The garden room sector has been busy this month, with show wins, new technology and a growing crossover into home wellness. Here is what caught our eye if you are planning a garden room of your own.
urbanpods wins Best Dressed Stand at the Ideal Home Show Scotland
Garden room maker urbanpods won the Best Dressed Stand Space award at the Ideal Home Show Scotland on 4 June 2026 at the SEC in Glasgow. The firm builds fully insulated garden pods for use as offices, gyms and studios, pitched as a cheaper alternative to a house extension. A show win is a useful signal of which makers are investing in their product, though it is no substitute for checking insulation specs and references yourself. Read the announcement.
Smart app control is becoming a standard feature
urbanpods now ships a dedicated app with every pod, letting owners control blinds, lock the building remotely and set the lighting before they walk down the garden, which it says is a UK first as a standard inclusion. It is a sign of where premium garden rooms are heading, but treat app features as a bonus rather than a reason to buy: build quality and a proper base still matter most. See the details.
Saunas and cold plunges are moving into garden buildings
Saunas and ice baths have been named among the standout garden trends for 2026, with more homeowners building wellness into outdoor rooms rather than the house. If you are tempted, plan for it early: a sauna adds weight, heat and moisture, so the foundation, ventilation and electrical supply all need designing in from the start rather than bolted on later. Read the trend piece.
Related guides
- Garden Room Planning Permission UK: The 30m² and 50% Rules Explained
- How Much Does a Garden Room Cost to Run in Winter? Real UK Figures
- Garden Room vs Extension: Honest Cost, Value and When Each Wins
- How Much Does It Cost to Run Electrics to a Garden Room in 2026?
- Ground Screws vs Concrete Base: Which Garden Room Foundation Is Right for You?
- Do Garden Rooms Need Building Regulations? The 15, 30 and 1m Rules Explained
- Prefab vs Bespoke Garden Rooms: Which Is Right for You?
- Garden Room Buying Mistakes: 12 Costly Errors to Avoid