Benefits of Owning a Summer House Shed
Summer house sheds in the UK are becoming hugely popular of late, with more homeowners improving their outdoor area with these beautiful, practical buildings. But why are summer house sheds seemingly popping up everywhere at the moment?
Let’s take a quick look at what makes these wonderful combination buildings so appealing:
Space Optimisation
For most people, the days of tenderly nurturing gigantic garden areas are a thing of the past. Space is at a premium these days, which means we need to make the most of every square inch.
The idea behind a summer house shed in the UK is quite simple: by removing the need for two separate structures, you can free up valuable garden space for planting, play areas, or simply enjoying more open landscape. This clever integration delivers maximum functionality in areas with minimal space.
That means:
- More open garden area for landscaping, relaxation, or children’s play
- Single foundation requirement, reducing groundwork and associated costs
- Smaller overall footprint while maintaining the functionality of both spaces
- Greater flexibility in positioning within your property
Cost-Effective Solution
When comparing options for adding both leisure and storage space to your garden, the clear cost-saving advantages of a summer house shed are nothing short of compelling. Apart from the obvious savings on materials, you will also benefit from reduced labour costs, free delivery (within 1st Choice Leisure Buildings delivery area), and simple, no-hassle planning.
Key savings of summer house sheds include:
- Lower overall material costs compared to two separate buildings
- Single installation process, reducing labour expenses
- Unified design that eliminates redundant elements
- Reduced ongoing maintenance requirements and costs
Garden Aesthetics
A well-designed summer house shed creates an eye-catching focal point that improves your entire outdoor space. Unlike purely functional storage solutions that often detract from the natural beauty of your garden, our combination buildings cleverly blend practicality with architectural charm.
The aesthetic benefits of a summer house shed include:
- Cohesive architectural design that enhances garden harmony
- Professional finish with complementary design elements
- Opportunity for creative landscaping around a single feature
- Impressive visual appeal that draws the eye and complements plantings
Year-Round Usability
Even during winter months, when a standalone summerhouse might see little use, the storage portion of a summer house shed is perfectly usable. Combine with shed insulation options, and you can easily extend the leisure space usage throughout the year.
Year-round advantages of a summer house shed include:
- Continuous utility regardless of season or weather conditions
- Protected storage keeps gardening equipment and furniture safe in winter
- Possibility for an insulated leisure space usable even in colder months
- Greater return on investment through consistent usage
Versatile Functionality
Perhaps the most obvious reason to choose a summerhouse with shed functionality is the remarkable adaptability it offers. So, if you simply seek a quiet work space to get your head down, a creative studio that offers room to think, or just a pleasant retreat, the dual-purpose design offers a whole host of possibilities.
A summer house shed can serve as:
- Relaxation and storage combined in one building
- Home office with convenient built-in storage
- Hobby space with materials stored in the attached shed portion
- Entertainment area with easy access to supplies
- Guest accommodation with discreet storage out of sight
Popular Sizes and Dimensions
All of our summer house sheds are available in various dimensions to suit different garden sizes and requirements, including:
Compact Summer House Sheds (6×6 to 8×8)
Perfect for smaller gardens, these space-saving designs offer a cosy retreat with essential storage – the best of both worlds, neatly stitched together in a space-saving building. This type of summer house with a shed is great for occasional use or as a reading nook with space for garden tools.
Medium Summer House Sheds (10×8 to 14×10)
These incredibly versatile buildings offer good space for both leisure and storage. The summerhouse portion can easily accommodate seating for 3-4 people, while the shed section provides generous storage for lawn mowers, storage boxes, and a few toys.
Large Summer House Sheds (16×10 to 20×16)
If your garden is more substantial, large summer house sheds provide a fully-fledged garden room with a huge amount of storage capacity. If you are looking for a home office, entertainment area, or hobby room alongside extensive storage, this might be a great fit for you.
Roof Styles
Commonly overlooked but incredibly important to the aesthetics, the shed roof style affects both the appearance and the functionality of your summer house shed. Our sales team is always keen to point out the significance of roof design, as it greatly affects the overall character of the building, its height clearance inside, water drainage efficiency, and how well it complements the existing architecture.
