity levels. Consider the different ventilation options you’ve got available, such as windows, vents, or fans, to maximise air circulation. This is especially important in the height of summer, when you’re likely to be using your garden room and want to keep cool.

Opening windows strategically can create cross ventilation, allowing fresh air to flow through the space.  You can also open windows and doors on opposite sides of your room to encourage a refreshing breeze to pass through.

Managing Sunlight and Shade

Controlling sunlight in your garden room is essential. Excessive sun can cause discomfort and fade your furniture.

To manage sunlight effectively, consider installing blinds, curtains, or shades that allow you to control the amount of sunlight entering the space. These window treatments not only provide privacy, but also help regulate the temperature, protect you and your loved ones from becoming burned, and mean your furniture won’t be exposed to harmful UV rays. 

Additionally, external shading solutions like awnings or pergolas can be utilised to minimise direct sunlight exposure. This creates a comfortable, shaded area outside your garden room as well.

Preserving the Wood and Finishes

Regular maintenance is crucial for preserving the condition of your wooden garden room in the face of weathering and deterioration. To keep your surfaces top-quality, clean them regularly using gentle cleaning solutions and a soft brush or cloth. You can also apply protective coatings or stains to create a barrier that prevents sun damage and moisture absorption. 

All English Heritage Buildings garden rooms come pre-treated for your convenience. As such, you shouldn’t have to worry about this step too much for a long time to come if you’ve decided on a beautiful bespoke garden room from us. 

Landscaping

The surrounding landscape plays a significant role in the maintenance and appearance of your garden room. Regular landscaping tasks are essential to ensure its longevity and aesthetic appeal. Trim trees and shrubs to prevent overgrowth and potential damage to your structure. You can also clear debris, such as fallen leaves or branches, to maintain a clean environment. 

Proper drainage is crucial if you want to prevent water pooling, which can lead to moisture-related issues. When selecting plants, choose those that complement the garden room’s style but also require minimal maintenance, such as drought-tolerant varieties. By maintaining the surrounding landscape, you can enhance the beauty of your garden room as a whole.

Preserving the Charm of Your Wooden Garden Room

Ensuring the longevity and appeal of your wooden garden room is straightforward with these key strategies. 

Regular inspection and cleaning of the exterior, coupled with prompt attention to any damages, is crucial. Ensuring good ventilation aids in maintaining a pleasant atmosphere while proper sunlight and shade management helps control indoor temperature and safeguard your furnishings. And with regular upkeep of the wood and finishes, and attention to the surrounding landscape, you’ll not only enhance your garden room’s overall appeal but also avert potential issues. 

With these proactive measures, your garden room remains an inviting outdoor haven for relaxation and leisure.

Upgrade Your Garden Room With Our Specialist Services

If you don’t already have a garden room to enjoy and maintain, we have a wide variety of high-quality designs already for sale. English Heritage Buildings are committed to providing master craftsmanship through premium-grade, sustainable materials by building you a bespoke room to meet your needs and specifications. 

For a garden office, garden studio, garden gym, or any other ideas you have in mind, our large and small garden rooms can be tailored to suit you. Contact us for a quote or to start placing an order for your new, easily maintained outdoor living space today.

Oak Quality Requirements

We pride ourselves on the quality of our products, and the quality control used to ensure a consistently strong, durable, and truly aesthetically pleasing structure begins with the oak we use. 

Our team of experienced carpenters and timber graders will thoroughly inspect and grade all timber that arrives in our workshops before any of it is used in our manufacturing process. This process will involve ensuring the wood we are using meets a series of standards we expect of fresh green oak beams.

