22 Jul Unlock Your Home’s Potential With A Functional Room For Your Garden
Creating more functional space within your garden is a brilliant way to unlock the full potential of your home. Not only does it provide an additional living area which expands the square footage of your property, but it also allows you to embrace the therapeutic benefits of being surrounded by nature.
Whether you envision a cosy home office, a serene workout studio, or a versatile entertainment space, a well-designed garden room can transform your outdoor area into a true extension of your home. Here are our tips to makeover your garden and unlock real value when it comes to selling your home later.
Why Garden Rooms Add Value to Your Property
More space is always desirable for any homebuyer or tenant, but it’s not always practical to extend the property itself. Adding loft conversions or extensions can be incredibly costly and time-consuming. By comparison, adding a garden room offers valuable additional living space at a fraction of the cost, meaning you can achieve more from your home, whilst boosting market value and the potential to attract a fast buyer when you choose to sell.
Dedicated Separate Space
With more of us working remotely than ever before, having a dedicated place to work can be a top priority for many home seekers. A garden room is perfect for this, providing an inspiring environment set away from the distractions of the home that’s comfortable and quiet. But there are many uses for garden rooms besides home offices.
It can become a place to work out, from a weights room to a calming yoga studio or even a place to practice your swing for the golf course. Alternatively, it may be your opportunity to create a hobby haven, with a dedicated space to paint or craft, read in peace and quiet, or watch films in your own home cinema – the options are endless.
Visitor Comfort
If you’re limited on bedroom space in your property, transforming your garden room into a guest retreat can be a great way to make your home feel larger and more spacious. Buyers and renters alike are always seeking out properties with extra rooms – a garden room solves this problem, by providing that sought after space without requiring work to be carried out on the main property itself.
Garden Feature
Garden rooms can also provide visual interest to your garden and really enhance the look of your outdoor space. When well designed and decorated with care, a garden room can give a garden a lovely composed feeling, making it more desirable for potential buyers. Buyers will be likely to pay a premium for the versatile space that a garden room can offer, making it a great investment for people looking to add value to their home.
Designing the Perfect Garden Room
There are endless possibilities for designs, but there are also a few considerations you want to make before you start your project. This will help you create a room that’s functional and works with both your lifestyle, as well as future owners.
Do Your Research Ahead of Installation
Start by considering what you need from the room – what size will be practical for its purpose but also with the available space you have to work with, and what style are you aiming to create? Materials are also important. You need to think not only of the structure itself but also the interiors, such as the type of flooring, practical or cosy, together with glazing and levels of insulation you want to achieve in the building.
Sustainability and energy-efficiency is also a key consideration. A garden room gives you the opportunity to add renewable energy systems such as solar panels, depending on the size of the structure, but you can also add insulation to make the room itself more comfortable year-round and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Another factor to think about is landscaping. Integrating a garden room with the rest of your garden may take a bit of planning – you don’t want the room to completely take over, but you also want your new investment to shine. Optimise your outdoor space by making sure the placement of your garden room works with the rest of your garden, as well as offers the best views and natural light.
Get Creative
Now for the fun part – designing the look of your garden room. A multi-purpose design that not only works for you but for future residents makes the garden room more practical and appealing to a wider range of potential buyers if you know you’ll be selling in the near future. For example, why not create a layout that allows for a sofa bed, meaning that the room can quickly be turned into a guest room when unexpected visitors arrive.
Just as with any room inside your home, a garden room can be decorated to suit your style preferences. But it doesn’t need to cost a fortune – simple furniture, even reclaimed or upcycled, can add functionality to the space and showcase your personality. Add in storage and ambient lighting to make the garden room just as inviting as any other area of a home.
An Investment to Consider
So, clearly choosing to add a garden room to your property can be a very positive step, both in terms of the investment you are making, and the additional versatility and functionality you are able to achieve. With some careful consideration as to the design, layout and build, you can create a room that offers longevity, flexibility and charm to your home. Given the ‘race for space’ is a continual problem, having a more cost-effective opportunity to add an additional room, without needing to extend or convert your main property is a big plus. You can not only expand the square footage of your home with minimal disruption to your life, but also with a lot less time and money too.