Here’s Why YOU Should Grow Plants in Your Summer House

Imagine having the perfect space that recharges your batteries, gives you the energy to take on life’s challenges head-on and reduces stress.

Sounds like paradise!

You’ll be able to make that dream a reality soon.

The popularity of summer houses has grown significantly in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They’re the perfect space to get away from it all, be creative or socialise with your friends and family.

If you have a summer house in your garden, now is the time to spruce it up. Whether you’re using your summer house as a workspace, a room to practice hobbies or a space for fresh air, adding greenery can make all the difference.

Enter: plants.

Make it Green!

Why not bring a little bit of nature inside your summer house?

Imagine the perfect home for your favourite houseplants—a space with ample sunlight, gentle breezes and large windows. You’re pretty much picturing a summer house, right? The natural light and warmth of the sun will make it difficult for your plants not to grow.

Your plants are not just for decoration, though. They can actually help you through natural healing properties.

Less Stress, More Happiness

Who could say no to a hobby that is both calming and therapeutic? What could be more relaxing than caring for plants?

Studies have shown that potting soil contains bacteria that reduce stress. If you want to be happier and less anxious, tend to the plants in your life. Gardening increases serotonin levels which will make you feel much better overall.

Let's Get Creative...

It’s not hard to see why garden offices are becoming more and more popular every year.

Productivity is important, and we all need a little boost from time to time. According to recent studies, plants can increase creativity and productivity levels by 15%.

How could you not want to improve your work in a natural, affordable and visually-pleasing way?

Breathe Easy

Indoor air pollution is no joke and can cause serious health problems. The risks of air pollution are numerous, from asthma to lung disease.

House plants are a great way to improve air quality because they can filter out all the bad stuff.

In addition, some plants can absorb water vapours through their leaves and effectively reduce the amount of humidity in a room.

How You Can Help

It is crucial for houseplants to be in the right conditions so they can survive and thrive. Being out in nature will play a big part in this, but there are a few other things you can do to help them out.

The insulation of your summer house will ensure that it remains at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Give your plants the love they deserve by paying attention to their individual needs, giving them plenty of water and trimming where necessary.

It is crucial for houseplants to be in the right conditions so they can survive and thrive. Being out in nature will play a big part in this, but there are a few other things you can do to help them out.

Great Products, Great Prices

Need help styling, designing, installing or building your summer house? We get it. It sure can seem complicated.

Pssst. Here’s the secret:

It doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

We have the most talented and passionate team around. Our experts are dedicated to helping customers find their perfect layout. We never take the customer’s needs lightly, which is why we strive to provide unparalleled service with a focus on functionality and adaptability.

If you’re looking for the perfect summer house, look no further! We have a wide variety of properties that are sure to meet your needs. If you want a close up look at some of our work, feel free to pop down to our Barnham showroom today.

summer house

Make Sure You Consider These 3 Things Before Building a Garden Office

Got all that covered? You're pretty much ready to get planning. The next step is getting in touch with the expert team at Outside Interests so they can start the building process. Got questions? Ring us on 01243 553 334 or pop into our Barnham showroom to see the amazing structures we have to offer.

Most people reading this will likely have had to work from home at some point over the past few years.

Home offices have become more and more of a necessity since the onset of the pandemic. Even now that the pandemic is mostly over, working from home has become the new norm for many people.

It’s not uncommon for working at home to cause difficulties. Whether it’s screaming children, noisy pets or family members, there will likely be some kind of distraction keeping you from getting work done.

The solution?

A garden office, of course!

Transform Your Timber Shed into a Functional Space

Timber sheds are pretty much the best of both worlds. Think about it – you’re close enough to the house that you can sneak into the kitchen for a snack every few hours, but not so close you have to put up with the noisy household.

You also have the benefit of being in the middle of the garden as you work, getting all the vitamin D you can whilst soaking up the green views.

As with any other kind of office, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before you start planning and building. Keep reading for a handy guide to make sure you’ve covered all your bases.

Power Up

The likelihood is that you work primarily from your laptop or computer, which means you will need an adequate power and electricity source in your garden office. You also need to consider the placing of your sockets and make sure they are placed in a practical spot.

We highly recommend hiring a professional for this job, as there are a lot of risks involved when it comes to electrics.

Style vs Functionality

Obviously, if you’re building an office, you want to create somewhere that makes you feel productive and creatively stimulating. That’s the best thing about having your own office; you can make it your own, personalising everything from the furniture to the flooring.

Don’t hesitate to make it yours. If you want to make it bright and colourful because that makes you feel good, go ahead. If you want more of a calm, soothing atmosphere, throw in some candles and get cosy.

However, you also want to make sure you balance out the comfortable with the practical. Don’t make it so cosy that all you want to do there is sleep. At the end of the day, you’re there to get work done!

Don't Forget About Heat

You’ve probably heard people say that garden structures are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Nowadays, this doesn’t have to be the case; there’s plenty of modern technology that can make your timber shed a comfortable temperature no matter what’s going on outside.

The key to that balance is effective insulation.

