She Shed Ideas: How To Build One And Decor Inspiration

Do you wish that you had a space outside of your home that you could escape to without ever leaving your property? Whether you need a secret home office, a workout space or just a place to read a book in peace, you might want to consider building or upgrading a shed in your backyard.

Although the term “She Shed” is gender-specific, She Sheds are known by other terms, such as “Me Sheds,” and are intended for anyone who needs a dedicated, personal space to relax, explore hobbies or work in peace. Similar to a man cave, these spaces might start with one intention and expand to meet whatever need you may have for the space.

A She Shed can be a space to relax or explore your interests. Read on for tips to build and design your own She Shed.

What Is A She Shed?

A She Shed is usually a backyard shed designed to act as an extension of the home. These spaces are fixed up to be a getaway from the daily stresses of life. They are super personalized and decorated to suit the owner’s hobbies and interests. This could include gardening, crafting, reading, working, exercising or even drinking wine. A She Shed is truly a place of privacy and escape from the world.

She Sheds are quickly becoming a wish list item for many house hunters. Anyone who needs a break from work and family is building and renovating sheds to create their perfect escape.

What Does A She Shed Cost?

If you have an existing shed that just needs a refresh, setting up a She Shed can be a super affordable project. The best way to transform a regular shed into a She Shed is by emptying it of junk, cleaning the space thoroughly and painting. This can be done for under $50.

However, if you need to set up a shed from scratch, then you’ll need to invest a bit more financially. Keeping your shed bare-bones will be a lot less expensive than adding finished walls and electricity, but if you build your shed to be super nice, it can actually add value to your home!

If you really want to add a She Shed to your yard, consider using a cash-out refinance, home equity loan or HELOC to finance the project.

How To Fix Up An Old Shed

The easiest option for getting a She Shed is renovating a preexisting shed, rather than purchasing a new shed or building one from scratch. This will be easier and cheaper because the bones of what you need are already there – you just need to focus on the aesthetics. Here’s how to get started:

1. Empty The Shed

Start by emptying your existing shed. If it’s currently being used for storage, you’ll need to relocate everything that’s inside to make room for your new setup.

2. Clean The Shed

Take your time to clean the space well once it is empty. Use a blower to get rid of debris, then sweep and wipe down all surfaces.

3. Assess The Structure

Take a moment to assess the structure of the shed once it’s empty and clean. Is it damaged? Are there areas that could let in moisture or pests? Make any necessary repairs before proceeding.

4. Repaint The Shed

Paint can go a long way in giving something old a new life. Consider repainting the outside and the inside of the shed to freshen it up.

5. Start Decorating

Now you’re ready to start bringing in furniture, decor and lighting to make your space functional!

How To Build A She Shed

If you don’t have a shed to start with, you’ll need to build one from scratch. Here’s how to make your She Shed from the ground up:

1. Check Local Building Codes

First, check your local building codes and HOA rules to see if a shed is allowed and what the requirements are for approval. It’s definitely annoying, but you don’t want to risk being forced to tear your creation down for not being up to code!

2. Find The Perfect Spot

You’ll want to find the perfect spot for your shed: somewhere private but accessible. Once you pick the right space, you’ll want to lay a concrete pad for a stable foundation.

3. Assess The Purpose Of Your She Shed

Think about how you want to use your shed. Do you need a lot of square footage so that you can do yoga? Or can you get by with just enough space for a chair and a small desk? Design the layout to match how you plan to use your shed.

Find A Theme For Your Design And Decorating

Have some fun and pick a color scheme for your interior and exterior. You can also use trim, molding and exterior accents to give your shed a distinct style or match it to your main home’s exterior.

4. Start Construction

When you start building, you’ll have to decide between using a shed kit or a shed plan.

Using A Shed Kit

Typically, purchasing a shed kit comes with all the building materials you’ll need to construct your shed. This makes it super easy to go step-by-step and have everything you need right there.

Using A Shed Plan

If you’d rather build a shed using your own building materials, consider following a premade shed plan. A shed plan works as a kind of blueprint and does not come with building materials. This gives you the option to really customize and pick out the materials that you love most.

5. Paint The Interior And Exterior

Once you build your shed, you’ll need to paint the interior and exterior. Consider wallpaper versus paint for a pop of fun inside!

6. Landscape The Outside

Don’t forget to add landscaping outside your shed. This will make it feel established and intentional, rather than like an afterthought.

7. Start Decorating

Next, you want to add aesthetic details to your shed. Consider hiring a professional for tasks that require specialized know-how, such as construction or electrical wiring.

Add Light Fixtures

Light fixtures, such as overhead and lamps, are essential to your shed. They’ll keep the space from feeling dark and make it functional day and night.

Build Shelving

No matter how you design it, a shed is going to be small. Adding wall shelves is a great way to take advantage of often underutilized vertical space. It also makes a space feel more like a room and less like a shed!

Include Functional Built-In Storage And Furniture Pieces

Since there isn’t much square footage, you want to be super intentional with everything you add to your shed. Focus on multipurpose or storage furniture to get the most bang for your buck.

She Shed Ideas For Inspiration

There are so many possible uses for a She Shed, such as:

Reading Room

Love to read? Make your own mini library with built-in shelves and a cozy seat.

Art Studio

Whether you’re a painter, a potter, a photographer or a knitter, your shed can be the perfect crafting space. Set up the room with a worktable, bright lighting and plenty of storage for your supplies.

Home Office

A She Shed can be a great home office, especially if you need peace and quiet during the day. Just make sure you have a comfy seat, a small desk and really good Wi-Fi!

Wine Bar

Love hosting parties? Set up your shed as a wine bar with seating, wine storage and a bar top for mixing drinks. You can even add twinkle lights for that special after-party glow.

Yoga Studio

A shed can be the perfect place to do yoga. Make sure you have enough space to move, and add storage for your bands, blocks and weights. Consider adding a TV or audio player if you prefer to follow along to exercise classes.

Potting Shed For Gardening

If you want to get literal with your shed, set it up as a luxury potting studio. You’ll need a potting bench and storage for things like pots, soil and hand tools. Consider adding a pegboard to take advantage of vertical space for small item storage.

Meditation Sanctuary

Love to meditate? Get away from it all in your own sanctuary! Add cozy seating, a music player and mood lighting for the ultimate quiet space.

Sewing Studio

A shed can be a great sewing room, especially if you need to get away from the rest of the house. Make sure you have a good desk for your machine and plenty of space to lay out patterns. Consider adding mini drawers for storage of all your smaller items.

Entertainment Area

A shed can also be a recreation room for entertaining guests. Add seating for discussions or, if you have the space, indoor games like foosball. Your shed can be a fabulous extension of your outdoor space!

The Bottom Line: Build The She Shed Of Your Dreams

She Sheds are a great way to add an extra space to your property. If done well, they can be a super private, luxurious hobby space. If you want to build a She Shed, explore financing options like a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance for your She Shed and start an application with Rocket Mortgage^® today.