Do you dream of a unique garden?
Summer house sheds don’t have to be ornamental pretty structures tucked at the bottom of your garden. They are useful living spaces that can increase the value of your property, give you a home office and a place to escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Here’s the kicker:
Modern summer house sheds can be whatever you want them to be – a home office, a gym or a place to relax — the options are endless.
Let’s cover:
- Why Summer House Sheds Are Trending In Gardens
- Styles Of Summer Houses
- Features Worth Factoring In
- Optimising Small Spaces
Summer House Sheds Are Trending In Gardens
Summer house sheds have been flying off the shelves in recent years.
In fact it’s easy to see why when considering the benefits. With 28% of the UK workforce now working from home for at least part of the week, people need dedicated space to separate home life from work life.
There’s another reason why these buildings are everywhere…
Summer house sheds add value to your property. Research has shown that building a summer house can increase the value of your home by up to 5%. That’s a very good return on investment for a building that improves your lifestyle.
Summer house sheds provide the solution to the spare room conundrum. They give you the additional space you need without the expense and hassle of a full home extension. And if you’re keen to get started, browsing summer houses for sale will give you an idea of the options and help you decide which style is right for your garden.
Styles Of Summer Houses To Consider
Gone are the days when garden sheds were just little wooden boxes with a door and some windows.
Garden offices are now available in designs that would make architects green with envy. Let’s look at some of the most popular trends…
Minimalist Contemporary Design
Imagine clean lines, large expanses of glass and simple materials and you’ll have this style in mind.
Minimalist is particularly popular for home offices because there are fewer distractions. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels fill the space with natural light while neutral colour palettes keep the environment calm and focused.
Key elements:
- Flat or low-pitched roof
- Sliding glass doors
- Monochrome colour scheme
- Built-in storage
Minimalist is the way to go if you want a modern summer house that will blend in seamlessly with contemporary homes.
Traditional Cottage Design
The old adage that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ applies well to garden buildings.
Traditional summer house sheds are built with apex roofs, smaller paned windows and natural timber cladding. They are warm, inviting and fit beautifully into gardens with established planting and mature trees. Cottage designs are ideal for studios or hobby rooms where you want that snug, homely feel.
Industrial Design
If you want a design with a little more edge…
Industrial designs use materials like metal cladding, exposed beams and concrete floors to create a raw, urban feel. This is the style for art studios, music rooms or contemporary home gyms where you want an energising vibe.
Features To Factor Into Your Summer House Design
The difference between a ‘nice’ summer house and a ‘fantastic’ one is the detail.
These are some of the key features you need to include…
Insulation For All Year Round Comfort
Insulation is key if you want to use your summer house during the colder months.
Double-glazed windows, insulated walls and quality roofing materials will keep your space comfortable whatever the season. Many modern summer houses include underfloor heating systems that provide even, consistent warmth without taking up precious wall space.
Insulation is one feature you don’t want to cut corners on. It’s what will turn a seasonal shed into a genuinely useable space year-round.
Bi-Fold Or Sliding Doors
Bi-fold or sliding doors can change the way you use your summer house.
They create the seamless indoor-outdoor living space everyone craves. On warm days, you can open up the whole front of your building and feel like you’re sitting in the garden while still having the convenience of all your facilities close to hand.
Integrated Technology
If your summer house is going to be a home office, it needs modern amenities.
Consider adding:
- Electrical sockets well-positioned for your equipment
- Good Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building
- Smart lighting systems that you can control with your phone
- USB charging points built into desks or walls
Robust internet connection is not an optional extra if you’re planning on working from your shed.
Optimising Small Spaces In Summer House Designs
Not everyone is blessed with acres of garden space.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing summer house shed. Small garden buildings can be just as functional as larger designs if you plan them cleverly.
Vertical Thinking
Floor space is limited, so think up instead.
Tall ceilings, loft storage areas and wall-mounted furniture and fixtures make the most of small spaces. Some clever designs even include mezzanine sleeping areas or storage levels, effectively doubling the amount of usable space without increasing the size of the building’s footprint.
Multi-Functional Furniture
If space is tight, every single piece of furniture needs to earn its keep.
Fold-down desks, storage-seating that doubles as beds and Murphy beds that fold away during the day are game-changers in small summer houses. Multi-functional furniture means you can easily transform your space from a home office during the day to a guest bedroom at night.
Corner Placements Strategy
Don’t be tempted to waste that awkward corner of your garden.
Corner summer houses are a fantastic way to use up otherwise awkward spaces. L-shaped designs or summer houses specifically built to fit into a corner maximise your garden and provide surprisingly generous interior space.
Design Errors To Avoid With Summer Houses
Even the best summer house sheds can fail if you get the basics wrong…
Ignoring Planning Permission
Planning permission is not something you should skimp on.
Most garden buildings below 2.5 meters do not require planning permission but there are exceptions. Buildings too close to boundaries, those covering more than half of your garden, or structures intended as living accommodation all need permission.
Check the planning regulations before you begin your build to save you major headaches later down the line.
Misplaced Windows
Natural light can make or break a summer house.
Windows placed badly in relation to the sun’s path and your garden layout will let you down. North-facing windows provide consistent even light and are great for offices while south-facing glass will give you the maximum amount of warmth and brightness.
Inadequate Electrical Provision
Don’t be fooled into thinking one socket will suffice.
Plan for multiple electrical sockets, good lighting circuits and potentially even separate circuits for heating or air conditioning. Wiring it all in after the building is completed is expensive and a huge disruption. Plan your electrics from the outset and get it right.
The Bottom Line On Summer House Design
Modern summer house sheds are an amazing way to extend your living space and add value to your property.
The secret to a successful build? Start with a clear vision of how you will use the space and then design every aspect around that purpose. Whether you are creating a relaxing home office, an inspiring art studio or a snug garden getaway, designing with intent is the difference between a good summer house shed and a great one.
Planning your build is not a stage you should rush. The most successful summer house projects are those where owners have really thought about their needs, done their research and invested in good quality materials and build quality.
Your garden is the space that has the most potential to be so much more than just a lawn and some flower beds. With the right summer house shed, it can become your favourite room in the whole property, while potentially adding thousands of pounds to the value of your home at the same time.
That’s what I call a win-win.
