15 Backyard Escapes Purpose-Built for R&R
Looking for a great getaway? Turn your own backyard into a relaxing retreat that's only a few steps away
You don’t need a plane ticket, a fancy hotel or even a new town to take a holiday. All you need is a slight change of scenery, a slight change of pace and some peace of mind. For these homeowners, that holiday feeling happens every time they step outside their houses, thanks to these outdoor escapes in their own backyards. Whether it’s a greenhouse-turned-studio, a playground-turned-pavilion or a grain-shed-turned-getaway, each of these beautiful backyard escapes has everything it needs for plenty of R&R.
2. Sacrifice a tennis court for a cosy greenhouse
Seattle’s rain can hamper serious gardening for a good portion of the year. These homeowners didn’t let that stop them; they swapped a tennis court for a greenhouse and toolshed to keep up their gardening year-round. Raised vegetable beds, a flagstone patio, a fire pit and a bocce court complete this cosy backyard escape.
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Seattle’s rain can hamper serious gardening for a good portion of the year. These homeowners didn’t let that stop them; they swapped a tennis court for a greenhouse and toolshed to keep up their gardening year-round. Raised vegetable beds, a flagstone patio, a fire pit and a bocce court complete this cosy backyard escape.
See more of this sunny backyard retreat
3. Create a homemade bathhouse
A backyard spa sounded like a great way to make use of an empty space in Sloan Schang’s Portland, Oregon, backyard, but the price tag for a hot tub wasn’t ideal. So he took matters into his own hands and built his own bathhouse in less than a week and for a fraction of the cost, using an antique cast-iron bathtub with a hot-water hose, and including a wood pergola and a DIY light fixture.
More: Take It Outside: 10 Ideas for Outdoor Bathrooms
A backyard spa sounded like a great way to make use of an empty space in Sloan Schang’s Portland, Oregon, backyard, but the price tag for a hot tub wasn’t ideal. So he took matters into his own hands and built his own bathhouse in less than a week and for a fraction of the cost, using an antique cast-iron bathtub with a hot-water hose, and including a wood pergola and a DIY light fixture.
More: Take It Outside: 10 Ideas for Outdoor Bathrooms
4. Change up a playground into a retreat
With their children grown and out of the house, this Minnesota couple no longer needed a play structure in their yard. After recycling the playground, they used its prime location for an entertainment area of their own: an indoor-outdoor retreat complete with an authentic South American-style barbecue for year-round use.
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With their children grown and out of the house, this Minnesota couple no longer needed a play structure in their yard. After recycling the playground, they used its prime location for an entertainment area of their own: an indoor-outdoor retreat complete with an authentic South American-style barbecue for year-round use.
See more of this outdoor entertainment area
5. Make an ordinary shed extraordinary
This little grain shed behind an Ohio farmhouse was the perfect size and shape for a backyard getaway. The owners moved it to a better location with clear countryside views, then refinished and decorated it with era-appropriate antiques. Colourful accents and an awesome antique Quick Meal stove give it even more character; now the little shed is comfortable and cosy enough for an afternoon nap.
Step inside this converted shed
This little grain shed behind an Ohio farmhouse was the perfect size and shape for a backyard getaway. The owners moved it to a better location with clear countryside views, then refinished and decorated it with era-appropriate antiques. Colourful accents and an awesome antique Quick Meal stove give it even more character; now the little shed is comfortable and cosy enough for an afternoon nap.
Step inside this converted shed
6. Build a tree house guesthouse
With the help of his three children, this homeowner painstakingly built this tree house to fit the shape of a 100-year-old California coast live oak. Nothing is bolted or nailed to the tree, and the construction accounts for future tree growth, too. Outfitted with bunk beds and simple amenities, it’s now a charming guesthouse that the owners rent to visitors.
Take a look at this treehouse
With the help of his three children, this homeowner painstakingly built this tree house to fit the shape of a 100-year-old California coast live oak. Nothing is bolted or nailed to the tree, and the construction accounts for future tree growth, too. Outfitted with bunk beds and simple amenities, it’s now a charming guesthouse that the owners rent to visitors.
Take a look at this treehouse
7. Design a fully specced playhouse
The impeccable handcrafted quality of this Brooklyn playhouse is obvious: raw cedar, brass hardware, copper screens and antique lighting give it a timeless look. But the designer managed to take it beyond basic aesthetic appeal. Spots for speakers, inside seating and a genius steel tub that serves as a sandbox, ice chest and water pool make it a perfect fit for the clients, a New York family.
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The impeccable handcrafted quality of this Brooklyn playhouse is obvious: raw cedar, brass hardware, copper screens and antique lighting give it a timeless look. But the designer managed to take it beyond basic aesthetic appeal. Spots for speakers, inside seating and a genius steel tub that serves as a sandbox, ice chest and water pool make it a perfect fit for the clients, a New York family.
See more of this playhouse
8. Pick prefabricated
This Monterey, California, couple built a prefab barn house out of Corten (weather-resistant) steel and plywood to make use of their property’s permit for a barn with a bathroom. The simple material palette cut costs and allowed them to build a spacious set-up suited for big family dinners, parties and game nights.
Step inside this party barn
This Monterey, California, couple built a prefab barn house out of Corten (weather-resistant) steel and plywood to make use of their property’s permit for a barn with a bathroom. The simple material palette cut costs and allowed them to build a spacious set-up suited for big family dinners, parties and game nights.
