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27th May 2022 Garden Bar Trends For This Summer - elbec garden buildings

Garden bar trends for this summer

It’s a trend that’s long surpassed lockdown and is here to stay: the garden as an entertainment space. With so much to look forward to this year including the Jubilee, we’re all in the mood for a garden party. Pop a cork and get the whole family round with our garden bar ideas.

What’s driving the garden bar trend?
Since 2021, interest in garden pubs as an outdoor space has rocketed by an incredible 494%. Driven by a need to entertain at home, followed by increasing costs of going out, the at-home drinks station has taken centre stage.

Looking for ideas to style your outdoor bar? Choose a trend based on your theme, space and budget.

Versatile garden shed spaces
Like outdoor entertaining, working from home is also here to stay. That’s why we’re creating versatile spaces in our gardens – from dividing seating areas to using multi-purpose outdoor bars. If yours is a larger garden, consider ‘zoning off’ areas, such as a drinks station, bar area and seating around a firepit.

Got a smaller space? No problem. A garden shed with both a workspace and bar area helps us transition from work life to home life easily. Our Paradise Pent Garden Bar and Store offers a roomy retreat with a hatch for serving drinks.

Tropical Tiki bars
Stuck in the passport queues? Bring the tropical vibes to your garden with this summer’s Tiki bar trend. Accessorise yours with bunting, coconuts and artificial flowers to bring a taste of Hawaii to your home. This pressure treated Mercia Garden Bar offers carte blanche for you to adorn in your favourite tropical themes. Why not hang a few bar signs to beckon your guests?

Remember to keep things toasty as Britain can’t quite deliver the same standards as the Tropics. Add a patio heater or chiminea: all of the warmth with none of the tropical storms.

All-weather seating areas
There’s nothing like the unpredictable, great British weather. But that’s not stopping us optimistic Brits, and we’ve developed products to withstand year-long weather conditions. L-shaped sofas and outdoor rugs allow us to enjoy our gardens in both the summer and winter months.

As for garden bars, you’ll want a well-treated wood finish that can withstand Mother Nature’s worst. There’s no need to pack away the bar stools, either. This handy Shire Garden Bar and Store features a stylish overhanging roof for when clouds start to gather.

Taking the indoors outdoors
As our love for interior design grew throughout the pandemic, so too did our love for the garden. Many homeowners are uniting both by taking the indoors outdoors – from the abovementioned rugs and couch seating to the décor.

There’s no need to limit your garden aesthetic to biophilic browns and greens. Bring the contemporary touch of your kitchen to the outdoors with this Shiplap Pent Forest Garden Bar. The monochrome design acts as a continuation of modern kitchens, ideal for sophisticated garden parties.

Maximising space
With more urban environments taking on the garden party vibes, there’s no need to hold back if you’re short on space. Position your bar area in the corner with a simple side entrance for easy access. Our garden bars also double up as storage space during the winter months, so you can keep those ice buckets tucked away.

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27th May 2022 Platinum Jubilee Garden Party Ideas - elbec garden buildings

Go platinum with these Jubilee garden party ideas

She’s Britain’s longest-serving monarch with an astonishing seven decades on the throne. That alone is worth celebrating. Whether you’re entertaining at home or indulging in a good old-fashioned street gathering, our Jubilee party ideas are fit for a queen.

Get baking
The official Jubilee pudding has been named, and it’s a cracker of a British dessert. Jemma Melvin’s lemon Swiss roll trifle is sure to be a hit this summer – and you can make your own. Keep it retro by serving your trifle in an 80s-inspired trifle bowl: the perfect centrepiece for your Jubilee garden party.

Not into the red, white and blue? Pay tribute to Her Majesty in another way by adding a dash of lemon to your garden. If you’ve got guests coming over, it’s time to give those wood finishes a lick of paint. Go bold with this zesty yellow.

Liven up the garden furniture
Of course, the Jubilee is a fantastic excuse to bring out the bunting. But why not put your own spin on it? Rather than hanging it on your front door or fence, use it to complement your existing foliage. Got flowers twisting around a garden arch? Incorporate the bunting into it and don’t risk it blowing away!

