Garden bars, home cinemas and games rooms

A garden bar

A 5 × 4 m bar and lounge, drawn to scale:

• Bar sink: needs a water supply and a waste connection. See plumbing.
• Fridges and ice machines run all the time. Allow for them in the electrics and running costs.
• A canopy or covered deck extends the bar outdoors. See canopies.

A home cinema

• Few windows on the screen wall and blackout blinds elsewhere.
• Projector distance: check the throw distance for your screen size. A 4 m deep room suits most home projectors.
• Acoustic treatment: soft furnishings and panels stop echo in a small timber room.
• Wired connections for streaming. See broadband.

A games room

• Pool table: about 5 × 4 m for a 7 ft table with room to cue.
• Darts: about 3 m from the board to the throwing line, plus space to stand back.
• Table tennis: needs a large room, around 6 × 4 m or more for casual play.
• Strong, level floor for a slate-bed pool table.

Noise and neighbours

A garden bar or cinema is often used late in the evening. Insulation, closed doors and acoustic panels help; so does siting the room away from neighbours' bedroom windows. See soundproofing.

What it costs

Add plumbing, electrics, heating and fit-out. See the cost estimator.