2023 has been an exciting year, especially in the world of gardening and garden landscaping. People have become a lot more attentive to their surroundings this year, that's for sure! One area that seems to be getting the most attention is the trusty home garden.
So, what are the biggest garden trends of 2023? Remember, it's never too late to hop on the bandwagon...
Transform your outdoor space with a stylish and functional garden room! With extra space and versatility, there are countless garden room ideas to suit every home and lifestyle. Whether you’re after a cosy retreat, a family-friendly play area, or a stylish home office, the right garden room design can completely elevate your garden.
At SunSpaces, we offer a wide range of garden room designs, customisable to suit your property, style, and budget. In this article, we’ll explore 5 inspiring garden room designs from our previous customers. Along the way, we’ll also share some cheap garden room ideas to help you get started without overspending.
For homeowners looking for a contemporary aesthetic, the Panorama Garden Room is a perfect choice. This Hertfordshire garden room features a sleek grey exterior, although cream and white options are also available. Glass sliding doors provide a full view of the garden, creating a bright and open space.
This garden room idea works perfectly as an additional dining area or social space, giving you an airy and modern environment. If you’re looking for style without a hefty cost, consider our cheap garden room ideas like standard finishes or modular designs that maintain the contemporary look.
Not every garden room has to be large to make an impact. This Buckinghamshire example showcases a smaller, minimalist garden room that still impresses with elegance. Its simple, classy design creates a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, making it a favourite among homeowners.
For those exploring garden room ideas on a budget, minimalist designs are a great way to create a sophisticated look without overspending. Our range of cheap garden room ideas includes options that replicate this elegant style while staying cost-effective.
Sometimes, a garden room needs to be as practical as it is beautiful. This Surrey garden room was designed for a busy family, featuring collapsible sliding doors and skylights. It serves as a play area, homework space, or dining zone depending on the time of day.
Adding extras like garden room heater, lighting, or Bluetooth-connected speakers turns a practical room into a multifunctional hub. If you’re considering garden room ideas for families, this functional design is a top choice. For budget-conscious options, our cheap garden room ideas allow you to add practicality without compromising style.
Some homeowners want a garden room that makes a statement. This Prestige Garden Room demonstrates how style can elevate your outdoor space. Used as a cosy winter lounge, it offers a hygge-inspired retreat perfect for year-round relaxation.
Its flat roof and black exterior add a touch of sophistication, making it one of our standout garden room designs. For those looking to replicate this stylish look affordably, there are plenty of cheap garden room ideas, such as choosing ready-made designs or standard colour options.
While most garden rooms are attached to a property, free-standing options offer flexibility and privacy. This garden room idea is perfect for a hot tub area, personal gym, or home office.
A free-standing garden room creates a private oasis away from the main house. For homeowners seeking garden room ideas that are both versatile and stylish, this is an ideal solution. Even on a budget, our cheap garden room ideas include modular free-standing options that are functional and attractive.
When planning your garden room, consider these key factors:
With so many garden room ideas available, you can create a space that suits your lifestyle. From modern and minimalist to functional and free-standing, there’s a perfect garden room design for every home.
Your outdoor space can be transformed into a beautiful, functional retreat. Explore our garden room designs for inspiration, and use our tips and cheap garden room ideas to craft a space you’ll love.
Small gardens can still look stylish with the right garden room designs. Minimalist or modern designs with clean lines and neutral colours are perfect for maximizing space. Glass doors and skylights can make the room feel larger and brighter. Even with a smaller budget, there are cheap garden room ideas that create a functional yet elegant space.
Functional garden room ideas for families include multi-purpose layouts that can serve as a play area, homework space, or dining area. Adding features like collapsible doors, skylights, and optional heaters can make the space adaptable for all seasons. SunSpaces also offers cheap garden room ideas for families who want practicality without compromising style.
Free-standing garden rooms offer flexibility and privacy. They can be used as a personal gym, hot tub area, home office, or lounge space. This garden room design allows you to create a private retreat away from the main house. Even with a limited budget, there are cheap garden room ideas for free-standing setups that are stylish and practical.
For a stylish garden room, consider modern finishes like grey, cream, or black exteriors. Glass sliding doors, flat roofs, and optional extras like heaters or lighting can enhance the look and feel. These choices are ideal for creating standout garden room designs while still accommodating cheap garden room ideas for cost-conscious homeowners.
When selecting a garden room design, think about its purpose, size, layout, and budget. Determine whether you need a lounge, office, dining space, or playroom. Explore a variety of garden room ideas, from minimalist to free-standing options, and consider optional extras to customize the space. Even on a budget, cheap garden room ideas can help you create a functional and stylish garden room.
If you're thinking about getting your own garden room, then you may also be wondering whether there is a 'garden room maximum size' that you must adhere to. We're here to explain the maximum size of our garden rooms so you can find out how big your garden room can be!
It's the perfect time to get yourself a modern garden room. With a wide range of styles and colour options available, there truly is a garden room out there for everyone - you just need to take your pick!
No matter what your home's aesthetic is, modern garden rooms are incredibly adaptable depending on your stylistic needs and purposes. Take a look at our range of modern garden rooms and see for yourself...
In recent years, garden rooms have become one of the most popular ways to expand living space in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a home office, a fitness studio, or a relaxing retreat, these structures offer a flexible, stylish, and affordable alternative to traditional home extensions.
Many homeowners are exploring creative extension garden room ideas to improve their lifestyle while increasing property value. After all, the need for extra space continues to grow — especially since a Cambridge University study warned that the UK could run out of available land by 2030.
