Are you struggling to keep your UK garden room warm and cosy during the winter months? Discover how Garden Buildings Direct can help you create a comfortable retreat all year round.
Just imagine working from a garden office, or welcoming the day with a coffee on a crisp autumn morning, all from the comfort of your special retreat. Garden buildings give you that space but it’s important to maximise comfort.
This article will explore UK garden room comfort tips including, decor, ventilation and lighting, with actionable tips that will help you all year round.
The changing seasons
Outdoor spaces are vitally important to Brits, with £8 billion a year spent on retail garden products. Plant pots, flowers and garden gnomes might be impulse purchases, but insulated garden rooms and other garden buildings are far more considered and have more emotional importance to us.
These all-year-round garden rooms need to cope with all four seasons. In the UK, that means increasingly hot days in the summer, and lots and lots and lots of rain in the winter, autumn and sometimes spring too.
UK garden room seasonal adjustments may sound daunting, but with some simple steps, you can stay cool in the sun, and avoid dampness when the cold and rain hits.
Heating for garden rooms
Garden offices give you a space to separate the job from home life, but still offer the flexibility of remote and hybrid work. But when you’re sitting at a desk all day, it can soon get cold. The best way to tackle temperature control in garden rooms is insulation.
Insulation creates thermal mass, which reduces heat loss. In an insulated garden room, materials with high thermal mass absorb heat from the sun during the day, storing it, and then slowly releasing it as temperatures drop at night. This process helps to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling systems.
Because of the climate, UK insulated garden rooms will still need additional heating. The type of heating required will vary depending on how you use your garden building, your location, and your sensitivity to the cold. Knowing how to heat your garden office, workshop or cosy corner, can be as simple as the right electric heater or an infrared panel. Along with the correct insulation, a well-made garden building will remain nice and warm!
Top tip: Use an online BTU calculator to find the right heater for your space. British Thermal Units are a universal measurement, originally defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
Shade and ventilation
Ventilation for garden rooms makes a lot of difference. One of the best ways to combat dampness is through proper ventilation. This allows fresh air to circulate, which can stop excessive moisture from building up. Open the windows regularly, and install trickle vents if possible.
Garden room ventilation will also help you in the summer, stopping your garden room from becoming a greenhouse.
When the sun comes out it is important to create shade. Use blinds, curtains, or UV-reflective window film to manage the heat from the sun, especially if your garden room faces south. Thermal curtains are a superb choice and regulate heat throughout the seasons.
Top tip: To keep your garden building cool in a heatwave, open the doors and windows in the morning when the air is cool, and close it all up before the temperature outside gets higher than the inside. Be sure to close all blinds and curtains too!
Sound treatment in garden buildings
According to a 2023 PLOS One study, almost one in five UK adults have some level of noise sensitivity. No one wants to be in an echoey place, so whether you struggle with noises or not, there are some simple things you can do to make your garden building more sonically palatable!
Fabric art, soft furnishings and soft window coverings are a great start for the majority of spaces, and of course cushions and blankets which are extra cosy too.
If you have an outdoor studio or want to maximise the sound-deadening in your garden room, then acoustic panels filled with Rockwool are the best option. These will absorb sounds. Sound diffusers break up the sound waves, reducing the reverberations. Both can help create a sonically sound environment and can also add a modern aesthetic.
Top tip: If you have a garden office and use standalone speakers, invest in isolation foam which will raise your speakers from a hard surface and reduce vibrations.
The best indoor plants for garden rooms
It is proven that regular interaction with indoor plants can have a positive effect on our mental health. Adding some indoor greenery to your garden building can boost your mood and make the space feel more comfortable.
A bonus of indoor plants is that they aren’t as susceptible to thermal dynamics as our gardens, and can therefore be a part of our lives all year round. Go for a low-maintenance option such as a yucca for ease of mind.
