Reviewed by the Palmako UK content team with insights from our garden building experts.
The shift from hot summer sun to crisp, misty days means one thing: the season is changing. The falling leaves and cooler air bring fresh inspiration and a chance to turn the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn into something amazing.
If you’ve been itching to do something with your summer house and turn it into a cosy hideaway, then now’s the time. And the good news is: It doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. We’ve gathered budget-friendly ideas to help you transform your summer house.
Quick Overview
If you’re wondering what to put in your summer house, you’ve come to the right place. We share how to create six practical living spaces that will inspire your imagination. From shabby chic to fireside dining, to creatives' escape - it’s all here.
Table of Contents
Affordable summer house decor for 2025
Simple interior decor ideas, utilising upcycled furniture and second-hand items, are all you need to transform your summer house into a joyful and entertaining space this season.
1. Shabby Chic interior
Palmako Amanda S Modern Corner Summer House
Respecting design trends for 2025, earthy tones, reds, and yellows are making a strong statement in soft furnishings. [1] Alongside this trend is the move to create biophilic designs - a philosophy which integrates natural elements into built environments. [2] Put these two trends together, and you have the new version of shabby chic.
Bring together an outdoor space and a natural, earthy colour palette that works year-round with the following elements:
- Buy (or repurpose) a comfy sofa or wingback armchair in moss green, rust, or beige.
- Add chunky knitted throws and mismatched cushions in your favourite designs for a relaxed colour scheme.
- Repurpose old crates or pallets into a rustic coffee table - leave as natural wood or apply paint.
- Use fairy lights, leafy plants, vintage rugs, candles, and photo frames to add life to the room.
Why this works:
By using upcycled or older furniture, you give your summer house character without overspending, and the design can change and grow with you. Inexpensive items, such as throws, cushions, and rugs, can be changed every season.
Alternatives you can try:
No shabby chic sofa or armchairs? How about a futon on a pallet base, or rocking chairs with comfy garden chair cushions? Even floor cushions can work well in your shabby chic room.
Design tips: Make your summer house warm in Winter - interior design tricks
2. Vintage Office/Reading Nook
Interior design trends for 2025 show that vintage furniture is still very much having its moment in the spotlight [1]. Transform your garden summer house into a dedicated space for work and relaxation by scouring second-hand shops and antique stores for furniture that suits your taste.
In this idea, you’re introducing natural light into the room, which stimulates serotonin and helps you work effectively. If your summer house has large windows, this is an opportunity to look out onto a beautiful garden while you work or read. Here are clever ways to create a vintage look.
- Add an antique writing desk, close to a window.
- Choose a chair that will be comfortable for both working and leisure time.
- Use layered lighting — bright for work, softer fairy lights in the evening.
- Store clutter in woven baskets or wooden pallets.
- Keep reading books or magazines in crates or storage boxes for nighttime reading.
- Place a small heater near your chair for warmth during cold evenings.
Why this works:
By creating a vintage office and reading nook, you get two rooms in one, doubling the value of your space. This works best if your cabin has large windows where you can get loads of natural light, for increased productivity in the day.
Alternatives you can try:
No proper desk - a small garden table will work just fine. If you can’t afford to install electricity, consider using solar lights instead. A hot water bottle can also serve as a replacement for a heater.
Looking for the ideal cabin to create your garden office/reading nook? You might like this modern summer house with large sliding doors.
Even more great ideas: Garden Office Ideas for the ‘Work-From-Home’ Professional
3. Fireside Dining Spot
Palmako Melanie XXL Pavilion Summer House with Canopy
Do you have some older garden furniture you’re wondering what to do with? How about using your garden table and chairs for a dining area in your summer house? And if you have a larger building, you can use a full garden table to create a really luxurious fireside dining spot. Start with the furniture, then complete the look like this:
- Add an electric fire heater, candles, and lanterns to create an intimate dining experience.
- Introduce baskets of different shapes and sizes, filling them with throws for colder nights.
- Use shelves to display your cherished kitchenware - the more eclectic, the better.
Why this works:
By reusing old garden furniture, you not only save yourself money, but you also exercise your creativity by finding novel ways to refurbish the pieces. This transforms your summer house into an outdoor space that feels completely different from the main house.
Alternatives you can try:
No older garden furniture? Find a bistro set on Facebook Marketplace or at a second-hand furniture shop. The electric heater can be replaced with throws for warmth, and grouping together large candles in glass jars to create a warm glow.
