The Zen Journal
Guides, ideas and honest advice.
Practical thinking on planning, budgets, design and living well with a garden studio.
Planning & costs · 6 min read
How Much Does a Garden Room Cost in the UK?
What really drives the price of a garden room, from size and glazing to groundworks and electrics, and how to set a sensible budget.
Read the guide-
Planning & costs · 7 min read
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room?
A plain-English guide to permitted development, the 2.5 m boundary rule, designated land and when to apply for a certificate.
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Guides · 5 min read
Garden Office vs Home Extension
Two very different ways to gain space. How they compare on disruption, approvals, flexibility and how the space feels to use.
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Design · 5 min read
Designing the Perfect Garden Gym
Floor build-up, ceiling height, ventilation and light: the details that make a garden gym somewhere you actually want to train.
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Wellness · 6 min read
Creating a Wellness Retreat in Your Garden
Sauna rooms, cold-plunge zones, outdoor showers and quiet spaces: how to plan a garden retreat that feels calm every day.
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Guides · 5 min read
What Makes a Good Year-Round Garden Studio?
Insulation, glazing, ventilation and heating: the unglamorous decisions that decide whether you'll use your studio in January.
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Design · 5 min read
Choosing Timber Cladding for a Garden Room
Dark boarding, natural timber, slatted screens and thermally modified wood: how cladding shapes the look and life of your studio.
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Guides · 5 min read
How to Choose the Right Garden Room Size
From a 3 × 2.5 m office to a 7 × 4 m pavilion: how to size a studio for the way you'll use it, your garden and the rules.
Ready to talk about your studio?
Tell us a little about your garden and what you'd like to create. We'll come back to you with ideas, guidance and an indicative budget.