What is your summerhouse like?

[EasternDailyStress]

We're soon getting a summerhouse to put in the garden, and I'm very excited! Just wondering what other people use theirs for, how they're decorated etc?

Would love some ideas on how to make it look nice without being either too twee or too much like a child's Wendy house. Pics welcome. 😊

Don't have one to show you but the most important thing to figure out is comfortable seating.

If the seating is really comfortable, you will use it.
Focus on what exactly you imagine you will use it for.
Quiet time?
Drinks?
Listening to music?
Play area for children?
Get away from everyone?

The better the seating, the greater the use.

Thanks @billy1966. It's at the end of the garden, which is the only spot that gets the sun after about 5 pm so it will be mainly to sit in in the late afternoon/evening, maybe to eat in there (generally just me and DH as teenage DS likes to do his own thing).

I'm thinking it would be nice to have highly-scented plants around the outside and maybe some kind of bird feeder.

We have put a gym in ours and a large TV with WiFi etc and folding sofa bed type thing and bean bags the other side for chilling in summer evenings / watching big sport events with friends. It will be so cosy in the winter (we had electricity installed so we it can be heated). We painted it in F&B French gray and put decking outside, it looks really good and has come in handy. We sleep in it sometimes to have a change of scene over lockdown.

Full of junk

Have you thought of raising it up to maximise evening sun. I'm obsessed with the evening sun. Nothing like drinking wine in it!
A friend of mine decided to put a deck in the far corner of her garden to catch the evening sun.
It was suggested she raise the decking a couple of feet so she would extend the sun time.
She reckons it was money really well spent as she gets an extra 45 in the evening from it.

Since lockdown we have built one as my husband’s office as he will never return to an office.

Insulated, underfloor heating, full blinds, alarm system, massive computer set up for his job, standing desk, Alexa, desk chair, 2 ikea Poang chairs, coffee table. Mini fridge arriving tuesday. DHis currently plastering it, and then painting it.

The kids are planning a trillion gaming parties in it when they are allowed.....

If you are thinking of getting one OP you must have an idea of what you want to use it for

I am curious about them too but I don't think we would use it so I'd rather not take up space in the garden

Built mine on the hill behnd the house, so that it gets an amazing 180 deg view of the sea and the sun rising over the water. I've just added a deck with steps up, an outdoor room with grape vines growing over it. It also has three mirrors set in the charcoal-stained slatted screen behind, to reflect the water views. In the lady shed I've painted the walls a soft grey-green, with white vaulted ceiling and a skylight to sleep under the stars. I've put in a double bed with pretty leaf-design bedspread and cushions, floaty white linen curtains, a fluffy white rug, a white trestle table for my computer, white painted bookshelves filled with my favourite books, a little fridge, and a kettle and toaster on a cane tray. Outside I have planted loads of palm trees, cordylines and white camellias. It's very romantic, soft, airy and comfortable, and it's all mine!

@pollyglot
Sounds glorious.

Wow some of yours sound gorgeous! Ours is only 8 x 6, but will get the last of the sun. We found that if it's a bit windy we tend not to sit out, so that will be the main use.

I'm torn between putting in electric or leaving it so that it's more like camping, with candles and solar fairy lights. The WiFi from the house will reach, so iPads and phones can still be used if necessary. Quite tempted to plant beautiful things around it now too.

Hope it arrives soon!

Ours is very old ,may be from 30s/40s , was given to me, had it many years moved it from old house to new, has a beach hut shape/look /size
No electricity ,is lit inside with solar lights -panel put outside , i pack cushions , chairs etc away in the autumn and unpack spring .
We were very lucky to find gorgeous white wicker furniture, has a laura ashley / white company look about, it 2nd hand.
I totally love it , being in it ,looking at it-it has fairy lights on the outside.
Over lockdown it has been my sanctury.
It has nothing precious in it , comfy cushions, paper pom poms ,shabby chic but not tacky -i think !
Polly glot, yours sounds wonderful x

Ours has a bar/ bar stools and comfy seating . I use it to read and relax and dh uses it to have friends over and they chat at the bar . We have it open when we have bbqs and use it for drinks etc and more seating . I've decorated it in blues and have added random 'fun signs ' so it's just a happy place to be . The cats absolutely love it !! Warm and quiet when we aren't in it ! I've faced mine so it's looking at a nice view so when I read it relax I have a good view .

Ours is a glorified shed, with conservatory furniture and speakers in there. A few board games, solar powered fairy lights. A basket with blankets for if it gets cold. I love it, it's the only place I can go for any peace!