Making the most of your shed for a garden party
Now that the weather is getting warmer in the UK, everyone will be preparing for garden parties, BBQs, and fun gatherings with friends.
If you’re looking to make the most out of your garden shed this summer, then we’ve got the perfect guide for you. Don’t let your shed be forgotten this year—get as much use out of it by turning it into a prop or a functional space for your garden party.
So, stick with Atlas Sheds as we walk through how you can make the most of your shed for a garden party this summer. It’s easier than you think!
Rethinking the role of your shed
Has your shed just become an afterthought? Used to dump out old items from the house or concealed behind a wall of weeds.
It doesn’t have to be this way. What if you could turn your garden into the perfect outdoor gathering spot for friends and family, just by reviving the life of your shed?
Not only will this ensure your money isn’t going to waste, but it will also open up a whole new area of your garden that you don’t use. Your shed has the potential to be so much more!
Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
- Entertainment area
- Mini cinema
- Outdoor dining area
- Garden bar
- Tiki bar
The list keeps on going. Your shed is so much more than just a storage cupboard with a padlock— See a stage. A bar. A DJ booth. A backdrop for garden parties.
Preparing your shed for guests
If your shed has been left to deteriorate in your garden, then some spring cleaning (or summer cleaning) will be in order to get it spick and span for guests.
You don’t want to add a table of food or lounge chairs to your shed and have to look at dust and grime in the corner while eating. Here’s how to get it into great shape before your loved ones come over:
1. Clear out any rubbish
Let’s face it, your shed is most likely harbouring a load of rubbish that you don’t need. Rather than leaving it to collect dust, sort through your items and get rid of things you don’t need.
As you're organising the content in your shed, make three piles:
✅ Keep it (useful for the party)
🔁 Store it (somewhere else, just for now)
❌ Bin it (clear out some room)
2. Give it a good scrub
Once you’ve cleared out the space, sweep it with a soft-bristled brush to remove any cobwebs, debris, and dirt.
Open all the doors and windows to air out the shed, letting any stale smells out before you clean. A bowl of baking soda or a hanging lavender sachet can get rid of any lingering smells (and a few sprays of air freshener in a summery scent).
Then, take a clean, dry cloth and a cleaning solution (e.g., a specific spray for sheds or soap and water) and wipe down all surfaces, including windows and doors. You can even rinse the outside to make it look prettier for guests.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, apply a new layer of paint to cover any discolouration. It’s bound to brighten up your garden, just in time for summer.
Decorating for the occasion
If you’re left with stubborn marks and stains on the floor from years of muddy boots and piles of tools, throw down a soft rug or wipeable mat to make it look more cosy and inviting.
Then, you can go crazy and start adding comfy chairs or a small sofa, pillows and blankets, shelves for decorative features like books, plants, and board games— whatever you’re using your shed for will influence how you decorate it.
Turning it into a dining area? Add a spacious table and some chairs, a vase and place settings, and some pictures on the wall to liven it up a bit.
Or how about an entertainment area? Add a popcorn machine, an organiser trolley with snacks, games, and drinks, a TV and video game console, etc. Pinterest is your best friend for decoration inspo!
As you’re decorating, ask yourself:
- Is there enough space for people to walk in and out easily?
- Is it too hot or chilly inside?
- Will it work better as a drink station, seating nook, or photo spot?
Making it practical for entertaining
When hosting a garden party outdoors, you need a main attraction, somewhere to lay the food and drinks, or a chill zone— and that’s where your shed comes in.
Plus, we all know that the summer doesn’t stop the British rain, so making your shed accessible is a great way to quickly dodge any unexpected showers.
When decorating, you need to consider the practicality of your shed, not just its appearance. This means you’ll need to consider lighting, how much space there is to move, whether there are any tripping hazards, etc.
For lighting, we suggest placing fairy lights around the inside and outside of your shed for a bit of ambience. Paper or metal lanterns are also a great idea for birthday parties and BBQs. Adding a mirror is also a great way to make the space feel brighter and more expansive.
The goal is to create a spot where guests will want to linger, somewhere they’ll wander into and say, *“Ooh, this is nice.” Trust us, it’ll keep them coming back.
Creating the perfect atmosphere
This is a small part of turning your shed into a great addition to a garden party, but it plays a huge role.
If you’re going for a more chilled evening vibe, set up a speaker in your shed to play relaxing music at a good volume. You could even add wind chimes or water features on and around your shed to create a relaxing atmosphere.
If you’re after a more party vibe, add a mini disco ball to the inside of your shed and some colour-changing LED strip lights. Play some disco music on your speaker, loud enough to be heard but low enough for conversation.
Shed themes and party ideas
Here’s the part where you can get the most creative and let your imagination run free.
Making the most of your shed for a garden party doesn’t have to involve just adding a few lights and chairs—you can choose a theme and run with it. Here are some of our personal favourites to get you started.
1. Garden tearoom
What better way to enjoy a summer day with your friends than a garden tea party? We’re talking vintage teacups, tea cakes, and mismatched china.
Add frilly cushions to your shed and adorn a small coffee table with cake stands, teapots and cups, finger foods, scones—the works. For a pretty touch, you can add bunting, floral tablecloths, and maybe a vase or two of fresh-cut flowers.
This is perfect for a birthday, baby shower, or a cosy Sunday.
2. The backyard bar
Are you inviting all of your friends round to watch the football? Or do you want to make the most out of the sun and save on pub drinks?
If so, turn your shed into a bar shed, filled with all of your favourite beverages. Add a few shelves to store your drinks, a counter or sturdy table for mixing and serving, an ice bucket or mini fridge to keep drinks cold, and glassware.
You can even go all out and create your own drinks menu! Add some bar stools to re-create the pub experience and give your shed its own pub name.
3. The disco den
You can take it one step further and turn your shed into a mini club, perfect for drinks with friends in the summer.
Add a disco ball to your shed and lay down a small rug or floor mat to mark the “dance zone.” You can add a small drinks station to refill on alcoholic drinks, topped off with some mini drink umbrellas.
Add some posters of musicians or old vinyl covers to set the tone of the shed and curate a playlist with all of your favourite songs.
4. Games room
When the talking runs out and you’re unsure of how to keep the party going, you can retire to your shed games room to keep the vibes up.
Here, you can add anything you want—an Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii for competitive gaming, a VR games system, or classic board games like Uno, Jenga, or Scrabble.
To keep it casual, add a table, some comfy chairs and couches, a food and drinks cart, or some floor cushions and beanbags. If you have a bit more space to work with, why not go all out with a pool table, ping-pong table, or darts board?
Get summer ready with Atlas Sheds
Whether you’re leaning more toward a relaxing dining area, a disco den, or a creative garden bar, we can help you bring your ideas to life at Atlas Sheds.
Our range of sustainable timber garden sheds is bound to level up your garden in time for garden party season. With high-quality builds, classic styles, and sizes to suit every garden, now is the perfect time to replace your old, worn-out shed with a grand new feature.
Browse our range online or pop into one of our North West showrooms to get started.