Cross the Ts and dot the Is with street parties
If you’re getting the whole street involved, the more the merrier – but make sure you’re playing by the rules. Street parties are totally legal and there’s no need for an alcohol licence, but you should inform your local council.

Once the boring stuff’s out of the way, keep it communal with your garden furniture. This lightweight picnic table can be transported easily from your garden out into the centre of the action.

Add a competitive element
There’s nothing more British than a little sport. While you don’t need to assemble a five-a-side football team, you can keep it sporting with some outdoor games. Think classic British favourites like British Bulldog, or bring props along with giant Jenga. Need to keep the kids entertained? Have them play Queen of the Castle in their own playhouse.

Create a ‘Best of British’ theme
As the head of the British institution, the Queen is an extension of our own culture – and there’s much to be celebrated! Create a musical playlist featuring the best of British artists. Think old classics like The Beatles, Britpop legends like Blur and Oasis, or party floor fillers like the Spice Girls.

While royal family masks are almost a dealbreaker, we can pay tribute to the Queen in other ways. Did you know that the Queen’s favourite flower is Lily of the Valley? Make your tribute last with artificial flowers around the garden.

Make a plan B with a summerhouse
We can never rely on British weather, so make sure you’ve got a contingency plan should the clouds start to roll in. Turn your summerhouse into the ultimate royal residency with flags, themed pillows and ornate cake stands.

Now’s the perfect time to serve a few British tipples, too. Go for the classic Pimm’s or mix it up with a shaken-not-stirred Martini. There’s no reason to leave the kids out, either. Try a few summer mocktails such as rhubarb cocktails or peach iced tea.

Stock up for summer now with elbec
A Jubilee celebration may not come around often, but with the right garden buildings, you can live it up all summer. Explore our full range of durable summerhouses, each with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee. Here’s to the next 70 years: we can’t promise the weather but we can promise the party.

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24th March 2022 Get to Know Some of Our Summerhouse Offers

Get to Know Some of Our Summerhouse Offers

Have these warmer days and brighter evenings got you dreaming of a garden escape? Look no further than our impressive range of summerhouses to suit every garden design vision. With generous offers on some of our most popular models, now is the perfect time to grab a bargain in time for summer so that you can relax in style and comfort without needing to leave home!

Shire Barclay Corner Summerhouse

As one of our bestselling summerhouses, the Shire Barclay Corner Summerhouse has proven itself to be a staple of the garden building market and with good reason. Available in three sizes of 7 x 7, 8 x 8 or 10 x 10 depending on the capacity of your garden, the Barclay is the perfect solution for making the most of an unloved corner and creating a beautiful space that you will look forward to spending time outdoors in.

With full length fixed windows and double doors providing ample light, the bright interior this creates is maximised by the generous headroom provided by the 2.2m high ridge. Constructed from robust 12mm interlocking shiplap cladding, this sturdy build also offers a solid tongue and groove floor that can withstand heavy footfall and furniture so you don’t have to worry about stability and comes with the added bonus of free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Mercia Vermont Summerhouse

With the luxury standout feature of bi-folding doors, the Mercia Vermont Summerhouse offers an open-fronted design with abundant interior lighting thanks to two additional styrene windows on either side of the building. With security at the forefront of this design, the Vermont not only comes supplied with a lock and key for the bi-fold doors but is also structurally secure thanks to its robust 12mm shiplap cladding. These interlocking panels provide immense strength to the structure whilst also having the added benefit of being smooth planed, making them ideal for painting or leaving bare for a rustic timber finish.

Available in two sizes of either 8 x 8 or 10 x 8 the Vermont is covered by a 10-year anti-rot guarantee and supplied with comprehensive instructions for easy self-assembly. This beautiful summerhouse guarantees plenty of joyful memories to be made in the garden, with the peace of mind afforded by such a high-quality construction.

Shire Highclere

The Shire Highclere, available in four sizes from 8 x 6 to 10 x 10, is a contemporary summerhouse with a simple but effective design. Its pent roof diverts rainfall away from the building to prevent a buildup of moisture that leads to damp and rot, as well as being covered by a durable green mineral felt covering to provide further protection against the elements.

