Whether you need an airy studio for craft activities, such as painting or writing; a cool space to enjoy some shade from the midday sun; or somewhere to sit with a friend for a coffee; a summer house can have multiple uses. Design it to become a space where you can simply relax and enjoy your leisure time.
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On sunny days, a garden building provides welcome shade from the midday heat, when the sun is at its highest. This might be a good idea, considering the Met Office has just forecast a June heatwave! Britain is bracing itself for scorching temperatures of 86°F this month, with the heatwave set to last at least 16 days.
The hottest day forecast will be Sunday 13th June, when a temperature of 90°F is expected. Afternoon temperatures are unlikely to drop below 70°F this month across the whole of the UK. Sipping a cool drink in the shade of a welcoming summer house may seem like a good option to chill out!
Where is the best place in the garden?
If you're planning on building a summer house, the first thing to consider is the best spot in your garden. You probably don't want to be in direct sunshine for most of the day, as it will quickly become like a sauna, particularly in a heatwave. Similarly, you won't want it to be completely in the shade all day either.
Consider where the sun rises and sets and choose a spot where the summer house will receive its fair share of sunlight, but where it will also be in shade for part of the day. A popular spot is generally at the bottom of the garden.
Placing it in the middle isn't the best idea, as it will be in constant sunshine - and also, it will make your garden seem smaller, as it breaks up the lawn or patio space that you have.
If you're hoping to create a calm retreat, the further you build your summer house from everyday life, the better, so putting it far away from your house, at the end of the garden, is a popular choice.
How do you make a summer house inviting?
You could lay a footpath leading to the summer house entrance for visitors, which is especially effective, especially if it's on grass. The area around the plot will look eye-catching if you plant colourful flowers and plants. You can put them in large plant pots around the path and doorway too.
Pick a calming colour scheme of pastel and neutral shades, combined with timber cladding with pale leafy greens, for a natural effect. This will give the feeling of a country garden. You can also add interesting touches such as a weathervane, or colourful window boxes, to make it into a home-from-home.
When it comes to furniture, you can make the space your own by mixing and matching the items of your choice. You could keep it simple, with a sizable bench seat, piled high with comfy cushions, so it can double as a day bed. A table will come in handy for a drink, snacks, a book, magazines, mobile phone or laptop, for entertainment or work.
Unify your summer house furniture with the garden furniture by staining or painting it in a natural, neutral colour, or even in plain white, to keep the atmosphere cool and serene.
What other items will you need?
You can place all kinds of things in your summer house to make it feel inviting and comfortable. It's always pleasing to have a good selection of throws or blankets, while furniture that can be easily stored away comes in handy if you're inviting friends or family round for the day.
It's a good idea to have somewhere to store crockery, glasses and cutlery for those summer picnics. Preferably, you need to keep items such as this in a lidded container, as you don't want to risk uninvited guests, such as insects, getting into them.
Another good idea is to have equipment for outdoor games stored in the summer house. Playing rounders or cricket is always a fun activity, particularly for kids, while a foldable mini-football or basketball net are also useful additions for summer gaming.
Considering the space is going to be relatively compact, make sure everything is stored in purpose-built containers to keep it tidy. Also, bear in mind a summer house is unlikely to be insulated in the same way as an actual house, so you need to protect the contents from damp when cooler weather starts to set in. This is particularly important if you're using it as a workshop for arts or crafts activities, as you don't want items such as paper, paints or paintbrushes getting ruined by the elements.
Use your summer house to extend your indoor living space during the warmest months of the year. If you have a growing family and need extra space, or if you simply want another area to relax or socialise, it could be the answer to your prayers.