The winter doesn’t mean that your garden summer house has to stand gathering dust until the spring. There are many ways that this versatile space can be used to help you enjoy and make the most of this time of year. Here are some suggestions.
A winter art studio
If you have been meaning to take up painting, the winter is an ideal time to start when there is less distraction from all the outdoor activities of summer. Set up your cabin with an easel, canvases, paints and brushes and set to work in your peaceful haven. The stark beauty of winter wildlife on your doorstep can provide plenty of inspiration.
Experiment to your hearts’ content with watercolour, acrylics or oils and unlock your inner artistic vision. Your cabin is also a ready-made gallery space to showcase the results of your endeavours.
A Stargazing Retreat
The long nights of winter may be with us, and this often brings crisp bright days followed by cold clear nights. This provides ideal conditions for stargazing, so make the most of your garden cabin by setting up a stargazing retreat. Choose a clear night when the moon is not visible, because beautiful as it is, it will obscure your view of the stars.
You do not need any special equipment, although binoculars or a telescope will greatly enhance your viewing experience. Turn off any garden lights and visible lights from the house to enhance your vision, and wait at least an hour after the sun has set to ensure that the night is fully dark.
Make sure that your cabin is warm and cosy with blankets and a portable heater if you do have an integrated heating system. Keep the lighting soft by using a red torch that won’t affect your night vision. Research some winter star constellations such as Orion and Taurus, and create your own handy guidebook or celestial map.
Set some tranquil ambient music in the background to help create the right atmosphere, and prepare a Thermos of hot tea or hot chocolate. Now you are all set up to be awed by the wonders of the cosmos.
A WFH retreat
It is now commonplace for many people to work from home at least two or three times a week. However it can be a challenge to find somewhere peaceful and comfortable away from the distractions of the house, whether it’s family members or a pet who is delighted to have your presence during the week, or even just the temptations of the fridge.
A garden cabin is ideal for a home office workstation for focused work, and provides you with a psychological separation from the rest of the house. This can help you to draw a line under your work at the end of the day, and make sure that you feel as though you are working from home and not living at the office.