Monday 10 July, 2017

What is a “She Shed?”


By now, most homeowners are familiar with the concept of a “man cave,” which is a specialized space for men to retreat to where they can “just be guys.” But you may not be familiar yet with the analogous concept of a “she shed.” This is exactly what it sounds like—a backyard shed which has […]


By now, most homeowners are familiar with the concept of a “man cave,” which is a specialized space for men to retreat to where they can “just be guys.” But you may not be familiar yet with the analogous concept of a “she shed.” This is exactly what it sounds like—a backyard shed which has been converted and decorated into a female sanctuary. Basically, picture the toy house you might have played in as a kid in your parents’ backyard. Now imagine what you wanted that toy house to be like. A she shed is exactly that.

How do you create a she shed of your own?

• If you have an old shed in your backyard that isn’t doing much, you have the perfect starting point. Otherwise, you need to look into she shed kits and she shed plans. You will need to build a shed yourself. This may sound daunting, but there are a lot of kits out there designed for simplicity and ease. It does not need to be fancy; how you decorate and organize your she shed is really what transforms it into a magical space.

• Look up she shed ideas online. There are so many cute themes you can use. Lots of she sheds look like miniature storybook houses. Others look more like sunrooms. Some have a vintage look while others are rustic or modern. Some she sheds are left open to the environment while others have doors which close. Some even include patios and outdoor furniture, which help to expand the space and create more of a sense of openness.

• Decide on the purpose of your she shed. Will it be craft room? A sitting area? Will it double as a tool shed or garden shed? Will you entertain guests there? Do you need to install wiring so you can enjoy lighting and air conditioning? This will determine everything when it comes to organizing and decorating your shed, and may even determine which kit you start with.

• Stock up on organizational supplies for the job. Wall shelving units work great, as do plastic storage bins. Since you are working with a relatively small space, you probably want to stay away from free-standing shelves. Pegboards that work in garages also are great in she sheds, especially if you are into hardware projects. Try to keep your floor space as open as you can. This is challenging to do, but you need to if you want to be able to comfortably use the space.

Make no mistake: building or converting a she shed is a big project, and it will take a lot of time and effort. It may even be an ongoing one that you improve over months or years. If you love DIY projects, you will find it a challenging and rewarding one. The more planning you are willing to put into it, the better your result will be. So have fun with it and go all-out! And be sure to look on Pinterest for inspiration!

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