Apex Roof
This classic design features a central ridge with slopes on both sides:
- Excellent water runoff capability
- Maximum interior height at the centre
- Traditional aesthetic that suits most gardens
Pent Roof
With a single sloping surface, pent roofs offer a more contemporary look:
- Modern, sleek appearance
- Perfect for positioning against boundaries
- Ideal where height restrictions apply
- Simpler construction that can reduce costs
Cladding Options
The type of cladding you select directly affects both appearance and durability, determining how your summer house shed will look in your garden and how it withstands the British weather over time. Our quality cladding is designed to protect while also improving beauty.
T&G-Loglap
This thick, rounded profile creates a log cabin appearance with good insulating properties and a rustic, traditional aesthetic.
T&G-Shiplap
The most popular cladding choice, offering excellent water-shedding capabilities with a clean, classic look featuring horizontal lines.
Weatherboard
Also known as feather-edge boarding, this style provides a traditional countryside appearance with an overlapping design that efficiently channels rainwater away.
Unlike some competitors who might use thinner materials, 1st Choice Leisure Buildings uses premium-grade timber for all cladding options. With this level of quality, your summer house shed will stand up to the harshest of winters for many years.
Customisation Options
Fancy making your summer house shed truly your own? These popular customisation options can help you create something extra special:
Insulation
Transform your building into a year-round space with proper insulation:
- Wall, floor, and roof insulation packages are available
- Creates a comfortable environment regardless of the season
- Essential for home office or hobby room usage
Paint and Finishes
Add personality and protection with your choice of colours:
- Factory-applied paint finishes ensure complete coverage
- A range of contemporary and traditional colours is available
- Protects timber while enhancing appearance
Additional Features
Improve functionality with these additional, popular add-ons:
- Verandas and covered porches
- Additional windows for increased natural light
- Upgraded door options, including French doors
- Custom partitioning to create multiple storage areas
Why Choose 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
In a market flooded with mass-produced imports, we do things differently. All of our sheds are made to order right here in the UK, built by qualified joiners to last, and not just to look good on delivery!
Expert UK Craftsmanship
We only use slow-grown redwood timber for greater durability and tighter grain. That means no chipboard or OSB, just solid overlapping weatherboard cladding throughout.
Straightforward Warranties
Forget the gimmicks. While some suppliers offer “10-year guarantees” full of loopholes, our warranties are simple, honest, and built on products that don’t need excuses.
Tailored to Your Garden
Your outdoor space isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are our buildings. We can customise almost every element, including (but not limited to) size, layout, window placement, and even insulation.
Free Professional Installation
At 1st Choice Leisure, you can expect no flat-pack DIY disasters. Our prices include expert installation on most summer house sheds, so your building is properly assembled by experts.
See Before You Buy
Visit our Surrey garden room showroom to see over 60 buildings on display. You’ll feel the quality for yourself. We promise no pressure, and certainly no pushy sales tactics – just a friendly team of experts, built largely around family, with decades of experience in the business.
Ready to Transform Your Garden?
Our summer house sheds offer the best of both worlds – a beautiful retreat and practical storage in one beautifully designed, streamlined building. We have a huge, broad range to choose from, starting with budget-friendly compact models going right up to luxury spacious garden rooms with massive storage.
Contact us today for a friendly, no-pressure chat!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I have electricity installed in my summer house shed?
Yes, most of our summer house sheds can be wired for electricity. We recommend hiring a qualified electrician for this work after installation.
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Can I use my summer house shed throughout the year?
Absolutely! With our insulation options, your summer house shed becomes a comfortable space for year-round use, whether for work, hobbies, or relaxation.
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Do I need planning permission for a summer house shed?
Summer house sheds under 2.5m tall don't require planning permission, regardless of their proximity to the property boundary.
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Do you offer different door and window configurations?
Yes! We can customise the position, size, and style of doors and windows to suit your specific needs and preferences.
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How long will my summer house shed last?
With proper maintenance, your summer house shed should provide decades of service. We use pressure-treated timber in many of our ranges, offering excellent resistance to rot and decay.
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What base do I need for my summer house shed?
Building a solid shed base is essential. Options include concrete bases, paving slabs, or timber decking frames. We can advise on the most suitable base for your chosen building.
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