A SAVVY mum has shared how she made her home bigger without an extension.
Sarah Louise took to social media to reveal that instead of forking out tens of thousands on an extension, she decided to build a shed to turn into a bedroom.
In the clip, the mum said: “Transform a shed into a bedroom. “
The first image showed the shed’s bare structure which she insulated with a B&Q buy.
After insulating the walls, she had flooring laid down with carpet covering it to help keep it cosy and warm.
She had painted the walls white, which was beneficial as there was barely any natural light in the shed which she placed at the bottom of her garden.
Next, Sarah brought in her teenage daughter’s furniture, including a double bed, a vanity table, flat screen TV and chest of drawers.
Once the essentials were in, her daughter decorated her new room with posters and vinyl disks on the wall.
The mum revealed she paid just £3,000 for the shed and its installation.
She revealed that she would have gone for a roof conversion but didn’t have the funds so settled on the shed instead.
A roof conversion can cost anywhere from £15,000 to £30,000, so she was able to save herself a hefty amount.
“If I had enough money , I’d get a loft conversion, but we do with what we have, don’t we,” Sarah said.
The mum said that the family had run out of room in their house, causing her daughters who were sharing a room, to bump heads.
“My daughters were sharing a room and hate each other, it’s really worth it,” she added.
The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @ theycallhersparkle with over 178k views and 2,300 likes.
Plenty of people took to the comments, impressed with the mum’s savvy housing hack.
One person wrote: “Love this, can I ask what insulation did you use?”
“I got a big roll from B&Q 200m thickness, was £35, used carpet glue spray to stick it to walls, then put plasterboard over that,” she explained.
Rules on turning sheds into bedrooms
MANY people are turning to smaller outdoor structures to create more room in their homes but here's the rules you need to stick to if you live in the UK and want to do it yourself.
Planning Permission:
- Generally, outbuildings like sheds are considered permitted development and do not require planning permission if they meet certain criteria (e.g., not taking up more than 50% of the garden, not being forward of the principal elevation, and being single-storey with a maximum height of 2.5 metres if within 2 metres of a boundary).
- However, converting a shed into a habitable space like a bedroom may change its classification, potentially requiring planning permission. It’s best to check with your local planning authority to confirm.
Building Regulations:
- Any conversion that involves creating a habitable space must comply with building regulations. These regulations ensure the safety, health, and welfare of people in and around buildings.
- Key areas covered include structural integrity, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, damp proofing, electrical safety, and escape routes.
Insulation and Heating:
- Proper insulation is essential to make the space comfortable and energy-efficient. This includes insulating walls, roofs, and floors.
- Adequate heating must be installed to ensure the room can be used year-round.
Ventilation:
- Adequate ventilation is necessary to prevent condensation and ensure good air quality. This may involve installing windows that can be opened or mechanical ventilation systems.
Electrical Work:
- All electrical work must comply with Part P of the building regulations. It is advisable to have electrical work carried out by a qualified electrician.
Water Supply and Drainage:
- If you plan to include a bathroom or kitchen facilities, you will need to ensure proper water supply and drainage systems are in place, complying with relevant regulations.
Fire Safety:
- Fire safety measures, such as smoke detectors and fire-resistant materials, must be incorporated to ensure the safety of occupants.
Access and Egress:
- The converted space must have safe and accessible routes for entering and exiting, including emergency escape routes.
Neighbour Considerations:
- If your property is in a conservation area, listed, or subject to other restrictions, additional rules may apply.
Before proceeding with the conversion, it is highly recommended to consult with your local planning authority and a qualified professional to ensure all legal requirements and safety standards are met.
Another commented: “I need this in my garden as my house too small for three of us.”
“It looks great, I’m about to do the same in my garden for my girl,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “Brilliant idea.”
“It looks fabulous,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “Crazy to think it’s that bad in the uk now people have had to resort to living in their sheds as well.”
