It's official: the she shed trend is here to stay. Giving man caves everywhere a run for their money, these backyard hideaways are a cozy little place for ladies to call their own, whether it be for gardening or just somewhere to curl up with a good book. So, how does one go about staking claim to her own she shed, you might ask? Whether you have a neglected potting shed in your backyard or want to build your own from scratch (more power to ya), we've rounded up all the DIY decorating inspiration and tips you need to bring your outdoor oasis to life. Here's how to create the perfect garden getaway.
1. Clean out your old backyard shed—or use a kit to build a new one.
Have you been conveniently "forgetting" to clean out that cluttered shed? Creating a she shed is the perfect motivation for finally getting it done. Go through all those old garden tools and boxes, then donate what you don't need anymore and organize the rest for storage.
Don't have an old shed already sitting around your backyard? You can buy an easy-to-build kit at your local tool store or the Home Depot.
Want to go all out? Choose a shed with whimsical structural details.
Hometalk bloggers Mirabella and Isadora's shed, pictured above, has a high arch over the doorway, giving it a storybook cottage feel.
2. Give your shed a fresh coat of paint.
Taking your shed from ordinary to oh-so-cute starts with the exterior. Paint it a calming color like light blue, or a feminine shade of purple or light yellow, will instantly give it new life.
Can you tell Crickhollow Cottage, pictured above, was formerly a child's playhouse? We didn't think so! Thanks to a pretty shade of green with pink trim, this "shed" is now reserved for the lady of the house.
Of course, white is always a classic color choice—Hometalk blogger Daisy added a pale blue door to her white craft shed (also a former child's playhouse) to make the space extra welcoming.
3. Define the purpose of your shed.
The point of a she shed is to have a quiet space that allows you to embrace a hobby that's important to you. Stylist Donna Jenkins took advantage of her backyard location by using it as a potting shed, where she spends time gardening.
When antiques shop owner Barbara Adkins didn't have enough space for painting in her home, she converted a tool shed into her own DIY paradise, complete with an area to house all her supplies.
If you're not an avid crafter or gardener, your she shed can simply be used as a quaint place to hang out. Heather Cameron's husband transformed a neglected potting shed on their property into a pretty greenhouse-style retreat, pictured above. "I never had time to use the shed for its original purpose as a place to pot plants," she says. "I like it much more now as somewhere to escape to and curl up with a good book, paint, or visit with friends."
4. Search flea markets and antique shops for unique finds.
Decorating a she shed isn't about spending lots of money—it's about creating a space that feels relaxed and cozy. So look to flea markets and antique shops for unexpected finds. Hometalk blogger Christine definitely had the right idea when she decorated her vintage potting shed—take a peek inside.
Inside Heather's shed, she added overhead shelves repurposed from an old door she found for $15 as a place to display her vintage jadeite and milk glass collection. (She cut the door in half lengthwise and placed the pieces on brackets.) She also refreshed thrift store chairs with a coat of white paint and seats re-covered in natural linen.
Below, Old World Antieks owner Amy Kleinwachter even salvaged a silo from a local ranch—which she transformed into the base of her backyard escape. Although she admits working against a round structure was no easy geometric feat, Amy managed to add a front porch and bedroom/bathroom extension for a whopping 1,000-square-foot space.
5. Surround yourself with nature.
It's all about environment! Placing your shed in a secluded spot and surrounding it with grassy plants, vines, and window boxes full of flowers helps create a tranquil vibe, all the better for establishing a calm place to get some thinking done. Bring the garden inside as well, by decorating with plants, freshly picked flower arrangements, and plush pillows featuring feminine floral patterns.
Climbing vines help add to the "secret" hideaway vibe of The Old Blue Bucket blogger Judy's potting shed.
6. Create an inviting entryway.
She sheds should have an inviting look, especially if you're hoping to entertain friends there.
Hometalk blogger Beth made an arbor, pictured above, using storm doors. You could also decorate the exterior with romantic outdoor curtains, white string lights, or hanging DIY lanterns.
7. Equip the space for entertaining.
What better spot for girls' night than a she shed? To make sure everything you need for a fun night is handy, think about adding a mini fridge and stocking the shed with party essentials.
You can also bring the party outside if you've set up an outdoor patio or fire pit. Top a firewood rack from the Home Depot with a piece of wood and it'll double as a bar!
8. Make sure your shed is a reflection of you...and your family.
As your hobbies and aesthetics change, update your shed to reflect them—after all, it's your space! It should transform with you. And of course we can't forget the best tip of all: There are no rules when it comes to creating the perfect she shed—it's all about you being you.
You can design the space with your little ones in mind, too. After all, you shouldn't be the only lady of the household who gets to escape. Involve your kids with the initial design process, then let them have their fun in a new playtime hangout. Because, at the end of the day, the best she sheds are the ones that get the most love from the whole family.
Rebecca was the social media editor at CountryLiving.com and WomansDay.com.
