If you've ever looked at garden room ideas and wondered if they could be a solution to your sleeping needs, you're not alone. It's a question commonly asked by homeowners considering one.
However, the answer to can you use a garden room as a bedroom isn't quite as simple as a straight yes or no. It comes down to a number of different factors.
So, before you start choosing a bed and soft furnishings to match, here's what you need to know about sleeping in a garden room.
Can you have a bedroom in a garden room? Practical considerations
Looking at the practical answer to can you have a bedroom in a garden room, the simple answer is of course, yes. When designed correctly, there's no reason why you can't include somewhere to sleep – be this a sofa bed in a garden office, a games room with pull out beds for teens to crash on during overnight stays, or a fully furnished slumber space.
"You absolutely use a garden room as a bedroom," confirms Hawksbeck Garden Room founder, Jon Mathew. "Most bespoke garden rooms can be designed with versatility in mind, to ensure they are fully insulated and comfortable year-round.
"With the right fittings and furniture, a garden room can provide a peaceful and private space, perfect for use as a bedroom, whether you're looking for an extra room for guests or a quiet retreat," he adds.
"And when it comes to elements such as underfloor heating, radiators, or air conditioning, these are all available. Essentially, anything you can fit in a house can also be installed in a garden room or annexe," explains Jon.
However, if a bedroom of any kind is in your plans, there are a number of elements you will need to make sure are incorporated into your design when looking at how to build a garden room, in order to make it functional. The impact of this? It's likely a bespoke, rather than an off-the-shelf solution will be a more sensible solution, which will likely impact your garden room costs. Simple summerhouses or garden sheds certainly won't cut it if you want a year-round sleeping spot, and in fact, you may be better considering an alternative solution.
"You can have a permanent bedroom in a garden room," says Roy Wetherall, managing director at Green Retreats, "but if you're looking for long-term, everyday living, an annexe is your best bet. Annexes are designed for self-contained living and are fully equipped with the necessary permits and amenities. A regular garden room, on the other hand, is more for occasional use. It's a great guest retreat or hobby space, but not necessarily the place for your permanent bedroom."
You'll need to consider your window and door choice carefully if using a garden room as a bedroom(Image credit: Green Retreats)
If considering a bedroom in a garden room, pay attention to the following
Insulation and ventilation: If you're planning on sleeping in your garden room, you'll need to ensure it has adequate insulation and natural ventilation in order to avoid issues with cold, damp, mould or condensation
Windows: In order to ensure your bedroom garden room is energy efficient, you'll need to account for at the very least, double-glazed windows or doors and window coverings for privacy.
Security: As well as being lockable from the outside, you'll also want to make sure doors can be locked from the inside
Services: At the very least, you'll need your garden room to be connected to electricity, and unless you're planning on running up the garden to use the bathroom, a small ensuite shower room, or as a minimum, a toilet and sink will be a must, in which case you'll also need to consider how you will get water and drainage to your garden room. This will need to be taken into account when designing your garden room foundations
Location: How close to your home will you want to be? Do you want privacy or ease of access into your main property?
Jon Matthew
Jon Matthew set up Hawksbeck in 2018 after recognising the customer need for bespoke spaces separate from their main home. The company is family run and offers a range of garden rooms and annexes.
Roy Wetherall
As Managing Director of the UK’s leading garden room company, Roy Wetherall founded Green Retreats over 20 years ago and has been at the forefront of garden room innovation, transforming outdoor spaces, adding value to homes, and enhancing everyday living.
Will your bedroom in the garden room be for temporary or permanent use?
While having a bedroom in a garden room is completely feasible in practical terms, whether it will be used on on a temporary or permanent basis will have the biggest influence on the rules and regulations.
Although many garden room structures fall under permitted development rights (PD), in order to meet the requirements of PD, a garden room must not be used as permanent sleeping accommodation. So, if you're asking can you have a bedroom in a garden room, the answer is yes, but you'll need garden room planning permission if you want to use it as a permanent residence.
"If you're considering making it your permanent sleep space, be prepared for some extra paperwork," says Roy Wetherall. "These rooms aren't built for everyday living, so you'll likely need planning permission and might have to meet additional regulations."
Any building that is separate self-contained living accommodation will not fall within permitted development, and this includes garden rooms.
Finally, if you plan on using your garden room as an Airbnb style holiday let, you will also be required to apply for planning permission as this will mean it's being used commercially.
"If you plan to use your garden room as a living space, don't forget meeting building regulations is also mandatory," adds Jon Matthew. "This process can be straightforward however, and most bespoke garden room companies, Hawksbeck included, will handle the application on your behalf."
A garden room with bedroom that's used as a holiday let, or as permanent residential accommodation will always need planning permission(Image credit: Green Retreats)
Designing a garden room with bedroom
When designing a garden room with bedroom, your starting point will be understanding if this is its sole purpose, or if you will only want the bed as a surplus guest room, or occasional escape.
If it's a permanent sleeping spot, given you'll already need planning permission, you may well be better placed looking at annexe designs and including space for a small kitchenette and living room too. It could offer a far more practical solution than simply a bedroom and washroom.
Either way, unless you're opting for a particularly large garden room, the chances are your design will need to incorporate savvy ways to save space.
Structural features such as pocket doors that slide in and out of the wall as opposed to opening and closing into a room can free up valuable floor space. Windows with integrated blinds will provide privacy and can be softened with floor to ceiling curtains, while lighting products such daylight panels on the ceiling can provide more light if you want to limit the amount of windows. And, if you're including a bathroom, space saving sanitaryware and small ensuite ideas will be a must.
When it comes to your interior design, while bedroom colours and overall style is a personal choice, the goal is the same when choosing furniture – pick items with a dual purpose. Look for beds with integrated storage or sofa beds that are comfy for both sitting and sleeping. Shelving units that include drawers and a hanging rail, underbed storage on wheels and chests of drawers that can double up as TV stands and clothes storage for occasional guests.
Furniture with a dual purpose will work well if using a garden room as a bedroom(Image credit: Green Retreats)
Consider these furniture choices for your bedroom in a garden room
Oslo Ottoman Storage Bed - Ivory
This simple ottoman storage bed comes in a choice of colours and provides comfort and storage in one
Nova Dressing Table Console - Light Wood
This stylish dressing table console has drawers and plenty of worktop space and could double up as a desk
Zeta Mini Led Rechargeable Wireless Lamp - Brushed Gold
This small tablelamp is rechargeable so could easily be moved around your garden room bedroom to lighten dark corners
17 Stories Lumadue Geometric Area Rug
This tufted sculptural rug will help soften the feeling underfoot and comes in a range of sizes to suit your garden room bedroom
Unho 168cm H Clothes Racks With Shelf
This simple clothes rack can double up as a storage bedside table too when space is limited
Cotton Linen Slot Top Voile Curtains
These simple voile curtains can help provide a more bedroom like feel inside your garden room
Thinking about adding even more privacy to your garden room bedroom? Why not take a look at these privacy fence ideas as well to see if you could turn your garden room into a secret retreat.
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Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.
