So you want to build a playhouse? I remember the day our twin daughters came back from the neighbours' garden and began to plead for a playhouse "like theirs". Great idea for a Birthday present I thought. I almost changed my mind when I saw the prices of them in the local hardware store. Now I'm not someone who's easily put off so I decided to build a playhouse myself. Although I'm not the greatest woodworker it was so much easier than I thought it would be and I saved a ton of money. How did I so that you ask?

Here are my top tips for how to build a playhouse quickly, easily and cheaply:

* Situation

Decide where you want to put the playhouse before you begin as it is very difficult to move a playhouse later on. Ideally the space should be big enough for a playhouse for your kids and a "few" friends to play in and to move around in a bit.

* Prepare the Ground

Level ground is far easier to build on and makes the playhouse more stable. If you want the playhouse to last any time at all, make sure that you have a foundation. This can either be a rock based with concrete poured over it or the playhouse can sit on levelled blocks.

* Get a Good Set of Plans

I'm so glad that I downloaded a professional set of playhouse plans. As well as easy to follow step-by-step instructions, diagrams and cut charts, the plans came with a materials list and tool list so that I knew what I needed down to the last nail. This obviously saved numerous trips to the hardware store and meant that I knew up front how much it was all going to cost me. Don't build a playhouse without plans. The amount of time, trouble and money I saved by having them was phenomenal. I was also confident that my playhouse would be strong enough stand up to all the abuse it was no doubt going to have to face.

I'm so glad that I decided to build a playhouse myself. This magical addition to our back garden has not only captured our kids' imagination but is a magnet for other kids to come around and play (Is that a good thing?)
Moreover the playhouse is such an attractive addition to our outdoor landscape and even when the kids have grown out of it, it will provide excellent storage. Build a playhouse? What are you waiting for?