With limited space and rising house prices, families are finding smarter ways to extend their homes without the hassle of moving or undergoing major construction. The two most common options are garden rooms and home extensions. But what’s the difference between them, and which one offers better value for money?
Let’s break it down and see which one suits your home, budget, and lifestyle best.
A garden room is a purpose-built structure located in your garden. It can be either attached to your home or free-standing, depending on your design preferences. It’s a fully enclosed, insulated space that can be used year-round — unlike a simple shed or summerhouse.
Homeowners love garden rooms because they’re so versatile. You can transform them into a home office, a gym, a guest bedroom, an art studio, or even a relaxing reading nook. The possibilities are endless, and modern extension garden room ideas offer everything from minimalist glass designs to luxurious contemporary spaces with heating, lighting, and even plumbing.
Garden rooms are also energy-efficient and quick to build, making them ideal for anyone who wants extra space without the disruption of major home construction.
A home extension, on the other hand, involves expanding your existing property by connecting a new structure directly to the main building. This often requires knocking down an internal wall and merging the new space with your current layout.
Extensions are ideal if you need to enlarge your kitchen, add an extra bedroom, or expand your living room. However, they usually take longer to build, cost significantly more, and often require planning permission.
One of the most important factors when deciding between the two is cost.
On average, a single-storey home extension costs between £1,500 and £2,500 per square metre. According to HomeHow, this means the total house extension cost typically ranges between £15,000 and £125,000, depending on the project size, materials, and location.
The cost also includes labour, architectural planning, and structural modifications. And don’t forget — additional expenses can arise from delays, debris removal, or even unexpected planning issues.
Now, let’s compare that to the garden room extension cost.
Our most luxurious model, the SunSpaces Prestige, starts at £23,775, which still sits well below the average price of a traditional home extension. Even better, it doesn’t involve messy construction or long waiting times.
If you’re on a tighter budget, our Panorama and Vista garden rooms start from just £13,350 (including VAT). These are perfect options for those who want a beautiful, functional garden room at an affordable price.
Another big advantage — our prices include full installation, typically completed in just 2–5 days. There’s no need to coordinate multiple contractors, and you’ll avoid the long-term disruption that usually comes with building an extension.
When it comes to value for money, garden rooms clearly offer more — a lower price tag, faster setup, and a modern, stylish addition to your home.
Planning permission is one of the biggest headaches for anyone building a home extension.
Most extensions require approval from your local council, which means dealing with surveys, drawings, and waiting for official consent — a process that can take up to three months before construction can even begin.
A garden room extension, however, is usually classed as a permitted development. This means that you won’t need planning permission as long as your design meets the regulations set under UK Permitted Development rules — such as height restrictions and distance from property boundaries.
This makes the installation of a garden room far easier, faster, and more convenient. You could start enjoying your new space within days rather than months.
For more details, check our dedicated blog: Do Garden Rooms Need Planning Permission?
When choosing between a garden room and a home extension, time is a crucial factor — especially if you have a busy family or limited access to your garden.
For many families, this time difference alone makes garden rooms the smarter choice. You get additional living space without sacrificing peace and comfort during the process.
Another major advantage of garden rooms is design flexibility.
You can create a garden room that perfectly suits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. For example:
With so many extension garden room ideas, it’s easy to design a space that feels like a true extension of your home — both functionally and visually.
Extensions, while customisable, often require more complex architectural input, structural integration, and internal layout changes.
Modern garden rooms are built with high-quality insulation, double-glazed glass, and sustainable materials that keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. This makes them energy-efficient and comfortable for year-round use.
Maintenance is minimal — most garden rooms require only basic cleaning and occasional checks on seals and fittings. In contrast, home extensions can involve higher maintenance costs due to integration with the main structure and utilities.
When comparing cost, convenience, and design flexibility, the garden room stands out as the clear winner.
It’s easier to install, faster to complete, requires no lengthy planning approval, and offers a much lower garden room extension cost compared to a traditional house extension.
For busy families, professionals, or anyone wanting extra space without the stress, garden rooms are the perfect choice. With our expert installers, your extension garden room ideas can come to life in just a few days — leaving you with a stunning, functional space that enhances both your home and lifestyle.
Yes, a garden room can boost property value by 5–15%. Buyers see it as a versatile extra space for offices, gyms, or studios, often preferring it over the cost and hassle of a full extension.
Modern garden rooms are built with strong foundations, insulation, and durable materials, making them long-lasting structures. Legally, they’re usually classed as outbuildings, not extensions, but with proper care, they can last for decades.
Yes, if well-insulated and fitted with heating or cooling, garden rooms are usable in every season. Unlike summerhouses, they are designed as true living spaces, comfortable throughout the year.
Absolutely. Garden rooms usually cost £13,000–£25,000, while home extensions can range from £15,000–£125,000+. They’re also quicker to build and require less disruption, making them a cost-effective alternative.
A garden room can be installed in just 2–5 days, while an extension takes 6–8 weeks plus planning time. Garden rooms offer faster, hassle-free installation compared to traditional home extensions.
Buy a Garden Room Get in Touch
At SunSpaces, we love receiving images of our customers and their sunrooms. Today, we're delighted to share with you a review and new images from one of our previous customers.
In April 2022, we provided this customer with a Prestige Flat Roof Garden Room in Satin Black.
With a seamless installation and quality German products, we were able to achieve exactly what the customer wished for. An attractive and stylish outdoor space.
