If you’re wondering: ‘can I use a barbecue cabin for overnight guests?’, you’re not alone! It’s a question we get asked a lot, especially once customers step inside one of our cosy cabins and start imagining sleepovers for the kids, or friends staying over after an evening of drinks and dinner around the central barbecue grill. So, let’s answer your questions in this blog: can you use a BBQ cabin for overnight guests, what do you need to make it work, and when is it time to consider something more permanent?
Is a BBQ cabin warm enough for guests?
An Arctic Cabins BBQ hut is absolutely warm enough for guests! And this applies to all year round and for all of the seasons, no matter what the British weather throws your way. Since we manufacture our BBQ cabins with top grade FSC accredited Scandinavian slow-grown redwood, you’re getting a quality cabin. The density of our timber provides great natural insulation properties. This means that your guests will stay cool and shaded in summertime as well as warm and snug in the winter months.
Can I let guests sleep in a BBQ cabin?
Yes, you can let guests sleep in your barbecue hut for the occasional overnight stay, and they're especially fun for kids’ sleepovers, or even a festive night in the garden too! One of the bonuses of our Arctic Cabins which may be unexpected for some is the built-in bench seating, which can easily double up as a sleeping platform. A few cushions, a sleeping bag or two, and you’ve got yourself a very fun and cosy night in.
Plus, all of our barbecue cabins come kitted out with our Scandinavian accessories pack! This includes authentic sustainably-sourced reindeer skins which create a super snuggly space for your friends and loved ones to enjoy for a night every now and then.
While our barbecue cabins offer a snug and characterful place to host overnight guests occasionally, it’s worth keeping in mind that Arctic Cabins aren’t full residential buildings, so if you’re looking for a long-term guest solution or liveable space, we’ll touch on your alternative option later in this blog!
How do I make a BBQ cabin comfortable for overnight use?
Transforming a barbecue cabin into a guest-worthy sleeping space is simpler than you might think. Start with soft furnishings: plenty of cushions, cosy blankets or sleeping bags. Next, think about lighting. While our BBQ cabins include ambient LED lighting around the interior roofline, many of our customers choose to add additional fairy lights or battery-powered lanterns for a softer, more relaxed glow. It sets the tone for winding down - whether that’s after an evening barbecue or a marshmallow-toasting session with the kids.
For those cooler nights, you might want to pre-warm the cabin by firing up the grill in advance. The residual heat will keep the room toasty into the early hours, especially if the doors and windows stay shut once guests are tucked in.
Finally, don’t forget the little things: a torch for those middle-of-the-night trips to the house, a bottle of water by the bench, and maybe a book or two. These cabins are all about slow living and calm evenings. Let your guests feel part of that!
What if I want to host guests regularly in my garden? Can I use it as a rental?
This is where it’s very important to draw a distinction. Arctic Cabins are perfect for the occasional overnight guest or teenage sleepover, but if you’re looking to create a fully functioning spare room or liveable annexe, a BBQ cabin isn’t the right fit. Here’s where things get a little more official...
If you're thinking about using your cabin for frequent overnight accommodation, whether as a garden guest house or a short-term rental (such as through Airbnb), you’ll likely need to look into:
- Building regulations
- Planning permission
- Access to water, heating and electricity
Our Arctic Cabins BBQ Huts are not classified as permanent dwellings. While they're weatherproof for year-round use, they aren't built to the same spec as a residential annexe building.
If you’re serious about creating a garden guest suite, hosting Airbnb visitors, or supporting multigenerational living, you’ll need something more purpose-built. That’s where our fantastic sister company, Cabin Master, comes in! Cabin Master designs and installs luxury garden rooms and annexes, complete with insulation, electrics, plumbing and even ensuite bathrooms. It’s a different type of solution, but it may be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’d like to get a proper feel for what it’s like to spend time inside an Arctic Cabin, we’d love to welcome you to our Nottingham show site. Step inside, test out the bench seating, breathe in the scent of Scandinavian slow-grown redwood, and feel what it’s like to sit around the central barbecue grill. It’s the best way to imagine what having a BBQ hut in your own garden might feel like! Start imagining those cosy nights with family and friends, the fun summer days and even the occasional overnight stay or children/teenager's sleepover. You'll soon see why so many couples and families across the UK have fallen in love with their Arctic Cabins!
Our team is on hand to answer any questions and help you picture how a BBQ cabin could work in your own garden. Plus, if you do decide that you require a fully-liveable garden annexe instead, then Cabin Master have one on display for you to take a good look in too!
Still not sure which option is best for you?
Give us a call. We'll be more than happy to talk it all through with you and help you plan the perfect space!
0115 932 8888