Fresh Green Oak Beams Standards

The following requirements must be met, plus any additional ones specified on our purchase order and/or timber list:

1. Sawn timber with sharp edges.
2. Tolerance of small quantities of sound sapwood on two edges maximum, covering less than 30% of the width of the faces and edges.
3. Sound knots are accepted if the diameter is below 50% of the total width for timber cross-section size >20000mm2 or 25% of the total width for timber cross-section size < 20000mm2 (reduced to 20% for all timber cross-section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list). Knots accumulative if longitudinal separation is less than twice the width or 300mm (whichever is the lesser) or when the grain has not fully recovered.
4. Grain angle not exceeding 1 in 4 for timber cross-section size > 20000mm2 or 1 in 10 for timber cross-section size < 20000mm2 (amended to 1 in 12 for all timber cross-section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list).
5. Heart splits & frost is accepted on ends if they are beyond the ordered length.
6. Dimensions width & depth tolerance – 0mm + 5mm. Length – 0mm + mm.
7. Distortion, Bow not more than 10mm over 2m in length, Spring 8mm over length of 2m, Twist not greater than 1mm per 25mm width in 2m.
8. Unnatural staining from machinery is tolerated up to 10% of each face.
9. Timber with the following defects will not be accepted:
   • Woodworm
   • Bug holes
   • Heart shaking
   • Soft knots
   • Inner bark, black vein
   • Wane
   • Brown Stain
   • Brown heart
   • Ring shake

You can see some examples of timber defects below:

A Simple Guide to Garden Room Bases

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How Much Does a Garden Room Cost?

A garden room is a wonderful way to utilise your outdoor space and add value to your home. When planning a garden room, your budget should be a major consideration during the initial planning stages. Our bespoke range of oak framed garden rooms will vary in price depending on size and specifications. We also build bespoke garden rooms for customers, offering upfront quotes based on their designs. Any build from our range of new garden rooms will cost somewhere between £5,000 and £30,000.

For a more accurate evaluation of your project, we recommend getting in touch. Our team will be happy to calculate an expected price so that you can move on to the next stages of the process.

What is Included in the Cost of Your Garden Room?

When you choose a timber-framed garden room from English Heritage Buildings, we ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. Included in the cost of your garden room is:

• A durable, moisture-resistant garden room built for easy maintenance
• A 10-year guarantee and refundable deposit if planning permission is not obtained
• Full installation by third-party contractors 
• Complete customisability to better suit the architectural features of your home
• A highly respected BM TRADA Q-Mark certification on all buildings
• Nationwide delivery

An Ethically Sourced and Eco-Friendly Garden Room

It is important to be environmentally-conscious in our day-to-day lives – especially when implementing home improvements. We share these concerns, ensuring that all oak timber in our garden rooms is sustainably sourced from managed French woodlands. This guarantees that we receive the very best cuts of oak, from trees cultivated to grow tall and straight, limiting waste during the manufacturing process. For every tree we use to craft a bespoke garden room, more will be planted, ensuring both quality and sustainability every time we acquire new materials.

Extra Costs to Budget for When Building a Garden Room

When budgeting for a new garden room, there is a lot more to consider than just the cost of the garden room itself. Do you require extra soundproofing? Will your garden room need electrical connections installed? How many extra windows and doors do you want, and what kind? Will you need double or triple glazing? And when it comes to building your garden room in your outdoor space, will the area need levelling or landscaping? Then, once everything is built and ready, you’ll need to consider the costs of your interior design needs.

Extra costs can also apply depending on your intended use for a garden room. If you intend to use your garden room as a home office, gym, or studio, you are free to do so at no extra cost. However, if you are planning to use your garden room as a self-contained living space, with a working kitchen and bathroom, there could be extra planning permission fees that you need to take into consideration.

If you are looking for a home extension specifically, as opposed to a traditional garden room, you can read more about the rules and regulations here, as well as our range of prices.

Our Price Match Guarantee on Garden Rooms

Here at English Heritage Buildings, we want you to get the best possible quality at the lowest possible price. This is why we have introduced our price match guarantee. In order to be eligible for this offer, we require an official copy of a competitor’s quote (which includes a fixed price for structural calculations and no chance of the price rising after the quote has been confirmed), and the competitor must align with our specifications and guarantees. Added costs for groundwork, assembly, or roofing are not covered by our price match guarantee.
We never want you to have to compromise on your garden room design, especially due to cost. This is why our budget support also stretches to financing options as well. We have partnered with Pegasus to offer generous and reliable personal financing to all of our customers.

Is a Garden Room a Good Investment?

We believe that adding a garden room to your property is a fantastic investment for two reasons. One, garden rooms from English Heritage Buildings offer excellent value for money, in both their Q-Mark quality and long-term durability. And two, our attractive garden rooms add value to your home as a whole, which is desirable if you are planning to sell in the future.

