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It’s one thing to get a garden summer house, but another to furnish it your way. This is where furniture comes in—what pieces you can put inside is what this guide will cover. Read on for inspiring summerhouse furniture ideas!
Best Seating Furniture for a Summer House
A summer house retreat isn’t complete without seating. It’s where you can relax with a good book or enjoy a cuppa, so you’ll want something snug and comfy. We’ve listed the best ones below to give you some options:
Cushioned rattan armchair
When it comes to comfort, an armchair gives you that with its deep seat and supportive backrest. You can’t go wrong with a rattan one either—it just fits the wooden summer house vibe, especially the natural variety. And the great thing about synthetic rattan is that you can take it outside the summerhouse as well, and you don’t have to worry if it gets rained on.
Corner sofa
If you have a large summer house that you use as an outdoor living space, you might need bigger seating. A corner sofa is nice because it has a home-like feel and fits snugly into the corner, giving you more room to move around. Leather ones are ideal for a modern look, while fabric sofas work well in any setting.
Tip: Double-check the size of your summer house and the corner sofa you’re looking at to make sure it fits!
Pouffes or beanbags
Pouffes are great for a small summer house and make a handy extra seating option. They’re upholstered footstools or low-to-the-ground seats that come in round, rectangular, or square shapes. Alternatively, you could go for beanbags—they’re designed to mould to your body, letting you sit in a natural, relaxed position.
Both options are portable and lightweight, but if comfort’s your priority, we’d recommend beanbags. Or why not have both if you’ve got the space!
Tip: You can keep them in a summerhouse with side store when not in use, so they don’t clutter the floor.
Summerhouse Shelving
Decorations are the finishing touches to a summer house, and one way to have them displayed inside is through shelving. Here are some ideas:
Wall-mounted shelves
Wall-mounted shelves are fixed to the walls with hidden fixings like brackets, giving them a floating look. Once they’re up, you’ve got a spot to display decorations, books, or plants. You can position them at any height and even paint them if you like—whatever works for you.
Freestanding shelves
The more storage you have, the easier it is to keep your summer house organised—and it gives you more room for decorations. That’s exactly what a freestanding shelf offers. Add some greenery, ideally a climber, to have something that’s flowy, and fill the rest with anything that goes with the theme. Tall units should be anchored to the walls for safety.
Tip: Place it in a corner to maximise space or against a wall to keep the room open.
Tables for a Summerhouse
A table is a must if you love hosting mini get-togethers in your summer house or if it’s where you have breakfast or snacks. It doesn’t have to be full-sized—something like these will do:
Coffee table
Coffee tables can also work as temporary storage for books or magazines. If you’re getting a set, it likely comes with a matching coffee table. It’ll look great, creating a visual anchor when paired with armchairs side by side.
Side table
Side tables might be better if you need something smaller at the side or end of a seating area. They’re a perfect match for a corner sofa, and a table lamp will look great on top. Look for models with built-in storage or a lower shelf to have that extra room for books or decors.
Garden bar table
A garden bar table is all you need to build a simple pub area in your summer house. Take the BillyOh Nightjar Garden Bar, for instance. It’s designed with a classic L-shaped tabletop that can be fixed either way around, whether in the centre or tucked into a corner. It also got room to seat 3-4 people, making it perfect for small gatherings.
Summerhouse Lighting
Speaking of lamps, indoor lights will set the mood in your summer house. There are many good options, but these three are a great starting point:
Lampshade
The warm, cosy glow that lampshades emit makes them perfect for creating a relaxed atmosphere in the evenings. Whatever type or style you have, it’s best to place one next to a sofa or armchair for unwinding or reading. It’ll also look great in a corner to brighten up darker spots.
String lights
Say your summer house has a primary lighting source, but you want something extra—cue string lights. Drape them along the walls, across the ceiling, or around windows to add a bit of extra light without being too bright. Battery-powered ones are handy if you don’t want to worry about plugs.
These string lights are made for outdoor use, but they work just as well indoors, especially if you’re going for a modern industrial look.
If your lights are battery powered, you’re all set. But if you want lights that run off mains power so you don’t have to worry about charged batteries, you’ll need to look at installing summerhouse electricity.
