If you are looking for the perfect place to relax and unwind but can’t afford a holiday away, the answer could lie right in your own garden. Why not create your own private space to pursue hobbies or even a simply a place to relax and unwind after work or a long day with the kids.
No matter the size of your shed, there are a number of ways you can transform this unused space and personalise it to suit your needs. Summerhouses are incredibly popular and these products can completely transform your garden and your life! So why not invest in one or even better; convert your tired-looking shed into the ideal summer retreat.
Declutter your Disarray
The first step is to get all of that junk out of the shed and see what you have got, you never know you might find some hidden gems. Repurposing old items is nothing new but the trend has seen a revival in recent years thanks to zero waste campaignsthat want to see less scarp ending up on the heap. If you have old garden equipment then donate them to a local allotment and give a little something back to the community.
Once you have completely cleared out your shed you will have a good idea of the dimensions you have to work with and what you can achieve with it.
Brush up on your DIY
It is important to make sure that the foundations of your shed are strong, secure and are going to last. It is vital to ensure the following:
- The roof has been re-felted and it is watertight. This can be a tricky job to get right and usually requires more than one person to help out. Generally, you should leave a ¾” gaps at the sides of the shed so that rainwater can drip off and away from the shed.
- The structure should ideally be elevated off the ground so that moisture cannot soak through the floor and this is essential if you are planning on laying a new floor whether that is laminate or carpet.
- The walls should be sealed and any small holes or cracks filled to make sure that in the winter you aren’t freezing!
- If the shed doesn’t have a window then it is easy enough to have one installed and if you don’t feel confident about doing this yourself then hiring a joiner can be inexpensive and they can have one put in quickly.
- Coat the exterior with a weather-proof paint in a colour that will suit your theme. This is going to prevent damp and rotting and it should last all year round but it is still advisable to retouch this annually.
- If you plan on using any appliances in the summerhouse then you are going to need to have an electricity supply. The easiest way to do this is to run an underground wire from your house to the shed and it is always recommended to engage a qualified electrician to help with this to ensure it is carried out safely.
Thousands of Themes
Now that all of the hard work has been taken care of, you can start to decorate the interior starting with the walls. Wood paint comes in a vast range of colours so you don’t need to stick to conventional colours. Why not create a chic space and take some inspiration from some of the hottest trends right now:
- Ice Cream Colours – Think pastels and gelato shades in what can only be described as the perfect palette for the summer. Bold corals, luscious lavenders and pearly peaches should take centre-stage making this a statement summerhouse – the perfect place to hide away with your favourite dessert.
- Geometric – Be influenced by adventurous and stylish geometric patterns. These are great for drawing the eye in and look are a current update to any space. Why not make an accent wall using vibrant triangles while keeping the other walls simple and plain – tres chic!
- Ombre-Not just the on-trend way to colour your hair, ombre can be translated into many different items from wall colour to fabrics so why not play with a variety of textures and combine cooler hues such as charcoal and indigo and contrast them with warmer coloured furniture – your colour scheme is sure to be a real hit.
Final Touches
All that’s left is to add some comfortable cushions and a mini fridge for the chocolate and wine and you have the perfect mum-space to chill out in. So whether you are relaxing with your favourite book or are catching up with the latest boxsets, converting your old shed into the summers must have retreat will definitely not be a decision you regret, try it yourself and see.