Even though most people will deny it, it’s not uncommon for neighbours to have a friendly rivalry over who has the most perfect home. This kind of rivalry can include many aspects of the house and garden – who has the best-looking front facade, whose lawn is the most perfectly mowed, whose garden is the most stunning, etc. If you recognise yourself as someone who’s caught up in this kind of situation, don’t worry – we won’t judge. In fact, we might actually have a suggestion that could help you get the upper hand in this rivalry – try upgrading your garden with a beautiful summerhouse. If this suggestion appeals to you, keep on reading to find out the three most important things to consider when buying a summerhouse that will be the envy of your neighbours.
Design
Obviously, the main thing that will make your neighbours gasp when they look at your summerhouse is its appearance. An impeccably designed summerhouse can adorn almost any garden, especially if it fits perfectly into its shape and feel. The main thing to keep in mind is that you should pick a design which perfectly fits with the style of your garden. If you have a classic English landscape garden, go for a classically styled summerhouse with a timeless appearance that will create the necessary romantic ambience. Likewise, if your garden has a more stylish and trendy look, it’s probably a good idea to go for a sleek, modern summerhouse design that will make your garden look like a picture from a garden design magazine. Of course, you don’t have to constrain yourself to these rules – you can choose any summerhouse you like. Just remember that if the design mismatch is too obvious it can spoil the overall appearance of the garden. For example, a large summerhouse with glass sliding doors probably won’t fit in well in a romantic landscaped garden, and will make it seem like the garden has been arranged in a random manner. 
Another important thing is the shape and size of the garden. For some people bigger always means better, but that’s not necessarily the case when picking a summerhouse. If the summerhouse you choose is too big for the size of your garden, it will look out of place and there won’t be much of a garden left. Therefore, it’s important to be realistic about the size of your garden and pick a summerhouse that will have enough usable space for you to enjoy but will fit in organically and allow you to use your garden as well. In order for it to fit perfectly, you should also carefully consider the shape of the summerhouse – ideally, it should look like a piece that your garden has always been missing! It’s possible that none of the existing designs will fit into your garden perfectly, in which case it’s handy to remember that the best manufacturers offer the option to create a bespoke summerhouse design. This will allow you to design a summerhouse which fits into your garden like a hand in a glove, both in terms of size and shape. And nothing will make your neighbours more jealous than a custom-made summerhouse design that only you have!
Functionality
Another aspect that can really make your summerhouse stand out, is its functionality. Summerhouses are very versatile garden buildings and there are countless possibilities for their use, so you can let your imagination run wild – just make sure you pick a summerhouse design that’s well-suited to its purpose. With that said, here are some great ideas for ways to use your summerhouse. A popular and fun way of using a summerhouse is to regularly hold barbecues and other gatherings for family and friends. The best option for this purpose would probably be a summerhouse design with a side canopy, which provides an outdoor area where you can position your barbecue and enjoy eating or just sit and enjoy your garden. If you want a summerhouse that allows you to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is pleasant, while also letting you host gatherings when it’s cold and/or rainy outside, look for a design that combines a side canopy with ample indoor space. That way you’ll never have to cancel your plans because of the weather – just decide on the day whether the party should be hosted under the canopy or inside the summerhouse. 
Another great way to use your summerhouse is to set up a wellness centre at home. You could set up a home gym to keep yourself in shape or a hot tub/sauna for relaxation, allowing you to use these amenities at any time and in the comfort of your own home. If your summerhouse is spacious enough, you could even go for both options, transforming your garden into a well-equipped home spa. A modern summerhouse design would probably be best suited to this purpose, and, if you want to make it particularly impressive, choose a design with sliding glass doors. Not only will it look stunning from the outside, but you’ll also be able to work out or relax in the hot tub while enjoying the view of your garden. The best part of having a summerhouse is that you can make it into whatever you want it to be, to suit your desires and interests. Many people choose to set up a she-shed or man-cave in their summerhouse, and some even go as far as creating their own bar inside! In addition, a summerhouse can be a great place for your hobbies, whatever they are – crafting, woodworking, yoga, playing musical instruments, practising darts or snooker, or anything else that you might be interested in. Just make sure that your summerhouse is large enough for your hobby and enjoy some quality free time in your garden!
Durability
It doesn’t matter how flashy and glamorous a summerhouse is when it’s brand new if it won’t retain its appearance for years to come. There are several factors that can influence the durability of a summerhouse, so let’s take a look at the most important of them, to ensure that yours will stand the test of time. First of all, it’s crucial to pay attention to the quality of the materials used in the construction of your summerhouse. The timber should be of a high quality to avoid it cracking and rotting, and it should be properly dried, so that it doesn’t shrink or expand too much. And it’s not only the quality of the timber that’s important – the quality of the roofing, windows and doors also plays a big part here, as they must be able to protect the summerhouse against any moisture from the outside. In addition, the foundation of the summerhouse must be perfectly level and stable – if not this can cause a multitude of problems in the future. 
If you really enjoy your summerhouse and want to use it throughout the year, you should definitely consider insulating it. In fact, this is useful even if you only plan on using it during the summer, as insulation not only makes a summerhouse inhabitable in any season but also protects it from moisture during the colder months of the year. Paint treatments are also very important – the timber must be impregnated with the appropriate treatment before assembly to protect it from the sun, rain and wind. And keep in mind that it will need re-treating every few years, to provide continued protection. This might sound like a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it because you probably want a summerhouse that you can enjoy, and neighbours can envy, for many years. If this article has made you want a summerhouse that will be the envy of your neighbours, take a look at our range of summerhouses or design your own with our 3D-configurator!
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