Purchase Your Dream Garden Room Today

Our oak timber framed garden rooms are premium additions to your home, creating new spaces to enliven your lifestyle and share time with loved ones. With an expansive range of designs to choose from alongside wholly bespoke options, we can work with you to craft your ideal garden office or studio at a competitive price. Get in touch with a member of our team today to start work on your new garden room.

Garden Room Flooring Ideas: Our Top 7 Picks

Are you currently in the planning stage of garden room development? Or maybe you already have a stunning garden room but are now looking to install some new flooring? Well, we know how difficult it can be to choose the right kind, with so many out there – and each with its own unique benefits and uses. So we have put together this handy guide to inspire your decision-making and give you an overview of the garden room flooring available.

How to Choose the Right Garden Room Flooring

The last thing you want to do is waste time and money choosing and fitting the wrong kind of flooring for your garden room. Before you make your choice, make sure you have considered the following:

• The intended use of your garden room: The single most important consideration is the function of your garden room. Is it a garden office or a home gym? An additional living space or a games room? Each variation requires different levels of comfort and durability.

• The option for underfloor heating in your garden room: Most flooring materials can be fitted atop underfloor heating systems, but it is important to decide on your UFH and flooring type together, as the two work together in different ways. You could choose electric UFH which costs more to run but is better for single rooms, warm water buried UFH for its cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency, or perhaps warm water surface-mounted UFH for a more expensive but easier-to-install system.

• The overall budget for your garden room: Naturally, some garden room flooring is going to be more expensive than others. So consult your project budget and decide accordingly. For example, if you cannot afford natural stone or hardwood, or would prefer a more environmentally-friendly option, you can always opt for laminate as a suitable and cost-effective alternative.

• The aesthetic of your garden room: Of course style is a factor, but one that should be thought about after the main points have been addressed. Some garden room flooring lends itself to a traditionally decorated space, with classic or heritage furnishings. Other garden room flooring is better suited to sleek and modern spaces, with minimalist design and mono-tone colour palettes. Your flooring will either enhance or detract from your overall decor – make sure it is the former.

7 Garden Room Flooring Ideas and How to Use Them

1. Hardwood Flooring

Real wood is a solid choice for most garden rooms, especially our oak frame builds. Oak, maple, and cherry are strong and durable options, ideal for garden offices and living spaces. You can opt for regular or slim wood floorboards, depending on your style, and a luxurious varnished finish. Alternatively, you can try the stripped-back look that limewashing provides, perfect for rustic or bohemian decor. Plus, with a choice rug or two, you can still add a pop of colour and personality to your space. Engineered wood is also a viable, cost-effective option made from wood fibres.

2. Stone Flooring

Though quite expensive, stone flooring is a stunning choice for garden room flooring. Stone is, of course, extremely hard-wearing, and would be perfect for both your indoor and outdoor space. In fact, stone is a brilliant way to bring some outside in and can make for a truly natural look. You can also try stone tiles if your garden room has more of a modern aesthetic, or if you would like a more unique look.

3. Marble Flooring

Similar to stone in its durability, marble flooring is a perfectly durable option for your garden room floors. Real marble floors are one of a kind in their look and come in countless colours and shades. They also work beautifully as tiles, suiting conservatory-style garden rooms best, or any garden room that is aiming for an exquisite and luxurious feel in its decor.

4. Ceramic Tile Flooring

Out of all our flooring ideas, tiles come in possibly the largest range of styles, shapes, and sizes. For real individuality and a truly timeless feel, ornate ceramic tiles are the way to go. But looks aside, they are also incredibly strong and will stand the test of time. Not only that, but they are nice and easy to clean, which is perfect for garden rooms that have a habit of attracting mud from the outdoors.

5. Laminate Flooring

For anyone looking for the look of hardwood, stone, marble, or tile flooring, but without the hefty price tag and tricky installations, laminate flooring is an ideal choice for your garden room. It is similar to vinyl flooring but comes with a host of extra benefits. Laminate flooring is made from four layers of material, consisting of melamine resin and a core of high-density wood fibre (HDF). This packed construction makes laminate very durable and moisture-resistant. Laminate flooring is also ideal for those with pets, as it is one of the most scratch-resistant surfaces on the market.

