Skip to main content

These contemporary garden room designs will please any eye

Suppose you’ve ever desired the ability to set up a room away from the main house, out in nature. In that case, contemporary garden rooms are just what you’ve been looking for.

While many people think that a garden room is nothing more than a glorified shed, nothing could be further from the truth. Others believe a garden room is more like a conservatory, but that’s not entirely accurate, either. The truth is that garden rooms are contemporary structures designed to be what you want them to be. In other words, they’re often custom-made, whether you want office space, a teen den, a games room, a home gym, a garden bath, a home cinema, or an art studio.

They’re cost-effective and designed with your comfort in mind no matter what use for them you have in mind. They’re usually built with sustainable, green materials, and they make a great addition to your property as a whole.

Modern home cinema in garden room
onzon/Shutterstock

Contemporary designs

No matter what purpose you put your contemporary garden room to, the truth is that most people enjoy looking at aesthetically pleasing things. Consider that many modern designs have floor-to-ceiling windows and glass walls, allowing you to feel as though your space is a part of nature itself.

Below, we’ll go over some common elements found in contemporary garden rooms and things you should consider before embarking on a contemporary garden room building project. Additionally, we’ll talk about five designs for some amazing contemporary garden rooms that are sure to spark inspiration.

Elements found in contemporary designs

A contemporary garden room usually has specific characteristics that follow modern-architectural thought and design to create highly functional, aesthetically pleasing layouts. Most custom-designed rooms tend to attempt a blend of functionality and visual excitement.

Common features sometimes include:

  • Aluminum bi-folding doors
  • Skylights
  • Decking
  • Cedar cladding
  • Sliding patio doors
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls
  • French doors
  • Wood floors
  • Laminated floors
  • Internal dividing wall
  • Cube designs
  • Spherical designs

Considerations when building

If you’re planning on having a contemporary garden room custom-built, you need to think about a few things such as:

  • Where you want to place the building on your property
  • What building regulations, if any, apply
  • Any professional construction needed
  • Materials needed, such as insulation and foundation materials

Many people like the idea that their garden room is made out of green, sustainable materials. Additionally, the thought that the overall design can make you feel like you are existing in nature is a popular one.

Finally, you may wish to ensure that your garden room feels either like it’s part of the landscape, or at the very least, like it’s related to the architecture of your house. You don’t want others thinking it’s an eyesore or a building that was thrown in as an afterthought.

The glass garden room

Designed to feel open, free, and as much a part of nature as it possibly can, a contemporary glass garden room screams, “I’m studio space.” Perfect for writers, painters, or artists in general, this style is a statement about refusing to cut yourself off from the wider world outside. It’s all about allowing the sight of nature to be your muse.

This style uses floor-to-ceiling glass in one or more walls.

Modern timber garden room
By DGLimages on Shutterstock

The timber garden room

Here’s a garden room where you can go buck-wild with the use of sustainable materials. Using timber, you can minimize your environmental footprint and ensure that your colors are in sync with the environment outside.

Additionally, your timber garden room doesn’t have to be architecturally like a shed, a cabin, or your house per se. Instead, you can build it with any wood type, and in any size and shape, you can dream up (or have an architect do that for you).

The garden room for renters

Providing a rustic, shepherd’s hut feel, this contemporary garden house on wheels is perfect for people who don’t own their own homes. For those of you who rent houses, envision having a portable garden room. The idea is that it’s a bit like a camper or an RV with all the modern amenities inside … but with a stylish, back-to-nature feel to it.

When it comes to its external look, think Wagon Train or Bonanza.

The industrial garden room

This concept is for those of you who can imagine holding a rave in your backyard with Industrial Monk or Regis blaring over loudspeakers.

Here, the theme is all hard steel and heavy-duty materials. With everything from living room decor defined by heavy graphical lines to an intentionally designed contrast with nature’s green, this is a contemporary garden room with an edge.

In terms of construction, you don’t have to think too hard or have anything custom-built. (You may need to do some custom alterations, especially inside.) You see, using a converted shipping container as its body, and in keeping with the sense of drama, this style can be dropped right onto your property by a helicopter.

The luxury garden room

This style is more about what you put in it than what it looks like. However, you can ensure the architecture is as aesthetically pleasing and indulgent as the gorgeous interior. Think about the most expensive, sinful penthouse suite you can imagine, then shrink that down to bite-sized and place it in your backyard.

With a fireplace, a seating area, and an open glass structure with an almost frameless effect, you can imagine using this contemporary garden room as a sexy, romantic retreat!

Editors' Recommendations

Will Blesch
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Will Blesch is a copywriter, content writer, and someone passionate about anything that lets him discover more about this…
Our favorite Instagram accounts for landscape design
Gorgeous landscaped garden

One of the best ways to get inspired for your garden is by following Instagram accounts that specialize in landscaping.

Suppose you're looking to spruce up your property. In that case, whether your outdoor space is a flower garden, Zen garden, sensory garden, backyard, or someplace else, we think you'll be captivated by these Instagram accounts. Let your imagination soar with all the beautiful imagery and stunning landscaping design featured below!

Read more
Outdoor wall decor ideas that will wow guests at every party
Woman painting on outdoor wall

It doesn't matter if you live in a city, suburb, or rural area; you can decorate outdoor walls for any style and any event! Just imagine having a space you can party in that rivals the living room. It doesn't matter if you want something contemporary and edgy or more traditional in nature; we've outlined five outdoor wall decor ideas to enhance your outdoor space and create massive visual appeal.

Dress the walls in black
If you really want a way to create a contemporary and edgy outdoor space, then black decor might be your answer. We suggest using black on any outdoor wall or fence because it contrasts beautifully with green plants or outdoor furniture.

Read more
Keep these questions in mind when designing you outdoor kitchen
Close up view of built-in outdoor grill

If you find yourself outdoors in the backyard, and especially if you do a lot of barbecuing, the thought of installing an outdoor kitchen has probably crossed your mind more than once. After all, a modern outdoor kitchen can allow you to do so much more than throw a few more shrimps on the barbecue!

Expanding your living space by putting in a new outdoor kitchen is a worthwhile investment. In fact, it’s an upward trend, and people all over are jumping on the bandwagon. Just as kitchens do indoors, outdoor kitchens often create a space where friends and family gather to talk and have some cocktails (or beer), all while the chef is gets down to business.

Read more