June 17, 2020

Who else wants to be with wives & mothers that are taking back the yard with She Sheds to call their own?

The trend of man caves has created a growing demand for spaces that are dedicated to relaxing and hanging out with the guys.

However, these spaces for hobbies, sports, pool, and hanging with the boys are now becoming a desire among women—known familiarly as the she shed.

Both of these spaces offer a private retreat from the everyday life of the main house.

While a man’s space is usually found in the basement, garage, or even the den, women tend to want to get further away from the house when they can.

She shed

Although it was originally presumed that the man cave and she shed trend would pass, it seems that these sanctuary spaces are going to stick around.

Take a minute to look around—do you already have a perfect space hiding in plain sight?

That old shed, never-used garage, or playhouse could be ideal for your private space for writing, reading, gardening, working on projects, or even just relaxing with friends. If you’ve got the space, get inspired to clean it up, and put it to use.

No space available? No worries! You can find simple she shed kits that are prefabricated and easy to put together—just follow the instructions and you’ll have a great hideaway for her in no time at all.

However you go about it, the process is part of the enjoyment. This could be a great family project, even. Keep reading to find some helpful tips and ideas.

CAUTION: Before starting any outdoor renovation project, check with your city or municipality to see whether permits are required or if there are any property or structural restrictions.

Step One: Clean up and clean out

If you’ve already got the space, you’ll want to declutter and clean it out to prepare it for your she shed.

Don’t just move the junk somewhere else, though.

Take the time to go through everything and make sure you really want to keep it. You might be able to get rid of some stuff and free up even more storage space when you relocate the items.

Think about where you’ll be relocating the items and what kind of space you have to work with. Then, sort out everything into four piles:

  • Items to keep, which you can then relocate accordingly
  • Items to sell, for which you can have a garage sale or list them online
  • Items to donate to charity
  • Trash

Step Two: Time to plan

It’s exciting to jump in and get started on a new project, but you really should take the time to do a little planning in advance to make sure that you know what you want.

Having a plan can make the project so much easier. After all, they say that it’s 90% planning and 10% execution, and they’re right.

Here are some tips to help:

  • Use your imagination. Try to picture the space and think about whatever you might want in there. Remember that the sky is the limit because you can always scale back and dial it down later when you finalize things. Just get creative and think about what your perfect she shed would be.
  • Make sure that you have a budget. If you’re not sure how much you should expect to spend, research similar projects online and see what others are paying. Be realistic but don’t overspend and remember to add about 10% extra to the budget for runover because it will always be there.
  • Take the sketch, the budget, and the projected end date (you pick—set a goal for yourself!) and stick it on your fridge to keep you inspired through all of the hard work.
  • Check the dimensions of the space, as well as the location of beams, ducts, and other obstacles that could impact your design options. Consider the available storage space on the roof trusses in a mini garage.
  • Do you need electricity and plumbing? If they are already present, do they need to be updated or modified at all? You’ll want to plan for this so that you can do that work first.
  • Examine the existing structure (if using one). Check the foundation for soundness and watch for cracks that may need filled or otherwise addressed. Consider insulation if you’ll be using the she shed during colder months. Finally, check the roof and make sure it’s in good repair. If not, add that to your project list.

Now that you’ve got a budget, a plan, and a better idea of what you’re getting into, it’s time to get started.

Creating YOUR space

It doesn’t matter what reasons you have for wanting your own private space. Now that you’ve decided to create it, here are some tips to help you personalize your she shed and create the perfect look, no matter what you have in mind.

She shed

1. Style

What’s your preferred style? Are you looking for a funky vintage chic vibe or do you prefer something more modern? Perhaps you want a classic country feel or Victorian charm. Whatever you have in mind, make sure that goes into all of your design choices.

2. Color and light

There is something to be said for natural light and when you’re repurposing an old space, something as simple as brightening it up can make a huge difference. Consider larger windows or a skylight, a fresh coat of paint, and anything else that will bring this old space new life. Coordinate windows and door frames and stick to pastels and whites for a chic, yet stylish finish.

3. Use what you have

Save money on your she shed by furnishing what you can from what you already have. Go around the house, check the attic or basement, and see what kind of items you have on hand that you can take to your new space. You can even check with family and friends or visit local antique shops and flea markets to get better deals on furniture.

Inside a she shed

4. Curb appeal

You can’t forget about the outside of your she shed. Consider a patio or deck, some chairs, and even some plants to add life and create an inviting look. You don’t have to do everything right away, of course. This can be a labor of love for years to come.

Inside a she shed

5. Do YOU

Ultimately, this is your space. You need to make sure that it reflects that accordingly. No matter what style you have in mind or what you want to use the space for, it’s all about creating the space you want. If you’re happy and relaxed, you’ve done it right.

Go online for inspiration

Pinterest and Houzz are two websites that are great tools to have when you are trying to create your own she shed. You'll find plenty of examples of projects people have done and get ideas for your own space.

Let the light in with an all-glass garage door

It doesn’t matter how big your mini-garage or shed may be, because it could benefit from a new all-glass garage door from Garaga.

These doors are designed with durable materials and will let every possible drop of daylight in. Plus, you can open the door for fresh air or keep it closed to keep out the weather, and still enjoy the light.

For the perfect complement to your she shed, the California door from Garaga is available with a variety of aluminum frame colors and even numerous glass styles to choose from: clear, satin black, bronze-tinted, blue-tinted, and more. Plus, these doors can be as compact as just four feet by six and a half feet, making them great for any she shed.

She shed with an all-glass garage door

Is your shed ready for a sectional garage door?

If you’re looking into a garage door in the Leominster or Gardner areas, don’t hesitate to reach us at 1-800-409-3667. You can contact us for a thorough discussion of your space and what garage doors might work best for your she shed, no matter how big or small the space might be. With the right clearance, we can even discuss automatic openers.

Ask about our email quotes to help you get a better idea of your options. If you prefer, you can check out our showroom and see our doors firsthand. Plus, we’ve also got an image gallery for inspiration and a Design Centre where you can create the perfect look every single time.

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