6. Rubber Flooring

In the past, rubber flooring was only available in tile form, but now a whole range of types is available, including single sheets for a seamless look. Rubber floors also come in a variety of different textures, so if you would like to improve grip or just the overall look of the flooring, you can. We would recommend rubber floors specifically for garden gyms, as they provide a hard-wearing surface that will not damage easily due to heavy equipment being dragged across it.

7. Carpet Flooring

For secondary living spaces or garden offices, carpet brings a soft and homely layer to your garden room. Though not quite as easy to clean as the materials above (make sure you have a hoover handy), carpet is unbeatable when it comes to comfort. You can create both cosy and sophisticated spaces with carpeting, as it comes in so many different types and colours. It is also simple for a professional to fit carpeting over existing hardwood flooring, which makes it ideal for when you want to change your interior design in a snap.

Lay Down the Perfect Garden Room Flooring Today

Whether you are building a garden room from scratch or redesigning an existing structure, it can be too easy to get lost when deciding on flooring options. But, armed with our guidance and ideas, we hope that we have made flooring easy and a little less daunting for you.
Once your perfect floor is laid, you can move on to the added sense of theatre. Check out our articles on garden room furniture and interior design ideas to mine more inspiration for your garden room project.

The 8 Best Garden Room Lighting Ideas

It is too easy to overlook lighting as an integral piece of interior design. Two lights, though both functioning the same way, will illuminate your space in entirely different ways, some better than others. When carefully chosen, the right lighting will enhance your garden room’s decor and evoke an intentional and specific mood in the space. 

Things to Consider When Lighting Your Garden Room

Before you start shopping for new lights, it is important to consider three important things first:

• The intended purpose of your garden room: How you light your garden room will depend entirely on how you plan to use it. A garden bar favours ambience and low light whereas the same cannot be said for a garden office or gym, where ample lighting is vital. 

• Natural light sources in your garden room: Consider the position of your garden room in relation to the sun – where and when does natural light come in? Your choice of lights should balance with the light already present in the room – if the space has more of one then lessen the other, and vice versa. 

• Access to electricity in your garden room: It seems obvious, but electrical supply is an important consideration and will affect the lights you can and cannot include in your garden room. But if your garden room is not wired, you can always rely on battery-powered alternatives.

8 Garden Room Lighting Ideas and How to Use Them

1. Let in That Natural Light

Before you start rigging your space with an elaborate lighting scheme, it is important to remember your existing light sources – be that from windows or skylights. From there, you can decide how much additional lighting you need in your interiors. The last thing you want to do is waste time and money on daytime lighting when your windows/skylights are already pulling most of the weight themselves.

2. Flexibility is King

When it comes to lighting your garden room, flexibility is crucial. Garden rooms are versatile spaces that can change function easily, from a second living room to a garden office. So wireless or portable lighting is a fantastic way to make future change-ups easy. You can opt for floor lamps to move around the room as needed or, especially for garden offices, table lamps for handy task lighting in a pinch.

3. Vaulted Ceilings, Vaulted Expectations

Most of our garden rooms are single-storey, so often feature beautiful oak beams – however, this stunning feature can make flush-mount ceiling fixtures almost impossible to use. Instead, pendant lighting is the way to go, especially if you want to make the most of your vaulted ceiling. Alternatively, for smaller builds, you can exaggerate the height of your garden room using wall lights, specifically washers. Their light spread will give the illusion of grandiose high ceilings in a smaller space.

4. Set the Mood With Ambient Lighting

When you are using your garden room as a yoga studio or garden cinema, ambient lighting is extremely important. Track lighting can provide directional adjustability, so you can light your space easily and precisely. When creating the perfect ambient space, if you remember to do one thing, let it be installing a dimmer switch – you simply cannot beat the versatility and control that one provides.

5. Harness Solar Power

For garden rooms that lack an electrical supply, you can still light your space beautifully with solar-powered lights. For interiors, you can wire a solar panel from your roof or garden back into your garden room. This can be fiddly, but when done right the effect is seamless. Exterior solar-powered lighting is easier to manage, as most have built-in panels. This allows you to put them anywhere you like, either on a patio or dotted throughout your garden.

