If you’re looking for a little more space in your garden, you may have come across the terms Stuga and garden room. While both can give you a beautiful, practical space to enjoy throughout the year, they aren’t quite the same.
So, what is the difference between a Stuga and a garden room, and which could be right for your garden?
At Garden Exteriors, we offer both our unique Garden Stuga and our range of authentic Arctic Garden Rooms. Although they share the same high-quality Arctic construction, their designs are quite different.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Stuga?
A Stuga is a Scandinavian-style garden building, traditionally associated with a Swedish countryside cottage or retreat.
Our Garden Stuga takes inspiration from this Scandinavian style but gives it a distinctly modern twist. It has been designed exclusively for Garden Exteriors, combining traditional Arctic craftsmanship with contemporary design.
One of its most noticeable features is its two large double-glazed tinted picture windows. These are designed to maximise natural light while giving the Stuga its distinctive modern appearance.
The Stuga is also designed to make the most of its internal space, making it suitable for everything from relaxing and entertaining to working from home or creating a dedicated garden retreat.
What is a garden room?
A garden room is a standalone room located within your garden. Unlike a traditional summerhouse, a well-designed garden room can be used throughout the year rather than being limited to the warmer months.
Our Garden Rooms are manufactured within the Arctic Circle using Scandinavian Redwood and feature double glazing as standard, helping make them comfortable spaces to use throughout the year.
Stuga vs garden room: the key differences
So, when it comes to Stuga vs garden room, what actually sets them apart?
1. The design
The biggest difference is probably the appearance.
The Garden Stuga has a contemporary, Scandinavian-inspired design, with clean lines and large picture windows. It is a good option if you want your garden building to have a more modern look.
Our Garden Rooms have a more traditional appearance, taking inspiration from the classic Victorian summerhouse.
Both can become a real feature within your garden, but they create very different looks.
2. Natural light
Both designs let you enjoy plenty of natural light, but the Garden Stuga has been specifically designed around this.
Its two large double-glazed tinted picture windows are a key part of the design, creating a bright and open feeling inside while also giving the building its distinctive appearance.
If maximising natural light is high on your wish list, the Stuga could be an option worth considering.
3. Scandinavian style
The Garden Stuga has a particularly strong Scandinavian influence.
It combines a sleek, contemporary appearance with traditional Arctic manufacturing techniques. The result is a garden building that feels modern without losing the character and craftsmanship associated with Scandinavian timber buildings.
The Garden Rooms, meanwhile, have a more familiar British garden aesthetic from the outside.
4. Construction
Although the designs look different, the Stuga and Garden Rooms share an important feature: they are manufactured within the Arctic Circle.
The Garden Stuga is made using Scandinavian Redwood sourced from sustainable forests in northern Sweden and is built using traditional Arctic manufacturing techniques designed to withstand severe climatic conditions.
Double glazing comes as standard, helping make the Stuga suitable for year-round use in the UK.
So, choosing between a Stuga and a Garden Room isn’t necessarily about choosing between quality levels. It is more about choosing the design and style that suits you and your garden.
5. How you use the space
Both a Stuga and a Garden Room can be incredibly versatile.
Depending on your needs, you could create:
- A home office
- A quiet reading space
- A garden retreat
- A hobby room
- A space for entertaining
- Somewhere for family and friends to gather
- An extra space to enjoy your garden throughout the year
The Garden Stuga can also be supplied with an optional cooking unit, making it particularly suited to entertaining and outdoor socialising.
Stuga vs garden room: which is right for you?
Ultimately, the choice comes down to the look, feel and purpose you have in mind for your garden.
Choose a Garden Stuga if you want:
- A contemporary Scandinavian-inspired design
- Large picture windows and plenty of natural light
- A distinctive feature for your garden
- A versatile space for working, relaxing or entertaining
- Authentic Arctic construction
Choose a Garden Room if you want:
- A more traditional garden building
- A classic summerhouse-inspired appearance
- A versatile space you can use throughout the year
- Authentic Arctic construction with a more traditional exterior
Whichever style you choose, a Garden Exteriors building gives you the opportunity to enjoy your garden in a completely different way.
Need some advice?
Garden Exteriors has a selection of its garden buildings available to view by appointment, so you can see the different designs, look at the quality of the materials and get a better feel for the space.
Get in touch with Garden Exteriors to find out more about our Garden Stuga, Garden Rooms and authentic Arctic garden buildings.
