Long used as a metaphor for ‘man space’, the ‘man cave’ became popular as America tuned into Tim Taylor’s Garage, on Home Improvement, and Al Bundy’s Garage, on Married with children. What you’ve not seen, until now, is the She Shed. Women have long had spaces outside where they can piddle about in the garden or sit in the sun but the advent of the She Shed puts a new light on outdoor, personal living spaces for women. If you are buying a new home with an old shed in the yard, don’t tear it down yet, it still has a use.
What is a She Shed?
A She Shed is your personal space, where you can de-stress from the cares of the world and find your muse. A She Shed is a place where you can:
- Paint
- Sew
- Knit
- Weave
- Write the next Great American novel
- Daydream
- Make music
- Grow lilacs
- Watch the clouds skip across the sky
- Nap
A She Shed is your space, whether you share it with friends or keep it to yourself. It is your own grown up playhouse.
How can you use the space you Have?
Whether it’s the corner of your yard, a lean too against the back fence or an elaborate construct, where you can refresh and renew, a she shed can make the most of the space you have. A ten by ten square of the backyard will work fine. Or, you can plan an area with a She Shed, surrounded by gardens and the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Some She Sheds are quite simple while others are quite elaborate, designed like adult sized dollhouses. There are no rules; it’s your space, so you can do what you want with it what you want. Make it relaxing and personalized for when you need your space. If that means moving your doll, book, and movie or painting collections to your space, then bring them on.
If you have a little-used outbuilding, it can be transformed into a She Shed with a little imagination, bright new paint and hard work. If you currently have a greenhouse or gazebo, they too can be transformed into a She Shed adding outdoor livability to your life.
If you don’t have a shed but want one, there are simple, inexpensive ways to build your She Shed. You can purchase shed kits from places like Home Depot, buy a shed that is pre-built and brought to your property, or build a She Shed from scratch with free plans, if you have the skills or know someone who does.
How will you use your She Shed?
You know what you want to do, don’t you. If books are your thing, you can line the walls them and they can fill your spare hours the adventures that leap from their pages. If painting watercolors are your thing, equip your She Shed with paints, brushes and canvases and paint away, knowing that you can do so in privacy. A greenhouse, She Shed combination can give you a place to grow flowers and relax, too. There are no limits how you use your She Shed.
Is a She Shed Affordable?
If you have a shed that you can transform, your costs will be minimal. Any furnishings that you want can be found at rummage sales and fill it with the uniqueness that is you, while keeping the price down. Shelving and workspaces can be part of the reformation and can be built in before you move into your space of tranquility. If you are remodeling a current shed, you should be able to create your She Shed for less than $500.
If you need to build a shed, kits begin at about$700 for a ten by ten wood shed kit and go as high $10,000, depending on the size, number of windows, doors and other features. You can see that the cost of a She Shed is limited only by your budget and imagination but you can have one affordably when making the most of the space you have.
How can you reflect or Personality in the Design of your She Shed?
Just as you need to plan the use for your She Shed, use colors, materials, and a design that will reflect your personality. Your Shed is not being built to please anyone but you so don’t worry about the pink paint, purple shutters and lace clad furniture that you are envisioning in your She Shed.
Where should you locate your She Shed?
If you are using an existing shed, that decision has already been made for you, unless it’s moveable. If you are adding to an existing greenhouse or using an existing gazebo, the same goes for them but you can choose how you want to position entrances, which should be as decorative as the Shed itself. The use of arbors and the natural flora and fauna of your yard to create an entrance leading to the door of your She Shed will add an air of romance.
If you are building or placing a new She Shed then you need to orient it to the sun if you wish, or hide it in the shade, if you’d rather. The decisions are yours to make so make them with your individuality in mind.
Do you see a She Shed in your Future?
A She Shed can easily add private space to a busy home and having a place of solitude to retreat to will help you relax. Inexpensive, yet filled with benefits, if you have the space you should consider a She Shed.
2 Point Highlight
A She Shed is your space, whether you share it with friends or keep it to yourself.
A She Shed can easily add private space to a busy home and having a place of solitude to retreat to will help you relax.