6. Remember Your Outdoor Spaces

On the subject of exterior lighting, it is important not to forget it. You can have a perfectly lit garden room, but an outdoor space in the dark. Your garden room is meant to be enjoyed both on its own and alongside your garden. They work as a team. So you can utilise solar lights, as above, or illuminate your garden room’s entryway with recessed lighting or wall lights, to keep your space clear but well-lit.

7. Lighting Meets Temperature Control

Your outdoor spaces and garden room verandas could also benefit from outdoor heaters. Not only will they keep you warm in the colder months, but their heat also doubles as an atmospheric light. On the contrary, for your warmer months, you could install ceiling fans that can double as semi-flush light fixtures. Whether you need warming or cooling, stay bright all year round.

8. The Cherry on Top

Once you have your practical task lighting in place, you can afford to play around a bit with additional lighting. Decorative lighting can really add a flair of personality to your garden room. From ornate light fixtures, wall sconces, and chandeliers, to beautiful and versatile fairy lights to string across your rafters or walls. Most lights can be fitted with coloured bulbs too, or even colour-changing bulbs, allowing you to set the ideal mood at any time.

Light Up Your Garden Room Today

Lights are often treated as a finishing touch, but they are so much more vital than that. Choosing the right lighting scheme for your interiors, as well as your exteriors, is crucial – and means the difference between a garden room that works and one that does not. But there is no reason for it to be difficult. We hope our ideas have helped you to make the right choice and to see your garden room ‘in a new light’.
If you have already chosen the perfect lighting for your garden room, but would still like some more design inspiration, check out our articles on garden room furniture and interior design ideas.

Our Pick of the Best Garden Room Furniture Ideas

A garden room is one of the most versatile spaces on your entire property. They can function as anything from a home office to a yoga studio – and the difference lies in the choice of furnishings and decoration. But what do you choose? What is the best interior design route to take?

To answer those questions, we’ve put together this useful guide. At English Heritage Buildings, we are experts in designing and building quality exteriors for your home and garden, but we also know just how to furnish them.

10 Garden Rooms and How to Furnish Them

1. Family Room

Is your garden room a meeting spot for friends and family? A second living room of sorts, or maybe a cinema room for special nights in? Well, comfortable seating is a must for any family garden room. Set two sofas opposite each other, or perhaps one sofa with two armchairs on either side. Set a coffee table in the centre of the room for snacks and drinks storage, and either set the television on a stand or mount it within view of your seating area. Then install some heavy-duty curtains or, better yet, black-out blinds – to make the perfect den for filmgoers.

2. Garden Bar

Perhaps you want to set up your garden room as a place to spend nights with friends over a bottle (or two). A garden room can make the perfect bar, ideal for a winter’s night on the rocks or a summer’s day with a twist of lime. A well-stocked bar is the most important piece, along with a few stools so drinks can be enjoyed at the bar itself. Then, in another corner, make a more intimate space with a sofa and two armchairs – opt for velvets and gold fixtures for a warm and luxurious feel. Finally, lighting. Try a couple of floor/table lamps with dimmable bulbs and a cluster of candles on the drinks table.

We have an article dedicated to garden bars, full of alternative interior design options for your Friday night space.

3. Games Room

A games room is a brilliant way to use your garden room and make some lasting memories with loved ones. In terms of interior design, you can adapt the family room setup to accommodate an indoor game focussed space. Foldaway tables are a fantastic space saver that can be pulled out when the coffee table is too small. 

Keep the television where it is, as that could be set up as a hub for your games consoles if you have any. We would also recommend adding ample storage for the many board games and video games you will soon have in your arsenal, ready to whip out at a moment’s notice.
Check out our article on garden games rooms for a more detailed look at how to set up the perfect rainy day getaway.

4. Garden Office

Garden offices are a must for anyone looking to enhance their work-from-home experience. They grant you the vital distance between life and work, and allow you to close the door to your job at the end of the day. Every office needs a spacious desk, fitted with your chosen laptop or monitor setup, and a cupboard or filing cabinet will keep your papers together. 

