A special space of your own
WE all need a private hideaway where we can get away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy some quiet time or pursue a relaxing hobby.
Increasingly people are thinking outside of the box room and investing in a range of imaginative sanctuaries.
“It’s all about being able to separate ourselves from everyday life and all its routines,” says Jane Field-Lewis, author of My Cool Shed: An Inspirational Guide To Stylish Hideaways And Workspaces.
“There’s a huge satisfaction in having your own personal space, separate from your home, styled and decorated as you wish, which gives you the chance to work or relax in your own way.”
So let your imagination take flight and explore the possibilities...
GARDEN sheds, once somewhere to stash a lawnmower or the preserve of pipe-smoking men, have been reborn.
These humble buildings are increasingly being given makeovers, especially as our desire to move is thwarted by tough economic times.
They can be cheaply spruced up with a lick of paint, dressed with curtains and cushions, and put to work as a hobby room, a retreat for teenagers or a spot to simply think, read or write.
A GLASS room is perfect if you’re concerned that an extension or outdoor room will dominate a garden.
“In many cases, people don’t necessarily need more space in their homes — they want separate rooms where they can entertain, relax and have a get-away-from-it-all feeling,” explains Gary Davis, who’s a director at IQ Glass Rooms. “With state-of-the art lighting, these can look beautiful at night, creating the illusion that they’re simply floating in your outdoor area.” John Lewis also do a wonderful glass sphere that makes a unique place to relax and admire the garden.
GYPSY caravans, luxury tree houses or a designer “Hobbit hole” can be magical ways to create extra space.
“Gypsy caravans are for people who long for something different and totally personal, and they often become heirlooms passed from generation to generation,” says Laurence Ward, founder of The Gypsy Caravan Company. “While we don’t recommend them for the road, they can be moved around a garden, taken with you if you move house and are always a talking point.”
Though they also do summer houses, High Life Treehouses, founded by Henry Durham in London in 2003, can give your garden a little Tolkien magic with a Middle Earth-style shed or Hobbit hole. Beware though, their tree houses are so fabulous, you might find it hard to resist.
My Cool Shed: An Inspirational Guide To Stylish Hideaways And Workspaces by Jane Field-Lewis, published by Pavilion, £14.99.