Tell me what I need in my beach-hut?!

[arseabouttit]

Just got a beach hut which is a bit battered and actually tiny but we are excited about it!

Getting it repainted & repaired but what do I need to put in it?

No power but camping stove?

If you have one or have used/rented one give me your top tips on essential equipment / decor / what not to do etc

Imagining winter walks & whipping up a cuppa and a bacon butty, summer days watching the world go by for a couple of hours...

Looking forward to some Mumsnet wisdom! TIA

Exciting. You need some kind of curtain to cover the doorway.

A little table, if possible one that folds up/down from the wall.

A water carrier,

A broom

Bucket and spade

And don't have anything in there that you would be absolutely gutted if it got stolen. My parents have only had beach huts on holiday, but we were broken into one year, they took towels and my Dad's Swiss army knife.

Yes to fold out table plus folding chair(s) cushions and blankets/throws. Fairy lights. I'd LOVE a beach hut!

We had one with a holiday house once in Wells Next The Sea. It was fab! We needed a proper garden shovel to clear the deck and a broom as every time there was a wind it blew huge amounts of sand in front of the the door and we had to dig it out!

Best holiday ever and the kids loved it!

We also had, and appreciated:
A gas camping stove, basic pans, mugs, frying pan, cups, water carrier etc
A rack for hanging up wet things
Beach mats and deck chairs
Buckets, spades, nets etc
Supplies including sun cream and tea
Torch and lanterns with citronella candles

Regarding decor, there were a few soft seat pads and cushions that were nice but a pain if they got wet.

A storage bench across the back of the hut to keep buckets etc in, shelves for the supplies and a small table.

They had bunting etc but I think that it might be in the law that you have to have that when you have a beach hut.

I’m very envious of you!

Doormat
Paraffin lamp(s)
Matches
Gas kettle, mugs
Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew and bread knife
Camping chairs
Small first aid kit
You can now buy small gas heaters which use the same gas canisters as travel stoves

They had bunting etc but I think that it might be in the law that you have to have that when you have a beach hut.

Hahaha!!! Yes I will definitely have to get bunting!

Thanks for all these suggestions - definitely loads that I hadn't thought of!

It really is small but we are getting a bench and fold down table put in so glad you've said that!

Hadn't really thought about a frying pan for my bacon butties - doh! I think I need to visit a camping shop!

Good point about cushions getting wet & stuff being stolen but will risk keeping a few things down there as ideally I'd like to be able to walk the dogs or cycle & not take the car! It's about 3 miles away, so that's the dream anyway!

Following with jealousy. .

A porta loo? Step too far?

First aid kit & doormat - good thinking!

Portaloo
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Thankfully there is a cafe with public loos not too far down the beach!

Curtain across doorway

That's a genius suggestion - bit of privacy if needed (for the portaloo😂)& still letting light in!

The towels were pretty much all that were taken - obviously wanted a moonlit dip.

The curtain is great, means you can get changed (if needed) with out having to shut it all up (especially if it is half doors with a lift up section)

Deckchairs, windbreak, blankets, disposable bbq!

Whistling kettle.
Tea pot and cosy.
Cool box with a supply of ice packs to keep your bacon and milk fresh along with the wine and beer chilled.
Solar lantern or lights.
Will it have water OP?
If not some type of water carrier.
Large mat for the floor much easier to take out and shake the sand off.
Think you will have a summer to remember OP.

Thanks all! These are great suggestions - you have basically done all the thinking for me! Now all I need to do is go shopping!!

Re: windbreaks I'm going to investigate as I've seen some that slot into tubes that run along the hut on either side. I imagine they must be specially made. Will go and see if any other beach hut owners have them & can give me details. (Whilst craning my neck to see what they have inside their huts of course!)

A couple of nice cosy throws/blankets to wrap around you when its a bit cool

I'm so jealous - I'd love a beach hut! Anyway re. the bench: make sure it's deep and long enough to loll about on and sit comfortably. We have a glorified shed summer house in our garden and we're given a wooden garden bench & table set, which we happily took. The problem is that they're not wide or long enough to sit on in a relaxed way so it doesn't feel too relaxing. We sit on the cushions on the floor instead! You could get a bench that doubles up as a container for cushions, throws, buckets & spades etc.

If you're going to decorate the walls, you could put up light canvas style pictures using those command hooks that are velcro strips that stick to the wall without damaging it and can be easily removed.

What about using one of those non-electric dehumidifiers where you put an insert thing into it every now and again to try and hold back the damp?

A dustpan and brush and a small litter bin is obviously a must.

From my friends childhood one I would go for battery lights (I always remember getting changed in the pitch black!) and do they make portable potties for adults? The long trek to the gross toilets stays with me!

Re: the bench I think it will be just about wide enough to sit on (I could loose a bit of weight to fit my backside there more comfortably!) but if we all go (5 of us) then I think we will need chairs for outside too as it will be a squash and a squeeze! Saw some aluminium frame "deckchair" style chairs when we were away recently which fold flat - might see if I can get some of those as they were really comfy and easy to put up!

Fleece blankets are a good idea for the above!

Also yes bin and dustpan & brush also great additions to the list!

It's going to be super cosy - can't wait! It will be my woman cave! I might ban the others as I could do with some peace at the minute!

No advice OP but we need a pic of the before/after please!