The frame overhang offers shade from sunny spells and shelter from light showers around the front of the building, providing the perfect space to keep your favourite potted plants. With three full length windows that offer a stunning 270-degree lighting display, as well as wide-opening double doors for easy access to the space, the Highclere is a sure-fire winner for homes looking to extend their garden space.

Forest Xtend range

This exciting new addition to our Summerhouse offering boasts superb energy efficiency and a high spec finish with premium quality materials and craftsmanship. If you’ve been considering a home extension which can be costly and disruptive, the Forest Xtend range offers a cost-effective alternative that holds a C-class energy efficiency rating as well as the elegant finish of modern anthracite grey windows and doors.

Designed with the luxurious appearance of a modern home, this insulated garden building packs many practical features designed to endure both the elements and maximise temperature regulation throughout the changing seasons so that you can enjoy working, relaxing or entertaining in this stylish addition to your garden year-round. With an 11mm OSB roof coated in a thick EDPM rubber coating to create a maintenance free, waterproof membrane around the Xtend’s roof, to the 97mm thick insulated walls that ensure the Xtend stays warm in winter and cooler in the sunny seasons, this is an investment that is sure to make the most of your garden with the endless possibilities of a home office, gym space or hobby room. The Xtend is available in three sizes of Xtend 2.5 (8 x 9), Xtend 3.0 (10 x 9) or Xtend 4.0 (13 x 11).

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15th March 2022 Mother's Day and Beyond: Our Gift Guide

Mother's Day is the perfect time to remind someone of just how special they are. What better way to do that than by gifting them new ways to spend more time in the garden doing what they love. We’ve selected some of our favourite garden products that are sure to brighten any outdoor space and delight somebody very special this Mother’s Day.

Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter (1 Shelf)

A stylish addition to any modern garden, the Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter combines a rustic slatted design with practical shelving to offer a convenient space for potted and hanging plants. For the mother that wants to add the finishing touch to her garden, or simply bring a garden wall to life, this is an excellent choice and can be easily customised with the ornaments she loves.

Shop Forest Slatted Tall Wall Planter (1 Shelf) now: https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/forest-slatted-tall-wall-planter-1-shelf-pressure-treated-511-06m-x-018m/p7183

Forest Kitchen Garden Planter – Pressure Treated

For the mothers who revel in the joy of using homegrown herbs and salad vegetables when cooking, the Forest Kitchen Garden Planter – Pressure Treated is the perfect addition to their garden as Spring approaches. Its raised height makes it ideal for taking the strain away from bending down to tend to plants, and its smooth-planed pressure treated finish is both practical and stylish. Available in a choice of two sizes, either the 3 x 2 Forest Kitchen Garden Planter or the 6 x 2 Forest Large Kitchen Garden Planter to offer even more growing space, you can be sure that this is a great addition to her garden this Mother’s Day.

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/3-x-2-1m-x-07m-forest-kitchen-garden-planter-pressure-treated/p6955

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/6-x-2-18m-x-07m-forest-large-kitchen-garden-planter-pressure-treated/p6956

Forest Double Sleeper Bench (1.2m)

Give your mother the gift of a quiet space to take in the view of her beautiful garden with the Forest Sleeper Bench (1.2m). This smooth-planed timber bench offers comfortable seating for up to two people so that you can enjoy a cup of tea together in the peace and quiet of the garden. With a splinter-free finish and sturdy, chunky wood design, it’s a great way to enjoy the sunshine whilst birdwatching or grazing in the garden throughout the warmer months.

https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/4ft-12m-forest-sleeper-bench-pressure-treated/p6949

Shire Blossom Arbour – Pressure Treated

Don't miss this great bargain just in time for the big day! The Shire Blossom Arbour offers a cosy area to sit comfortably and shelter either from light showers or shade from the sun. This delightful seating space for one is manufactured from high-quality pressure treated timber and assembled in a simple but elegant design, including arm-level shelving on either side for the perfect spot to rest a morning cup of tea. Its compact nature means it offers a small haven to enjoy the outdoors, even in the smallest of gardens.

