Summerhouses, or garden rooms, are purpose-built wooden structures that generally have felt or tiled roofs.
They are becoming a staple of the modern British home, enabling us to get the most from our garden spaces. Summerhouses can be used for many different purposes, from offices to playrooms to cocktail bars.
The beauty of summerhouses is that they are entirely bespoke. No garden is too small, and a design can be developed to complement your home beautifully.
Most summerhouses do not require planning permission, but it is always best to check with your local council if you plan to build something particularly large.
Summerhouses are Functional and Multipurpose
Getting the most from your summerhouse means developing it to cater to a range of circumstances.
With the rise of home working, many choose to use their garden room as a home office. This is a great way to build a literal segregation between work and home, a blurred line many of us struggle with.
However, when using the space as an office, ensure it can double as something else during the evening and weekends, to use your space to its full potential. This might include an arts and crafts area, or a potting shed for keen gardeners.
Once you have defined the uses for the summerhouse, designing and decorating the room will flow much more naturally.
Don’t Forget the Insulation
The name doesn’t limit the room exclusively to the summer months, and this should be a space you enjoy all year round.
Therefore, insulation is essential to ensure your summerhouse is enjoyable in the colder months. Especially if you intend to use the space as a home office, proper insulation is crucial.
It’s Positioning Matters
Choosing the perfect sized summerhouse is vital. You need a space big enough to be functional but not so large that it will detract from your garden. Your summerhouse should complement rather than overpower.
Generally, the best positioning is at the very end of your garden. It feels secluded and can provide the tranquillity many crave.
Avoid placing the summerhouse in the middle of your garden, as it can make the area feel claustrophobic. Additionally, too close to your home will not allow this garden room to become its own separate entity, and you could risk blocking sunlight to the house.
Adding a garden path through your lawn towards the summerhouse not only looks great but helps avoid dragging muddy shoes into your lovely purpose-built garden room.
Let in The Light
A summerhouse allows you the freedom to create an ambience utterly different from that in your home. You must inject the most natural light into the space that you can, great for boosting productivity and mood whilst enjoying the room.
Large patio doors and windows are ideal, allowing the sunlight to seep into the space effortlessly. However, if you opt for large panes of glass, be sure to hang great quality blinds. This will allow for light manipulation and family privacy.
Inject Your Personality
Your summerhouse is a space that affords you complete freedom with regards to décor.
A summerhouse gives you the ability to express your personality and interior design style, running with a design or theme that you may not have the confidence for inside the home. Bright colours work amazingly and are wonderful if you are doubling the space as a playroom.
White-washed Scandinavian themes are popular in offices, permitting you to keep furniture to a minimum in the room. Alternatively, mix and match items to give a relaxed, bohemian finish, which works particularly well when textures and colours contrast.
Be sure to show your personality on the outside of your garden room too. You should not feel limited to brown woody tones. Pastel blues and greens look marvellous surrounding summerhouses, encapsulating the summer vibe.
Remember to Leave a Little Storage
The uses for a summerhouse differ dramatically from that of a shed, but leaving yourself with a little storage will be extremely useful.
Most gardens are not afforded the luxury of enough space for both a summerhouse and a shed. So, for those without a garage, a summerhouse may also need to work as a storage space for some essential garden items. Having a space to store your lawnmower and other tools securely is ideal.
Keep this storage area completely separate. If possible, divide the space into two different rooms with a door adjoining. This way, your summerhouse will retain its functionality and continue to look fabulous.
BM Property Agents are your local property experts for the Southend area. Call us on 01702 596027 or email barry@bmpropertyagents.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.
