5 Garden Room Myths (And The Truth Behind Them)

Think garden rooms are cold in winter? Just glorified sheds? Or not worth the investment? We hear the same misconceptions time and time again. Usually, from people who haven’t seen a garden room for themselves, and that's totally understandable. The closest they've come is a summer house or shed. So instead of just talking about it, I’ve put together a quick video busting the 5 most common myths 👆

Myth 1: Garden rooms aren’t warm enough in winter

This is probably the biggest one. The reality is that a properly built garden room should feel just like any other room in your home. At My Retreat, we fully insulate the floor, walls and ceiling, use double glazing as standard, and include heating options to keep it comfortable all year round. Done properly, they’re warm in winter and cool in summer.

Myth 2: They’re just glorified sheds

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Modern garden rooms are designed as true extensions of your home — whether that’s a home office, gym, studio or extra living space.

At My Retreat, we use a hybrid construction that combines the best of both worlds. The floor is built using a steel frame, so it won’t rot over time. But the walls and roof are timber framed — just like a traditional house build.

Why does that matter?

Because timber framing reduces thermal bridging (which can be an issue with full steel structures), helping the room stay warmer and more energy efficient. It also makes the space far more practical day-to-day — whether that’s fixing shelves, mounting TVs, or making changes like adding or moving a window in the future.

It’s not just about adding space… it’s about creating a space that’s built properly, performs well, and works for how you actually want to use it..

Myth 3: Installation is a nightmare

A lot of people assume it’s disruptive, messy and stressful.

In reality, with the right team and process, it should be anything but.

As a local business, every project at My Retreat is personally project managed by the owner, so there’s one point of contact from start to finish. That keeps everything running smoothly and ensures nothing gets lost along the way.

What most people don’t see is what happens before we even arrive on site.

Although every garden room is bespoke, once the design is finalised and CAD drawings are completed, the key elements — including the floor, wall and roof sections — are manufactured off-site wherever possible. This means they’re built under factory-controlled conditions, improving accuracy, consistency and overall build quality.

For you, that results in a much quicker and cleaner installation, with fewer raw materials arriving on site and less disruption day-to-day. It’s also a more environmentally efficient way of building.

And importantly, it all contributes to a structure that’s built to last. Backed by our 10-year structural guarantee.

Myth 4: You need a big garden

Not true. We design garden rooms to fit the space you have, whether that’s a compact corner or a larger layout. Some of the best rooms we’ve built have been in smaller gardens where space needed to work harder.

Myth 5: They don’t add value to your home

A well-designed garden room can absolutely increase the appeal of your property.

But more importantly, it adds usable space, and in many cases, means you don’t need to move at all. When you consider the cost of moving, especially stamp duty, a garden room can be a far more cost-effective way to get the extra space you need.

That added flexibility and functionality is often one of the biggest drivers of value for buyers, too.

Why these myths exist

Most of these ideas come from older-style garden buildings or cheaper, off-the-shelf options. A bespoke garden room is a completely different product, designed for year-round use, tailored to your needs, and built to last.

Thinking about a garden room?

If you’re exploring the idea and want to understand what’s possible for your space, we’re always happy to help. 👉 Use our Design Your Own Garden Room tool for an instant guide price 👉 Or get in touch for a chat — no pressure, just honest advice

FAQs & Helpful Pages:

How much does a garden room cost?
What is the best base for a garden room?
Do garden rooms need planning permission?
Design a 3D garden room for free and get an instant price
The pros and cons of adding a sedum roof
Is it cheaper to buy or build a garden room?
Can you sleep in a garden room?
Go to the Planning Portal to read more on Building Regulations
Go to the Planning Portal to find out more about Planning Permission and find your Local Authority