Can you use a garden room as a bedroom?

Are you looking to add additional space to your home? If you’ve thought about adding a garden room to use as an annexe or guest bedroom, then you’re not alone. Garden rooms are a quick and cost effective way to add more space.

But can you sleep in a garden room? And what rules and regulations do you need to follow? Read on to find out. 

Can you sleep in a garden room?

If you search for this phrase, you’ll likely see two closely related matches appear:

Can I use a garden room as a bedroom?

Can I sleep in a garden room?

You might think it’s the same question, but actually there is a key difference. And that difference comes down to how you plan to use your garden room. If its sole function is as a bedroom, then you’ll need to comply with Building Regulations and Planning Permission. 

But if the room has a different function (incidental use - more on that below), and it’s somewhere a guest sleeps as a one-off, then it should be fine. 

So yes, you can sleep in a garden room if it’s for incidental use, but otherwise, you’ll need to make sure it meets building regulations and has planning permission.

What is incidental use?

Most garden rooms don’t require planning permission because they come under Permitted Development Rights. If a dwelling falls under the category of 'incidental use', it means its activity is minor, and does not impact on the primary home, e.g. a garden gym, hobby room or games room. 

However, if you use your garden room for sleeping, showering or cooking, e.g. as a guest bedroom or granny annexe, then this is considered ancillary use. In other words, it’s linked to the main dwelling. This means it would require building regulations and planning permission. 

What counts as permitted development?

To fall under permitted development, a garden room needs to meet the following criteria:

• A single story structure
• A maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres
• A maximum overall height of 3 metres for a flat roof, or 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof.
• Placement that’s at least 2 metres from property boundaries (if it exceeds 2.5 metres in height).
• The total area of the building can’t exceed 50% of the original garden space.
• The property can’t be a listed building or in a conservation area.
• Be for incidental use (if the room’s use changes to primary living accommodation, it may fall outside these rights).

If you’re still unsure, read our in-depth guide on needing planning permission for a garden room. You can also check with your local council. 

Building regulations for a garden room

Using a garden room as a bedroom means you’ll need to comply with specific building regulations. These regulations ensure the structure is safe and suitable for habitation; exactly the same as if you were adding a bedroom or loft extension. They include:

• Structural integrity: The garden room must be strong enough to support its own weight and any additional loads, such as furniture or occupants.
• Minimum size: A single bedroom needs to have a minimum floor size of 6.5m² and 10.2m² for a double bedroom.
• Fire safety: Adequate fire safety measures are required, including proper escape routes, fire-resistant materials and smoke alarms.
• Insulation and ventilation: A garden bedroom needs to be comfortable year-round. The room should be well-insulated to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, and have sufficient ventilation to prevent dampness, either through windows, vents or a mechanical ventilation system.
• Electrical work: A bedroom needs sufficient lighting and power outlets. It must be connected to your homes electrical supply by a qualified electrician to comply with safety standards.

Can I add a toilet to a garden room?

Yes, you can add a toilet to a garden room. While it may not require planning permission, it will still need to meet building regulations as it will involve plumbing, a sewage system and ventilation and a building warrant. 

Outside In Garden Rooms

If you are looking to add your own garden room to use as a bedroom or perhaps for something else, get in touch today to see how we can help. Over the years, we’ve built garden gyms, offices, hobby rooms, bars, cinema rooms and more for our clients. Check out our case studies for details of all our builds. 

Our insulated garden rooms come with a 20-year guarantee on the roof and a 25-year guarantee on the flooring, as well as UPVC door systems as standard. We also offer a range of customisable choices on cladding, flooring, glazing and technology. And if you’re unsure about the regulations, we can help with all stages of the planning process. Give us a call or request a quote today.