Garden Room Ideas; From Chic Sheds To Garden Offices & Garden Spas

We've come across some stunning garden room ideas which can help you make the most of your outbuilding – whether that's a garage, conservatory or even just an old shed. 

If you've got a cluttered shed, a rotting wood barn, or just an unused corner of the garden that would suit a smart shed or garden house, now could be the perfect time to start a fun side project. A chic shed could be just what you need to set up the perfect home office for working from home – especially if you're now sharing a home office with other members of your household. Or use the space to create your own 'inspiration station'; a studio for creative projects, so you can keep paints, and arts & crafts mess outside of your main home. Also ideal for kids, so they can get stuck in, while keeping out of the way. And, of course, for creating a stylish home gym.

Over the years at Livingetc we've seen lots of creative garden 'room' ideas, from chic sheds, tree houses and log cabin-style guest houses to pretty pool houses (hello Kips Bay show house) and garden spas with heated indoor swimming pools – just look at the stunning pool in Calvin Klein's co-founder's house for some serious wow factor, or have the spa extension bolted on to the side of the house so you can access it both from your home and from the garden, like in this gorgeous Highgate extension.

We've also seen some strikingly stylish tiny garden houses, ranging from this tiny portable guest in Hawaii to the tiny 'den' above a pond in a garden in Hampshire, pictured below, as a space for quiet reflection and reading.

Got a barn or outhouse big enough for entertaining? This property in Sonoma wine country transformed their barn to a stunning games room and home bar. Take it one step further and create a cavernous man cave den.

One property, this jaw-dropping ranch in Texas, even built an aeroplane hangar and private airport on their land for their flying 'hobby'. We really have seen it all.

Create the perfect space for a home spa, home gym, home office, art studio, homework room or your kids' play room with these cool garden room ideas...

1. Garden barn

This garden barn holds a home bar and games area, while just outside there's a vegetable and reflection garden, designed by landscape gardener Paul Rozanski.

2. Hobby room

A shed or small garden house can be the perfect place to indulge in creative pursuits, while keeping mess out of the house. Also fun for kids, to allow them a space to get stuck in with paints and crafts. Away from frenetic family life and hectic work, your shed can provide an excellent place for you to focus on all the things you want to achieve. Try making a visualisation board – a collage of images that represent your hopes and dreams for the future. Looking at your board while enjoying some time out will act as a huge motivator and a great reminder of your goals.

3. Garden studio

This garden house doubles up as a home office and studio space. Floor boards, wall paneling and the pitched roof with exposed beams have all been painted in white gloss paint, giving the space a light and airy look. 

4. Garden guest house

This clever garden room design by London-based architects De Rosee Sa incorporates an open-plan living and kitchenette area, and can accommodate guests too. It even has its own shower room.

It's the kind of design we expect will become increasingly popular in the current climate, where people are working from home more often, and entertain kids at home too, so having an additional space to escape to is hugely beneficial.

The guest house is also ideal for offering grandparents, in-laws and friends their own little private retreat to escape to when they come to stay.

The garden room doubles as a 'granny flat', with its own kitchenette and shower room, and a striking colour palette. Explore the garden house in full here.

5. Home office

Want to add living space without the stress of an extension? A garden room could be the answer as you can make it be whatever you want it to be – a home office, a home gym or somewhere to stash the kid’s toys. 

6. Meditation and yoga room

A small tea room creates a restful spot to meditate in this Taiwanese villa home.

7. Garden spa

This jaw-dropping garden spa is part of Calvin Klein co-founder's estate that's currently for sale with Christie's. The out building houses an enormous lap pool as well as other spa features and a lounge with a fireplace.

8. Party barn

Designed by Angus McCaffrey, this barn was converted into an entertaining space for grown-ups, with ping pong table and stylish home bar. Perfect for keeping summer parties (and the clean-up afterwards) out of the main house.

9. Garden living room

Painted in Sandtex satin in pure brilliant white, this garden room looks light, inviting and cosy, with a log burner and lounge seating. Perfect for throwing the doors open during warmer days, blurring the line between outdoors and in, but also cosy on cold, wet days, as a mini back garden retreat.

10. Woodworking workshop

This cosy log-cabin style shed has it's own dining area and log burner, making it the perfect hide away for passion projects and even romantic dinners.

11. Pond house

This tiny 64.5-square-foot (6-square-meter) pavilion in Hampshire was built by the founding partners of TDO. It nestles between the dark drama of the forest and the bright calm of the water. The small timber frame structure, finished in plywood, is cantilevered over a pond in a 9,418-square-foot private family garden in Hampshire. It's used as a space for meditation and a children’s den. The construction period took twenty days.

12. Treehouse 

Short on floor space in the garden? Suspend your project in mid air, nestled between the tree tops. Ideal as a fun guest house or kids' space. Buy this pinecone-shaped treehouse through o2treehouse.com or get one made bespoke.

13. Pool house

Got an outdoor pool? Then a pool house is a must; a place to store cushions and towels, serve lemonade and snacks, and for lounging by in the sunshine. We love Jonathan Savage’s design for the Pool Pavilion at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach.

14. Pool extension

In this extension design by SHH Architects, a heated indoor pool and spa area were bolted onto the side of the house, so that they could be accessed via both the garden and the main house – making it perfect for both summer days and cold winter nights.

15. Granny flat

Created by Paradise Tiny Homes in Hawaii, this portable 'tiny home' is a self-contained guest house on wheels. Way chicer than your average caravan.

16. Tea house

Short on space? A tea house style garden house could still provide enough space to build a small home office, or breakfast spot. In the winter it can be used to store and pack away garden furniture and cushions, keeping items dry until next year. Installing some roll down fabric blinds on the inside would keep mess out of sight from the main house.

17. Garden office

We love this garden office design by Trevor Brown Architecture. Keeping the space completely separate from the main house will help make it feel more like you're 'going to work', separating home life from work life.

18. Bi-fold doors

This garden office project by Norwegian Log Buildings in Hampshire feels more like an extension of the main house and garden, especially when the doors are fully opened. Practical for easier access to the loo or for grabbing a cup of tea from the kitchen.

19. Summer house

Another project by Norwegian Log Buildings, this outdoor living room has everything you need, from comfy seating to a little heater lamp.

20. Garden house

If you've got a Georgian style property, it makes sense to create the garden house in the same style, like this pretty garden villa. Lovely even just for drawing the eyes out to the back of the garden, and for adding a bit of grandeur. Located in the heart of Bath’s famous Royal Crescent, the five-star hotel is home to one acre of secluded gardens that have been lovingly landscaped by Head Gardener, John Bennett and his team. Gently winding lavender paths lead to privately tucked away walled gardens, before reaching the 250-year old Grade 1 listed Garden Villa.