How to Create a Peaceful Garden Hideaway

How often do you wish you could just get out of the house and away from the family just for a little time that is all your own; just you in a place where you can think your own thoughts and have some peace and quiet, lost in your private world? If you could create a little space in your shed where you can sit back, relax and maybe enjoy you favorite book, wouldn’t that be the perfect hideaway? Well, it’s not that difficult to do.

The first thing you have to do is decide if you want your hideaway to occupy a corner of your shed or if you want to transform your whole structure into a cosy retreat. Chances are that your shed won’t be big enough to double up as garden storage and a quiet retreat so let’s assume you are planning to create a space for comfort and privacy with no gardening clutter in sight.

peaceful garden hideaway

If you are converting an existing shed, you’ll have to find a new home for its contents. If you are planning to install a newstructure all you need to worry about is the location. You will need to make sure that it is possible to run power to your shed if you want lights, heating or maybe a small refrigerator.

Avoid placing your shed in a low-lying part of the garden to avoid the risk of moisture accumulation that will rot the wood and damage its contents. Also, avoid extreme shade if possible – plenty of direct sunlight will inhibit the spread of rot and mould.  Once you’ve decided on a location in is important to prepare the ground appropriately and construct a solid base.

With your shed erected in its desired place you’ll now want to customise it to suit your purpose. If it has no floor, you’ll need to put one in and possibly install another window or two to increase the amount of light so you can see what you’re doing! It’s also a good idea to put windows in the door.

The next job is to line the walls and ceiling. You can use gib board or thin plywood,making sure that you install some insulation,and then seal the joins. A good paint job will make your shed feel more homely and turn it from a storeroom into a living space. Now you need to add those touches that will personalise your garden retreat.

Furnishing your room is the next stage. First priorities are seating, a desk and shelving. You should keep your furniture light in construction and colour to give an illusion of greater space.

Appropriate soft furnishings will ensure that you are comfortable. Add curtains, lighting, a few personal items like books and pictures or photographs and your private hideaway is ready for you to take up residence.

Converting a shed into a retreat cum extra living space is an inexpensive and fun way to add space and value to your home for comparatively very little outlay. Before starting, however, you should check with your local council to see if you need any permits and to find out what, if any, building regulations apply.

Also, you should be aware that if your garden is small an extra “building” will make it seem smaller and, if you create a really cosy quiet space, you might have some competition when you want to use it!

Photo Credit By: earthora.com

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