From summer barbecues to inflatable swimming pools, it’s no secret that we love summertime here in the UK. Many of us find ourselves spending hours in our gardens and enjoying the sun while it lasts, which is why summer houses have become such a craze over the years.
Summer houses are a home away from home right in your back garden and offer the perfect place to enjoy fresh air whilst taking shade from the sun, meet with friends and family, or just take some much-needed alone time. They’re more than just a building, these little homes are a great way to show off your creativity and personality to create the perfect little sunny day retreat.
With so many ways to furnish and decorate a summer house, the sky's the limit when it comes to designing your summer escape. To help make sure your summers are filled with relaxing moments and sunny parties, we’re going to be diving into all the top decorating tips and ideas for creating the perfect summer house.
What colour should a summer house be?
Before we get into furnishings and minor details of creating a stunning summer house, it’s essential to begin with a good canvas - which is why we recommend starting your interior decorating with your walls.
It’s important to choose the right balance of aesthetics and practicality for a summer house. The last thing you want to be spending your summer doing is cleaning your summer house, so we recommend considering easy-to-maintain, moisture-resistant materials such as PVC panelling.
We’d also recommend sticking to lighter colours as they will help provide that bright summer feel as well as open up the space if you have a smaller summer house.
Panelling comes in a wide range of styles, textures and colours to complement your surroundings and create a cosy, inviting space. Below, you can find some of our top picks for summer house panelling.
Wooden panelling for a natural look
Perfect for a boho, shabby chic or a scandi style summer house. Wood panelling offers both a warm look with natural textures that promotes a laid-back feel. Take these Vox Motivo Light Wood Panels, the light colours will help brighten up your summer house for a more open and organic look, helping bring nature inside with earthy tones. Whether you want to place them horizontally or vertically, these panels are great for complementing the sun-soaked, carefree spirit of a bohemian or Scandinavian style retreat.
Vox Motivo Light Wood Panels - £54.46
Add some bright colours
If you want to truly dive into creativity and create something that offers both style and personality, then bright colours are the way to go. Cladding such as these, Soft Blue and Soft Pink Panels, are a bold and joyful way to infuse the space with energy and personality. The vibrant hues can instantly lift a space as well as echo the sunny and bright summer aesthetic. These panels not only add character but also create a cheerful backdrop for decorating your summer home.
Elegance Abstract Soft Blue Panels - £23.45
Elegance Abstract Soft Pink Panels - £23.45
Create a stripped-back look with brick panelling
If you want a more natural and low-maintenance look, then we recommend opting for brick effect panelling because it is both easy to clean and maintain while still providing that timeless charm. For a true summer look, we recommend sticking with soft, light colours like these Vox Vilo Vintage Brick Panels. The warm, neutral tones of beige brick add character without overpowering the space, and can complement a variety of styles from coastal and countryside aesthetics to help you create your dream summer house.
Vox Vilo Vintage Brick Panels - £60.89
Enjoy modern living with a contemporary look
A fresh, versatile choice for a summer house, modern styles are often clean and easy to decorate. For example, these Abstract White Panels offer a bright and breezy feel that perfectly complements the sunny season. With crisp, clean lines, these modern panels will help to make smaller summer houses more open and airy, and they’re the perfect canvas for decorating and styling with artwork. It's an ideal backdrop for layering natural textures, pops of colour, or greenery, keeping your summer house looking modern, relaxed, and endlessly inviting.
Abstract White Panels - £12.80
What’s the best flooring for a summer house?
Flooring plays a huge part in any summer house, as it’ll often be subject to dirty shoes and grass being trailed in from your garden, and let's face it - none of us want to spend our summer cleaning. For a summer house, we would recommend LVT or SPC flooring as they’re durable and easy to clean, as well as being more resilient against heat and moisture. They also come in a wide range of styles, so you can find the right fit for your aesthetic, from modern to rustic.
Some of our favourite choices for a summer house include this Carron Oak Herringbone SPC Flooring, with warm tones and a darker style, these panels can beautifully contrast a lighter interior for a more striking look. With a more natural style, these will go great with boho or shabby chic décor and will complement decorations such as woven rugs and neutral tones. The best part is they’re quicker to clean than wood flooring, meaning you can spend more time relaxing with your favourite book.