Invest in a good office chair, for optimal comfort, and another chair for potential client meetings. Finally, add a ficus or monstera to add a bit of greenery and uplift the space. 

5. Quiet Study Space

For parents who homeschool, older students, or even seasoned academics, a dedicated study space could be a lifesaver. Close the door on the bustle of homelife and grant yourself or your children a place where they can concentrate without distraction. 

Bring in a desk or two, comfortable seating, a whiteboard or corkboard to aid in mental organisation, and last but not least, you need bookshelves. No study space would be complete without literature. Line your shelves with fiction or textbooks, depending on the field of study, and even purchase a book trolley for roll-around access.

6. Garden Conservatory

When a conventional conservatory extension is not possible, or not preferred, you can design your garden room to act as the perfect alternative. We offer wrap-around windows to let in plenty of natural light, and gorgeous french doors to complete the look. 

Next, depending on your style, source some wicker chairs and tables to set up alongside lots (and lots) of plants. A plant table or potting station is a great feature for practical use and storage. Then simply mix and match your chosen flora and foliage. Now you have your very own solarium, as well as a place to store your gardening supplies.

7. Music Studio

The most important part of any music studio is, ironically, silence. How better to achieve absolute silence than away from your home? Our garden rooms can be made bespoke, to include or exclude windows, and we also offer full insulation. 

After that, it will be up to you to properly soundproof your music studio with foam and acoustic panels. Then set up a desk with your computer, and perhaps a pull-out section for a keyboard. Mount a few choice guitars on the walls and perhaps your favourite vinyl framed for inspiration. Lastly, do not forget to add a seating area for comfortable listening – an L-shaped sofa would be perfect.

8. Art Studio

Sometimes you need a secluded place to make art, and space to really explore an idea – and our garden rooms are perfect for just that. So set up your easel and canvases and utilise some sets of drawers for your supplies. You could include some foldaway chairs if your garden room is large enough to house craft days with friends. And if your garden room is a permitted development, you may have plumbing facilities to make cleaning up hands and brushes at the end of the day much easier.
For more information on the status of your garden room, see our guide to obtaining planning permission.

9. Yoga Studio

Whether you like to unwind with yoga or pilates, a zen studio space is essential. You may already have your mats in hand, but you can improve the ambience with the right additions. Purchase an essential oil diffuser as a safe way to enjoy scents without heat. Then install a speaker system or tabletop Sonos so you can really get into the zone with the right playlist. Finish the space off with some floor-length mirrors, to check your posture, and a pot plant or two to enliven the space.

10. Garden Gym

A gym in your garden will save you money on expensive memberships and make it easier to maintain an exercise routine. The interior decoration for your garden gym will be quite similar to that of the yoga studio, only you will want to focus more on getting in essential equipment and weights. Keep your chosen music system in place, but opt for higher-energy tracks. Lastly, and the most important thing, is correct flooring. 

Depending on how your garden room is already floored, you may want to add some rubber mats to protect any hardwood from scratches and dents caused by heavy equipment.
If you would like to read more about garden gyms, we have a brilliant article on how to convert your garden room into a home gym.

Start Furnishing Your Bespoke Garden Room Today

Furnishing your garden room does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be a fun and creative endeavour for you and your family. If you are still waiting to decide on a garden room build, get in contact today. Here at English Heritage Buildings, we design and install garden rooms for small and large gardens, so no matter your outdoor space, we want to hear from you.
And for more inspiration, check out our full article on garden room design ideas.

Our Guide on How to Build a Garden Room From EHB

So you have made the decision to design and build a garden room for your outdoor space – or perhaps you are still deciding, and want to see how possible it is to build a garden room yourself. Well, we are here to say it is more than possible to do with or without help. To save you time, we have put together a useful guide, detailing all the steps and considerations when embarking on the journey towards a self-built garden room.
In order to keep things simple, we have ‘bite-sized’ the steps, giving you a wide overview of the whole process of building a garden room. If you have any questions or queries at any stage of the designing or building process, do not hesitate to get in contact. Our team will be happy to assist you.

