By the time a summer house lands in your garden, you already know what you want from it. Maybe it’s a place to escape the chaos of the house or the garden bar your friends are secretly hoping for. It might even host your side hustle HQ or your WFH office.
Whatever its purpose, the real fun begins once the building is installed. There’s nothing more enjoyable than adding those small, personal touches that make it yours (and make your neighbors peek over the fence). There is no limit to what your summer house can become as we’re about to show you.
Over the years, our customers have turned their Summerhouse24 builds into phenomenal projects that completely change the simple wooden shell into something purposeful and seriously envy‑worthy.
Here are five of our favourite ideas to inspire your own transformation and secure your bragging rights as the proud owner of the best garden hideaway on the street.
1. Turn your summer house into the ultimate BBQ hut
Rain or shine, the barbecue is on. One of our customers added a fully weather‑proof small Finnish BBQ Hut to their garden, complete with a central grill, built-in seating and a chimney that keeps smoke flowing up instead of in your face.
No more dashing in and out between showers or juggling tongs under an umbrella, hoping the rain doesn’t douse the fire. Add some cushioned benches, a sound system and a few fairy lights, and suddenly your summer house is the cosiest dinner spot in the neighbourhood. Friends will come for the burgers… and they’ll be talking about the experience long after the plates are cleared.
2. Create the ultimate relax‑and‑entertain spot with a built‑in sauna
This one is for living your best life all year round. Perfect afternoons look a lot like a sauna session (or three), something delicious sizzling on the grill and a cold bevvie in hand while laughter drifts out across the garden.
One customer turned the Summer House with Sauna A into a private retreat that doubles as a social hub. Inside, the two rooms make it wonderfully flexible. The front room works perfectly for dinner parties or drinks with friends, while the second room can become a cosy games or movie room to keep the kids entertained while the adults play. And of course, the built‑in Finnish‑style sauna is the star of the show when it’s time to truly unwind.
Outside, the covered veranda is the kind of spot that invites beanbags, fairy lights and relaxing summer evenings. With a setup like this, your garden isn’t just a garden anymore – it’s the place where memories are made in style.
3. Transform your summer house into a boutique pilates studio
If you’ve ever tried sticking to home workouts, you know how easy it is to get distracted (it’s like the cheesecake in the fridge is screaming your name!). A dedicated studio space changes everything. One of our customers turned their Garden Snooker Room into a serene Reformer Pilates studio on their farm in the Cotswolds and three years later, it’s still going strong.
The space feels like a boutique studio but with all the privacy of home. It’s the perfect spot to keep motivation high, invite a friend for a session and maybe spark a little friendly competition as you work through the exercises together. And honestly, it’s hard not to feel inspired when your “gym” looks this good.
4. Build a garden bar that makes staying in the new going out
Who needs a night out when the best bar in town is at the end of your garden? This customer turned their Jacob E Garden House into a private bar that glows with personality – complete with a neon sign, comfy seating and enough shelf space for all the essentials. It gives serious Tom Cruise “Cocktail” vibes
A setup like this makes hosting effortless. Slide open the doors, line up the cocktails and let the evening unfold. Add a speaker for music, a few bar stools and maybe even a signature house drink. That’s when “popping over for one” turns into the night everyone talks about all summer.
Last thoughts
A summer house is never just a building. With a little creativity, it can become the heart and soul of your garden. The right touches really can turn a simple timber shell into something unforgettable.
Browse the Summerhouse24 range and start imagining what your own garden hideaway could become.
