insideKENT Magazine Issue 100 - August 2020 | Page 52

HOME+GARDEN
GARDEN ROOM DESIGN CONT.
WHY HAVE A GARDEN ROOM
The world really is your oyster with a garden room.
Turn them into an art studio and let the creative
inside run wild, or maybe a personal bar where
many an evening is spent with a beer or cocktail in
hand having a laugh with friends. A summer house
with cosy chairs to relax in the sunshine, or a
playroom for the kids where the mess is far enough
removed from the main house that it won’t drive
you bonkers to look at. Or if you’re feeling really
adventurous, and want to splash out on something
extra opulent for yourself, maybe even a traditional
Finnish sauna to get hot and bothered in. There are
a host of pricing and installation options to choose
from as Robbie Thompson of Finnmark Sauna
(finnmarksauna.com), explains: “We’ve worked on some
grand projects costing £70k plus, but have also fitted
Finnish saunas into some interesting small spaces,
including existing garden buildings for about £10k.
Since the lockdown, we’ve also seen a spike in sales
of people buying materials-only bundles from us so
they can carry out their own rather large DIY
projects. We’ve helped a number of people with
advice and guidance.”
Apart from the adaptability they bring to a home,
garden rooms can also add value to your house,
should you eventually wish to move-on. If you are
thinking of selling your property, and are wanting
to get a little more bang for your buck, installing a
garden room is a sound investment. According to
Holly Hurbert at www.webuyanyhouse.co.uk “A welldesigned
garden room can increase the value of your
home by up to 5%, and if you plan thoroughly and
do your research, you can install your garden room
for a relatively low cost, letting you increase value
without having to overspend. To increase the appeal
of your garden room, wherever possible, it’s best to
have your door and windows facing south or southwest,
giving you more natural light and warmth
throughout the day. When planning your garden
room, try to incorporate as much natural light into
the building as possible. Glass doors and walls are
incredibly popular, and very modern too. It’s best
to try and adhere to the style of your house so the
garden room doesn’t look out of place, so consider
the exterior of your home when planning your garden
room. Internally, it will depend on what your style
preference is, but it’s always best to keep it open and
spacious, and avoid cluttering so the room doesn’t
start to feel like more of a shed than a garden room.
Look on sites such as Pinterest for inspiration, and
see what styles work for you.”
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