Basic summerhouse/shed

[LondonCallingBaby]

I am thinking of what to do with the bottom of my garden where it gets the most sun on an evening. Budget is tight so don’t want to mess it up

I am thinking about a summerhouse as we need somewhere to sit in the garden - it would have a small patio area in front. But, I’m not sure it will actually be worth it as I could only afford a very basic one (around £800 I think, basically a shed with glass doors ) with no electric or heating. I know I can insulate it, but would it be too damp and cold during anything other than the few days of summer? Would a nicer/larger patio be better?

For £800 I'd be tempted to lay my own patio and build a pergola over it and grow climbers to provide shade. If I had change from my £800, I might be tempted to add a chiminea for warmth

@DidymusAmbrosius

For £800 I'd be tempted to lay my own patio and build a pergola over it and grow climbers to provide shade. If I had change from my £800, I might be tempted to add a chiminea for warmth

That sounds lovely, and I have considered it Just to be clear, the £800 is just for the summerhouse, I have a smaller budget for the actual patio, so all in all will probably be around £1500. Not sure if that will cover labour costs though...

I have a small summerhouse and I absolutely love it!
It doesn't need any heating - as soon as the sun comes out it warms it up quickly inside through the glass. I can sit in there in the warm sunshine and enjoy the garden, even though it's chilly or windy outside. It has really extended the time in the garden from early March up until October on sunny but cold days, or in the light evenings when there's a bit of a nip in the air. It doesn't get damp in there at all.

..meant to say - mine doesn't have insulation, electric or lighting - they are really not needed at all (though I intend to add a string of solar lights at some point, purely for decorative purposes!). I painted it with Cuprinol Garden Shades, both inside and out, and it has a waterproof membrane on the roof.

I had this one from BQ www.diy.com/departments/shire-lumley-7x5-apex-shiplap-wooden-summer-house/289686_BQ.prd and loved it. It was painted white, had lace curtains and had a vintage interior. I spent the majority of the summer in it as I'm not one to sit out in the sun. It got the sun from first thing in the morning until early evening, and with yearly maintenance I had no problems with damp. It meant I could enjoy my garden even on damp days.

We’ve just put this one up
www.robertdyas.co.uk/power-pent-potting-shed-8-x-6

It’s lovely and warm when the suns out and pretty spacious inside

That’s great, thanks all I was thinking of going for a 10 x 8 one, but I really like @wohmum’s link. Good to know they stay warm during the summer - can I ask what about winter though when there’s not much sun? I’m just worrying over potential damp spoiling any chairs/books etc that may be in there.

Hi - OP, I bought a house with a workshop/shed which I’ve just cleared & used as a sunbathing space on Saturday, I think it’s a good idea

Re damp: I had left packing boxes in mine for 1 year with books/clothes. Most things totally fine, a couple of books felt damp & some mould on a couple of pairs of shoes (left in their boxes). So I’d say your furniture would be fine, but for books etc maybe avoid leaving out/put in a lidded plastic crate

I think best to avoid damp by having a raised floor (on joists), air vents, a gutter, and probably also airing out the space a bit on nicer days over the winter

I think it’s a really useful idea - and also handy to use in winter to store some garden furniture/pots etc, & stash Xmas presents away :)