Shop Shire Blossom Arbour now: https://www.elbecgardenbuildings.co.uk/shire-blossom-arbour-pressure-treated/p3454

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17th February 2022 Our Guide to Choosing the Perfect Greenhouse

With the evenings staying lighter for longer and spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start planning ahead for your summer garden projects. Offering versatile space for growing plants and vegetables year-round, the addition of a garden greenhouse means you can look forward to expanding your garden and providing the perfect conditions for your beloved plants to thrive. Check out our guide to everything from the different framing materials to ventilation below to learn more about which greenhouse style best suits your needs and become a greenhouse guru in no time!

Key Features and What They Mean

Style

Freestanding

Ideal for more open spaces where lighting and window access won’t be limited by garden walls, a freestanding greenhouse is the hub of any garden. Many freestanding models do not require a base to be laid and offer easier ground level access, with a large, open capacity to store plenty of plants and tools and some models offer additional internal height space to extend your planting experience.

Lean-to

Perfect for saving space in a smaller garden, a lean-to greenhouse can be added to an existing garden wall to create a compact area for potting plants. This allows you to place your greenhouse wherever the sun best hits your garden and results in a more manageable gardening solution, with the added stability of using a sturdy wall for support. Bring your greenhouse to your doorstep and attach to the side of your home in order to simply step out of your back door and into your growing haven.

Patio

For smaller patio spaces and courtyards, a patio greenhouse is the perfect solution to owning a greenhouse in a smaller, more awkward space. These more compact designs still provide the perfect conditions for growing fruits, vegetables and plants with a thoughtful design that maximises on limited space.

Potting Shed

Potting sheds are a perfect blend of the benefits of both a traditional garden shed and a greenhouse. Providing the ample storage space of a shed and the lighting and sunny interior of a greenhouse, this is a building that offers the best of both worlds.

Greenhouse and Shed Combi

A greenhouse and shed combi means that gardeners can enjoy the benefits of both a greenhouse and storage shed in a single structure. Keeping these two zones separate, you can utilise the capacity of the building to securely store garden tools and bikes whilst also enjoying an elevated growing space thanks to the greenhouse features such as large potting areas and lots of light from the many large windows.

Materials

Aluminium Frame

As the most popular style of greenhouse frame, aluminum is renowned for its lightweight composition that makes it easy to assemble and handle, whilst also providing robust support for your greenhouse. It has the added benefit of not rusting or rotting (and no annual maintenance), so that it can endure the elements throughout the changing seasons for many years to come. Aluminium frames also offer the option of powder coating, allowing you to customise your greenhouse with a high-spec finish in a wide variety of colours to suit all garden settings.

Wooden Frame

Offering a traditional style that can be easily paired with other timber garden features, such as decking and pergolas, a wooden greenhouse can be easily customised with a paint shade of your choice to blend into your garden setting perfectly. With the correct treatment and annual upkeep, it will also be protected against rot and the wear-and-tear of the elements, for a long-lasting build.

Accessories

Ventilation

Perhaps the most critical feature of any greenhouse is its ventilation system, which maintains a healthy airflow to your plants in warmer weather. Manual roof and louvre vents are a standard feature of many models and easy to operate whilst you attend to your plants, whereas an auto vent is cleverly designed to open and close automatically depending on the temperature of your greenhouse. Automatic roof and louvre vents are a great solution for busy gardeners who spend a lot of time working away from home or simply have planned a day out, as it means you don’t have to be around to open up. Be sure to keep an eye out for this key feature on any models you’re interested in.

Rainwater Collection

Plants thrive on rainwater and with a rainwater collection kit, you can make the most of this natural resource. Utilise guttering, drainpipes and water barrels in the damper seasons to collect the downpour and use it to nourish your plant life.

Staging

Easily store a variety of potted plants with a clever solution tailored to perfectly suit your greenhouse. Though staging can be included with some models, it can also be purchased separately to customise your greenhouse layout to suit your needs. In many cases, the staging can also be adjusted in height to accommodate different plant heights and allow for the storage of grow bags underneath, maximising your ground space.

Shelving

Shelving is an essential feature for containing utensils and tools all in one place, making your greenhouse a one-stop facility. This can also be included with some models or purchased separately to find the perfect shelving for your greenhouse.

Heaters & Lighting

Protect your plants even further by combatting the effects of the colder, frostier weather with the addition of a greenhouse heater. A heater makes it possible for you to grow plants and vegetables year-round without worrying about the cold stunting their growth.