While the science is out on the levels to which indoor plants improve air quality, some swear by them. Either way, an indoor plant is a welcome addition to any indoor space.
Here’s a breakdown of the best plants for your garden room, and some simple tips on how to care for them.
Yucca Plant
Why It’s Great
The Yucca is a bold addition to any garden building. Its wild leaves create a laid-back tropical vibe perfect for a relaxation nook, or a contrast to the hustle and bustle of a garden office.
Care Level
Easy! Yuccas love the sun but a little bit of shade is good too. They need very little care and only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry. They are also easy to propagate for even more greenery in your garden building!
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Why It’s Great
A striking addition to any garden room, and ideal for those with limited space. The leaves of the snake plant point directly up, meaning there are no trailing leaves to worry about. According to feng shui, they can help enhance the energy of a room too.
Care Level
Very Easy! Snake plants are drought-tolerant, and will only need watering occasionally, even less so in the winter. Because they are slow growing, you will hardly ever have to repot them.
Aloe Vera
Why It’s Great
The thick, simple leaves of an aloe vera plant complement various garden building decor styles. Its healing and air purification qualities are a bonus, and it’s easy to move around should you need to.
Care Level
Easy. Pot in well-draining compost in a spot with plenty of sunlight. Water every two to three weeks and give a liquid feed during spring and summer.
Spider Plant
Why It’s Great
The spider plant thrives in various light conditions, allowing it to live comfortably in your garden building year-round. Its arching green leaves add an element of fun to a room too!
Care Level
Moderate. A spider plant needs feeding during the warmer months and regular watering, but shouldn’t sit in soggy soil. Too much sun can cause leaf browning.
Peace Lily
Why It’s Great
Peace lilies are an elegant addition to any garden room and can help remove excess moisture from the air, making them ideal for reducing damp and improving air quality.
Care Level
More Difficult. While peace lilies are ideal for beginners, they do need a little extra attention. In drier rooms, they need misting every couple of weeks, and the leaves need cleaning to prevent a build-up of dust. Water every few weeks and try and place in indirect light.
Rubber Plant
Why It’s Great
A show-stopper! Rubber plants can live for up to 100 years, add a vibrant “jungle” aesthetic to any room and grow fast. Ideal for those who want to see their garden office plants flourish before their eyes.
Care Level:
Moderate. Rubber plants need bright, indirect light and consistent watering, but they are quite adaptable. Wipe the leaves to prevent a build-up of dust and fertilise once a month.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Why It’s Great:
The ZZ plant is almost indestructible! Its shiny, waxy leaves offer a stimulating lushness, which is perfect for garden offices, gyms or yoga retreats. They can also tolerate lower temperatures should things get chilly in winter!
Care Level:
Very easy. Comfortable in low light and happy with little water, it is a plant you can forget about. If possible, keep the ZZ plant away from pets and children as the sap can be mildly toxic if ingested.
Top tip: Not everyone has green fingers, and though artificial plants won’t improve air quality, they can still help develop a cosy aesthetic.
Furniture in garden rooms
However you use your garden building, the best approach is to opt for soft and supportive furniture that is lightweight and can adapt to your seasonal needs.
On a cold winter’s day, there’s sometimes nothing better than curling up under a blanket in your favourite chair and reading a good book. So if this sounds like you, opt for a large beanbag and a big soft blanket. With some extra cushions, you can make yourself a reading nook, perfect for when you want to get away from it all.
Use rugs, cushions, and throws to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Choose thick, textured fabrics for winter and lightweight, breathable fabrics for summer. However, you use your building, adopt a “modular” approach and choose multi-use furniture to maximise efficiency.
Top tip: Try a play sofa if you’re using your garden building as a space for the kids. These modular cushions are lightweight and adaptable.
How to choose decor in a garden room
Garden room décor ideas change with the season, giving you plenty of chances to express yourself. The summer 2024 “inside-outside” trend invited us to bring elements of our home interior to our garden rooms.
