Author Virginia Wolfe is famous for writing “A Room of One’s Own,” more than 100 years ago, and she was really on to something.
After all, we’ve seen the emergence and widespread love of the “man cave” concept. This is a spot where men can indulge in their favorite hobby, watch some sports on TV, play a little pool all the while enjoying a cool beverage with friends.
Now, women too have begun carving out a niche in the home, and it is known as the she shed.
While it might be easy to say that both spaces are basically the same, there are differences.
Yes, both are meant to be retreats from the everyday world and have no decorating constraints (neon lights, bold colors, and many other examples of décor are common to the man cave).
However, while men typically choose the garage, basement or an unused room in the house for their space, women want to put some distance between themselves and their domestic spheres. Thus, the idea of the she shed emerged.
And if the idea appeals to you, it could be that you already have a structure ready to become your she shed right in your own yard.
It could be an abandoned shed, an unused garage (free‑standing), or even a kiddie house that was once a castle or fortress, but now sits empty and waiting a new life.
If the space could accommodate your hobbies, art projects, a few pieces of comfortable furniture for you and a friend or two…well, it could be the perfect option for your she shed.
And even if you don’t have a handy building waiting for renovation, there are many easy‑to‑build or prefab kits for the she shed of your dreams. Follow the steps from the manufacturers to properly erect your structure.
Regardless of the path selected, try to focus on the fun of each step. After all, half of the fun is the journey!
Consider having family or friends help in the entire process and then invite them over to visit you in your new creative, recreational space!
Below are some top tips for making it happen:
ONE NOTE OF CAUTION: before you get started, check with your municipality for any restrictions and whether or not you’ll need permits.
Step 1: Clean the slate
If you are fortunate enough to have the space to convert into a she shed, it has to be just that – a space. That means looking at the contents of the garage or shed and deciding what to do with it all. It may be hard to let go of things you’ve kept in storage for sentimental reasons, but if you weigh the benefits of a she shed against them, you’ll often find it is the living and relaxation space that wins.
Most people are in one of two situations:
- You only have a shed or small garage located in the yard. Is there enough space in a basement or an attic to store what you want to keep?
- You have a garage attached to the house AND as a shed. Can you better reorganize one storage space so that you only keep essentials in one of them?
It is very helpful to think of the items in this way:
✓ Things you absolutely want to keep,
✓ Things you can sell in a garage sale, and
✓ Those things you can give to charity to be reused.
Usually, this narrows all of those items down considerably and makes more than enough space for the she shed conversion.
Step 2: Draft some plans
Though it is thrilling to begin any sort of project, it is best to make solid plans, as they say, if you want a successful project, put 90% of your energy into planning and 10% into execution.
So, begin with a mental image of the final result and reverse engineer it from there. You can plan for whatever you can dream up. Don’t limit yourself, to begin with, because it lets you see where you are headed with the she shed. Then, let the budget bring you back to reality.
Yes, next, it is time to establish a budget. This takes some research and some realism. Sketch out the plans and jot down the estimated costs. Add an end date and place the plan somewhere in plain sight – like the fridge. Why? It’ll keep you motivated.
Don’t forget to put some room in the budget for extras or problems, typically around 10%. How do you get started with the budget? Here are the next steps for your plan:
Measure everything:
How do you know what you’ll be spending on materials without dimensions and measurements?
You don’t, so the first step is to measure the height, width and depth, the location of beams or any other obstacles you need to account for during the transformation (ex: wood or gas heating ducts).
Based on the type of construction, you might find some useable storage space on the roof trusses. Can you use it to keep your items?
What are the “other” expenses that might come into play? Will there be electricity and plumbing needed for your project? If they are already there, are there modifications that should be made?
Evaluate conditions
The best planning can be a bomb if you don’t pay attention to the condition of the building you’ll use. Take time to examine the following:
✓ Foundation (on concrete piers with lumber or a concrete slab): is it adequate for your plans?
✓ Insulation: how many seasons will you be using your she shed?
✓ Roof: is it in good shape?
It is only once this is done that you can make a reasonable budget, timeline, and plans. After that, you can dig into the real fun – decorating.
Step 3: Inviting and all yours!
The reason for your transformation of the old garage or playhouse is irrelevant. However, you will want to personalize it to reflect your goals and personality. Here are some ideas and tips to help.
What is YOUR style?
Your she shed can have a unique style or you can allow your main house to influence your choice of architecture. The point is to think of the overall look of the structure.
Lighten and brighten with YOUR colors
Larger windows or even a skylight give a lot of options to the look and function of the building. Don’t overlook the benefits of a fresh coat of paint, inside and out, either. This can do lots towards transforming an overlooked outbuilding into a welcoming space.
Currently, white or pastels are very chic and look great with door and window framing in coordinating hues.
Decorate without emptying the bank account
Is there any furnishing you may have around the house that fits your décor?
What about area flea markets or antique shops?
Be inventive and repurpose to the greatest extent possible.
Beauty inside and out
Adding a small deck, porch or patio and some comfy chairs is a great idea.
So too is planting some perennials all around the perimeter.
Don’t try to get everything done the first year – make it an ongoing labor of love!
Think paradise
Make your hideaway a reflection of YOU. It doesn’t matter if you use a seaside theme, shabby chic barn siding and lace, or a gardener’s haven...it is yours to make your own.
Whatever makes you happy and relaxed is the way to go.
Stumped? Look to Pinterest
If you find you are stumped for ideas around décor, there is one place overflowing with ideas - Pinterest, and if you come up with nothing there, the HOUZZ website is also quite informative.
What about all‑glass garage doors?
Another innovation in the world of she sheds is to use has all‑glass garage doors (also called panoramic doors) from Garaga. They allow every bit of natural light inside and also swing open to keep things cool and airy on the warmest days. When rainy and cold, just close them and stay comfy.
To complement its extruded aluminum California door, Garaga offers different aluminum frame colors and layouts, and many, many different types of glass: Clear, or for more privacy, Satin Grey, Satin Black, or Bronze or Blue tinted. 😍👌
And you can get it in many sizes. In fact, this door can be as small as 4 feet wide by 6 ½ feet high.
What about a sectional garage door?
If you live in the area of Grand Rapids, feel free to contact us toll‑free at 616-453-0164. We will go over all you’ll need to install a garage door in your she shed and the sizes that are available. You can even install an electric door opener if you have the necessary clearance.
We can then send you a quotation by email. You might want to pay a visit to the showroom and decide whether you should change an already existing garage door. This is easier than ever when using our design centre to choose the style that suits you best. As well, refer to our image gallery for lots of good ideas.
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