Most people picture a summer house as a warm-weather hideaway. A simple place for a book, a drink and a bit of quiet. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we know it can be far more than that. With the right design and a solid build, a garden room becomes a space you can rely on year-round. It can work as hard in January as it does in July.
Our wooden summerhouses are made from redwood deal, not cheaper whitewood, and come with solid timber floors, toughened glass and free installation. That level of quality provides a strong foundation for year-round use. Add optional insulation and coloured paint, and you have a room that stays warm, dry and inviting, even when the garden is bare.
Here are some practical ways to make your building shine long after summer ends. These ideas work for small footprints and large summerhouses alike.
A garden office that feels separate
Working from home is now part of everyday life for many people. A garden office gives you a quiet, focused space without the distractions of the main house. When autumn arrives and the weather turns, that separation becomes even more helpful. Instead of claiming a corner of the kitchen table, you walk across the garden and close the door on the rest of the world.
A simple desk, a comfortable chair and a small heater are often all you need. If you choose a summerhouse with a side shed, you also gain a place to store tools or bulky items away from your work area. With insulation added, the space holds its heat well and stays pleasant through the colder months.
A studio for creativity
Shorter days can make you crave a quiet escape. A garden studio gives you just that. Whether you paint, sew, write or craft, a separate room helps you focus. Many of our buildings feature generous glazing, bringing in plenty of natural light. A soft interior paint colour can make the room feel even brighter. A small electric heater takes the edge off winter mornings.
If you need extra room for equipment, our bespoke designs let you adjust size, layout or door width. With sizes from 7×5 to 28×16, you can create a studio that suits your craft without compromise.
A games room for the whole family
When colder evenings arrive, a summer house can ease the pressure on busy households. A games room gives children and teens a place to spread out, especially during half-term or the Christmas break. Add a sofa, a table for board games or puzzles, and you have a flexible space that grows with your family.
In larger models, you can divide the room into zones. One corner might have a TV and bean bags, while another might hold a table for crafts or homework. Large summerhouses are ideal if you want a space to host friends or keep noise away from the main living room.
A quiet retreat for yourself
Your garden might look bare in winter, but your summer house can still feel warm and cosy. With a rug, soft lighting and a throw, it becomes a small retreat where you can read, rest or take five minutes away from everything. Many people tell us that simply walking through the garden to reach the building gives them a welcome mental reset.
Because our buildings use redwood deal and toughened glass, they feel sturdy even in bad weather. Optional insulation makes a noticeable difference in comfort, especially on cold, clear evenings.
A home gym you will use
If getting to a gym feels impossible in winter, placing one in the garden helps remove the excuses. You only need enough space for a mat, a set of weights or a treadmill. A larger building can hold several machines and still leave room to stretch. A garden gym means no travel time, no shared equipment and the freedom to exercise whenever you have a spare half hour.
A wooden summerhouse also gives you privacy. You can train at your own pace without worrying about noise or crowds. For many customers, this is the feature that keeps them active through the darker months.
Built for the seasons
A summer house that performs well in winter starts with the right construction. Our wooden summerhouses are made from redwood deal for strength and stability. Floors are solid timber rather than sheet material. Toughened glass is standard across the range for safety and clarity. We also provide a free site survey and a base building service so the structure sits exactly as it should. Free installation means you can start using the room straight away.
If your garden has an awkward corner or you want a unique layout, we offer bespoke designs. You choose the size, door position, windows and roof style, and we build to suit.
Ready to enjoy your garden all year
A garden building should not be something you use for three months and forget for the rest of the year. With a bit of planning, it can become one of the most useful rooms you own. If you are thinking about a new wooden summerhouse or want help choosing the right size or layout, we are here to guide you.
Get in touch with 1st Choice Leisure Buildings and turn your summer house into a space that works beautifully in every season.
FAQs For Summer Houses
- Can you build your own summerhouse?It is reasonably easy to assemble the smaller buildings if someone can help you move the panels around whilst you screw them together. However, it is very important that you take your time and do the job correctly. This is vitally important for fixing the roof and felting it. If you get it wrong, water may get into your building and damage your possessions. Not a good idea.
