Guys have their own space in the man cave, something that has been popular for many years now. It’s a great space to watch a sports game, play some pool, or indulge in other hobbies while having a refreshing beverage.
For women, there was nothing like a man cave, but that has changed with the advent of the she shed.
Each of these little sanctuaries is built to be a space away from the outside world, which also means that decorations don’t have to match the main household.
While guys often choose to place their man cave in a basement, a garage, or another unused area inside the house, women go in the opposite direction. Most of them prefer to have their space away from the rest of the home.
Some people thought the she shed would be a short trend, but it’s only gaining steam as more women adopt it as a space just for them and their friends.
The best part is that you might already have somewhere to put it right now. The potting shed, an old garage, or a playhouse that your kids no longer use is likely in your backyard waiting for you. Think about how much fun you could have reading, writing, working on crafts, or just having a glass of wine with a best friend.
It’s okay if there isn’t a structure you can use that is already built because there are tons of prefabricated kits and easy‑to‑build options to create the ideal she shed. All you have to do is follow the instructions, and you’ll have somewhere that is all your own for your hobbies.
Regardless of how you set things up, keep in mind that the journey can be just as fun as the result.
This could end up being a fantastic way to get something done while catching up with family and friends. Read on if you want more guidelines and a few ideas to help you out.
ONE NOTE OF CAUTION: before you get started, check with your municipality for any restrictions and whether or not you’ll need permits.
Already have a shed or a mini garage? All you have to do is clean it out a bit!
Before going any further, it’s a good idea to inventory precisely what is in the garage or shed you will be using.
In many cases, it’s been used to store extra items, like seasonal furniture or decorations. But just like cleaning out your closets on occasion, looking deeper and deciding to do with everything can be a cathartic experience.
Which one of these situations applies to you?
- Not only do you have a shed, but you also have a garage that is attached to your house. Think about options for reorganizing your storage so only the most necessary items are needed in the space for your she shed.
- Perhaps you have only a small garage in the backyard or a shed that you can use, but not both. Can you find some additional space in the attic or basement to store all the things you just can’t get rid of?
Now that you know what situation you’re in and have decided you still want to do the work for a she shed, you have to decide three things:
- What are the items that you, without a doubt, want to keep?
- Which things are okay for you to sell in a garage sale?
- Which items are left that can be reused when you give to charity?
You’re going to need a plan first!
You might be over the moon with excitement about starting this project, but doing a little planning will go a long way.
If you can’t help but start right away, at least make sure you do things in tiny steps to see how they go. As you might have heard before, if you want a successful project, put 90% of your energy into planning and 10% into execution.
Come up with a picture in your mind about what result you want.
Dig deep and allow yourself to think about whatever you can dream up. There’s no harm in letting yourself go wild since someone close to you can pull you back to earth when they remind you what everything you want will cost.
For now, let every dream come to you.
After you get done with dreaming, now is the time to establish a budget. Take some time to research things so you can be realistic.
Then all you need to do is take your sketch with the associated costs, write down a date when you want it done by, and put it in a place where you see it throughout the day.
Remember to add around 10% extra into the budget in case of problems or extras that pop up.
1. Break out the tape measure and find the building dimensions:
✓ Take down the width, depth, and height, as well as the location of beams and additional obstacles that are going to affect creating the she shed.
✓ For those who have small garages, take a look at your options. Some buildings will have storage space you can use on the roof trusses.
✓ Remember extra details, like whether you need plumbing or electricity. Do you already have them available or will this require some work?
2. Next up, inspect the structure itself and how it meets your needs:
✓ Is the foundation (which can be on concrete piers with lumber or a concrete slab) stable and maintained enough to be suitable for your new plans?
✓ Do you have insulation? Is it enough for the seasons you’ll be using the space?
✓ Take a look up at the roof and make sure it’s in great shape.
At this point, you have a pretty thought out budget and a plan for what you want to do. That means you can start creating...
A sanctuary for all your hobbies
Regardless of the reason you’re building a she shed out of an old garage or shed, we have a few tips about personalizing it so it fits your needs.
1. What kind of style do you envision around you?
Do you see yourself in a cottage surrounded by flowers? Perhaps you want an artist studio full of windows for natural light. Remember that your main house may influence your choice of architecture, but it doesn’t have to. However, it might help you choose furnishings and a solid style.
2. Lightness, brightness, and a nice splash of color
If you crave natural light, would larger windows or even a skylight give that to you? Keep in mind that a simple, fresh coat of paint on the outside and inside can take a shabby building that you overlook and turn it into a beautiful space for feminine energy.
White or pastels are very chic, and you can even add a dash of extra brightness through coordinating the colors or your door and window frames.
3. There’s no need to spend a ton to create a great she shed
Take a look at which furnishings you may have around the house. You can even ask friends if they have any extras they aren’t using.
Spend a little time in flea markets or antique shops.
Creativity can help. Repurpose by looking at everything with a new set of eyes.
4. Make sure the outside is as beautiful as the inside
A small deck, porch or patio could spruce things up along with some comfy chairs.
Think about planting some perennials or a garden around the sides of the space.
Remember that you don’t have to do everything at once, you can always add to it as time goes on.
5. Remember that this space is all about what you love
You want your she shed to reflect YOU, whether that means creating seaside theme, shabby chic barn siding and lace, or a gardener’s haven.
Do you have room for a worktable, a small sofa, or even a writing desk?
Make sure you have what adds to your relaxation and happiness.
Inspiration in the form of Pinterest
When you want to find inspiration about she sheds, there’s one website that can be a big help. It’s Pinterest. Look through the many examples or head over to HOUZZ for additional ideas.
Could an all‑glass garage door be a good addition?
Whether you have a mini garage or a shed and whether it has a garage door or not, DSI North Door Systems offers all‑glass garage doors that let in plenty of daylight and sun. When it’s warm outside, you can keep the door open but shut it when the weather is bad to keep out the rain and snow.
This extruded aluminum California door can be complemented using a number of frame layouts and colors. There are also several different kinds of glass including Clear, or for additional privacy, try Satin Black, Stain Grey, or a Blue or Bronze tint.👌
When it comes to size, this door can be as small as 4 feet wide by 6 ½ feet high.
What about a sectional garage door for your new she shed?
If you’re located in the Salem, MA area, feel free to contact us toll‑free at 1-800-425-0662.
We can explain how much space you need to install the door to your she shed and talk about what sizes we have available. If you have enough room, you could even have an electric door opener.
We can also send you a quotation by email or meet you at our showroom. If you’re planning to change out the garage door you already have, you can use our design centre to find the options you like the most. Our image gallery also includes many ideas.
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