If you have a garden room, do you actually use it?

[TeenLifeMum]

I love the idea of a games room with a pool table but df pointed out we’d have trouble with it warping unless we heat the room all winter, so then I looked at BBQ huts. I really like them but would we actually leave our cosy home to use it? Do you use yours?

Ours is in constant use in some form every day, but it’s a home office, gym and craft space. Likewise we use our barbecue space and fire pit next to it regularly because we barbecue at least twice a week all year round and more in summer when we entertain. I think a lot of people end up using games rooms and BBQ huts only when they have guests, which is a lot of cost for a novelty. However, if you’ve got the money to do it and like the idea, it’s an excellent luxury to invest in.

I have a conservatory which although completely unheated, gets very warm the minute the sun shines on it - I'm out there right now.
I'm not sure that I'd tramp across the muddy garden to sit in a glorified shed though - apart from for specific activities eg. games room, art studio, home gym.

We got one and love it. We used a company that builds the garden rooms from steel frame so there is no issue with the warping or putting heavy things inside the room. We used www.inframegardenrooms.co.uk who are in London, but if you are further away I would defiantly recommend a steel framed garden room. We use ours all year round and it is nicer in there than the house.

@LunaLovesCats could you pm me more pictures? How big is it? (It looks perfect). Also, where’s the pool table from? (Sorry, I totally want to steal all your ideas for my garden)

no and it’s beautiful! silly waste of money but apparently will add much more to property value when i come to sell

@LunaLovesCats that room looks lovely. Thanks for sharing a pic. Is it heated and comfortable in winter? Would you mind sharing the rough cost?

If built properly then why would it warp? I built mine out of wood last year and it’s been fine. I’d say absolutely yes go for it. I use mine as a gym, tv and games room and somewhere to have a nap whilst listening to the breeze blowing the trees. If properly insulated then can be used year round no worries. As with others, it’s more comfortable than our house, particularly in winter as our Victorian terrace nowhere near as well insulated.

We have a large one with air con, heating and its own wireless access point. My partner uses it as his home office and relaxation room as it has a massive TV in it. It’s used every day and is brilliant, especially as he lives out there so I can’t hear him!!

We are renovating and have rebuilt the garden room- but with underfloor heating, double glazing, insulation etc. I currently have lots of plants in there- chilli, ginger, lemon grass and use it to start off seedlings.

Eventually, we plan to use it as a gym/snug/games room.

@NonmagicMike i meant the pool table might warp if room isn’t permanently heated.

Can’t imagine it would. You’d need a pretty serious amount of moisture in there. With a modern build, you need very little heating. Mine is 5 x 3m and all I have is a little fan heater for the cold. Have only used it a handful of times over the winter for half an hour to get room warm.

We use ours constantly. Teenager den/ lounge etc. They love it. We have an oil filled radiator out there. It isn't damp.

that’s what i’d envisaged for mine!

it is gorgeous, fully teched up and super warm. But… requires putting showed on and going out, which if it’s rainy, cold etc… no chance! but yours still go out nonetheless whatever the weather?

i even have wi-fi controlled heating out there!

Ours got loads of use during lockdown, but way less now. It’s become more of a hobby space and a place to escape for peace and quiet. We mainly ordered ours from garden rooms because we liked how it looked and the planning side was easy too. If you’re not sure how much you’d use it, maybe try using a spare room or shed first as a trial.

We have a summer house (log cabin style), spent around 3k on the cabin and electrics so we have an electric fire and lighting in it. Use it loads as a bar / second sitting room. In winter we use an oil heater thing and have it on timer to come on a few hours a day (Dec-March time). Doesn’t cost much but keeps condensation away. We do use it in winter too though so probably why it’s still perfect 4 years on.

Ours is very similar to this outside and in