Outbuildings in the back yard were once places where pottering old men would stash their forks and hoes – but now canny Brits are reinventing them as places to relax among nature
It’s normally full of rusting tools and cobwebs – but some people have transformed their garden shed into a place we’d all like to hang out. From a ski chalet to a gold-plated palace, here are some of the winners and runners-up…
Neil Wheatley turned his garden shed into âBuckingham Pallets’ thanks to the clever use of wooden crates and some unwanted windows saved from landfill. For over 30 years the storage space in Tyne and Wear had been used as a pigeon loft, but during lockdown Neil transformed it into an enormous retreat surrounded by his favourite plants and flowers.
Cosy sofas provide the ultimate reading nook while the woodburning stove lets the family cook up a storm while sheltering from the rain. There’s even a secret bookshelf door and a wall featuring vintage copies of Beano. “The kids love it, and it will be around for many years to come,” says Neil.
Alex Dodman turned his back yard into a luxurious garden getaway for the family after building a swimming pool for his kids. The talented dad from Saffron Walden, Essex, then designed this eyecatching A-frame ski chalet using wood from an old neglected shed, meaning he and his wife can relax in comfort while keeping an eye on their little ones.