‘We love our multi-functional family space’
After months debating whether to extend her house, Maya Sen decided to invest in a multi-use garden room instead and filled it with bright colours
Maya Sen opted for a versatile garden room the whole family could enjoy to help maximise space
Maya Sen desperately wanted to add extra space to their Barnes home. ‘We’ve been talking about extending our home for so long, but it meant sacrificing our patio area where we sit and have barbecues,’ says Maya. A new idea was seeded when she visited a friend who had recently built a garden room. ‘It made us think about whether this would make a better alternative.’ The room had to fulfil three functions, though: Maya wanted space for her husband to work from home, as well as somewhere the boys can hang out with their friends, and a cosy bedroom for her mother when she comes to visit.
STEP ONE Maya found London Garden Rooms, who went through the different
options and provided lots of ideas for how to make the most out of the space. Maya explained that they wanted the room to be big enough for a desk area, a sofa bed, and for it to also have a small kitchenette and a shower room. They drew up plans and drawings and were able to start visualising the space; the whole building process ran smoothly without any hiccups at all – until lockdown was announced. Fortunately, though, most of the work had been completed by then. ‘The blinds for the windows were delayed a few months, but that wasn’t the end of the world. We were so lucky with the builders. They managed to complete the kitchen area and lay the floor just in time,’ explains Maya.
STEP TWO The flooring had to be practical and easy to wipe clean, particularly as they have a dog. Maya opted for an engineered wood in oak that fills the space with warm, honey tones. ‘I wanted the room to look cosy and welcoming and knew a wooden floor would make the room feel really homely.’ She went for a smart, compact kitchen, fitted on the right-hand side to ensure it doesn’t intrude on the rest of the space. ‘It has everything you need to cook a proper meal, which is so convenient and means we don’t have to keep running back and forth from the house to fetch food,’ enthuses Maya. It has plenty of storage cupboards, a fridge freezer, and even a two-ring induction hob.
STEP THREE Next, Maya needed to tick off a workspace for James. They brought in an old desk from the spare room in the house to create a workstation on the other side of the space, away from the living area. Maya didn’t want heavy furniture, so the clear glass desk was perfect as it feels less obtrusive in the open-plan space and fits in seamlessly. Plus, it meant she didn’t have to use any of her budget on buying a new desk. ‘It’s such a peaceful
place to sit so sometimes I catch up on my work in here, too,’ she reveals.
STEP FOUR Maya wanted the room to be bright and cheery, so incorporated as much colour in the finishing touches as possible. ‘We chose a deep blue shade for the wall that faces the house to add a splash of colour to the garden and I’m so glad we did. It feels like an extension of the sky.’
Zoning the open-plan space with accessories to create a cosy seating area, Maya added picture ledges for displaying bold prints behind the sofa and a mustard yellow rug underfoot. Printed and textured cushions complete the look, making it a comfy home from home. ‘It’s been the best decision we’ve made. It’s now such a flexible space and the whole family can use it all year round. We just love it,’ smiles Maya.