If you have a growing family, you may suddenly find you run out of room. Sometimes people outgrow their homes and can no longer accommodate all of their belongings or simply don't have enough space to use.
What can you do? Have a clear out? Persuade older children to leave home? Move house altogether?
As the age of austerity takes hold not everybody can afford to move, especially to a bigger home. One solution to this growing problem is an Outdoor / Garden Room. Like a 21st century shed or summer house - a new take on an old concept, and it's trending.
Much less expensive for a lot of families than relocating or an extension, it adds a whole new aspect to any garden. It will also add value to your property and because it's a quick process, you will be disrupted less during the build, and there will be no surprise bills halfway through.
There are several suppliers on the market offering services to suit every budget. Generally prices start from around £2,000 with a build time of approximately 5 days. Look for guarantees of 5-10 years.
An outdoor room has a multitude of uses, it's whatever you want it to be: a child’s playroom, an art studio, home gym, workshop, office, store room or just a quiet retreat for relaxation (sounds fantastic!).
They can be traditional or contemporary in design and in most cases don't require planning permission. In some circumstances, such as if you exceed a certain size or live in an area with restrictions, you may need to apply for it. Depending on how even the ground is, you may not need conventional foundations either. An experienced supplier will be able to advise you on this.
The rooms can be fitted with a wealth of creature comforts including an electrical supply, weather proofed wood cladding, underfloor heating or even air conditioning for those hot summer days.
Having this extra space is also a fantastic excuse to be outside with your family. It's a great resource for entertaining and children's parties. Playing, sitting, eating and cooking all take on a more natural feel when you are outdoors, purer and more intimate.
Investing in a garden room isn’t necessarily cheap, but it is a lot cheaper and a lot less stressful than moving house - and once the room is finished then it's an investment that will reward you for many years to come. How would you use yours?
Image from www.ecospacestudios.com
