Sizes
Garden room sizes: what fits, and what to think about
The right size is the smallest room that comfortably does the job and still leaves you a garden. Mark it out on the lawn with string or canes before you decide; it's the quickest way to get a feel for it.
Size guide
Typical sizes and uses
| Size | Typical footprint | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | Up to about 3m × 3m | A single desk, a reading chair, a small craft space |
| Medium | About 4m × 3m | An office with seating, a home gym, a studio |
| Large | 5m × 3m or more | Two uses side by side, a games room, a room with a store or shower room |
Footprints are rough guides. External sizes include the wall thickness, so the room inside is a little smaller.
Height
Height is often the bigger question
Permitted development sets height limits for outbuildings, and the limit is lower when a building sits close to a boundary. That's one reason so many garden rooms have flat roofs.
If you need headroom for a gym or a tall easel, it may be better to move the room further from the fence than to make it taller. Check the current rules with your council for your property.
Floor area
Floor area and building regulations
Building regulations generally don't apply to small detached outbuildings without sleeping accommodation, but larger rooms, rooms close to a boundary and rooms with a toilet or shower can bring them in. The thresholds depend on size, position and materials, so ask your installer and your council's building control team.
Electrical work is covered by its own rules whatever the size of the room, and should be done and certified by a qualified electrician.
Before you decide
Five things to check on the lawn
- Peg out the footprint and walk around it
- Look at it from the kitchen window
- Check where the sun is at the times you'll use it
- Leave space for doors to open and a path in
- Note the distance to each boundary
Next step
Not sure what size you need?
Pick 'Not sure yet' on the form. Size is one of the main things the consultation helps settle.
Questions
Common questions
What's the most popular size?
Medium rooms around 4m × 3m suit a lot of uses, but the right size is the one that fits your garden and what you'll do in it.
Can I split one room into two?
Yes. A partition can create a store, a shower room or two separate spaces. Plan doors and windows for each part.