Your shed can be a real asset to your home and garden. There is a growing trend of turning a simple garden shed into something more – whether a garden office, a workstation or a summerhouse.
Turning your garden shed into a summerhouse can be a great way to get away from it all, in the comfort of your own back garden. It’s also pretty simple to do, depending on how extensive you want your summer house to be.
Read on for some top tips on turning your garden shed into a relaxing summerhouse.
Give It A Lick Of Paint
Painting your shed is one of the best first steps toward making it the ultimate summerhouse oasis. The colour can be anything you like – bright or muted, pastel or even metallic. What is important is that you like the colour and find it soothing and pleasant to look at.
You could also consider painting the shed’s interior – after all, it will be where you spend time in the summer months relaxing. Again, you can choose whichever colour that appeals to you and create the perfect space for relaxation.
Declutter Your Shed
For many of us, our sheds are where many things from day-to-day life get stored and forgotten about. Having a thorough declutter is crucial if you want the space to turn your shed into a relaxing oasis.
If you have a lot of garden equipment, you may want to consider alternative storage solutions or consider keeping part of your shed set aside for storage. The need for additional storage will depend on the size of your shed and garden.
Take stock of the items in your shed and see if there are any you no longer need. Once you have pared your things down to the essentials, you can decide whether you will need additional storage space or if you will be able to fit everything into your summerhouse.
Make Sure Its In Excellent Condition
One of the most critical elements of creating a summerhouse from your garden shed is ensuring that it is in good condition, to begin with. You could consider inspecting it thoroughly for any damage, holes or damp and ensure that anything you find is patched or secured.
If your garden shed is in poor condition, it may be worth investing in a new shed. Do some research into the options available and see if you can find any to your taste. It will help if you ensure that you buy a shed from a reputable shed supplier such as Shedstore. For a full view of the range of garden sheds available from Shedstore, check shedstore.co.uk.
Consider Insulation
If you want to make use of your summerhouse all year round, you could consider installing insulation. While this wont make your shed properly warm without additional heating, it will help take the edge off a chilly night.
Review Your Flooring Options
Flooring is essential in any space. There are many ways that you could consider flooring your summerhouse, and it largely depends on the amount of upkeep you are willing to do.
Wood, lino or vinyl are excellent options for a summerhouse and are easy to clean and maintain. If you would like something cosier, then you could consider adding a rug or carpet runner. It is worth noting that you should practice good maintenance with any carpet or fabrics in your summerhouse, as these are more susceptible to mould or mildew damage.
Add Furniture
You should consider the type of furniture you want for your summerhouse. A sofa could be perfect if you share your summerhouse with family or friends, and a comfortable chair for reading is ideal for anyone who wants a quiet reading spot.
Next, you could consider options for tables so that you can take a drink or have a meal out in your summerhouse. The amount of furniture you add will depend mainly on your shed’s size, so it is essential to take proper measurements and ensure that everything will fit!
Make It An Inviting Space
Once the practicalities are sorted, you can start decorating your new summerhouse. You could consider adding blankets for chillier nights to help create the perfect reading nook. Plants are also an excellent choice, as they are known for promoting a relaxing atmosphere.
The choice of lighting is another vital element. You could consider adding lamps and fairy lights to add some atmospheric lighting at night. Your lighting could be in warm tones, which will add to the comfortable space.
You could also consider adding a space heater for the colder months. Using space heaters should always be done with caution and ensure that any blankets or flammable items are far away from the space heater to reduce the risk of fires.
Keeping Insects Out
One of the trickier elements of building your dream summerhouse is to ensure that insects and other pests stay out. Ensuring that there are no gaps or holes in your shed is one crucial step that you should take to keep bugs out. Making use of pesticides and insect repellent can also help prevent bugs from entering your summerhouse.
While it may not be possible to entirely remove the possibility of insects taking up residence in your summerhouse, regular cleaning and spraying with insecticide can help to reduce the risks of an infestation. You should also avoid leaving any food or drinks in the summerhouse that might attract bugs and pests.
Conclusion
Converting a garden shed to a summerhouse can be a simple but gratifying experience. It is vital to ensure that you take steps to prepare your shed for being a summerhouse by shoring up the windows and doors, adding insulation or, if necessary, investing in a brand-new shed for the project.
Once you are all set up and ready to go, you can look forward to summer days spent lounging in the comfort of your own summerhouse. When the coronavirus pandemic is over and restrictions are lifted, you can then introduce family and friends to your garden oasis.
Leave a Reply