Create a home from home with mirrors, rugs and shelving, and find a new place to share your decorating personality.
As the seasons change, you can tweak the decor in your garden room to fit the season. Add a vase of daffodils in the spring, decorative pumpkins in the autumn and of course, go to town with Christmas decorations in the winter. A cosy home can be a template for a garden building.
Top tip: Mirrors create the illusion of extra space and more light. A lovely addition in the winter months!
Lighting for garden rooms
It’s best to always maximise natural light. While UK garden room lighting will vary depending on your preferences, your location and how you use the space, natural lighting is cost-effective, reduces the chance of mould forming and helps with eye strain. Approximately 1 in 3 UK adults are said to experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) so natural light can be a great mood booster too!
For garden buildings in the UK, south-facing windows can provide abundant light even during the winter months. However, natural light can be at a premium during those months, and not all of us can locate our rooms exactly where we want.
The best artificial lighting for a cosy garden building is a combination of overhead lighting and lamps, using LED bulbs with adjustable brightness. This allows you to tweak the levels to create a comfortable atmosphere, whether working, relaxing or entertaining. Choose warm-toned bulbs to create an inviting ambience!
Top tip: A 2700K (Kelvins) bulb is about the right brightness for “warm-tones”.
How to make your garden room smell nice
Be careful not to overwhelm smaller spaces when creating an aroma. Incense sticks can be very strong, and can make your garden building feel stuffy.
Instead, use plug-in air fresheners if you have an electrical supply, or candles and wax burners for a more organic aesthetic.
Giving your home a “signature scent” creates a sense of homeliness and familiarity that can make you feel safe. What this scent is depends on you, just be careful to not overdo it!
Top tip: If you have a south-facing garden building, try growing some lavender! It needs plenty of sun but will give off a soothing natural scent.
Positioning your garden building for comfort
We in the industry have learnt from experience that if it’s possible, it’s best to position any garden building, be it a summerhouse, shed or insulated garden building, southward. This maximises natural light and gives you the perfect vista to appreciate your garden, all year round.
If this isn’t possible, then choose a space that is practical and won’t obstruct the use of the garden itself.
Getting comfortable is meant to be easy, so if you’re climbing over bikes or having to walk over muddy paths, that’s not the best start.
Top tip: Be mindful of any planning or building regulations, which can vary depending on how you use the space.
Extra tips to make your garden room comfy
Add Wi-Fi
Want to watch the latest Netflix hit or listen to music while you enjoy some well-earned weekend rest? Maybe you simply need a connection for your garden office? A signal booster will make your existing Wi-Fi spread further and is the easiest option if your garden building is close to your home. If the booster isn’t strong enough and the garden room has the same electricity supply as your existing router, you can use a powerline extension to effectively create a second wifi connection.
Add extra storage
If you’re using a garden room as a yoga retreat, you don’t want to share it with a lawnmower. To minimise clutter, invest in storage solutions, either to keep things tidy or to keep mess out of the space altogether. A simple storage box outside the building will often do. Just remember, this is your cosy space, not a wooden garden shed!
Keep it clean
We all walk in mud from time to time, which visually can be a stain, lessening the loveliness of our homely setup. So invest in some simple solutions like a doormat, and a shoerack, and treat the garden building like an extension of your home. Keep it clean to keep it cosy!
Round-up
Your garden room is a versatile space that can transform with the seasons, providing a sanctuary for work, relaxation, or creativity. By considering insulation, heating, ventilation, and décor you can ensure that your garden building remains cosy and inviting throughout
Thoughtful touches like indoor plants, adaptable furniture, soft furnishings, and sound treatment can elevate comfort, while lighting will help you create the perfect atmosphere.
The best garden rooms feel like an extension of your personality, so add your own flair. With these tips, you’re well on your way to creating the perfect, cosy retreat in your garden no matter what the UK weather throws your way!
Image Credit: Ideogram