Sound confusing? We’ve got you. The Outside Interests team are experts at building functional timber sheds and will always offer helpful advice about the best heating system for your needs.

We'll Take Care of It

Got all that covered?

You’re pretty much ready to get planning.

The next step is getting in touch with the expert team at Outside Interests so they can start the building process. Got questions? Ring us on 01243 553 334 or pop into our Barnham showroom to see the amazing structures we have to offer.

garden office timber shed

Consider These Three Things Before Investing in a Conservatory

Conservatories can be an invaluable asset to your house if you use them in the right way. They can be an amazing space to relax and unwind after a long day as well as host guests and soak up the sun whilst protected from the wind. They are also a great way to extend your space and add a layer of functionality to your home. However, there are several things you need to consider before investing in a conservatory structure. We’ve compiled a list of all the things to think about when researching your conservatory.

Location is Key

This is arguably the most important thing you need to think about when it comes to your conservatory. Typically, you will find conservatories located towards the rear of the house, perhaps going into the back garden. While this is often the most suitable option so that you can make the most of your picturesque back garden, there’s no hard and fast rule saying it must be this way. In fact, it may be that your conservatory would be best suited to the front, or even the side, of your house. Remember to confer with your local council to check whether or not you require planning permission before going ahead with the building process.

Matchy Matchy

There’s not much point in having a stylish conservatory if it sticks out like a sore thumb. When designing your structure, you need to make sure that it looks cohesive with the rest of your architecture. Conservatories can come in a huge range of different styles, from Victorian and Georgian designs to more modern types.

Unsure about how to tie in the design seamlessly? Luckily for you, our team is full of experts in this particular regard. We are always more than happy to give your home a visit, where we will assess the design of your current architecture and advise on how best to match it to your conservatory design.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

As mentioned above, we want to make sure your conservatory serves as a functional space. This means it should be suitable for year-round use, come rain, snow or heatwave. Conservatories have somewhat of a reputation for being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Thanks to modern technology, this problem is a thing of the past. It is highly beneficial to talk to your conservatory installer to see what they suggest in terms of heating and ventilation systems. It may serve you to consider insulating roof tiles to help you keep warm in the winter and perhaps blinds to keep out the heat in the midst of summer.

A Functional Space For You and the Family

The benefits of having a conservatory in your home are pretty much endless. If you find yourself wishing you had somewhere to escape from the chaos of the house, or perhaps you’d like somewhere to work on your hobbies, a stylish conservatory could be the perfect addition to your home. Get in touch with the team at Outside Interests for unparalleled service and immaculate designs and installation.

Upgrade Your Log Cabin With These Tips

We’ve all been there. You invest in a stylish, practical space for your house, and over the years, it slowly dilapidates into a dumping ground storage space for everything you’re not entirely sure what to do with. All that money you put into upgrading your home has resulted in a gloomy place where no one ever really goes. Sound at all familiar? If it does, you could be in need of a space upgrade.

Using Your Log Cabin in the Right Way

When used properly, log cabins can be an amazing, comfortable, functional space to relax in your home. Being in the heart of nature allows you to escape from the chaos of the house and drink in the sun or get cosy with the sound of the rain on the roof.

Sounds pretty inviting, right?

We think so, too. If you’re looking for the best way to upgrade your log cabin to make it the perfect space for respite, we’ve got your back. Check out our tips below for our personal recommendations for making the most of your log cabin.

Bar

Who needs to go to a crowded pub when you’ve got your own custom-made bar right in your back garden?

Picture this: It’s summertime. The sun is still burning bright and warm in the sky, despite it being close to six o’clock. You fancy a break from the house, so you wander into the garden and pour yourself a refreshing glass of your favourite drink from your log cabin. You then spend a relaxing hour drinking up the last of the day and getting lost in a good book or magazine.

If you’re anything like us, that sounds like an ideal scenario.

A stylish, solid bar may be the perfect addition to your log cabin. An excellent accessory for relaxing on your own or with guests, a drinks bar will keep you satisfied and happy all year round.

Solar Energy

Unless you’re hoping to fully escape from the modern world in your log cabin, you will likely need some power installed so you can stay cosied up even when it’s dark, perhaps even doing a touch of meditation with some calming music. Of course, you can always use a regular electricity source, but it may be more beneficial and certainly more environmentally friendly to install a solar panel kit. These kits are relatively easy to come by and generally include a small solar panel, a power bank, a lamp switch and some LED bulbs. These will allow you to light up the room and even charge your phone whenever needed.

Rug

It’s easy to assume that log cabins need to be all hardwood to match the trees outside. Who says you can’t add a little extra comfort and a pop of colour with a stylish rug? As well as adding a layer of sophistication to the room, your rug will also protect your hardwood floor, making the cabin more durable and less likely to need repairs in the future.

The Sweet Escape Away From Reality

Your dream cabin doesn’t have to be a dream for much longer. Get in touch with the team at Outside Interests to start the process of building your perfect log cabin. Stuck for ideas? Browse through our website to get some inspiration, or take a visit to our Barnham showroom to see the designs we have on display. Our team will be more than happy to help with any questions you have and give advice on how you should style your cabin.