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.
1. Definitions: Garden Room vs Home Extension
Garden Room
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.
Home Extension
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.
2. Cost Comparison: Garden Room vs Home Extension
One of the most important factors when deciding between the two is cost.
Home Extension 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.
Garden Room Extension Cost
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.
3. Logistics & Planning Permission
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?
4. Time & Installation
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.
- Garden Rooms: Installation is quick and clean. Depending on the model, a garden room can be built and ready to use in as little as 2–5 days. There’s no need to knock down walls or disrupt your daily routine.
- Home Extensions: Construction can take 6–8 weeks, or even longer if planning or weather delays occur. During this time, parts of your home may be inaccessible, creating noise, clutter, and inconvenience.
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.
5. Design Flexibility & Use Cases
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:
- Home office garden rooms for remote work or creative studios.
- Garden gyms for fitness enthusiasts.
- Guest suites for friends and family.
- Relaxation zones with panoramic glass walls for natural light and outdoor views.
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.
6. Energy Efficiency & Maintenance
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.
And the Winner Is…
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.
FAQs:
1. Can a garden room add value to my property like an extension does?
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.
2. Are garden rooms considered permanent structures?
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.
3. Can a garden room be used all year round, like an extension?
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.
4. Are garden rooms cheaper than home extensions?
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.
5. How long does it take to build a garden room vs a home extension?
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.
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