Garden entertaining room with cantilever roof
A 6.5m × 5m garden room for dining and entertaining in Cheshire, its cantilevered roof carrying a deep canopy over bi-fold doors that open a whole corner to the pond.
This garden entertaining room showcases how working with an experienced designer can turn your vision into reality, even on challenging sites. Cheshire-based clients partnered with Swift Unlimited to replace an old summerhouse with a high-spec garden room designed for comfortable, year-round use. Measuring 6.5m x 5m, the bespoke design blends seamlessly with its surroundings, combining practical functionality, luxurious features, and innovative design. It offers the perfect setting for dining, entertaining, and relaxing.
At a glance
- Size: 6.5m × 5m, replacing an old summerhouse.
- Roof: Cantilevered on steelwork set into the SIPs, carrying a deep canopy for shade and shelter, with a sedum top.
- Glazing: Five-leaf and three-leaf stacking bi-folds that fold back to open the corner, in solar-coated glass.
- Inside: A fitted kitchen, air conditioning, room for an eight-seat dining table, and lighting and speakers controlled from the house.
- Company: Swift Unlimited, who craned materials in over hedges at the end of a single-track lane.
An inside-outside space for all seasons
The clients envisioned a multifunctional space that would serve as a sitting room and dining area, creating a unique venue for entertaining regardless of the weather. Nestled into the garden’s existing planting and overlooking a pond, the garden room was carefully designed to harmonise with its surroundings.
To maximise the connection between the indoors and outdoors, two sets of bi-fold doors were installed, folding back to open an entire corner of the room. This dramatic feature required meticulous engineering to ensure success, but Swift Unlimited’s expertise brought the clients’ ambitious vision to life.
The cantilever roof, a striking architectural element, supports an extra-deep canopy that extends beyond the doors, providing shade and shelter. Constructed with substantial steelwork integrated into the Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) that form the building’s core, the cantilever system highlights the blend of strength and style in the design.
Luxury features for modern living
This is no ordinary garden room-it’s a luxury retreat tailored to the owners’ needs and equipped with features designed to enhance their entertaining experience:
- Bespoke Kitchen: The kitchen includes high-end appliances such as a Quooker tap, Dunavox wine fridge, Smeg fridge, Neff cooker, and Franki sink. Recessed lighting within the kitchen’s shelving and cabinetry creates an inviting ambience and adds a premium finish.
- Comfort and Technology: Air conditioning ensures the space remains comfortable year-round, offering both heating and cooling. The room is equipped with home automation systems, including Bose speakers, lighting, and data connectivity, all seamlessly linked to the main property and controllable via an app.
- Flexible Interior: The spacious interior accommodates an eight-seat dining table, with enough room for flexible furniture arrangements. Level access thresholds ensure effortless movement between the interior and exterior spaces.
Seamless indoor-outdoor design
The interior of the garden room is finished to the same standard as a high-spec new build. Plastered and painted in Farrow & Ball shades, it complements the main property’s aesthetic.
Glazed walls, formed by five-leaf and three-leaf stacking bi-fold doors, open the space to the garden, providing breathtaking views of the lily pond and surrounding planting. Solar-coated glass enhances comfort by reducing glare and managing heat.
Externally, the building is clad and decked with Millboard Burnt Cedar, a premium composite material renowned for its durability and low maintenance. Made from a unique mineral-based core and polymer resin surface, Millboard replicates the appearance of natural wood while resisting weathering and wear. This choice not only enhances the building’s aesthetic but also ensures it remains low maintenance for years to come. The sedum living roof softens the building’s profile and adds an extra layer of biodiversity, helping it integrate into the garden’s landscape.
Overcoming site challenges
This project required creative problem-solving due to the challenging site location. Access was via a single-track lane, with the team navigating past a stable and three farmers’ gates. Before work could begin, the installation team had to relocate cows grazing near the site.
Materials were delivered over hedges using cranes, demonstrating Swift Unlimited’s adaptability and expertise. The garden room was constructed on ground screw footings, which provided a stable foundation while minimising disruption to the garden. The cantilever roof’s substantial steel frame was carefully hoisted into place, ensuring the building’s integrity and long-term durability.
Learn more about Swift Unlimited
This project highlights how thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship can overcome logistical challenges to create a truly exceptional garden space. By working with an experienced bespoke designer, you can tailor a garden room to your unique lifestyle and preferences.
To learn more about this project, contact the Swift Unlimited team on 01625 875 588 or email support@swiftunlimited.co.uk. Visit their website to explore more examples of their bespoke designs.
