The Backyard Shed – Endless Possibilities
This past weekend, I walked to my friend’s home and noticed her amazing shed. It sits in the back of her yard. I needed to store something and she said I could store it in her shed. While I have seen many sheds, it had been awhile. So when I walked inside, I was shocked at the amount of space it had.
My friend’s shed was extremely organized. It held labeled bins filled with different items that she didn’t need all year long and could store in nice shelving. It held her lawn mower, her shovels, and other garden tools that saved her space in her garage.
I’ll be honest, my mouth drooled a little. I almost asked her if we wanted just to hangout right inside that baby. It looked like a little house. My brain started thinking of all the possibilities that you could use with such a space.
Apparently, I am not the only person who loves the idea of having a backyard shed. With some incredible creativity, people have come up with pretty sweet ways to utilize their shed that might not be as traditional. These people have taken garden sheds to the next level and will make just about anybody want one for their own backyard.
In our research about garden sheds, there appears to be three categories of creative sheds: the pub shed, the shedquarters, and the She Shed. All three shed types have endless options. Let’s take a look at each idea.
More than a backyard shed
- The Pub Shed
Can you imagine the ability to take your guests outside and have them relax and serve them in style? Add some shelving, a bar top table, and some swivel chairs and you might have found yourself a pub shed. It is almost like having your own little cabana stocked with your favorite drinks from the Caribbean right in your own back yard. Feel free to add a TV, maybe a mini couch, or even a hammock. Your friends will be calling you up to watch the next big sporting game.For examples of pub sheds, please see CountryLiving’s post at Here’s Why Tiny Bar Sheds Are The Hottest New Trend.
- The Shedquarters
Working from home is an amazing luxury that many people would love the opportunity to have. With more jobs being able to be done remotely these days, having the opportunity to work for them is a great option.However, one of the largest complaints from working from home is the possibility of being interrupted. The interruptions are endless. It could be your own dirty dishes sitting in the kitchen sink, or little people knocking on your door wanting to spend time with you, or the phone going off endlessly.
The shedquarters might be the answer for you. The idea of the shedquarter is to provide a space-efficient work area that can create a private space to keep most interruptions out. The best part is you don’t have to forfeit style.
These shedquarters are cozy and have incredible style. A home office is just on idea. Depending on what you do in your job or what your hobby is can determine how you use the space. You can make it into an art studio, a quest room, or just a getaway space. These are relatively cost effective ways to add some extra space to your home.
- She Sheds
Just last month at the Cleveland Home and Garden show, a new type of shed was introduced called a “She Shed.” While we all know the term “Man Cave” and have often seen rooms displayed in homes that are designed toward men, the “She Shed” is a shed designed for well, whatever she wants. They typically have been seen with beautiful draping curtains, comfy seating arrangements, maybe even a bed to lounge in, or a place to set your plants and garden. The goal seems to be a place to retreat, relax, and enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors with some protection of a shed.
The designer is Laura Fruehling and she did not come up with the name “She Shed.” Last month, Fruehling’s designer sheds were presented at the Duquesne Light Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. It was the Director, John DeSantis that came up with the name.
Fruehling decorated the tiny home with custom-made furniture. She reused older pieces of wood in her design. For example, she used old pallets as a room divider and wine rack. She made a table out of burled cypress for the bottom and added a marbleized concrete on top.
While these might seem like a female version of a man cave, according to the Daily Gazette, Fruehling doesn’t see it that way. She sees it as an “artistic take on another hot trend, the tiny house.” For Fruehling’s shed, it is 22 feet by 19 feet with a wood stove, sink and toilet and offers over 200 square feet of living space. For the basic cost for a shed like this, the cost starts at $7,000 without including the plumbing.
These are just some amazing ways to use sheds that have blown us away at Rootwell. When taking a simple idea of a garden shed and asking what else could be done to this space, it is remarkable what people can come up with. From guest bedrooms, to mini pubs, to greenhouses and stylish workspaces, the possibilities are truly endless. The cost isn’t crazy, and can even be a more cost effective option instead of adding an addition onto your home.
Wrapping Up
The backyard garden tool shed has evolved. From the pub shed and the shequarters to the She Shed, are examples of what you can do. With a little imagination, you can transform or create a backyard shed oasis.
Your Turn
How would you use a shed if you had one? Or, if you do own a shed, how do you use the space? If you have used a shed in a non-traditional way, we would love to have you send us photos. Please contact us.
