Indoor-outdoor living has surged in popularity over recent years, and looking ahead to 2026, it shows no signs of slowing down. Online searches for ‘garden rooms’ increased by a further 27% in the past year, as homeowners continue to invest in outside living spaces.
Gone are the days of an old rattan sofa or creaky deck chairs tucked into a shed at the bottom of the garden: today’s garden rooms are fully insulated, sophisticated, multi-purpose spaces designed to work just as hard as the rooms inside the home.
Garden rooms now have their own style cycles and design-led trends, just like home interiors, which is why Nikki Hodgkinson-Morris, trends expert at Cabin Master, shares her top garden room trends for 2026...
1. Bigger Indoor Spaces
Garden rooms are becoming noticeably larger, with a greater emphasis on creating indoor space than on outdoor decking areas. Average sizes have steadily increased over the past year, rising from 16.3m² to 17.5m² in floor space, reflecting a trend towards larger, more usable interiors.
At the same time, features like decking areas and verandas are becoming less common, as homeowners prioritise enclosed spaces that can be used all year-round.
The current housing market favours improvement rather than moving, and these larger garden rooms are designed to function as true extensions of the home, echoing the ‘California room’ concept that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Whether used as a permanent home office as hybrid working continues, a private gym that saves time and travel, or a playroom for the kids: larger garden rooms offer a flexible, future-proof way to add valuable living space without the disruption of relocating.
2. Mixed-Material Material Exteriors
Garden room design in 2026 is moving away from single-surface finishes in favour of mixed materials that add depth, texture and visual interest. Fully timber buildings have steadily declined in popularity, with our data showing a drop from 7.7% of builds in 2023 to just 3.1% in 2025.
In their place, homeowners are increasingly opting for hybrid finish garden rooms that combine natural timber with durable, composite Marley board cladding. This delivers the best of both worlds: the warmth and character of wood paired with the low-maintenance, weather-resistant benefits of modern cladding. The result is a more architecturally interesting garden room that feels contemporary yet timeless, whilst still offering practicality.
3. Adding Personality in Design
This year, interior design is moving away from minimalism in favour of more personal, expressive and lived-in spaces. Homeowners are designing garden rooms around how they’re actually used, creating warm, inviting environments through the use of richer materials, layered textures and expressive styles.
In the interiors world, glamour, neo-deco, art nouveau and romantic styles will be popular, alongside more interesting colour palettes including caramel, rose, celadon green and chartreuse.
In the garden, we will see homeowners swapping basic garden furniture for design-led indoor pieces that feel timeless, cosy and a little more luxurious. Think a heritage feel, with modern tweaks.
4. At-Home Wellness Retreats
Reflecting the UK’s growing appetite for spa-style living at home, garden rooms are being reimagined as private wellness sanctuaries. These spaces are no longer limited to being used as home offices or gyms; they now house meditation rooms, sauna cabins and swim spas.
This is an exciting trend which follows growth in sauna culture across the UK. Online searches for “pop-up sauna” are up 112% year-on-year, while “sauna near me” has increased by 24% annually. Public sauna sites have almost tripled too, increasing from just 45 in 2023 to 147 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. As a result, homeowners are looking to create self-contained retreats dedicated to relaxation, recovery and holistic wellbeing, all without leaving their own garden.
5. Statement Glazing
The use of glazing in garden rooms is becoming bigger, bolder and more intentional in 2026, shooting up in popularity. Homeowners are favouring fewer but significantly larger windows and glazed doors to maximise light and views.
Over the past year, demand for standout glazing has increased, with installations of our largest size of doors growing 30% in 2025, up from 114 in 2024. Builds which used our largest window sizing rose 18% year on year also. At the same time, the average number of window units per build has steadily declined, from 2.4 in 2023 to 1.7 in 2025 - a 29% decrease.
This highlights a move away from multiple smaller windows. Instead, larger, statement glazing creates a stronger connection to the garden, floods interiors with natural light and gives garden rooms a more architectural, high-end feel.
6. Space-Saving Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are the glazing of choice for garden rooms in 2026, offering a sleek, space-efficient way to connect indoors with the garden beyond. Their popularity has risen steadily year on year, featuring on 58% of our garden room builds in 2023, increasing to 62% in 2024 and reaching 64% in 2025.
In contrast, bifolding doors have seen a slight decline, dropping from 8.3% of buildings in 2024 to just 6% in 2025. This may reflect a preference for cleaner lines, simple use and uninterrupted views, as sliding doors deliver wide landscape views with a contemporary aesthetic and take up less space upon opening.
7. Hosting & Sociable Living
We’re seeing a gradual increase in requests for garden rooms that celebrate communal experiences. Think supper clubs style evenings, to lively get-togethers with friends and family.
“Homeowners are turning garden rooms into flexible dining areas, combined living and games rooms, and multifunctional entertainment hubs. These spaces are intentionally designed for connection, with layouts that encourage socialising, and easy transitions between dining, lounging, board games, casual drinks, and movie nights.
8. Garden Rooms For Self-Expression
Self-expression garden rooms are set to be a major trend next year, as more homeowners create dedicated creative spaces away from the distractions of the main house. Being immersed in nature is thought to boost creativity, making the garden the ideal setting for writing rooms, art studios, music rooms, craft spaces, poetry nooks or peaceful reading retreats.
These purpose-built hobby rooms allow people to design a space entirely around how they think and create best. From calming natural light and green garden views, to layouts that feel cosy or provide handy additional storage, garden rooms can be personalised to each individual’s needs.
In 2026, garden rooms are set to continue their rise in popularity, as homeowners seek to enhance their living space without moving. These rooms are increasingly becoming standout features in the garden, designed not only for practicality but also to reflect the lifestyle and personal style of those who use them.
Whether you’re just starting to explore ideas or ready to build, our friendly team is here to help. Contact Cabin Master today, and let’s bring your garden room vision to life.