However, as standard, 1st Choice includes free installation of the building, which is a far better idea. This saves you a lot of hard work and ensures the summer building is constructed correctly, which will help it last a long time.
However, as standard, 1st Choice includes free installation of the building. This saves you a lot of hard work and ensures the summer building is constructed correctly, which will help it last a long time. - Can you buy flat-pack summer houses?Yes, flat-pack summer houses are available for purchase. We can offer a range of flat-pack summer houses that can be easily assembled on-site. These include Flat Pack Sheds, which offer a range of apex and pent flat-pack summer houses, and Flat Pack Houses, which offer customisable flat-pack homes, including summer houses.
- Can You Live In A Summerhouse All Year Round?A lot of people like the idea of having a garden with a summerhouse. It gives you extra space for your gardening tools, lawnmower, and other supplies.
Planning permission is often a worry in the UK. Many people wonder if they can build a garden building without facing too many restrictions.
The answer depends on your situation. Some summer houses still need planning permission, but most do not now because the laws have changed.
In the UK, you are not allowed to live in a summer building all year round because of regulations. These buildings are meant for temporary, seasonal use and usually do not have enough insulation or proper facilities for living through the year. Following local planning laws helps keep your living space safe and suitable.
Read our summerhouse planning guide and it will help explain the rules about planning permission for garden buildings. By the end, you should know if you need permission for your new summerhouse. - How long do summer houses last?The life of a summerhouse varies according to how it is looked after. The quality of materials used to preserve it, how often it is treated, and the climate are important factors, although most of the UK has similar conditions. However, if a summerhouse is well maintained, it would be expected to last for 20 to 30 years, sometimes even longer.
Some summer houses come with a warranty of up to 10 years, which you might consider a good indication of their durability. However, you will find strict terms and conditions (hidden away) stating you need to treat the building EVERY year. So it is your treatment that is making the building last, not the so-called warranty.
To ensure a long life, it is very important to regularly maintain your summerhouse. Treating all the wood with a high-quality preservative or wood stain is recommended. Check the roofing felt for leaks and around the windows as well. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy your building for a very long time. - What are the benefits of different size summer houses?A summer house has plenty of benefits, ranging from its versatility to the increase in your property value.
- Versatility: Summer houses can be designed as retreats to relax and escape the business of home life or as workshops to indulge in hobbies. These buildings are adaptable for the owners .
- IncreasedProperty Value: Besides the recreational value of a summerhouse - in most instances - it will increase the value of your property if, and when, you decide to sell.
- Customisation: With a broad range of styles, cladding and sizes available to you, summer houses can be easily customised to fit your specific requirements and preferences, ensuring that you end up with a bespoke structure that complements both your garden and your desired aesthetic and functionality.
- Year-Round Use: These days, we can insulate summer houses in various ways, and using insulation as an upgrade will allow you to enjoy your summer house no matter the season. Insulation will help keep the interior cool in the summertime and nice and cosy in the winter, making it comfortable and usable throughout the year.
- What can a summer house be used for in the garden?With its amazing adaptability, a summer house can turn your garden into a multipurpose area. Modern summer homes can be made for year-round use with optional insulation, although they are traditionally made to enjoy warm weather. Here are some ways they can be used:
- Home Office: An excellent way to escape the chaos of the main house and enjoy a private workspace.
- Guest Rooms: Build a summer house to use as guest rooms for visitors who come and stay. This will give them some privacy, and you won’t feel like you’re on top of each other.
- Relaxation Spaces: Away from the main house and the stresses of daily life associated with it, summer houses are great for unwinding or reading a book in a tranquil environment. You can also make it into something more specific, like a yoga studio or a meditation space.
- Entertainment Areas: A stylish setting for hosting gatherings or relaxing with friends and family. You could build a bar for optimal entertainment.
- Art or Hobby Studio: Perfect for pursuing creative passions or hobbies without distractions, and a great place to store all your equipment and goodies separate from the house.
- Playrooms: A dedicated space for your children to play and explore – ideal to minimise noise in the main house.
