Image: Clair Strong Interior Design

That post title sounds like the name of a 1950s horror movie. It isn’t – quite the opposite in fact; it’s a homeowner’s dream scenario. Can’t afford to move? No luck with planning permission for an extension? Build a she-shed (it’s the alternative to man cave). Or as they are more diplomatically known; a garden room.

These spaces aren’t your usual dusty garden sheds. They’re not stuffed to the gills with old bikes and rusting garden tools. They are fully-insulated outdoor structures with electricity, plumbing and great interior design. And they’re being used for all sorts of things; from yoga rooms to home offices, spare bedrooms, garden pubs, music studios and everything in between. They’re inviting the kind of innovation you might not have space for inside the home.

Of course, an outbuilding of this calibre doesn’t come cheap. They can cost anywhere from £5,000 upwards. But it’s undoubtedly cheaper – and much less stressful – than building an extension. You don’t need planning permission for most outbuildings (more info available here). And an attractive, high-quality garden building will add value to your home, so it’s a win-win-win situation.

Not convinced yet? If the promise of more space and added value isn’t alluring enough, check out these beautiful garden rooms. I think they might just sway you…

• Designed by Weston, Surman and Deane, this whimsical writing shed provides endless inspiration and a quiet space to work for a London-based author.  It even features a wood-burning stove for when he’s burning the midnight oil.
• This small cottage, tucked in a corner of a spacious back-garden, was designed by Alexandra Angle. It features a bedroom that opens right out onto the lawn, a small kitchen, living area and an outdoor bath. It’s small but completely self-sufficient, making it an excellent guest house or granny annexe.
• How about this rustic garden retreat? You can get away from it all in your very own woodland cabin… without even leaving the boundaries of your home. The summer house frame is by Waltons and it’s great because it’s compact, contemporary and surprisingly affordable (although you do need to add insulation and electricity yourself).
• Architect Neil Dusheiko designed this office and yoga studio. The minimalist interior and huge windows put the garden views at centre stage. Sleek, modern and high-spec; what more could you want from your back garden fitness centre?