One of the most frequently asked questions we get when speaking to customers is, ‘How do I get WiFi in my garden office?’

Getting WiFi or an internet connection is key for most garden room uses. It certainly is if you work from there or use it as an entertainment space. With smart devices becoming more popular, WiFi is also being used for other facilities such as garden room heating.

There are a number of ways to get WiFi into your garden office or room. Some of these are a simple and cheap solution, others are more expensive but make your connection 100% reliable. In our view you want three things from your WiFi: speed, reliability and security.

How to get Wifi in your garden office

Let’s take a look at your best options available, alongside with some pros, cons and general costs.

1. Direct Ethernet Cable

Running an ethernet cable from your home to your garden office provides the fastest and most stable internet connection. With a direct cable option, you’ll experience minimal interruptions and consistent high-speed internet – essential for work or streaming. It’s certainly one of our preferred methods.

We generally install an exterior-grade Cat6 ethernet cable, which directly connects your house router to the garden office. This setup is very straightforward and allows you to either plug directly into a connection box with an ethernet cable or use it to create a dedicated WiFi access point in the garden office – ideal if you plan to use other devices, such as your phone, TV and smart heating!

If you’re installing a power supply to your garden office, adding the ethernet cable at the same time will save you on labour costs. The setup is straightforward – once the cable reaches the office, you can connect it to a WiFi router or directly to a device.

• Pros: Fast, stable and minimal interference – ideal for a professional setup.
• Cons: Upfront installation costs, may require professional installation if burying.
• Cost: £20 for the cable, plus £100–£200 if professional installation is needed.

2. WiFi Extender

A WiFi extender boosts the existing WiFi signal from your home router with the hope of making it more likely to reach your garden office.

This is the easiest system to set up. All you do is plug the extender into a power outlet positioned closer to the garden office than the main router, ideally near a window facing the office, to ‘bounce’ the WiFi signal and boost the range.

Extenders are affordable and easy to install, but they have limited range. They can work well if your garden office is within 30 metres of the house and the signal isn’t blocked by any solid walls.

However, this method can be unreliable and it’s likely you’ll experience slow speeds.

• Pros: Low-cost, quick setup, no special equipment required.
• Cons: Limited range and weaker signal strength over longer distances.
• Cost: £20–£50.

3. Powerline Networking

Powerline networking transmits the internet signal through your home’s electrical wiring. This makes it possible to bring WiFi to your garden office without running additional cables.

Powerline adapters are straightforward to set up. They work by plugging one adapter into a socket near your router and connecting it via a short ethernet cable. You can then plug a paired adapter into a socket in your garden office (or anywhere else in the house where you want boosted WiFi). We use a couple of Powerline adapters in the house and they work really well.

This option only works if the garden room runs on the same electrical circuit as the house. If it does, then it can lead to a strong, reliable internet connection. The connection may weaken over longer distances or if the electrical wiring is old.

• Pros: Quick setup, affordable, reliable, no need to run additional cables.
• Cons: Requires a shared circuit with the house, performance may vary with electrical wiring and may weaken over long distances.
• Cost: £30–£50 for the adapter kit.

4. Mesh WiFi System

A Mesh WiFi system works in a similar way to extenders, but instead provides a more robust solution by creating a ‘mesh’ network of nodes. This system uses smart devices called repeaters that are all connected to the main router.

These nodes distribute the WiFi signal evenly across the property, offering strong, uninterrupted coverage over larger areas. For best results, position one node near the house and another in the garden office. Some mesh systems even offer weather-resistant nodes designed for outdoor use.

Installation is relatively simple with many systems offering app-based configuration. However, this option has a higher upfront cost compared to basic extenders, and a strong WiFi connection relies on all nodes functioning together.

• Pros: Stable, good coverage, expandable for larger areas.
• Cons: Higher cost, more involvement in the setup.
• Cost: £100–£250, depending on the number of nodes.

5. WiFi Point-to-Point (PtP) System

A WiFi Point-to-Point (PtP) system is a more advanced solution suitable for garden offices located a little further from the main house.

The PtP system works by mounting one unit on the outside of the house and another on the garden office, creating a direct wireless link between the two. This option requires clear line of sight between both units, making it best for properties with no trees or buildings blocking the view.

Although PtP systems offer excellent signal strength over longer distances, they require proper installation and may involve configuring network settings. Due to the potential obstacles of setup and line of sight, PtP systems may not be practical for every home, but they can be a viable alternative to running ethernet cables for offices that are relatively far from the house.

• Pros: Effective for longer distances, suitable for larger properties.
• Cons: Requires line of sight, more complex setup, may need professional installation.
• Cost: £150–£200.

6. 4G/5G Mobile Broadband Router

For standalone internet access, a 4G or 5G mobile broadband router can provide internet to a garden office without relying on your home network. These routers use a SIM card to connect to a mobile data network, essentially creating a personal WiFi hotspot in the garden office.

Setup is simple – insert a SIM card with a data plan, and the router is ready to go.

This option is flexible and convenient, especially in rural areas or properties without viable WiFi connections from the main house. However, ongoing data costs and network limitations can be a major downside. Performance will depend on the strength of the mobile network in your area, which may be weak.

• Pros: Doesn’t rely on home network, flexible and mobile.
• Cons: Data costs can add up, performance dependent on mobile network reliability.
• Cost: £40–£150 for the router, plus ongoing data costs.

Ready to Create Your Perfect Garden Office?

In our view, a direct ethernet cable is the best solution for most garden offices and garden rooms. It offers the most stable connection and you know you’ll be fast speeds. It may cost a little more to set up but if you’re going to use your garden office on a regular basis, this option will payback by the bucket load.

If you’re looking to use your garden office as main base, it’s key to get the space insulated. Read up on the benefits of an insulated garden office.

At Lux Garden Rooms, we specialise in creating bespoke garden offices that are designed with modern connectivity in mind. Our team can advise on the best WiFi setup for your specific situation as well as incorporate cable routing and connectivity during construction

You can also take a look at our garden room gallery to spark inspiration for your own workspace and learn about our unique approach to designing and building garden offices.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and let us help you design a garden office that’s perfectly connected for your needs.

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Garde office FAQs

What’s the best way to get reliable WiFi in a garden office?

The best option for a stable, high-speed connection is to run an ethernet cable from your main house to the garden office. For a wireless solution, a mesh WiFi system or powerline networking through the sockets can work well depending on the distance from the house and existing electrical setup.

Do I need planning permission to add WiFi to my garden office?

Installing WiFi in a garden office doesn’t require planning permission, as it’s considered a standard utility upgrade. However, building the garden office itself may require planning permission depending on its size, height and proximity to property boundaries. Find more info in our post on garden room planning permission.

Can I use a WiFi extender to connect my garden office?

Yes, WiFi extenders are a simple solution to boost the WiFi signal from your home router to a nearby garden office. However, their range is limited (around 30 metres), and they work best when the garden office is relatively close to the main house and there are no thick walls in between. A simple WiFi extender is usually not the best option.

What size should a garden office be?

A garden office of at least 2.5m x 2.5m is generally recommended to comfortably fit a workstation and basic furnishings. If you’re planning to include additional equipment, such as storage or a meeting area, a medium-sized option like 3.5m x 3.5m or larger would be more suitable. Read more on garden room sizes here.