Custom craftsmanship · Arkel · Central Netherlands

Your Outdoor Life,
Expertly Built

Stylish canopies, garden lodges and garden rooms, sustainable craftsmanship from our own workshop in Arkel and complete construction kits via Yard Outdoor.

Compose your package View our range

10+ years of craftsmanship

More than 10 years of experience in woodworking.

Workshop, on site or as a kit

Built in our own workshop, finished on site or delivered as a complete construction kit.

100% custom made

Custom or standard sizes, we build exactly what your garden needs.

Garden lodge by Oskam Buitenleven in de tuin
10+ years of
craftsmanship
ABOUT OSKAM BUITENLEVEN

More than 10 years of craftsmanship in wood

Oskam Buitenleven was founded by John Oskam in Arkel. With more than 10 years of experience in woodworking, we design and build custom-made canopies, garden lodges, garden rooms and related structures.

Every project starts with a personal intake conversation. We listen to your wishes, assess the location and advise you on the best wood type, layout and finish. That way we guarantee a result that perfectly suits your home and lifestyle, and lasts for decades.

"We don't just build, we build for the long term."John Oskam
10+Years of experience
500+Projects completed
100%Custom made
Read our story
MATERIALITY

Born from craftsmanship

Every Oskam Buitenleven structure starts from the same principle: honest materials, artisanally crafted.

Douglas Timber

European Douglas timber of the highest quality, durable and ageing beautifully.

Craftsmanship

Every structure is crafted by hand in our own workshop in Arkel.

Sustainable

Responsibly produced with care for the environment and a lifespan of decades.

Volledig Maatwerk

Custom or standard sizes, we build exactly what your garden and home need.

OUR RANGE

Craftsmanship Made to Measure

From canopy to outdoor kitchen: everything designed and built to measure in our workshop in Arkel.

Most popular

Canopies & Verandas

Sheltered enjoyment of your garden

  • Free-standing or attached
  • Douglas, Larch, Oak or Thermowood
  • EPDM, polycarbonate, tiles or sedum
Learn more

Garden Lodges

Your own bespoke garden room

  • Fully enclosed garden room
  • Insulation and finishing available
  • Designed and built to measure
Learn more

Garden Rooms

Comfort in your own garden

  • Glass walls with roof construction
  • Enjoy all year round
  • Seamlessly matching your home
Learn more

Glass Sliding Doors

A seamless transition to outdoors

  • Clear or opal glass
  • Smooth-running systems
  • Can be added later
Learn more

Outdoor Kitchens

Culinary enjoyment in the open air

  • Built fully to measure
  • Weather-resistant materials
  • Including worktop and storage
Learn more

Windows

Steel or wood, always elegant

  • Steel or wooden frames
  • Elegant slim profiles
  • Made to fit perfectly
Learn more
View full range
HOW WE WORK

From first meeting to delivery

01

Meet & intake

We visit you at home or you visit our workshop in Arkel. We assess the situation and listen to your wishes.

02

Design & quotation

You receive a custom design with a clear, no-obligation quotation. Transparent and without surprises.

03

Production in our own workshop

Your structure is crafted by hand in our workshop, from the wood type of your choice.

04

Delivery or installation

You choose: a complete kit to install yourself, or we take care of the full installation.

COMPLETED WORK

Recent Projects

Elk project is uniek, hieronder een selectie van recent opgeleverd werk.

Canopy

Canopy · Familie De Graaf

Gorinchem · 500 × 350 cm · Douglas
Garden lodge

Garden lodge · Familie Smit

Leerdam · 600 × 400 cm · Oak
Garden room

Garden room · Familie Van Dijk

Vianen · 400 × 300 cm · Larch
View all projects
KNOWLEDGE & INSPIRATION

Tips & news

Practical tips on wooden canopies, garden lodges and garden rooms

Maintenance

How to keep your wooden canopy beautiful for decades

Douglas fir and larch age beautifully; with this simple care the wood stays in top condition.

3 minRead more →
Permits

Canopy or garden room: do you need a permit?

When you can build without a permit and what to watch out for.

2 minRead more →
Advice

Which wood type suits your project?

Douglas, Larch, Oak or Thermowood: the differences at a glance.

4 minRead more →
More tips & news
INSTAGRAM

Follow our work on Instagram

See our latest projects and updates at @oskam_buitenleven2017luxe.

Follow @oskam_buitenleven2017luxe
TESTIMONIALS

What Clients Say

Write a review

More than 10 years of craftsmanship, built on trust for satisfied clients across the central Netherlands.

M
Martijn de VriesGorinchem · Canopy 500×350 cm
★★★★★

We are extremely happy with our new canopy. John thought along with us from start to finish and the quality is truly excellent. The Douglas is holding up beautifully and still looks brand new after a year.

S
Sandra & Peter BakkerLeerdam · Garden lodge with sliding doors
★★★★★

After a long search we found Oskam Buitenleven. What craftsmanship! Our garden lodge is exactly as we envisioned it. Installation went flawlessly and communication was always fast and clear.

K
Kees HoogendijkArkel · Garden room 400×300 cm
★★★★★

A client for years and impressed every single time. First a carport, then a garden room. Everything made with the same care and precision. Would not want a home without one!

F
Familie WillemsVianen · Glass sliding doors
★★★★★

The glass sliding doors John installed truly complete our terrace. Beautiful finish, neatly delivered on the agreed date. Absolutely recommended for anyone in the area.

See all our Google reviews
CONFIGURATOR

Compose Your Package

Choose your type, size and finish and watch your canopy rebuild live in 3D. Rotate the model and view your design from every angle. At the end you add your package to the cart and choose ordering (kit) or installation.

Rotate and view your design in 3D
Total€0
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you want to know

Average delivery time is 4 to 8 weeks after ordering, depending on the type of structure and material availability. Custom projects may take slightly longer. We keep you informed throughout the process.
We mainly work with Douglas, Larch, Oak and Thermowood. Douglas has a warm colour and ages to a beautiful grey. Larch is extra durable with a fine grain. Oak is the premium choice for a timeless look. Thermowood is thermally treated, making it extra stable and low-maintenance.
Both options are available. You can choose a complete kit that you (or your contractor) install yourself, or we take care of full production and installation. For installation we visit you for an intake to discuss your wishes on site.
In many cases no permit is required, provided the structure meets the conditions for permit-free building (surface area, height and position relative to the house). We advise you on this during the intake meeting. When in doubt, you can also check with your municipality.
Yes, we supply glass sliding doors, LED lighting, patio heating, integrated gutters and electrically operated sun screens as additions to any structure. You can easily compose this in our configurator.
Douglas and Larch age gracefully by nature and in principle do not need annual treatment. To preserve the colour you can apply an oil or stain. Oak and Thermowood require even less maintenance. We give you extensive maintenance advice upon delivery.

We are happy to help

Questions or want a quotation? Get in touch and John Oskam will gladly think along with you.

AddressOnderweg 6, 4241 XG Arkel
WorkshopWelcome by appointment in Arkel
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