A garden room or conservatory is a useful addition to any home, providing an excellent solution to lack of space while adding value to your property.
Unlike before, garden rooms are now built not only as a place to grow plants but also to provide a peaceful getaway that has the comforts of your home.
Designing a garden room can be exciting, and a little tricky for first-timers. There are key factors to focus on so you will be able to avoid financial and practical problems once construction starts.
Here are some of them:
Purpose
When you design your own garden room, the most important decision that you will make is to determine what your garden room will be used for. How you want to use the extra space on your property will guide your decisions on other factors such as size, style, and budget requirements.
Most garden rooms are used as dining areas, but contemporary designs now allow you to use a garden room as a study room, guest house, yoga room, or a play space for kids. Once you’ve decided what your garden room will be used for, you can now proceed to design the layout and the materials which will be used in construction.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of your garden room will depend on how much space is available. These factors will also affect the materials needed, and in effect, the overall cost of building your garden room. Some garden designs and sizes need planning permission so it is important that you check for your building regulations in your area in advance and secure permission, if necessary.
Budget
Planning your budget comes next once you have decided the purpose, size, and shape of your garden room. Decide what materials you need, the furniture you want to buy, plants you need to decorate the interior with, or if you want to add features such as insulation, or automatic heating and cooling and lighting systems. Make sure that you stay realistic abour costs but also remember to allow extra room for unforeseen expenses.
Position
The location of your garden room is also an important consideration. If you want the garden room to be an extension of your home, the direction it is facing may affect insulation or heating and cooling installation needs. Also, consider the purpose of your garden room. If you plan to use it as a leisure space, you may want to position it as an extension of your kitchen, dining room, or a space where you can gather guests.
However, if you want to use the garden room as a retreat away from the noise and clutter of your home, you can build it as a standalone space in your backyard.
Utilities
Garden rooms, ideally, should be usable all-year so electricity, heating and cooling, and insulation systems are a vital consideration. If you want to save on these costs, it is recommended to build your garden room close to the main house to allow for easy extension of such services.
As mentioned above, a garden room provides extra living space and adds value to your property. While building a garden room may not be as expensive as the cost of a house extension, it is still a major investment. With the above considerations in mind, you will be able to plan and budget your garden room more carefully.