Carron Oak Herringbone SPC Flooring - £32.64
We also really enjoy the Hawick Aqua Click Flooring for a summer house look. Combining the natural elegance of stone with cool, breathable comfort underfoot, this flooring offers a more modern take on natural stone looks. Not only does it complement a wide range of interiors, but it stands up well against moisture and heat, so you won’t need to worry about those pool days or evening drink splashes with these durable options.
Hawick Aqua Click Flooring - £32.64
How to decorate the exterior of a summer house
Of course, it’s not just the interior that needs some thinking about. The exterior of your summer house should complement your garden and wow guests at first glance. The right exterior panelling can enhance your summer house’s connection to its natural surroundings while standing up to sun, wind, and moisture.
One of our top picks for decorating the outside of your summer house is these Walnut Vox Fronto Slat Wall Panels. Perfectly made to blend in with the surrounding nature and trees, these panels offer modern style with a warm aesthetic. The slatted design not only adds texture and depth to the exterior but also allows for airflow, enhancing the overall design of your summer house.
Walnut Vox Fronto Slat Wall Panels - £37.73
However, if you prefer a lighter look for your summer vibes, then these Oak Vox Fronto Slat Wall Panels will do the trick. They’re a beautiful way to add natural texture and a soft, contemporary feel to the exterior of your summer home. The golden tones and clean-lined design strike a perfect balance between modern minimalism and rustic charm, perfect for inviting guests and complementing the surrounding garden.
Oak Vox Fronto Slat Wall Panels - £37.73
How to furnish a summer house
Now we’ve discussed all the ways to enhance the base of your summer house, from durable and easy-to-clean flooring to stunning exterior styles and bold interior choices, it’s finally time to move on to how to furnish your summer home.
How you furnish your summer home will all depend on the style you’ve gone for, however, we do have some top tips for furnishing your summer home that will create an inviting atmosphere with functional ideas to save space.
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Small but comfortable chairs
Furnishing a summer house with small sofas and chairs is a smart way to create a cosy, functional space without overwhelming it. These chairs also tend to be more lightweight, so they’re easy to move around in summer if you want to sit in direct sunlight or prefer the shade. Compact seating like love seats, armless sofas or lightweight lounge chairs will offer a comfortable experience for both you and your guests.
The main thing to focus on is comfort, as you’ll likely be lounging on these chairs a lot during the sunny season. Focus on plush and practical. A great way to promote higher comfort is to add some decorative cushions that suit your aesthetic.
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A suitable coffee table
Summer houses tend not to be too big, but you’ll need somewhere to put all of your drinks down. You and your guests will need to stay hydrated during the high temperatures, so we say having a coffee table is a must for any good summer house.
We recommend a smaller, low-down coffee table, which will help create the illusion of more space in your summer house. You could also have a few side tables next to the chairs for guests to put drinks and snacks down while they relax, as these tend to be more out of the way and are a good idea for saving on space.
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A nice rug
While a nice rug may not be functional, it’s a subtle yet effective way to decorate a summer house. We recommend a light rug as this will help expel heat and fit that summer aesthetic. They also provide a nice cushion under your feet if you fancy slipping your shoes off while relaxing.
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Bring nature indoors with some plants
If you want to blend your summer house into your garden, the best way to do this is to bring nature indoors. Add some decorative plants to create a seamless transition from your garden to your summer house. It will help brighten up your space, and even when relaxing inside, you’ll get to enjoy some summer greenery.
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Summer home entertainment
Keep both yourself and your guests entertained by adding some fun to your summer house. This can be anything from a TV on your wall to music speakers or even just a few cards and board games. This will top off your summer house perfectly, so you’re always ready for some family fun or a spontaneous garden party.
Discover stunning styles for decorating your dream summer house with The Panel Company
Decorating a summer home is all about capturing the essence of the season, from bright, airy designs to nature-inspired accents and modern mixes. Every element, from the panelling on the walls to the furniture you choose, should contribute to a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that invites lazy mornings, sun-soaked afternoons, and cosy evenings spent with friends and family.
Discover more styles here at Panel Company and explore summer panels from the perfect sunny day beige wall panels to the unbeatable natural wood effect panels. Browse our full wall panels collection and find something to help you create your dream summer house.
