How Do I Choose The Best Orientation For My Garden Room? - Shomera (2024)

When choosing the orientation for your garden room, there are a few factors to consider to ensure that it will be a functional and comfortable space.

1. Sunlight

Think about the path of the sun and the orientation of the rear of your garden. Take the opportunity to stand in your garden at different times of the day when the sun is out (not always easy in cloudy Ireland!). If you want your Garden Room to be drenched in sunshine and light, a south orientation of the primary elevation is best (wall with most of the glazing). However, if you want to use the space as an office or a place to work, you’ll need to be careful of too much light, glare and overheating. North or off North orientations work best here.

How Do I Choose The Best Orientation For My Garden Room? - Shomera (1)

2. Privacy

Consider whether you want the garden room to be a private space or a more open, connected space. If you want privacy, you may want to orient the garden room with glazing back into your own property, so it isn’t overlooked by neighbouring properties. If you are using it as a more open space with outdoor living aspects, then proximity to the house is helpful (to get to the fridge or wine rack).

3. Views

Think about whether there are any particularly nice views that you want to take advantage of from the garden room. For example, if you have a nice view of the sunset to the west, you may want to orient the garden room to face that direction. You may have a tree or shrub you love to look at. Keep this in mind when choosing a location.

How Do I Choose The Best Orientation For My Garden Room? - Shomera (2)

4. Climate and Temperature

The best orientation in Ireland is also where our prevailing weather comes from. So if you have the benefit of orientating your Garden Room to optmise the south and west orientation, bear in mind that you will also get more wind and rain coming from this direction.

How Do I Choose The Best Orientation For My Garden Room? - Shomera (3)

Overall, the key is to think about how you want to use the space and orient it accordingly to make the most of the natural light, views, and privacy. Depending on where you plan to put your Garden Room, or how you want it to look in your garden, you have the option to have a left or right orientation to ensure it nestles well into your particular space.

How Do I Choose The Best Orientation For My Garden Room? - Shomera (2024)

FAQs

What direction should a garden room face? ›

If you want your Garden Room to be drenched in sunshine and light, a south orientation of the primary elevation is best (wall with most of the glazing). However, if you want to use the space as an office or a place to work, you'll need to be careful of too much light, glare and overheating.

How do you use a garden room? ›

You can fit a steam room inside, or a home sauna to your garden room. Keep an area for relaxation and meditation, with your own spa touches with oil burners. If you want to splash out, add a deck with a hot tub. To create your own miniature space to escape to, turn your garden room into a place of calm and exercise.

How big should a garden room be? ›

Garden room permitted development guidelines and considerations. Your garden room must be single-story and have an eaves height of no more than 2.5m from ground level. Including your roof, you can build up to 4 metres for a gable or 3 metres for all other designs.

Do I need a garden room? ›

Garden rooms provide extra space for a huge range of uses and come in different sizes and layouts to suit your available garden space or requirements. And perhaps most importantly of all, they offer a cost-effective alternative to either extending your home or converting an existing internal space such as an attic.

Which direction should your garden face? ›

The direction your garden faces helps you determine when it's exposed to the sun, and how bright that sunlight is.
  • South-facing gardens get the most sun exposure. From sunrise to sunset, the garden is lit up (as long as it isn't shaded by trees). ...
  • North-facing gardens get the least amount of sun exposure.

What direction should vegetable beds face? ›

A north-south orientation is best for low-growing crops, allowing direct sunlight to reach both sides of the bed. For taller crops such as pole beans, peas and tomatoes an east west orientation works best.

Can I put a bed in my garden room? ›

The short answer is yes, you can indeed sleep in your garden room, provided it's for incidental use. However, before you snuggle up under the stars in your garden room, it's crucial to understand the difference between 'incidental use' and 'residential use'.

Can I have a TV in my garden room? ›

Any outbuilding must not be used as self-contained living accommodation, and must not have a TV, or Satellite type of aerial. Planning Permission will be required in these cases. Outbuildings and other additions must not take up more than half the area of land around the "original house".

Do garden rooms need a concrete base? ›

However, for larger or permanent structures, especially those intended for year-round occupancy, a concrete base, concrete piles, concrete pad or ground screws are often recommended to ensure structural integrity and longevity, providing a solid foundation to support the weight of the garden room and resist ground ...

Can I put a toilet in my garden room? ›

Yes, you can put a toilet and shower in a garden room so long as you have running water and electricity connected to your outdoor building. You must also ensure you install the correct drainage system for waste water.

What base is best for a garden room? ›

Concrete Pile

This is effective at providing a sturdy base and supporting the weight of the garden room. The size and depth of the pile will depend on the ground conditions and the type of structure you are building, with larger builds needing deeper piles.

What is the lifespan of a garden room? ›

The lifespan of an eco-friendly garden room can vary depending on various factors such as construction materials, climate, and maintenance practices. However, with proper care and maintenance, these structures can last upwards of 20 years or more.

Can a garden room have a kitchen? ›

Can you put a kitchen in a garden room? In short, the answer is yes. You can install a kitchen in your garden room so long as you follow building regulations and apply for appropriate planning permission.

Do garden rooms need foundations? ›

The simple answer to this question is yes, orangeries and garden rooms absolutely need foundations for stability. Foundations are needed to support a structure by transferring their weight evenly across the ground and helping them to stay strong and sturdy.

Is a garden room cheaper than an extension? ›

Usually a more affordable option, a garden room is a cost-effective alternative to traditional house extensions. Garden room extensions can add value, increase living space and breathe new life in a property by installing a unique place that's separated from the rest of the house.

Should vegetable gardens be east or west facing? ›

If you live in a northern climate, you'll most likely need to plant your vegetable garden in a south or west facing location where as a hotter climate might pick an east and south facing location instead. Because I'm in a northern climate I put my tomato rows east west to take advantage of the southern exposure.

What is the best orientation for a house garden? ›

the direction of your garden can also affect its temperature. A south-facing garden will receive more direct sunlight and be warmer than a north-facing garden, which will receive less sunlight and be cooler. This can affect the types of plants you can grow and when you can plant them.

What is the best direction for a house to face for sunlight? ›

Conclusion. The direction that a house faces can have a major impact on the energy efficiency, comfort, and even the resale value of your home. Generally, facing south is considered the best direction for a house to face, as it can provide your home with the most sunlight and warmth throughout the day.

Should garden beds run east to west? ›

An east-west orientation has some advantages for frost protection, while a north-south orientation slightly increases the amount of sunlight reaching the plants. Since there is no major advantage, consider designing your garden to maximize efficiency and beauty.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6000

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.