How to Build a Garden Room From EHB: 5 Simple Steps

1. It all begins with a quote. So the first thing you need to do is give us a call or request a bespoke quote. From there, you will get the chance to discuss your plans and desires with an advisor, who will be able to guide you as you decide on important details. Which frame type would you prefer? Do you want insulation? Do you have specific design requests for windows and doors? Among other crucial factors that should be straightened out before the manufacturing process can begin.

2. Once our team has received your final designs, we will get to work manufacturing the oak timber frame for your garden room. All of our wood is graded and precisely cut using top-of-the-line machinery. 

3. Once the timber has been cut, our graders will inspect it again – checking for any signs of minor imperfections so that we can re-source fresh materials and re-cut the flawed pieces. The moment we are happy with the quality of your timber frame, we will deliver it. We ship nationwide, and you should expect to see your kit, from sign-off to arrival, within 4 to 8 weeks.

4. Once all materials have arrived, our team of experienced professionals will get to work assembling your new garden room. This could take several weeks to a month, depending on the design specifications of your build, scheduling considerations, and preparation of your chosen terrain. We select trusted companies from across your local area to build your garden room.

5. Once all the build is complete, and we have signed off on quality and safety checks, you will be free to enjoy your new garden room in whatever way you like.

How to Build a Garden Room Yourself

For experienced carpenters and others with construction know-how, building a garden room yourself is certainly possible. You will be responsible for sourcing and cutting your own timber and fixtures, purchasing all essential equipment, and then will come the task of laying proper foundations with concrete blocks, installing insulation and mesh, and building up the frame piece by piece.
It is an incredibly rewarding endeavour, especially once you have plastered the walls, sorted your electronics, and added finish to your floors. You can step back and behold your own creation, and hopefully enjoy it for years to come. If you need a more detailed explanation, we have a step-by-step guide on building a garden room from scratch.

Will Your Garden Room Need Planning Permission?

Whether your garden room is with our help or without, it is likely that you will not need any planning permission or building regulations before you can start work. However, this depends on how you are planning to use your garden room, and the exact specifications of the design itself. 

If you are unsure if your garden room will need planning permission or building regulations before work can start, we recommend reading our guide to planning permission. Remember, you can contact us any time, and our advisors can help you through the process of obtaining permission for your new garden room.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garden Room?

Much like planning permission, so much depends on the individual specifications of your garden room, its size, whether it’s more than one storey, and whether the project is classed as an extension. If you would like a price estimate for your bespoke garden room, you can complete our online form and our team will respond as soon as they can.

Build Your Own Garden Room Today

Whether your new garden room is supplied and installed by us or is self-built, we cannot overstate the positive impact it will have on your outdoor space. A garden room’s versatile structure allows you to adapt its function any time you wish. Perhaps you would like to convert your garden room into a home office, for those days spent working from home? Or alternatively, an art studio or home gym, to keep your mind and body active in your downtime.

When you purchase a timber framed garden room from us, we can provide full design support, proper insulation and soundproofing, and custom double glazing options. From the sturdy concrete base to the fragrant and luxurious cedar cladding, English Heritage Buildings has you and your garden room covered.

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Our Process for Building a Garden Room

Some may find it hard to decide between building a garden room from scratch or getting experts in. Learn more about our process here and help yourself decide.

Garden Room Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

Purchasing a garden room presents many different opportunities to turn your outside area into the dream space you have always imagined having. But what are these? What can you do with a garden room once it’s been installed?

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7 Must-Dos Before Starting a Garage Conversion | Advice from EHB

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How Much Will it Cost to Build a Garage in the UK 2022?

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A Fully Comprehensive & Professional Guide to Oak Timber

When deciding on a construction material to complete a planned building project, it’s important to know more about what you can expect from each and what will make them the ideal material to use in your case. This is why we have prepared a specialist guide on oak timber, so you can learn about this material type before you order a product and start work.

The Foundations of Understanding Conservatories

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Our lean manufacturing journey

Here Darren Hook, Managing Director at English Heritage Buildings, offers an insight into the company’s recent efforts to operate a more efficient manufacturing process and explains how the rewards of the lean journey are already being reaped by customers.

The Definitive List of British Oak Trees & Their History

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