4. Mini Café
Introduce a café-style twist to your summer house for quality time with family, friends, or even yourself. Perfect for starting your day or winding down at night, you can create a peaceful retreat without needing an interior design qualification!
Get the whole café vibe going like this:
- Set up a small table with a kettle, cafetière, or thermos. You can also build a DIY counter or use an old serving table (find these at antique shops).
- Stores teas, coffee beans, coffee pods, and cocoa in small baskets.
- Add a large pegboard for cups, mugs, and cutlery.
- Decorate with herb pots to add a heady aroma to your café.
- Add soft lighting, such as fairy lights or table lamps, to add ambience to your room.
Why this works:
It turns your summer house into the perfect place for little pauses from life’s daily grind, and gives you a real tea garden experience.
Alternatives you can try:
Can’t afford new crockery? Use old mugs and cups you’ve stored away for years, you breathe new life into things full of character - and who doesn’t love that..
Love the idea, but don’t have a summer house? This compact clockhouse garden room will make the perfect mini café without hurting your budget.
5. Cosy Cinema Corner
Palmako Lea M Spacious Pent Garden Room
Nothing feels more luxurious than a home cinema away from your main house. Create special evenings watching your favourite movies, or binging on Netflix series in a comfortable living space meant for lounging around. Transform your summer house with these items:
- A large screen TV or projector screen that acts as the focal point of your cinema.
- A comfy XL sofa, or futon, and bean bags.
- Layer fleece blankets, knit checkerboard throws, or herringbone throws for interest, while keeping up with this year’s trends. [3]
- Natural materials such as wood, bamboo rugs, and cushion covers made from linen.
Why this works:
It turns your summer house into an entertainment area, without forgetting the great outdoors - giving you the best of both worlds.
Alternatives you can try:
If you only want this to be a passing delight, then use temporary tech like a laptop, projector, and Bluetooth speakers to create your cinema.
6. Creative Escape
Palmako Veronica 4 Octagonal Garden Pavilion
If you’re craving a creative escape from everyday life, then an arts, crafts, or hobby station is the ideal breakaway. The sky is the limit as long as you can find a large table (even a wooden garden table will do) and storage containers. Create your escape with these affordable items:
- A fold-down table purchased at a retailer or garden centre.
- Wooden crates, woven baskets, or plastic containers for storage.
- A bright desk lamp.
- DIY shelvings and pinboards.
- Herbs, indoor plants, or flowers from your garden.
Why this works:
Not only does it provide a new purpose for your garden structure, but it also keeps messy projects out of the main house and provides you with an inspirational space. When the weather isn’t on your side and the house is getting crowded, your creative escape will be waiting for you.
Alternatives you can try:
Install a wall-mounted DIY desk that you can close up when you want additional space. Portable storage boxes on wheels will keep things organised and easy to move around.
More summer house ideas: Summer House Ideas: Create the Ultimate Garden Escape
Conclusion
As the season changes, don’t let your summer house become a redundant outdoor building. By making a few affordable changes, you can keep enjoying the space all year round. From a shabby chic lounge to a vintage office, a mini café, or a cinema nook, the possibilities are endless. Use these ideas as suggested, or let them inspire you to a new level of creativity.
✨ Looking for the perfect cabin to bring these ideas to life? Palmako’s range of summer houses will help you create the space you’re dreaming of.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need planning permission for a summer house?
Generally, you do not need to seek planning permission for an outbuilding if it is at the back or side of the house; if it does not take up more than 50% of the space; and is ‘ancillary’ to the main building (i.e. not a separate dwelling). However, planning permission is different in each region - check with your local council to be sure.
2. Can I sleep in a summer room in the UK?
A summer room may be used temporarily for sleeping arrangements, such as when a guest stays overnight. However, if the room is used regularly as an independent living space or dwelling, like an annexe building, you will need planning permission from your local authority.
3. What should I use as a summer house base?
A solid foundation is essential. Options include paving slab base, concrete blocks, or timber decking. The choice depends on the size of your summer house, the ground conditions, and your budget.
4. How do I maintain a summer house exterior?
If your summer house did not come pre-treated, you must apply regular protective applications to the natural wood, such as wood preservative or paint. Seal the windows and doors with weatherproof sealant, and ensure the foundations are level to prevent warping or wood cracks.
References:
1. House Beautiful UK: New interior design trends 2025
2. Interior design trends that will be everywhere in 2025.
3. House Beautiful UK: Best snuggly throws
