Whether you use your garden room as a home office, entertainment space or cinema room, an internet connection is essential. Below we explore the different ways to get Wi-Fi in your garden room.
With Wi-Fi in your garden room you can watch your favourite movies or work from home on your chosen device, without too many messy cables.
Most homes already have Wi-Fi but it might be out of range in your outdoor space. In fact, one of the big questions people ask is, ‘how can I get Wi-Fi in my garden room’ – which we’ll answer in this article.
Four ways to get Wi-Fi in your garden room
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to extend your Wi-Fi into your garden room using your existing network. You can, of course, set up a new internet service especially for your garden room, but this can be expensive and is only worth doing if your garden room is a far distance from your home.
Wi-Fi extender
The first option is to use a Wi-Fi extender.
This device is plugged into a socket in your home and your existing Wi-Fi is boosted to reach your garden room. Imagine an invisible Wi-Fi shield – the Wi-Fi extender is plugged anywhere within this shield (closer to your garden room is best) – and then it’s expanded to reach a new area.
A good quality Wi-Fi extender means you won’t have to pay extra for another service and the connection can be strong so you should get a signal. Some devices come with more than one antenna to help pick up and emit the signal. The devices are easy to use since they are simply plugged in and can be picked up for around £20-£60.
However, be aware that because it relies on your existing Wi-Fi network it can slow your internet if too many devices connect to it. When looking for a suitable extender, make sure it’s compatible with your router and choose a reliable one with good reviews.
How far a Wi-Fi extender reaches outside depends on the model and type of product, but the typical range is around 30m. This option is best for garden rooms located closer to the main property.
Ethernet cable
Ethernet cables are a popular choice because you get a strong and reliable internet connection.
One end of the cable is plugged into your home router where it says LAN, and the other end should be connected to your device like a computer or smart TV. It should then instantly connect so you can watch shows or do your work without worrying about speed or connectivity issues.
When installing your garden room, you will need to run an armoured cable underground to connect electricity. At the same time, it’s worth running an ethernet cable with it so you always have the option to connect to the internet. Running it underground is safer and more durable.
Outdoor ethernet cables sell for around £20-£40 which makes it a cost-effective solution. Furthermore, compared to a Wi-Fi extender, it won’t face issues with disruption because it’s plugged directly into a device. The only downside is that it can’t be wireless, so you're limited with movement.
Powerline networking
Powerline networking, or powerLAN, technology is another way to connect.
The device looks similar to a Wi-Fi extender. The difference is that you get two devices. One is plugged into a socket and connected to your router with an ethernet cable, and the other is plugged into your garden room socket.
Here’s where it sets itself apart. It uses your existing electric wires to transmit signals so you get a strong connection in your garden room. You need electricity in your garden room for this to work, but once set up, it's a reliable and fast method.
The devices are wireless unlike an ethernet cable, so tend to look neater and you can connect multiple devices to it. The range is also stronger than a Wi-Fi extender and can be picked up for around £30-£50.
You could face some interference with the connection with noisy electrical devices like hairdryers, and it will need to be plugged into the same electrical circuit as your home.
Mobile hotspot
More than ever, people are looking to digitally detox and a garden room is a fantastic way to connect with nature and practice hobbies or interests.
However, you might need the internet from time to time, and a mobile hotspot lets you connect quickly. You simply turn on the hotspot on your phone and connect your device to it through the Wi-Fi. Your device will need to be within close range of your phone.
It can be helpful if you’re practising a craft and want to watch a video to learn a new technique, or perhaps check on a few work emails.
You will need enough mobile data for this to work, because devices like laptops can eat up a lot of data. This makes it less suitable for data-intensive activities like streaming music or TV shows. It’s a good option if you have an unlimited data plan because you can use it without worry of charges or going over your limit.
Garden room Wi-Fi costs
Because most homeowners already pay for Wi-Fi, the cost of extending it is relatively low.
Products like extenders and powerline adapters aren’t pricey, and they don’t need professional installation either, so you don’t need to pay labour costs. With a mobile hotspot, you’re already paying for your plan, so it’s typically free unless you go over your limit.
The cost to install an underground ethernet cable can be higher. It’s safer and practical to hire a professional tradesperson to ensure your cable is installed correctly.
In 2023, it cost around £175 on average to install a Cat6 ethernet cable, however this price will vary depending on your location, the project and labourer.
The average cost of broadband is around £26.90 per month in the UK, which works out to just over £322 a year. If you add separate broadband for your garden room, you will be paying this alongside your existing home network. That’s why it’s best to explore options like Wi-Fi extenders to get the best value from your existing broadband.
Why your garden room needs Wi-Fi
The uses for a garden room are wide ranging, but adding Wi-Fi makes it more functional.
You can connect lots of devices including mobiles, computers, laptops or even payment devices if you’re running a small business like a nail salon. It also makes working from home possible.
At Eurocell, our Garden Rooms come with a full electric kit including three double sockets so you can plug devices like extenders or adapters easily without worrying about taking up plug space. Let our expert installers know exactly where you want the plug sockets, so that you can connect everything seamlessly.
Our Garden Rooms are fully insulated so functional all year round and can be customised to fit your needs. If you have any questions about Wi-Fi in your garden room, get in touch with our team or explore our range of stylish garden rooms to upgrade your living space.
