How to Transform Your Shed into a Garden Summer House

22.04.2021

If you miss going on holiday and you need a cosy place where you can relax and unwind after a long day at work, we have the perfect solution – turning your shed into a nicely decorated garden summer house. Throughout this article, you will find useful tips on how to prepare the shed, how to give it a chic look, and how to find the ideal storage solutions for your space. Let’s get to work!

Step 1 – Declutter Your Shed

 Removing the clutter might seem a daunting task at first, but you’ll feel much more confident about the whole process once you complete this step. Think of it this way – do the difficult task first, and save the fun ones for later. But even if it’s not the most exciting part, decluttering can still be a pleasant activity if you do it with your loved ones while playing some of your favourite music. If your kids are reluctant, maybe you can lure them with pizza.

So, the first thing that you’ll have to do when it comes to decluttering your shed will be checking out the shed’s contents. We recommend splitting all the stuff into three main groups: sell/giveaway, use in the future, and rubbish.

The things that you never actually use but can still have some value for someone else, should of course go in the first group. You can post them online, organize a yard sale, advertise them on your social media accounts, or donate them to local charities.

Quick Tips

  • Old lawnmowers and other appliances and equipment are always sought after because some people are looking for spare parts.
  • If you take high-quality photographs, more people will check out your listing and you’ll sell the items faster.
  • If you are not sure what a certain thing is worth just do some research on any online marketplace.

The things that you still need such as your lawnmower, your outdoor furniture, tools and equipment, and so on, belong to the second group. And the things that you’ve been keeping around for ages but don’t have any value to anyone will definitely go to the rubbish category. Make sure you recycle all the items that can be recycled.

Step 2 – Prepare the Garden Shed

To achieve a full transformation, you’re going to have to do some work on the exterior of your future garden summer house. The first impression is really important and it’s what draws you in. Before you start thinking of all the nice decorations that you can buy and the potted flowers that will adorn your window sills, take some time to prepare the surfaces. 

To make your garden house look chic, you’ll surely need to apply a fresh coat of paint, but before you do that, you will have to remove the old coating. Start by removing the loose bits and the thick layer of dirt and dust. If you have a pressure washer, it will be much easier to get into all the grooves. If you notice any gaps, it’s best to fill them with some wood filler and sand them down.

Another important thing to check before you start repainting your shed is whether the roof is watertight or not. You can use a garden hose for this and if it turns out that your roof is leaking, you have to patch it up. If the leaking is bad, you might have to consider replacing the roof altogether. If you plan on creating a nicely-decorated garden summer house, having all your furniture drenched is not ideal.

Step 3 – Repaint the Shed

This is when all the fun begins and when you will actually start to see the results of your hard work. Repainting is a fun activity, especially if you do it with your friends or family members. Choose a great colour based on what you want your garden summer shed to look like. If you want your shed to be a man cave, go for darker, more masculine colours such as Amazon Soil, Silhouette, or Kingsport Gray. If you want to go for a feminine style, Beacon Hill Damasc, Rosy Peach, and Grey Cashmere are the perfect choices. You can find the 2021 colour trends and some great ideas on the Benjamin Moore website.

When choosing the perfect paint for a garden summer shed, don’t forget to choose one that includes wood treatment. This type of paint will protect your garden shed from water damage, rot, and other environmental problems. Use a roller, a brush, or a spray painting machine. If you already have a spray painting machine and plan on using it, remember to use a brush around the window frames, door frames and in other tight spots.

Step 4 – Do Some Work on the Interior

Before you wash your tools, check to see if the interior needs a fresh lick of paint as well. If it does, choose a great interior paint that matches the exterior one. The plan here is to create a comfortable space that can be used in all seasons. This means that you might have to get some insulation for your shed. The most durable and affordable insulation material for the floors is vinyl which can then be covered with soft carpets for a nicer feel. To insulate the walls, you can use polystyrene and plasterboard. To avoid over insulation, leave some openings to allow your walls to breathe. You should also insulate your ceiling and you can use insulation foil.

Important! If you need work done on your electrical wiring, hire a certified electrician.

Step 5 – Choose Furniture and Accessories

This is the best part and we’re really excited that you’ll get to enjoy furnishing and decorating a freshly painted garden summer house. We know you won’t have any trouble choosing some amazing pieces of furniture and beautiful accessories to match, but here are some useful tips:

  • If your shed is tiny, choose a small table but very comfortable seating.
  • If you’re a fan of vintage décor, use upcycled furniture. You can choose some cheap items from yard sales or flea markets and repaint them yourself.
  • Take some time to decide what type of storage will work best in your shed. Freestanding shelves and clear plastic boxes will make your shed look more spacious. Foldable furniture is another good option for small spaces.
  • The most important thing is to choose items that you love and that make you feel happy.

Step 6 – Create a Nice Outdoor Area

No garden summer house would be complete without a deck. We all know that food tastes better outdoors and in good company, so why not create a cosy outdoor area as well. This will be the perfect place for sunbathing, having a cup of coffee with your best friend, or barbecuing with your family. Add flower boxes or pots, and if you want to go rustic, use tin buckets or even rubber boots, but don’t forget to make some drainage holes at the bottom before you fill them with soil.

You are all done! You’ve created a beautiful space that you’ll get to enjoy for many years to come. Even if you won’t be able to spend your summer abroad, having a nice retreat in your garden will make your life so much better!

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