Small Summerhouses

Small Summerhouses

Designed to fit smaller gardens, the summer houses here provide a cosy spot for relaxation, creative projects, or a home office. Despite their smaller footprint, they offer all the charm and functionality of larger models, making them a versatile addition to any outdoor area.

Looking for something a little larger? Explore our full range of summer houses and find the ideal compact model for your garden, and read through our summer house buying guide to help you make the best choice.

What Counts As a Small Summerhouse?

A small summerhouse is a compact garden building that has a footprint of less than 80 square feet, which is roughly 7.4 square meters. The goal of these summerhouses is to fit comfortably into smaller gardens and corners. These are perfect for those who do not have a lot of space, or don’t want to take up the entirety of their garden.

The maximum size limit for a smaller summerhouse is 8ft x 6ft, as anything larger is no longer classed as small. These summerhouses generally fit a couple of chairs and a small coffee table in them, making them perfect for a small hobby room, a reading room, or just a lovely place to sit to get away for a while.

Corner, Apex or Pent?

The type of small summerhouse you choose depends on your garden layout. Corner summerhouses are generally best if you want them to fit into a snug corner. They use what is known as dead space, and offer a fantastic front view. However, on the downside, it can feel slightly restrictive if you have large furniture that you would like to fit in, or you want to put a lot of items in here.

An apex summerhouse on the other hand, is a standalone summerhouse that is generally used as a centrepiece of your garden. As these are pretty tall, they give the space an airy feel, allowing it to feel more spacious. However, it’s possible that because they are taller, you may end up facing boundary height restrictions.

A pent summerhouse can be placed against a fence or a garden boundary. They tend to fit under permitted development rules, but as they have lower ceilings it can feel slightly restrictive.

How To Make A Small Summerhouse Feel Bigger

If you would like to make a small summerhouse feel bigger, there are a number of options. For example, you can use light colour schemes such as painting the walls and floors white or cream so that natural light reflects better. Or, you can hand large mirrors opposite windows to bounce outdoor light around the room, making it look bigger than it is.

In terms of furniture, you can choose options with exposed legs. What this does is makes more of the floor visible, which tricks you into thinking that you are seeing more space than you are.

A key thing to remember: keep the space as clutter-free as possible to maximise space.

Care and Maintenance

To effectively care for your small summerhouse, you want to make sure that you are treating the timber regularly. Make sure that you are using soapy water with a soft brush every now and then to get the dirt off, and then re-treat the exterior every year or two.

Ensure that you are checking the roof regularly for any vulnerabilities, cleaning the gutters, and checking the base to maintain airflow and prevent dampness around the base. All of this combined will help keep your summerhouse in the best possible condition.

You can add premium paint and preserver, or even a ready-painted finish, to your order at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest summerhouse available?

The smallest summerhouse currently available on Waltons is 7ftx5ft.

Is a 7x7 summerhouse big enough for two people?

Yes, a 7x7 summerhouse is big enough for two people. It will be a pretty compact and cosy space, but can easily accommodate two adults.

Do small summerhouses need a base?

Yes, a small summerhouse is going to need a solid, flat, level base. This could be concrete, paving slabs, or something similar. Some of our summerhouses can be purchased with a timber base, perfect for uneven, soft ground such as mud, grass, or gravel.

Where should I place a summerhouse in a small garden?

If you’re working with a small garden, you can place your summerhouse in an unused corner, or up against a boundary at the back of the space. There are corner summerhouses available. You simply need to make sure that there will be at least 60cm of free space around the summerhouse.

Can Waltons install my summerhouse?

Yes. If you purchase the Waltons Installation Service, we will happily install your summerhouse for you.