
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.