"A garden room must not use up more than half of the available land area, and there are strict height limits to observe as well"
- Malcolm Webb - Legal and General Surveying Services
The garden room is here to stay, and for good reason. We recently carried out analysis of online Google searches which found that searches for ‘garden offices’ remained high in 2024, showing that peaks in 2020 and 2021 were not just a pandemic-induced fad, but that there is deep-rooted interest in these working and living spaces.
We see a range of inventive uses for garden rooms, such as micro gyms, home cinemas or art studios. Below, we’ll dive into the blossoming interest in garden room projects, unearth their potential to elevate home values, and dig deeper into how clients can plan and build these structures without getting caught up in red tape.
Embracing the home revolution
Thanks to the pandemic, we were suddenly living and working at home, and it wasn’t long before people began to focus on how they can make the most of the space available to them. People haven’t abandoned new routines, including exercising at home, dining in more often and working remotely. Even as the world has reopened, people’s eyes have been opened to what is possible to create in your garden, from the efficiency of an office to the convenience of a microgym.
The outbreak of the pandemic brought a record number of Google searches for ‘garden offices,’ peaking at 726,000 for the calendar year between April 2020 and April 2021. Searches did taper off slightly between April 2021 and April 2023, mainly because of a shortage of garden buildings while supply caught up with demand.
However, recent interest remains notably higher than pre-pandemic levels, with searches between August 1st 2023 and July 31st 2024 standing at 397,200. The trend isn’t isolated to Google searches, either. Properties listed on Rightmove mentioning garden offices have increased by a massive 1,046% over the past 10 years.
The data underscores the fact that garden rooms are gaining serious traction among those eager to reap the benefits of upgrading their gardens. In fact, reports suggest that some homeowners are splashing out as much as £100,000, with features such as ensuite bathrooms, gyms, micro-kitchens and saunas. While more complex structures may invoke greater planning scrutiny, you can certainly dream big when it comes to designing your garden room.
Boosting property value
On top of the practical daily benefits, leading property experts estimate that the addition of a garden room can add around 1.5 times its value to a property. While this is the estimation of property experts, rather than a RICS valuation, it does point to the value that a garden room could bring a property and why it could be a savvy investment decision, as well as a significant upgrade to your outdoor living space.
Of course, the garden room is still a relatively novel concept and we’ll have to wait and see how market demand plays out over the coming years. However, it's clear right now that one can be a major draw for certain buyers and should be viewed not just as a workspace upgrade, but as an investment.
Navigating key practical criteria
Turning our attention to the practical side of building a garden room, the good news is that in most cases these outbuildings are considered “permitted developments.” This should spare homeowners the hassle of seeking planning permission, but keep in mind that each residence is unique and there will still be rules to follow.
Also, it generally cannot be located in front of your house and may have to be a certain distance from a boundary in the back garden. To avoid issues with Planning it is recommended that the Local Authority is contacted before any structure is created to ensure compliance with Planning and Building Regulations.
To avoid the need for planning permission, take a moment to consider the regulations that could affect installation. A garden room must not use up more than half of the available land area, and there are strict height limits to observe as well. If a client lives in a National Park, AONB, or World Heritage site, or their property rubs shoulders with a listed building, advise they request special permission for the design before carving up the landscape!
It’s also vital to remember that a garden office is not meant to become an all-but-registered business address, a bustling hub with clients streaming in and out – only ‘incidental’ use is allowed consistent with hybrid working.
These are just some of the criteria to watch out for. In general, homeowners guided to make sure everything is shipshape and legal before committing to a project can secure insurance against their garden room with relative ease, reduce the likelihood of installing structures that may upset neighbours, and avoid the risk of ever being ordered to pull their office down.
In a world reshaped by the pandemic, the buzz around garden rooms makes a lot of sense. In the short term, garden rooms provide a comfortable working space or the chance to maximise your leisure time at home. In the long run, they might be an upgrade that can add both financial and social value to your home.
