Buying a garden room is a great investment for UK property owners looking to improve both their property and lifestyle. Unlike traditional conservatories, garden rooms can be used all year round. Furthermore, a well-built garden room can increase the overall value of your property. In fact, well-designed additions can add 5–15% to a property’s value. The installation prices range between £5,000 and £30,000 depending on the size and specification. However, to strengthen your return on investment (ROI), it is best to choose uses that are multi-functional and clearly add value to your home.
Garden Rooms Are a Great Investment
Having a garden with a room that you can use all year round is a smart investment. Moreover, it also adds value to your home. By comparison, many conservatories offer poor thermal performance and are therefore often used only seasonally.
High-quality garden rooms can add 5–13% to property value, depending on location. More premium homes are seeing an uplift of £50,000 to £100,000.
Garden rooms typically offer superior insulation, making them suitable for year-round use. A fully finished, all-year-round garden room will need an initial investment of £30,000 to £45,000.
Home Office: One of the Most Effective Garden Room Uses
A garden room home office can deliver one of the strongest returns on investment thanks to the factor of remote working being here to stay and how it separates the two worlds. With 40% of UK workers remote working at least part-time, office space is highly regarded by buyers.
A garden office has the following benefits.
Removing travelling costs saves individuals thousands every year.
Creating a distinct separation of work and home, enhancing work-life balance.
Self-employed taxpayers can claim a simplified flat rate (up to £26/month or £312 a year) or actual costs, on a pro-rata basis, related to business use.
A 4m × 3m garden office typically costs between £13,000 and £39,000, with an average price of around £25,000.
Wellness Studio and Gym for Garden
Converting a garden room into a gym or wellness studio can deliver meaningful lifestyle savings and increase buyer appeal and make it more appealing to buyers interested in a healthier lifestyle. The average gym membership in the UK costs £48.45 a month or £582 a year per person.
Having your own garden gym can save money in the long term:
- Each member spends between £500 and £1,200 on gym memberships each year.
- It offers you a space that is private and convenient for yoga, meditation, or fitness routines.
- A significant lifestyle value is a powerful selling point for properties.
- It is suggested to have multi-use equipment and good ventilation.
Accommodation for guests and Airbnb earnings
Having a garden room for guest accommodation or Airbnb rentals can generate a decent income, and offer privacy to both guests and homeowners. According to the data, properties in Greater London generate an average of £50,322 per year on Airbnb, with a 63% occupancy rate.
Rental Income Potential
The potential for short-term let income is between £3,000 and £12,000 per year, depending on location and quality of property.
It provides private accommodation for guests while preserving the peace and privacy of the main home.
Most rooms with sleeping facilities, toilets or a kitchen will need planning permission.
Ensure you have enough insurance and safety precautions for rentals.
Creative studio and hobby space
A garden room that is a dedicated creative studio or hobby area will increase productivity and protect valuable equipment and at the same time add character to your property. Most people find spaces for art, music, or crafts appealing.
Having a Creative Space Has Its Perks
- Natural light and acoustics can be optimised for particular creative applications.
- Provides an unobtrusive realm for giving undivided attention.
- Can potentially generate income from creative work.
- It adds character to a property that can appeal to buyers.
Multi-Use Entertainment and Family Space
A multi-purpose entertainment space or family room garden room, such as a games room, cinema room or teenager retreat has value for the whole household. This adaptable design enables the area to meet changing family requirements.
Here are some benefits of a multipurpose area:
- Important value addition to lifestyle and family enjoyment and quality of life.
- Options for guest accommodation can be combined with entertainment features.
- The average cost of a 5m x 4m+ multi-room garden space is £35,000 – £50,000+.
- This option is often quicker and less disruptive than internal extensions, making it highly appealing.
In conclusion
Selecting the proper application for your garden room is essential for maximizing your investment, whether in terms of your property’s valuation or your personal enjoyment of the space. The most profitable use of space is often one that solves a real problem. This can include creating a dedicated home office for remote work, or earning rental income from a room let. It is important to consider lifestyle impact as well as property value. Multi-functional design choices offer maximum flexibility as owners’ needs change.
When you prioritise the quality of construction, levels of insulation and adherence to building regulations, your garden room will be comfortable for you to use year-round and add genuine value to your home.
