ASK THE EXPERTS
Jenny Davis of Forest Garden has this advice… ‘During lockdown, with so much pressure on family life, many of us spilled out of our overcrowded houses and into our garden rooms. Or sheds. Anything worked, so long as it was extra space.
And that trend for creating extra room in our backyards looks set to continue – with some interesting quirks. Our annual survey of British garden owners showed that nearly a fifth of young men (aged 16-34) were planning to create a garden room, double the number of women.
‘Whether your garden room is destined to be a “man cave” or a “she shed”, there are some practical considerations. Look carefully at the build quality, explore options for the building’s base, as wooden buildings can’t sit on damp earth, and employ an electrician to do the wiring.
‘Finally, check in with your local planning office. Planning permission is not normally required but, with an investment of this size, it is better to have peace of mind.’