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About our small garden rooms
We stock 10 small garden rooms in three types. These include the Calmpod insulated pod at £9,799, Palmako barrel saunas from £2,325, and Palmako corner cabins from £3,490. Unlike summerhouses, these are built for year-round use with insulated walls and proper weather sealing. They work as home offices, art studios, therapy rooms, and private retreats.
The Calmpod 8x8 is a fully insulated modular pod with 100mm wall insulation and double-glazed windows. An integrated electrical channel handles lighting and heating. It arrives as prefabricated panels and assembles in a single day. The Anette barrel sauna at £5,250 is a genuine Finnish-style sauna with thermowood construction. Palmako corner cabins like the Melanie at £3,490 use 44mm interlocking log walls with corner windows for natural light.
For larger insulated buildings, browse our full Garden Rooms range. If you want a seasonal building without insulation, our Summerhouses cost less and suit three-season use. For dual-purpose buildings, see our Summerhouse with Side Shed options.
Why We Chose This Range
"Since 2020 the demand for garden offices has been enormous. We tested several brands before settling on Calmpod and Palmako. They are genuinely insulated, not just marketed as garden rooms. The Calmpod has 100mm of real insulation in every wall and a proper vapour barrier. Customers who work from home tell us the difference is obvious the first time the heating goes off."
, Matt, Greenhouse Stores
Small garden room comparison
| Model | Type | Size | Wall Insulation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calmpod 8x8 (Matt's Pick) | Insulated pod | 8x8ft | 100mm | £9,799 |
| Anette Barrel Sauna | Barrel sauna | 2.4m length | Thermowood | £5,250 |
| Melanie Corner Cabin | Corner log cabin | 3.5x3.5m | 44mm log wall | £3,490 |
Matt's Tip
If you plan to use a garden room as a home office, get an electrician involved early. Run a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit before the building arrives. A 32A supply handles lighting, heating, and a computer setup comfortably. Running extension leads across the garden is a safety risk and invalidates most home insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use a small garden room as a home office all year?
Yes, insulated garden rooms like the Calmpod work comfortably through winter. The 100mm wall insulation and double glazing maintain a stable temperature. Add a 1-2kW electric panel heater and the room stays warm even in January. Many of our customers have worked full-time from their garden rooms for several years.
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Do I need planning permission for a small garden room?
Most garden rooms under 2.5m at the eaves are permitted development. The building must be single-storey, detached, and not forward of the principal elevation. It must not cover more than half your garden area. If you plan to sleep in it or use it as a separate dwelling, different rules apply. Always check with your local planning authority.
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What is the difference between a garden room and a summerhouse?
Garden rooms have proper insulation; summerhouses are single-skin timber. A garden room with 100mm insulation holds heat efficiently and stays comfortable year-round. A summerhouse is pleasant from April to October but gets cold in winter without constant heating. If you need the building through winter, choose a garden room.
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How much does it cost to heat a small garden room?
A well-insulated 8x8ft garden room costs around £50-80 per year to heat. A 1kW panel heater running 4-5 hours per day in winter months keeps the room at 20 degrees. Good insulation means the heater cycles on and off rather than running continuously. Underfloor heating is an alternative but costs more to install.
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What base does a garden room need?
A level concrete pad at least 100mm thick is the recommended base. The pad should extend 50-100mm beyond the building footprint on all sides. For the Calmpod, the modular floor panel sits directly on the concrete. For Palmako log cabins, pressure-treated timber bearers sit on the base with a damp-proof membrane between. A properly prepared base is the single most important factor in the building's long-term performance.