The humble garden shed has undergone a significant transformation in celebrity circles, evolving from a simple storage space into a coveted luxury outbuilding. Stars are investing in high-end garden rooms, bespoke cabins, and creatively designed sheds that serve as extensions of their homes, dedicated hobby spaces, or entertaining areas.
Amanda Holden has showcased an impressive wood-pannelled garden room featuring a marble-topped bar, plush furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. This structure, installed by Into the Garden Room, can cost upwards of £45,000. Jordana Ashkenazi, design director at Element One House, describes Holden's space as a "luxury garden room and bar," noting its polished design suitable for entertaining and its seamless integration with outdoor amenities like a hot tub and patio.
David Beckham has embraced the "glasshouse" trend, reportedly spending around £100,000 on an aluminum structure for his Cotswolds estate. This sleek greenhouse serves as an entertaining space where guests can enjoy meals prepared with home-grown ingredients. Ashkenazi praises this design for its authenticity to the setting, its use of natural timber, and its practical yet refined aesthetic, blending seamlessly with the landscape.
Dedicated Retreats and Hobby Spaces
Other celebrities have opted for more intimate and purpose-driven garden structures. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron installed a £25,000 shepherd's hut in 2017, intended as a quiet space for writing a book. The wheeled hut featured a wood-burning stove and sheep's wool insulation. Ashkenazi commends its sophisticated, "quintessentially British feel" and its versatility, noting it can serve as a retreat or a playhouse.
Coronation Street star Beverley Callard and her husband Jon McEwen converted their shed into a "date-night bar" complete with a stocked bar, sofas, and lighting. Similarly, cleaning influencer Mrs. Hinch created a "Hinch Hideout" for her children, featuring child-sized furniture, checkered curtains, and a miniature postbox. She also designed a workshop for her father, which Ashkenazi admired for its genuine purpose and aesthetic alignment with the property.
Unique and Personalised Designs
Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling transformed a standard wooden shed into "The Snug," a cozy, pub-like retreat with a fully stocked bar and tartan decor. Ashkenazi describes it as "cute and kitsch," highlighting its personal touches and inviting atmosphere, despite not being overtly sophisticated.
Stacey Solomon repurposed a Wendy house into a Tudor-style children's haven, complete with interior heating and charming decor. This project is lauded for its playful and magical feel, appropriate for a child's playhouse.
Amid the 2021 lockdown, Binky Felstead constructed a multi-use outhouse that functions as an office, gym, and playroom. While noted as imposing, its functionality and family-friendly design are acknowledged.
Comedian Vic Reeves is known for his extensive collection of garden buildings, including an art studio, bar, and gallery. One notable structure was his "British Museum shed," filled with artifacts and display cabinets. Ashkenazi views this as imaginative and personal, even if not universally appealing.
Across the Atlantic, American interior designer Joanna Gaines has created an organized sanctuary in her garden shed, designed for her hobbies. Her space is praised for its practicality, warmth, and connection to nature, making it an inviting extension of her home.
Monty Don, presenter of "Gardeners' World," maintains several garden buildings at his Longmeadow garden, including a writing shed, potting shed, and greenhouses. His most recent addition is a simple corrugated summerhouse, which Ashkenazi appreciates for its understated, timeless design that complements the established garden without competing with it.