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Small Summer Houses
A small summer house is one of those garden additions that will leave you wondering how you ever managed without one. Humble but effective, they offer a peaceful space to retreat without needing a grand, ornate garden or a huge budget.
Small summer houses are ideal for a wide range of uses, from home offices to hobby dens and everything in between. Many people just enjoy them for nothing more than a quiet spot for a peaceful cuppa. Either way, these compact, tidy, but pretty garden buildings have become incredibly popular across the UK in recent years.
If your garden is short on space, a small summer house might just be the ideal solution. Browse our range below, and if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out for a chat.
Small summer houses are perfect for when you want to add something special without dominating your outdoor space. Our models start at 6x6ft and go up to around 10x10ft, giving you a healthy range of flexibility without eating into your lawn, patio or garden area too much.
Packed with Purpose
Don’t be fooled by the size. A small summer house has plenty of use cases in the UK, easily transformed into:
A quiet home office
A reading nook
A music room or art studio
A yoga or workout zone
A kid-friendly retreat
A tidy place to escape clutter
If you are like many of our customers, you might not even need a specific reason. Sometimes, making the most of a small summer house just means having your own little corner to escape to.
Easier to Install, Easier to Live With
Many of our small summer houses come with free professional installation. There’s no need to lift a finger. If you’re in one of our green delivery zones and have a solid base in place, we will take care of everything. Plus, with less surface area to maintain, upkeep is delightfully simple.
Cost-Friendly Without Looking Cheap
Of course, ‘going small’ doesn’t mean going cheap, at least not in terms of looks. With joinery-made doors, toughened glass, and smooth redwood cladding as standard, these buildings will leave your guests and neighbours impressed.
Our customers love small summer houses for their effortless practicality and healthy price point, especially when they need something attractive but budget-conscious.
But how do you choose the perfect small summer house? As you might expect, the answer mostly relates to size, although other factors are involved. Let’s take a look.
What To Look For in a Small Summer House
There’s more to a good small summer house than a cute door, a nice roof, and a quirky splash of paint. Here’s what to check before you buy:
Small Summer House Sizes
Popular sizes for small summer houses include 6x6ft, 7x5ft, and 8x6ft, although we have a huge section available, as you can see from our full selection of sizes at the bottom of this page. Before ordering, measure your available space, and remember, your small summer house base should be flat, level, and ideally the exact same size as the building.
Cladding and Construction
You’ll see several cladding options available:
T&G Shiplap: Timeless style and reliable weather resistance. The interlocking design helps shed water and keeps the structure solid.
T&G Loglap: Offers a slightly thicker, log cabin-style finish.
Weatherboard: A more traditional look, often overlapping.
Strong Core and Metal Options: Less common in smaller buildings but available for specific needs.
Ideally, you should always consider tongue and groove joints for structural strength and better weather protection.
Windows & Glazing
Our range includes toughened glass as standard, affording peace of mind when it comes to security and safety. Some models feature Georgian or Classic-style joinery, while others have a more modern look and beautiful, large panes.
Opening windows is a good idea if you are planning to spend longer periods inside, because ventilation is important!
Roof Style & Materials
You’ve got a few choices here:
Apex Roof: Traditional pitched roof for that wonderfully British ‘cottage feel’.
Pent Roof: Great for contemporary gardens and lower height restrictions.
Corner Roof: Ideal for triangular spots in the garden.
Roof styles vary by model, with apex, pent, and corner designs available. Different coverings are offered depending on the range, and certain models offer options to upgrade.
Doors
Single doors save space, but double doors give you much-needed light and create a more open feel. Some of our summer houses offer fully glazed doors, while others are more suited to a classic panelled look.
Base Requirements
This part is extremely important. A flat, level base is a must, taking the form of either:
A concrete pad
Timber frame
Paving slabs
Either way, the trick is to match the size of the base to the exact footprint of your small summer house.
Insulation & Year-Round Use
Some models offer insulation upgrades to the roof, floor, and walls, which is perfect if you need winter use. Fully insulated summer houses can feel surprisingly cosy with a small electric heater.
Maintenance
Most small summer houses are made from redwood deal, which is much more durable than cheap whitewood. Even so, it’s important to:
Apply a second coat of treatment within the first year
Keep the base dry and clear of plant growth
Recoat annually
Popular Styles in Our Small Summer House Range
Small Corner Summer Houses
Perfect for those awkward corners or more compact gardens, these designs make wonderful use of space that might otherwise go to waste. Popular options include the Diamond Worthing Corner, Platinum Hamble Corner, and Bursledon Platinum Corner, all cleverly shaped to make the most of every inch.
Traditional Small Summer Houses
Such as apex roofs, Georgian windows, and timeless wooden charm, because nothing beats the look and feel of a British shed for that lovely traditional look. The Diamond Ashington, Diamond Washington Classic, and Diamond Bolney Georgian are perfect examples of this style.
Contemporary Small Summer Houses
Maybe clean lines, modern glazing, and minimalist finishes are more your thing? A contemporary small summer house is great for matching a modern home or landscaping. Take a look at the Diamond Keymer Contemporary or the Platinum Pent Odiham for that sleek, updated garden feel.
Why Buy from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
With nearly five decades in the business, we know exactly what makes a small summer house special, unique, and far superior to cheap imports.
Hand-Picked Ranges
Our buildings are made by a handful of trusted UK-based joiners . We only offer the models that meet our standards for build quality and design. Many of our small summer houses are exclusive to us in the UK.
No Nonsense Warranties
While some brands throw around 10-year warranties packed with loopholes, we prefer to keep things fair, simple, and realistic. Most issues with workmanship or materials show up within the first 12 months, which is why that’s the standard warranty on most (but not all) of our timber summer houses.
Free Delivery & Assembly on Many Models
Yes, really. Free delivery & installation is included with most of our small timber summer houses, depending on where you live. Just check your postcode using our Delivery Checker to confirm.
Built-In Options
Many of our small summer houses offer choices: loglap or shiplap cladding, Georgian or Classic windows, a full paint finish, or natural timber. Toughened glass and joinery-made doors are standard across the board.
UK-Based Support Team
With qualified joinders in our showroom team, our helpful, no-pressure staff really know these products inside out. We would love to see you at our display site, where there are over 80 buildings to view.
FAQs About Small Summer Houses
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Are they warm enough for winter use?
Only if insulated and heated. Otherwise, small summer sheds are best for seasonal use.
Can I customise the design?
Yes, many (if not most) of our small summer houses let you choose cladding, paint, windows, and layout. Pretty much everything is customisable, to a degree.
Can I use it as a home office?
Of course! Just choose a model with insulation for tough winter months and adequate windows for plenty of light.
Do small summer houses require planning permission in the UK?
Most don’t, provided they are under 2.5m high and don’t consume more than 50% of your garden. Always double-check with your local authority, just to be on the safe side.
Do they come with glazing?
Most of our small summer houses do, it depends on the model. Check the product description for details.
How long does assembly take?
Depending on the size (and circumstances), we can usually install in a single day, or even a single morning.
Is delivery included?
Delivery is free in specific postcode zones. We’ll let you know if a small fee applies elsewhere.
What base do I need?
A flat, level base matching the building size. Concrete, timber, or slabs work well.
What’s the best size for a small garden?
Generally speaking, 6x6ft or 7x5ft often works well. Just measure your space and allow some clearance around the base to determine a good fit.
What’s the difference between a summer house and a shed?
A summer house is made for leisure and often includes more windows, better cladding, and finishing options.
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