At Square Meter Media Limited, we’re passionate about garden rooms and living annexes—their variety, style, and endless possibilities. Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand how they transform gardens into valuable, year-round spaces, whether for work, relaxation, or independent living.
Our Journey
Our story began in the late 1990s, when we started designing and building garden rooms. Our first project wasn’t a traditional office or studio—it was a fully insulated, double-glazed playhouse for a client’s grandchildren, complete with a handmade kitchen! Not long after, their father commissioned us to design a garden office, and our love for crafting tailor-made, insulated outdoor buildings was born. Back then, pitched roofs with Cedar shingles were the trend, and this office even featured a veranda—perfect for coffee breaks while taking in the garden views.
This first garden office led to many more projects, and soon we were designing and building garden rooms of all sizes across the country. We even had the opportunity to showcase our work at the Chelsea Flower Show a few times.
From Construction to Content
An accident and a long recovery period brought our hands-on building work to a halt. But in 2009, a simple comment changed everything:
"You know so much about garden rooms; you should find a way to share it!"
With blogging on the rise and WordPress making website creation accessible, we decided to give it a go. We purchased a domain name, started writing guides on garden room design and the buying process, and by October 2009, The Garden Room Guide was live!
Growing and Evolving
Fifteen years later, we’re still here—more excited than ever about the evolution of high-spec garden buildings and how people use them. Over time, our content has expanded to reflect the industry’s growth, leading us to launch two additional niche websites:
- Garden Office Guide – focusing on dedicated workspaces in the garden
- Self Build Garden Office Guide – helping those who want to build their own office
- Garden Room Directory - making it easier for buyers to find companies that serve their area.
By 2025, The Garden Room Guide became The Garden Room & Annexe Guide to better reflect the number of self-contained living annexes we feature. These tailor-made garden homes are becoming an increasingly popular solution for families, offering comfortable, independent living spaces within the garden.
Helping Buyers Make Informed Decisions
Buying a garden room or annexe is a significant investment, and we want to help you make the best decision. That’s why we produce detailed guides covering every aspect of construction, from design to installation. We also showcase the work of a wide range of manufacturers—from well-known names to small, local teams crafting one room at a time.
Each year, we cover over 150 garden room and annexe projects, alongside writing expert guides on pricing, construction, and more.
We’re Independent—No Commission, No Sales Pitch
You might be wondering if we earn commissions from the companies we feature. The answer is no—the paperwork alone would be a nightmare! Most of the garden room and annexe companies we write about don’t pay us anything.
You will see some banner ads on our site; these help cover our running costs. We have long-standing relationships with these advertisers, but we would recommend them even if they weren’t supporting the site.
If you email us for recommendations, we’ll suggest companies that fit your needs—not just those advertising with us.
Our Mission
Our mission is twofold:
- To help promote the work of experienced garden room and annexe designers who create high-quality, well-specified buildings.
- To help you find the garden room or annexe manufacturer that will bring your perfect space to life.
Through our in-depth guides, project features, and the Garden Room Directory, we aim to connect buyers with trusted companies while showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of the industry.