Home improvement project trending in 2024 could boost the value of your home by '15%'

Garden rooms were reportedly one of the makeover trends last year and have continued to be in 2024.

An analysis by Rightmove dating back to 2022, was among the first to report on the soaring popularity of garden rooms.

It highlighted that the standalone structures are major assets because they can have purposes including a home office or gym.

“Garden rooms are usually notably cheaper than traditional extension in terms of construction cost,” according to Design for Me.

This was confirmed by property experts at Green Retreats, who claimed the space-creating solution also significantly increases the values of homes.

Drawing on insights from CALA Homes, Nutbrook Property and Micahel Grahan Estate Agents, they estimate garden rooms boost a property’s value by up to 15 per cent.

They noted: “Garden rooms can add 1.5x their value to a home depending on the quality of the build, therefore covering the cost of the installation."

Luke Jackson, from Michael Graham Estate Agents, claimed that “not only does a garden room attract more buyers to your property, but a high-quality garden room can also boost the value of your home by five per cent to 15 per cent”.

Robert Ellis of Nutbrook Property, added: “I would estimate that the value added would be about 1.5 times the cost of the building installation.

“The convenience value is also significant and must be considered for homeowners.”

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Property Expert, said: “Agents and developers have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the home features that will attract suitable buyers.

“Where dining rooms and fitted wardrobes may not be as important to some potential buyers compared to 10 years ago, other features like an outdoor office space have soared as working patterns have changed, and the findings indicate a move towards greener features too.

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“With outside space coming at such a premium, it may be that homeowners are ensuring what they build outside can be used in different ways.”

It comes as consumer expert Jane Hawkes recently told GB News why it's also important to pay attention to the kitchen and bathrooms before listing a home.

"When you are looking to make improvements to your home which will boost your property's value, focussing on areas like the kitchen and bathroom can make the biggest difference," she said.

"These areas often yield the highest return on investment both in terms of value and satisfaction."