A Cardiff family shares how their daughters thrived in garden cabins, creating cherished memories and enjoying their own space.
Cardiff: A family was on the hunt for more space for their five daughters. They found a house with a static caravan in the garden, which seemed perfect. But once they moved in, they discovered the caravan was in terrible shape.
Megan, one of the daughters, said it was unsafe and crumbling. So, they decided to throw a party in it before tearing it down. This left the family scrambling for space. They had some ideas to expand their home but needed something quick.
Then, Nicola’s dad had a wild idea: why not build two lodges in the garden? The girls loved the thought of having their own “sheds” for bedrooms. Even though some family members were doubtful, Megan’s friends thought it was cool.
They called it “The Shed” after their friends saw it. Inside, the girls had a blast. Megan even hosted some “shed parties” when her parents were away. But these weren’t your average garden sheds. They were fancy log cabins with double-glazing and proper locks.
The family worked fast to set everything up. They cleared the garden, ordered the cabins, and built them. Ross, the dad, did most of the construction himself. By February, the first cabin was ready, and the girls were thrilled.
On their first night, they braved the cold and carried their duvets outside. Ross was shocked when they insisted on sleeping in the cabins, even with snow around. The next morning, he had to shovel snow away so they could get out.
Megan, now living in London, recalls it was never cold inside. They had heaters, and she would text her mom to warm it up before she got home. Recently, she shared a video of their garden cabins on social media, and it went viral.
People were curious about how they managed bathroom trips at night. Megan said it wasn’t a problem since they had a key to the back door. The family felt safe in their community, often leaving the door open for the girls to come back in.
With the girls now moved out, the cabins hold many happy memories. Megan loved having her own space. She could watch movies and listen to music without bothering anyone. It was her little sanctuary.
Ross mentioned that the girls mostly stayed in the house but used the cabins for privacy and study. After the pandemic, garden cabins became popular for extra space. They shared tips for anyone considering a log cabin, like adding insulation.
As the family prepares to move to a more rural area, their house is on the market. They’ll miss Cardiff, especially the friendly community. The estate agent says the house is in high demand, with many eager buyers.
Whatever happens, the Wilkinsons plan to have a shed in their next garden. Megan cherishes her memories and believes it was the best decision her parents ever made.
