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There are plenty of ways to make the most of a summer house for entertaining in your garden. No matter its size, layout, or design, there’s always a way to put it to good use. Here are some ideas from our outdoor living experts:
What You Can Do with a Small Summer House
There’s no strict standard for what counts as a “small” summer house, but those under 8ft x 8ft are often classified as one. If your falls in this range, you likely have a building that offers just enough space for one or two people, and you can use it in one of these ways:
Garden bar or drinks station
The small summer house itself can work as the station—a place where only your bar essentials are set up. For instance, it can include bar tables like the BillyOh Nightjar, a classic L-shaped table designed to fit a summer house over 3m x 3m (close to 10ft x 10ft).
Depending on how small yours is, a bar table alone that doubles as a prepping space and storage for your barware will do. If there’s still room left, you can fit at least two bar stools (with the Nightjar, it can seat 3 to 4 people). Alternatively, pop in a mini fridge to keep a range of beverages so guests can either grab one themselves or “order” from you.
Tip: As you’re working with a small summer house, the inside may only work as the main station. Feel free to extend it into the open, e.g., your garden or patio, with more tables and seats, as long as you have the space for it.
Outdoor but shaded coffee spot
For this idea, you can swap the bar table for a bistro set instead. Place the chairs side by side with a matching coffee table in the middle, and you’ll have a place to enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon wine with a loved one or a friend.
Take a look at the BillyOh Harper Tongue and Groove Apex Summerhouse in the 4×8 size for reference. The bistro set is placed near the windows and double doors, making the most of the natural light while offering a nice view of the garden. This layout is perfect for this concept!
The difference between this and sitting on the patio is that you’re in a shaded garden room. It’s like being at home while still being out in the garden—if that makes sense.
Maximise the Extra Space in a Medium Summer House
If an under 8ft x 8ft summer house counts as small, then a 10ft x 8ft summer house is a good starting point for a medium one. It’s 10 feet long and 8 feet wide, or roughly 3.05 x 2.44 metres. The 10-foot length gives you plenty of room to move inside, while the 8-foot width keeps the structure compact.
You can use it for the same purposes as a small summer house but with the bonus of extra space to move around. Using the BillyOh Petra Tongue and Groove Reverse Apex Summerhouse as an example, you could set up a larger garden bar with enough room to fit a bistro set alongside the table.
Or, if you prefer a cosy coffee spot, you could swap the bistro set for a corner sofa, with extra space left for a few more pieces of furniture to complete the room.
Don’t limit yourself to just these two ideas! A medium summer house gives you plenty of possibilities. For more inspiration, check out this guide: Why a 10×8 Summer House is a Great Size
Large Summer House Best Set-Ups
Anything beyond 12ft x 8ft is generally considered “large” for a summer house or garden room. And perhaps one of the best features is the extra space inside. The bigger the room, the more ways you can use it—without the limitations you might have with a medium-sized one.
Party place extension
A summer house in 16×10 gives you plenty of space to host a full-on party inside! You also won’t have to worry about the weather. Whether it’s rain, snow, or strong sun, you can stay inside and enjoy it all year round while staying comfortable.
If a chilly breeze cuts the occasion short while everyone’s out in the garden, they can move into the summer house and keep the celebration going.
Garden cinema
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie in your own garden, but setting it up in a summer house makes it feel more like a cosy home cinema.
With a large unit, you won’t be short on space, so you can fit proper seating—whether that’s individual chairs or a couple of large sofas—alongside the projector and sound system.
One option for smaller summerhouses is to set up the projector on a table outside and project it through the doors onto the back wall. You might even be able to watch it from outside, with the screen shaded from sun glare.
Follow these steps to build your dream garden cinema: 8 Tips for Creating Your Dream Log Cabin Cinema (and yes, it works for summer houses too!)
A Tucked-Away Parents Retreat in a Corner Summer House
The pentagonal design of a corner summer house is space-efficient, utilising corner spaces that might otherwise remain unused. A good example is the BillyOh Picton Corner Summerhouse, which features full-span windows, a spacious floor plan, and a tall pent roof that gives that creates a spacious interior atmosphere.
You can furnish it with a cosy small sofa and space-saving pieces like a side table with storage, an ottoman, and a single chair on the other side for extra seating.
The full-length windows on three sides of the summer house give you a clear view of your outdoor space. This is perfect if your little ones and their friends are playing outside while you and their parents (if they’re often over) relax nearby.
Available in 7ft x 7ft, 8ft x 8ft, and 9ft x 9ft, this summer house falls into the smaller size range (if using the earlier example as a reference).
Note: Features of a corner summer house may vary depending on the model and manufacturer.
Turning Your Summer House with Side Store into a Functional Space
You get the best of both worlds with a summer house that comes with a side store—and it’s obvious how handy that can be. You’ve got a main area for relaxing or entertaining, plus a separate space for storage.
But how can you make the most of the main area?
Snack zone
This one’s for you if your family loves hanging out, especially with friends over. It’s a bit like setting up a garden bar, but instead of focusing on drinks, the fridge, storage, and table are stocked with snacks. You could even add a small countertop and turn it into a popcorn stand!
Pet’s play corner
How about giving your four-legged friend their own space? A pet-friendly retreat where they can relax, play, and move around, with enough space for you to join in, too!
Now, what about the side store?
- Store your garden furniture: One of the best things about side storage attached to a summerhouse is that it saves you from needing a separate shed. Need extra seating for your summerhouse lounge? Just grab a few bean bags from next door. Hosting a garden party? Pull out the foldable table and garden chairs so everyone can gather.
- Stash your pets’ and kids’ outdoor toys: Once playtime is over, tidy everything away to keep your garden or patio free from stray balls and scattered toys. Depending on the storage size, you can tuck things into a corner or stack them neatly on shelves. If there’s enough space, you could even store a mini trampoline when it’s not in use.
- Shelter your BBQ: A BBQ cover helps, but it won’t always hold up against heavy rain, snow, or strong winds. Side storage in your summerhouse offers proper protection, keeping it clean and ready to fire up when the weather improves! Just keep it 5 to 10 feet away (1.5 to 3 metres) from the structure to reduce the risk of fire from sparks or flare-ups.
We hope these ideas have inspired you to make the most of your summerhouse. But if you haven’t acquired yours yet, now is the time to check out our guide to summer houses.
