Extend your home with an outdoor garden structure

Outdoor structures, such as verandas, canopies and awnings can help you make the most of your garden, as specialists explain.

For many homeowners in the UK, the garden is an underused part of the home. If you’re looking for more space without the time, cost or hassle of a full extension, an outdoor structure could be the ideal solution.

Whether it’s a pergola, veranda, canopy or covered patio, these structures allow you to enjoy your garden more often and more comfortably, all year round.

Add Space Without Major Building Work

An outdoor structure can act as a natural extension of your home - especially when it’s positioned against the rear wall or patio doors.

It creates a sheltered area where you can:

• Shelter from Sun & Rain - Enjoy your garden year-round.
• Elegant Curb Appeal - Adds a sleek, modern look to your home.
• Increased Property Value - Desirable feature for future buyers.
• Flexible Living Space - Outdoor dining, hot tubs, garden lounges - all protected.
• Low Maintenance - Durable, weather-resistant materials built for UK climates.

Unlike traditional home extensions, many of these garden structures don’t require planning permission. You can check your local council’s guidelines to confirm.

For more on this, see: Do awnings need planning permission?

Increase the Value of Your Property

Adding a well-designed outdoor structure doesn’t just make your space more liveable—it can also increase the value of your home. Buyers see these features as a bonus, offering usable outdoor space with style and function.

Many structures can include:

• Integrated lighting
• Heating options
• Retractable roofs or screens

This creates a setup that’s almost like a full extension, but at a lower cost.

Choose the Right Structure for Your Garden

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which structure may suit your needs:

Feature	Pergola	Veranda	Canopy	Glass Room
Benefits	Open or louvred roof, great for partial shade	Fixed roof, attached to home, good for year-round use	Fabric roof, retractable options, budget-friendly	Fully enclosed outdoor living space
Planning Required?	Often no	Usually no	Rarely	May need permission

Which Option Is Right for You?

Your Need	Ideal Solution
Flexible Shade on a Budget	Retractable Awning
Permanent Rain Protection	Fixed Canopy
Luxury All-Weather Use	Veranda with Glass or Aluminium Roof
Modern Outdoor Living Room	Motorised Louvered Pergola
Small Patio Area	Compact Wall-Mounted Awning
Large Garden or Entertaining Space	Freestanding Canopy or Pergola

Not sure which to choose? This article may help: Awnings vs pergolas – which is best for your garden?
 

Practical and Stylish

Modern outdoor structures are available in a variety of styles and finishes to match your home. Aluminium pergolas, for example, are durable, low maintenance, and come in a range of colours.

You can customise features to suit your lifestyle and garden layout, whether it’s lighting, blinds, or screens for privacy and wind protection.

Need inspiration? Read: How to improve the shade and privacy of your garden pergola

Designed for British Weather

Outdoor structures from Broadview are made to withstand the unpredictable British climate. With the right structure, you can use your garden space even in cooler months.

For ideas on how to use your garden year-round, see: Year-round outdoor living: How to use your garden pergola in all seasons

Trust Broadview for Your Outdoor Living Project

With over 50 years of experience designing and installing bespoke outdoor shading solutions, Broadview is trusted by homeowners across the UK. We offer a wide range of styles and configurations to help you create the outdoor space you’ve always wanted.

From aluminium pergolas to modern verandas and glass-walled structures, we’ll work with you to design a solution that fits your home, budget, and lifestyle.

Get Started Today

Interested in extending your home with a garden structure?
Speak to one of our experts on 01202 679012 or get in touch online to learn more.