Does anyone have a summerhouse?

[MrsL123]

By 'summerhouse' I mean something like this at the end of the garden, not a cottage in the Cotswolds

We're taking down our old shed to replace it with something a bit prettier, because it's the first thing you see when you look at the garden. I've found lots of summerhouses online that are about the same size/cost as decent shed, and they look lovely when they're painted. I'd planned just to frost the windows and use it for storage, but DH has just emptied the shed and literally everything in there is junk apart from the BBQ and a few small garden tools that could go in the utility cupboard - we're getting gravel put down so we won't even have a lawnmower. So we'll have no real need for a storage shed at all. Having nothing isn't an option because we have power running down to the area and it'd leave a big gap against the fence - so now the plan is to get the summerhouse and actually use it (i.e. a couple of armchairs and a small table, or maybe a bistro set). I like to think we'll use it on a sunday afternoon or when we have BBQs, but I can't help thinking it'll become a glorified cat house!

Does anyone have a summerhouse that they actually make use of, or does it just sit in the corner rotting away and collecting spiders?

Hello MrsL123 - sorry but no, I've got three sheds one of which is meant to be housing the stuff that is still sitting in storage but isn't because I have lost the key to the lock up and am putting off the conversation.

You are right about cats though if I leave the doors open on the one that stores bikes/kids garden stuff they are in like a shot.

Briefly considered a 'garden room' or summerhouse but figured we probably wouldn't use it on the grounds that if it is nice enough to be outside then we would be outside iyswim.

The picture looks very pretty though and def nicer than my sheds even though I've painted them

I'd be interested to hear from people with summer houses too. Was thinking of getting one that DS can use as a play house now but won't out grow as he gets older and can maybe use as some sort of teen hanging out place later on.

I've got one and I love it, I've got 2 dc and at times I just need to have a quiet twenty minutes away from their constant noise!

It has become 'my space' and I find it so relaxing sitting there with a book in the summer or just sitting with dh having a drink and listening to the birdsong and watching our garden pond

I like the heat of the summer but can't sit out in the full sun for too long so the summerhouse is perfect for that as well

Love mine so much we are considering getting a much bigger one built this year

hope that helps

I've got one that started off with good intentions, but ended up being bike and garden toy storage.

However, next door have one and they have put a couple of those Ikea rocking chairs in, a radio and a beer fridge! They use it all the time and it was the reason we got ours. Maybe as my children get older we will rid it out and ours properly.

We have one but having now had a son return from uni after 4 years away it has become a dumping ground for his stuff as the house is overflowing.

we also use it for storing garden chairs and dining table over the winter as the garage is down 2 flights of steps.

Before that, I did use it- mainly for sitting outside when it was cooler.

If you do get one, make it as big as you can, as a couple of chairs and table take up a lot of room.

Are they like sheds in the fact you get a lot of spiders in them?

mine does get a bit cobwebby but not as much as the garden shed

I have 2 - one is for the kids - they keep their bikes,scooters etc and have a little table and chairs in there too. (We inherited it with the house)

And a nice new one with our hot tub in!!!!! (boast emotion)!!!!