Tips for Decorating your Summerhouse

Now that autumn is out in full force and winter’s just around the corner, your summerhouse might be at the back of your mind. But, as you’re probably not going to use it as much until the weather brightens up again, I think this is the perfect time to plan a little redecoration.

Tips for Decorating your Summerhouse

There are lots of different routes you can go down with this. For example, you could simply jot down any changes you’d like to make ahead of next summer, while you can also go the whole hog and actually redecorate before the new year has even been and gone.

Alternatively, you might like to think about smaller tweaks you could make to get the most out of your summerhouse in each season (things like adding cosy cushions and rugs in spring, for example). Whatever you fancy, here are my top tips for sprucing up your summerhouse.

Paint the interior a light shade

Treating the inside of your summerhouse to a fresh lick of paint is a great way to give it a new lease of life. Mould-resistant paint generally achieves the best finish, but the key thing to remember is to go for a light shade. This’ll help give you a sense of space. And, if you fancy having a vintage look, cream is a hue you can’t beat.

Add a carpet or rug

This is such a simple step – especially if you go down the rug route, since you won’t need to move too much furniture around – but it’s easily one of the most effective. Carpets and rugs make the place feel a bit more like home, and you can pick fun colours that’ll inject a little personality. Again, light or bright is best, since dark shades will make the room feel smaller.

Curtains, door handles and personal touches

Curtains are a great way to make your summerhouse more homely, and they’re also another chance to put your own stamp on the place. It’s also worth remembering that making your own curtains (especially just little ones you can string on to some basic curtain wire for a summerhouse) is fairly simple, so you can even find some quirky fabric to use and do it yourself.

Adding new door handles, meanwhile, is just a nice touch to keep the place looking lived in and loved. And, again, you can also use this to tweak the overall look of the place. Choose something ornate, for example, if you’re going for a vintage style.

Other simple ways to give the place a personal touch include hanging paintings and photos, while you could even ask every family member to contribute something to the space – a fun way to make sure it’s somewhere you all enjoy.

Embrace the season!

Yes, it’s called a summerhouse, not a winterhouse, but that doesn’t mean you can only enjoy it when the weather’s good. If you’re planning on unleashing your creative flair on your outbuilding, I think one of the most worthwhile things you can do is work out little alterations you can make so you can make the most of it all year round. Here are some of my favourites:

• Autumn: add a few throws or cushions in warm colours to the furniture. This’ll make your interior a bit more cosy.
• Winter: pile up cushions and blankets to snuggle up in, and invest in a fluffy rug and portable electric heater, as well as some pretty lighting. Trust me, you’ll end up with a seriously cosy atmosphere!
• Spring: decorate with light colours and fresh flowers – this is the perfect way to bid farewell to winter.

Damage control

As a final note, when you’re making these changes, keep your eyes peeled for any wear and tear or damage, such as insect damage if you own a wooden summerhouse. Spot this early and sort it out quickly, and you can prevent major problems further down the track.