The rise of garden buildings – the hit structure amongst homeowners

Forget about sheds, garden buildings are now the hit structure amongst homeowners and their outdoor space. The term ‘building’ may conjure up images of massive, intrusive structures that take over the entire garden, but one of the biggest reasons for the rise in popularity of garden buildings is how customisable they can be, both in terms of size and use.

This article explores what garden buildings are, the reasons for their rise in popularity, and just some of the ways homeowners are enhancing the way they live and work.

History of garden buildings

While in more recent times garden buildings are utilised for a wide range of modern needs, they date back to the days of Roman Britain (43-410 AD), with classic structures like a peristyle being adapted for the British climate.

 As each common era passed by, from the Medieval and Renaissance periods featuring elegant, enclosed courtyards to the Victorian era which saw the introduction of iron conservatories and gazebos, new garden buildings were created and reflected the period’s culture and artistic expression. But one aspect of garden buildings throughout each era more or less stayed the same, and that’s how people used them.

Fast forward to the last few decades and the present day, many people choose to have garden buildings for relaxing, working, entertaining and creating a focal home feature to impress. COVID-19 saw millions of people confined to their homes which led to people looking to enhance their domestic space. Once the world started moving again, working from home became the norm, and the rise of garden rooms saw a boom, providing homeowners with new spaces for working that didn’t intrude.

Beyond having a new office space, people across the UK were seeing the other benefits garden buildings provided, and how their quality of life could improve with one in situ.

How can you use garden rooms?

Contemporary garden buildings can be used for a host of reasons, whether to facilitate space for a hobby, conduct business or simply sit back, relax and watch films in your very own home cinema. Customisation is one of the biggest selling points of garden buildings, from how many windows are featured to the colour and interior partitions. Here are three of the most popular ways people are using garden rooms.

1. Garden gyms

While going to a public gym is still highly popular, many people in the UK find them overcrowded and filled with social media influencers more concerned about getting the perfect camera shot, rather than their gains. The gym also requires a subscription, with costs only increasing year upon year.

The rise in garden buildings has seen gym-goers ditch their monthly payments and instead invest smartly in a garden gym. Sometimes called garden gym sheds, they can be as complex or simple as you like, whether you want your own bicycle and running machines set up in there, or just a few barbells and a bench press. No matter your preference, a garden gym shed eliminates waiting for machines, the hassle of TikTokers and expensive monthly subscriptions.

2. Garden offices 

While many businesses have had employees return to the office now the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, some still offer fully remote and hybrid positions. 2020 saw 47% of the UK workforce working from home at some point, and garden office pods not only gained popularity during the tail end of the pandemic but are still rising in deployment across the UK all these years later. 

Garden offices are ideal for households that struggle to manage their existing space, as perhaps multiple people may work from home, making the requirement for an extra private space beneficial. Freelancers, small business owners, parents seeking a healthy work-life balance and those in creative sectors like music and writing have found garden offices a perfect solution for their needs.

3. Garden summerhouses

Summerhouses are one of the most traditional and historic types of garden buildings. You could be a botany enthusiast and delight in greenery – use a summerhouse for a sprawling display of plant life. Cinema lovers and gamers can transform a summerhouse into an entertainment hub, filled with screens, lights and surround-sound systems. The rise of garden buildings and summerhouses has enabled families to accommodate multigenerational living, allowing independent yet close housing for elderly relatives.

Thanks to modern materials and insulation, summerhouses aren’t just for relaxing in the warmer months but also for use during winter. Homeowners appreciate garden buildings and summerhouses are more than simple sheds, they’re actual liveable spaces and bespoke to each owner.

Summary

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to garden building companies to construct and install your structure, and our top choice is Nordic Timber Buildings. They are an award-winning company that can create bespoke garden buildings, as well as install a wide range of standard-sized structures.

There are many reasons for the rise of garden buildings in the UK, from having your own unique space to enhancing work-life balance, so don’t get left behind and invest in a garden building today.