That out-there home project you’ve always dreamed about – a garden cabin can make it happen

For instance, buying a pool table on eBay and then discovering your other half isn’t all that keen on losing the dining room in order to give your bargain find a home could be a point of contention.

Luckily Matt Hogben found a way to make the couple’s home work for them that meant the pool table could stay but his partner Jane still held on to a dining space for guests. The solution? Buying a garden building!

Matt says: “The honest truth [behind] the cabin purchase was my ‘bargain’ £300 pool table from eBay! My partner Jane then exclaimed that we had nowhere to put it, as she likes to use the dining room for eating in. A ridiculous idea, I think, personally!”

As it happened, while refurbishing their home, Matt and Jane had cleared the garden of many skips-worth of weeds, roots and stumps. What emerged was a conveniently log cabin sized shape.

Now Matt and Jane’s log cabin doesn’t just house the pool table but a bar, TV and dartboard, making it a fun-filled haven for all the family, including the dogs. Matt says: “Everyone absolutely loves it – there is something for everyone.”

A garden summerhouse or log cabin can be the ideal fix for making your home work if those living there have different ideas about what to do with the space or even just to indulge in a side hobby or domestic dream.

After all, who wouldn’t love a home cinema as seen in the home of celebs? But this particular Hollywood dream came true for film producer Dean when he bought a garden building. The space has been used partially to create a garden office so that he can work from home but there is also the family’s very own home cinema, complete with huge screen, projector and big squashy sofa for everyone to cuddle up together on while sharing some popcorn.

Dean says: “The family absolutely love the space. The kids love running around watching the films.”

A night out for Wayne and Becky involves just opening their back door and taking a few steps to their very own garden shed pub, Al’s Bar. Named in honour of Wayne’s late father, the log cabin project came about when the pair renovated their garden and were left with an unused space.

Looking to fill the space, they fixed on the idea of a log cabin, and while the first idea was to use it as a garden office for Becky, that vision transformed into something far more fun.

Now inside there is the bar complete with bar stools, as well as that pub essential, a darts board. There’s even a cosy dog bed by the fireplace for the family’s furry four-legged member. Posters and novelty signs add quirky touches and an outdoor seating area with a canopy gives the family an al-fresco spot to chill out.

The pub sign is dedicated to Wayne’s dad – a fitting tribute to a project that Wayne says his father would have been very proud to see.

To find out more about Dunster House and their products click here.