Step inside this party barn
9. Adapt a greenhouse for year-round use
This lush greenhouse couldn’t be more different than the clients’ Manhattan home – and that’s just the way they like it. Built as an extension of a summer house in Pennsylvania, the greenhouse is home to plenty of plants but also has space for lounging and dining. Heating (including radiant heat), air-conditioning and a fireplace make it suitable for year-round use.
Take a look inside this greenhouse
This lush greenhouse couldn’t be more different than the clients’ Manhattan home – and that’s just the way they like it. Built as an extension of a summer house in Pennsylvania, the greenhouse is home to plenty of plants but also has space for lounging and dining. Heating (including radiant heat), air-conditioning and a fireplace make it suitable for year-round use.
Take a look inside this greenhouse
10. Establish an art studio
Although this Santa Barbara, California, couple initially needed space to store their rubbish bins out of sight, the designer ended up giving them much more. The modern 8.4-square-metre structure has recycling and rubbish bins tucked away on one side, and opens up on the other side to a sun-filled art studio and patio with a backyard view.
Is this the coolest shed you’ve ever seen? Step inside
Although this Santa Barbara, California, couple initially needed space to store their rubbish bins out of sight, the designer ended up giving them much more. The modern 8.4-square-metre structure has recycling and rubbish bins tucked away on one side, and opens up on the other side to a sun-filled art studio and patio with a backyard view.
Is this the coolest shed you’ve ever seen? Step inside
11. Try a different finish
This fantastic home office was designed in Austin, Texas, built offsite, shipped in parts and assembled in five days. The entire process took six weeks and resulted in a stunning 9-square-metre backyard space. The designer charred the sides in shou-sugi-ban style for its interesting look, but the exterior finish process also makes the structure resistant to fire, rot and pests.
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This fantastic home office was designed in Austin, Texas, built offsite, shipped in parts and assembled in five days. The entire process took six weeks and resulted in a stunning 9-square-metre backyard space. The designer charred the sides in shou-sugi-ban style for its interesting look, but the exterior finish process also makes the structure resistant to fire, rot and pests.
See more of this tiny office
12. DIY to make it your own
These homeowners were tired of looking at the dilapidated and depressing shed at the end of their driveway, but they didn’t want to spend a lot of money to fix it up. Doing the work themselves, and relying on salvaged furniture and the miraculous effects of new paint, cut the costs to less than $300.
Explore this DIY shed
These homeowners were tired of looking at the dilapidated and depressing shed at the end of their driveway, but they didn’t want to spend a lot of money to fix it up. Doing the work themselves, and relying on salvaged furniture and the miraculous effects of new paint, cut the costs to less than $300.
Explore this DIY shed
13. Kit it out
When building a prefab studio proved to be too much on his San Francisco yard’s steep site, this clever designer went with a greenhouse kit instead. The small structure, set on a custom deck, suits his needs and takes full advantage of the California sunshine. Engineered wood floors, IKEA storage and opaque glass treatments give the reinvented greenhouse a surprisingly homey feel.
Take a look at this garden studio
When building a prefab studio proved to be too much on his San Francisco yard’s steep site, this clever designer went with a greenhouse kit instead. The small structure, set on a custom deck, suits his needs and takes full advantage of the California sunshine. Engineered wood floors, IKEA storage and opaque glass treatments give the reinvented greenhouse a surprisingly homey feel.
Take a look at this garden studio
14. Reclaim wood
Tired of leaving his tools in plain sight, Joseph Sandy built this modern shed in his backyard from the ground up. Reclaimed redwood fencing for the siding and corrugated metal for the roof give it an industrial feel, while clerestory windows let in plenty of natural light.
Find out how this shed was built
Tired of leaving his tools in plain sight, Joseph Sandy built this modern shed in his backyard from the ground up. Reclaimed redwood fencing for the siding and corrugated metal for the roof give it an industrial feel, while clerestory windows let in plenty of natural light.
Find out how this shed was built
15. Plan for all weather conditions
These London homeowners wanted a backyard office that would help them take advantage of their lush, green garden – despite the rainy weather. Simple but sturdy materials – plywood, steel and glass – made sure the space would be secure from weather and kept down costs. Full-height glass doors lock into place or retract for a garden view in rain or shine.
More: Houzz Tour: Shed-Turned-Office in a London Garden
TELL US
Do you have a backyard escape? Upload a high-resolution photograph and tell us about it in the comments section below.
MORE
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These London homeowners wanted a backyard office that would help them take advantage of their lush, green garden – despite the rainy weather. Simple but sturdy materials – plywood, steel and glass – made sure the space would be secure from weather and kept down costs. Full-height glass doors lock into place or retract for a garden view in rain or shine.
More: Houzz Tour: Shed-Turned-Office in a London Garden
TELL US
Do you have a backyard escape? Upload a high-resolution photograph and tell us about it in the comments section below.
MORE
Shed Spruce Up: Inspiring Ideas for Garden Sheds
Style UK: Quirky Garden Rooms Sprout All Over the British Isles
15 Things to Do on Lazy Sunday Afternoons at Home
Imagine waking up in the morning, fresh air coming filtering through on all sides, the sun rising over an ocean view and whales breaching on the horizon. That’s the vision this designer had in mind for this hideaway on the Californian coast. Salvaged redwood bark siding and a native living roof allow it to blend with its surroundings, while hinged sides and a retractable glass door open for natural ventilation and a view on almost every side.
Delve further into this hideout