Building a Garden Room with Toilet & Shower

If you are looking to build a garden room, either for a home gym, office or bar, you may want to consider installing a toilet and shower for added convenience and comfort. We will cover everything you need to know about building a garden room with a bathroom, including all the necessary considerations, from electricity supply to drainage systems. Read on to find out more.

Can you put a toilet and shower in a garden room?

Yes, you can put a toilet and shower in a garden room so long as you have running water and electricity connected to your outdoor building. You must also ensure you install the correct drainage system for waste water.  There are a variety of ways you can go about building a bathroom for your garden room with options to suit all budgets and styles. At Crown Pavilions, our team is there to help you every step of the way, and can provide expert advice and quote on any plumbing and electrical works for your bespoke build. 

Installing a bathroom in your garden room is a great option if you plan to build a home gym as you can freshen up after a workout or pop to the loo mid-session. If you plan to use the space for entertaining guests, as a home office or as a base to run your own business from, having a bathroom next door means you and your visitors can use the washroom without having to head back inside your home throughout the day, saving you time and effort.

What to consider when installing a toilet and shower in a garden room

When it comes to installing a toilet and shower in a garden room, there are a number of things you need to consider, including:

Off-Grid vs Mains Water Supply

Whether you choose to go off-grid (independent of public utilities) or connect to your mains water supply, you will require running water for your garden room bathroom. Some possible off-grid solutions include a large water tank in your garden, electric or solar well pumps, cisterns or rain catchment systems. However, typically, we recommend connecting to your mains water supply where possible as this will provide the most reliable water source. Our team can help advise on all plumbing work for your garden room.

Ventilation

An extractor fan is a must-have for your bathroom in order to prevent mildew, condensation and damp. Windows alone do not provide sufficient ventilation and without an extractor fan, your garden room could suffer from wet and dry rot. This can have adverse effects on your health, since damp can lead to potential respiratory infections and allergies if left untreated. 

Efficient ventilation is especially important if you plan to use your garden room for overnight accommodation, such as for a BnB or rental property. Note that there are separate guidelines to adhere to if you plan to use your garden room as an additional bedroom or for overnight stays. Please refer to our planning permission guide. 

Drainage

Before installing a shower or toilet in your garden room, you will need to think about where your water waste will go. In most cases, you will need to dig a deep trench for water pipes to run to the nearest sewer to carry water waste away. It is imperative that water pipes are below freezing level in the ground to prevent any pipe damage during winter. Although this may seem like an inconvenience and added expense, it will be worth it, and save you time and money in the long-run.

Electricity Supply

Electricity is essential for any garden room, for providing light and plug sockets. Electricity is also essential for your garden room bathroom or changing facilities, for example for your shaver, hairdryer or extractor fan. As standard, a Crown Pavilions garden room is fully-wired with lights, sockets and switches with all wires terminated in an outdoor fuse box. Depending on your preferences, you can also opt for more eco-friendly alternatives, such as solar panels, however this option can be more costly and may not be as effective if your garden does not get much sun throughout the day. We recommend doing your research and finding the most suitable electricity solution for you. 

Insulation

We believe that your garden room should be just as comfortable as your home, especially your bathroom. No one wants to step out of a warm shower to outdoor temperatures! That’s why our garden rooms are built using premium-quality 90mm wall insulation and all our windows are double-glazed and argon-filled. We also offer additional heating options, including heated towel rails and underfloor heating for a little added luxury – perfect for keeping you toasty after a shower. 

Eco-Friendly Options

If you’re looking to cause minimal disruption to your garden and do your part for the planet, there are a few eco-friendly options you can consider. Firstly, you can try collecting your own rainwater in underground tanks or water butts. While this water will not be suitable for drinking water, it can be used for your toilet system.

Alternatively, if you have space, you can install a septic tank to store your waste and hire a truck to pump out the waste when required. This is typically seen as a more environmentally-friendly option as it does not pollute surrounding water systems and can be more cost-effective, too, since a septic tank requires emptying relatively infrequently when maintained properly.

If you’re interested in building a garden room with a bathroom, browse our garden room collection or get in touch with our team for more information.