What will a garden room look like in 2026
Garden Room Evolution
As we move into 2026, garden rooms continue to evolve from simple outdoor structures into fully integrated extensions of the home. Homeowners are increasingly looking for spaces that are comfortable year round, technologically intuitive, and designed with both longevity and personal expression in mind. The focus for the coming year is on intelligent systems, low maintenance materials, and confident design choices that allow garden rooms to function as offices, studios, gyms, or relaxation spaces regardless of the season. These trends reflect a clear shift towards practicality paired with considered aesthetics, ensuring garden rooms are not only functional but genuinely enjoyable to use every day.
Let's Get Smart
One of the most significant trends for 2026 is the rise of smart heating systems controlled directly from your phone. Ease of use is a major driver, with homeowners valuing the ability to adjust temperatures remotely, set schedules, and monitor energy usage without effort. Smart heating allows the room to be kept at a perfect, consistent temperature, particularly during the colder months, removing any hesitation about using the space in winter conditions. Even when temperatures drop to minus two degrees, the room remains warm and welcoming, with no need to pre heat manually or worry about sudden cold spells. This level of control makes garden rooms far more versatile and reliable as year round spaces, rather than seasonal add ons.
We are still in love with the office garden!
The best thing we ever did!!
I, particularly love working from it and seeing the garden, even in the winter.
Julia F-B
Lighting is also becoming smarter and more seamlessly integrated into daily life. Wise controlled lighting is increasingly in demand, allowing users to control their garden room lights from within the home via Wise light switches. This adds a layer of convenience and flexibility, whether you are adjusting lighting levels for work, creating ambience in the evening, or simply turning lights on and off without stepping outside. The ability to integrate garden room lighting into existing home systems reinforces the idea that these spaces are a true extension of the house, not a separate or secondary structure.
Low Maintenance
Externally, material choice is playing a bigger role in both appearance and long term maintenance. Composite and Millboard cladding is seeing a strong increase in popularity due to its durability and virtually maintenance free nature. These materials retain their finish over time, resist weathering, and remove the ongoing commitment of regular treatments, making them particularly appealing to homeowners seeking a clean, contemporary look with minimal upkeep. That said, timber remains a very popular choice for those who prefer a more traditional or natural aesthetic. Timber cladding offers warmth and character that is difficult to replicate, although it does require a light oil once a year to maintain its appearance and protect it from the elements. In 2026, the decision is less about right or wrong, and more about lifestyle and how much maintenance you wish to commit to.
The Colours of 2026
From a design perspective, 2026 is set to be a bold and confident year for colour, with homeowners moving away from safe, neutral interiors and embracing richer, more expressive paint choices that bring personality and depth into their garden rooms. Rather than acting as a blank backdrop, colour is now being used as a key design feature, helping to define how the space feels and how it is used. This shift reflects a growing desire for garden rooms to feel considered and intentional, rather than purely functional, creating environments that inspire productivity, creativity, or calm depending on their purpose.
Earthy greens such as sage and olive are firmly leading the way, driven by their strong connection to nature and their ability to sit effortlessly within a garden setting. These tones create a calming, grounded atmosphere that works particularly well in spaces designed for relaxation, wellness, or focused work. They complement natural materials and planting outside, helping to blur the visual boundary between indoors and outdoors, and reinforcing the sense that the garden room is an extension of the surrounding landscape rather than a separate structure.
Alongside greens, warm terracotta shades are becoming increasingly popular, introducing warmth, character, and a subtle sense of luxury. These tones add depth without overwhelming the space and work well in garden rooms used for socialising, creative pursuits, or multi use family areas. Terracotta brings a welcoming, lived in feel, particularly when paired with natural textures, soft lighting, and considered furnishings, making the room feel inviting throughout the year.
Deep blues, including indigo and navy, are also making a strong statement in 2026. These colours are ideal for spaces that require focus and clarity, such as home offices, studios, or reading rooms. Used thoughtfully, darker blues create a sense of sophistication and calm, helping to reduce visual noise and encourage concentration. When balanced with lighter flooring, joinery, or lighting, they offer a refined and contemporary look without feeling heavy.
Bespoke as standard
At InFrame, we fully embrace this move towards personalisation and self expression. We understand that every garden room serves a different purpose and every client has their own style, which is why we offer the ability to tailor internal wall paint to suit both aesthetic preferences and practical needs. Whatever your goal, personalised colour choices ensure that each garden room feels truly bespoke, reflecting not just current trends, but the individuality of the people who use it.
Our Expert Advice
Overall, garden room trends for 2026 are defined by comfort, control, and confidence. With smart heating, low maintenance materials, intelligent lighting, and bolder design choices, garden rooms are becoming more refined and more closely aligned with modern living. These developments not only enhance usability but also ensure that garden rooms remain a valuable, well used part of the home for many years to come.
Wise Controlled
Lighting
