I want a Summerhouse! Does anyone have one?

[Pinotpleasure]

I was thinking that I’ve sometimes had a barbecue or lunch/dinner/glass of wine on warm days in our garden (we have to climb up a dozen steps as it’s a raised garden) and due to our climate have often had to dash indoors again when there is a sudden passing shower.

I’m now thinking that the solution might be a summerhouse? Not the kind which look like a shed (we have two sheds already) but one of those lovely octagonal or small pavilion shaped ones with a shingle roof which you see in those lovely garden magazines. They look so appealing with pretty cushions, bunting and tubs of flowers outside. We would probably need planning permission as we live in a Grade II listed house in a conservation area.

Has anyone got one? Are there any pitfalls or anything you would have done differently?

I am getting one! We are having a corner one with a wood burner in it. They are bloody expensive for a good one though.

@Movinghouseatlast - is it deemed safe to have a wood burning stove in a wooden ‘chalet’? Are you having a modern design which incorporates a chimney?

What about electric power?

It’s definitely not cheap but during my Google search having a summer house can uplift ones property price by up to 5%. The life span is around 30 years so probably better value for money than a hot tub!

My summer house was already here when we moved in, we have reroofed it and painted it.

It's great but we don't use it too much as we entertain by the kitchen and have bifold doors.

Great for the dogs who love to chill in there

Ours has electric

I have 3! They were there when we moved in.
One of them is a 1929 revolving one which doesn’t revolve any more. Another has a fitted carpet (bleurgh) and electric light. The one I like best is octagonal and has electricity.
I highly recommend electricity if it’s an option as you can extend the season and time you can use it by having heating and lighting.
They will last a long time if you are prepared to spend time and money on maintenance (painting every few years, having them properly reroofed, cutting back ivy that threatens to wreck them).
I love my octagonal one. The previous owner used to use it as an artist’s studio and the floor was covered in paint and I sanded it down and put something like 6 coats of varnish on it, it’s beautiful. The roof was lined with stained plywood so I dyed muslin and made drapes for it. It is perfect- my little space I can be alone in. It was a sanity saver during first lockdown.
There is an oak tree planted too close which will either have to go one day or will destroy it- don’t do that.

Yes you can have a woodburner. As long as it complies with building regs of course.

We are having a corner one with electricity. There was one here when we moved in which just needed a new roof really, but the decking it was on was unsafe so everything had to come down..