How can we improve the look of our new shed / summer house / bbq area
We have started this big outdoor building
Starting with a 6m x 3m shed ( as we have a small house with no garage ) the a 3m x 3m summer house for the kids ending with a 3m x 3m now area.
This is it so far...... I think it looks like a block of stables.
What can we do to it to improve the look of it?
Any suggestions appreciate. :-)
Comments (21)
tezz4
6 years ago
chief_brody
6 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (3)I agree with above - you're going to have a lovely bright utility! The usual way people extend is to put the utility and WC into the darkest bit (turning the utility 90 degrees like suggested above) which then pushes the kitchen/dining/living towards the garden end. But that would have involved more walls coming down - I feel like this is a case of you got what you asked for, but now you're asking for something else. I think the architect has come up with the best layout though for minimal work involved - putting the dining table in the dark space will just make it a corridor and you'll mostly eat at the island in the light room with garden views (other than dark evenings like you say when being in dark dining room will be quite cosy). I know people who have done that and regretted it and wished they'd put the kitchen in the dark bit as you tend to be doing something in there anyway and you'll be looking through the lovely bright space rather than being in it. Getting a decent second living space seems important to you so the current layout achieves that. You could perhaps add some high level transom windows between kitchen and utility to bring more light into kitchen (depending on where tall/wall kitchen cabinets are going to be and how ceiling is). Another option that you haven't mentioned is to put the new lounge into the dark space (then you'd have to call it a snug!). Leaving the new space as kitchen and dining. But perhaps you want the sofas to be looking onto garden, or you don't want it right next to the other sitting room - which is understandable. So it depends on what you'd use that living space for - or would also having a couple of upholstered chairs or a window seat in the extension allow you the flexibility you are looking for? Regarding the loo situation - I don't like having to walk through the utility to get to it (mainly as you're going to have to clean/tidy your utility every time guests come round, no thanks) - alternative is to walk through the WC to get to utility - would result in a bigger WC (you don't want to squeeze between toilet and basin so put them on the same wall) and a more useful utility space - and you'll have one window into WC and one into utility and nobody will be walking through the cat litter tray - could keep the pocket door idea so that it's more like one room normally, but easy to close off the messy utility when guests arrive (if that is ever allowed to happen again!)...See MoreImproving kerb appeal of our new house
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Misha M
6 years agoblubrookemoss
6 years agoblubrookemoss
6 years agoJonathan
6 years agoI am not sure that stable doors would make this look less like a stable! I think it looks utilitarian because it is absent of features and don't think fairy lights are enough to rescue it.
I think you need to add more windows, make the windows deep and add a front porch/veranda. I think it also needs a pretty paint job.
minnie101
6 years agoHi. I'm not sure if you want to go for a pretty look or contemporary one? I'd be tempted to paint it black including doors and windows. I'd then add a triangular patio starting from the left shed side going to the back right of the BBQ area, (the picture shown isn't the right shape but hopefully you get the idea!), I personally like the contrast of the bleached wood in the first pic. I'd add contemporary angular, semi-reclining chairs. For the area between the doors I'd go for a wall light to break it up or perhaps have a tall grass which is underlit. I thought I'd add the floor light as I love it but it's not particularly cheap! Some sculptural plants would look great against the black.
blubrookemoss
6 years ago
PROLitecraft
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoHi there,
You could start off by adding a little colour. This could be done through introducing a summery colour scheme with the use of plants and garden furniture. I quite like the
idea of having the natural wood look and a bit of colour on the doors and windows. Once you add in the doors and windows, it will start to look less like a stable.Here are some ideas to inspire you:
Having a glass door would brighten the interiors up a little.
Here is some lighting we can suggest to you that we think would look nice.
For the outside:
Hahn Outdoor Polycarbonate LED Single Up & Down Wall Light - Black
Kenn 1 Light Adjustable Outdoor Wall Light - Black
For the inside:
Frank 4 Light Wavey CeilingSpotlight Bar - Black Nickel
Octi 6 Light Chrome Ceiling Light
You could add some table lamps and floor lamps for accent lighting. Cushions and throws will make it feel more cosy.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to contact us by emailing customerservice@litecraft.co.uk or by calling 0161 359 4777
Kind Regards,
Litecraft Team
blubrookemoss thanked Litecraftblubrookemoss
6 years agoEmmanuelle
6 years agoHi! We are having a shed/summer house build at the moment.., 7m x 3m. It will be nearly black painted weather boards. To stop it looking too new, we are going to try to find reclaimed windows/doors, painted the same colour. Here are the few pics I take my inspiration from for our shed! Only the base was finished last Friday, so a lot of work left!
blubrookemoss thanked Emmanuelleblubrookemoss
6 years agoblubrookemoss
6 years agoHello All
This is what we have done so far on the shed.
Does look a lot better.
Just not sure how far to go with the grey. Or if it needs to be a darker shade of grey to match the flower pots. Worried it's a bit blue.
tezz4
6 years agoI like the blue tinged grey - its not drab. And l agree with jeanetteal to paint beneath the open porch for continuity. Rather than painting above the shorter doorway l would fix some decorative wrought iron or an awning on both, disguising the difference in heights.
blubrookemoss thanked tezz4twamleyk
6 years ago
Neil Jones Design