Ever since I set eyes on the glam coffee table book, “She Sheds: A Room of Your Own ” by Erika Kotite, I’ve coveted an escape place to call my own. Never seen this book? Well, if you’ve got a shed or have ever thought of building a shed, it’s a must-look. The author, a home and lifestyle expert, compiled a scrumptious visual compilation of dreamy if distinctly feminine hideaways for relaxing, crafting, reading, and small-scale entertaining. Kotite published her book in 2017 and since then thousands of women have shared pictures of their actual or “some day” She Sheds on Instagram and Pinterest.
Enthusiasm for these delightful structures has only grown in recent times; making everyone look at their homes and considering how to make them more congenial and productive spaces to work, relax, and live. A retreat or workspace customized just for you and only steps from your backdoor no longer sounds like a luxury. It could be the secret to staying sane, or even a place to generate extra income.
In the years since the “She Sheds” book was first published, notions about who gets to have a private place to get away from it all (or at least from the house) have evolved. Erika Kotite suggested women need She Sheds in response to earlier excitement about the Man Cave, a space supposedly just for men who need to get away without leaving home. It turned out a lot of men didn’t like being relegated to the basement, which is where most Man Caves are.
I know a man who said when his wife jokingly sent him to his Man Cave he felt like a kid being sent to his room. After spending a small fortune outfitting his Man cave with swiveling leather reclining chairs, custom cabinetry, wood paneling and a giant tv screen, the man turned the room over to his children who preferred it over their own rooms for playing video games. He wasted no time commandeering their backyard shed which previously was used to house the lawn mower and store grass seed. Basing his ideas on a tiny hole-in-the-wall bar he’d once visited in Waikiki, he retrofitted the shed into a tiki bar to entertain pals with exotic drinks. In no time at all he mastered two classic tiki bar drinks, the Mai Tai and the Zombie.
He went the extra mile and looked into artificial thatch for the roof from a variety of roofing materials outlets. Before he got started, he told his wife it was either a tiki bar or a fishing shack. He said he could go either way; he already had his eye on a load of expensive fishing tackle. He let her choose and she chose the tiki bar. Not long after, she built her own shed. What happened to the lawn mower and the grass seed? Ditched when the couple hired a professional lawn care service.
There are a number of She Shed and He Shed styles trending on Pinterest now. Most popular are “interiors” (also known as miniature living rooms); greenhouse styles; farmhouse styles; miniature but expressive buildings meant to blend into the garden. Some of these sheds originally weren’t sheds at all. Some of the most beautiful and unusual ones formerly functioned as pool cabanas. With so many people searching to maximize or privatize their work space, increasingly She/He Sheds are being imagined as home offices, yoga studios, home gyms, even private spas. And why not? Sheds are a strategic solution when there’s a need for more space but you don’t have the bank or the energy to size up to a bigger residence.
How much does it cost to build a He/She Shed? Beyond simple square footage — and right now costs range from $120 to $180 a square foot — much of the final cost depends on your taste in design and materials and what fixtures and built-ins you want. And it’s not an absolute necessity to hire a contractor to build or remodel your shed. Kits and pre-fabs are widely available ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 for a 10’ x 10’ space. Many of these kits can be assembled or custom-finished by a building professional if you don’t have the time or the chops yourself.
While it’s not legal to live in a shed, people do use them as the occasional spare bedroom. Even the smallest He/She Shed is expansive enough to slip in a cozy daybed. If you can’t imagine your random overnight guest tiptoeing at midnight across the yard and into your house to use the facilities, you might want to investigate installing a bathroom, or at least a toilet. Another useful and increasingly popular shed addition especially in beach communities are outdoor showers. They don’t have to be fancy. In fact, rustic in this case is always better. Before embarking on any plumbing projects, however, check with your local building department regarding whether or not your shed can have a toilet. And remember toilets eat up space as building codes universally require partition walls if you’re going to have a toilet. Want a toilet but not the hassle of getting a permit to run water or create drainage? Consider a composting toilet. They’re waterless.
Decor is the place where you can let your imagination run wild. Right now black exteriors are trending for their dramatic, contemporary feel. Black, by the way, is a great color foil for those who have eschewed swaths of green lawn in favor of xeriscaped, drought-sensitive landscaping choices. Strolling around my own neighborhood, spying as much as I can on my neighbors’ tricked-out sheds, I’ve noticed black shutters, black doors, and the increasingly popular black window casings are another trending choice paired with a traditional wood shingle exterior.
If you intend your He/She Shed to function as a dedicated work space, make sure to take the extra time to design it to suit your specific needs. Consider soundproofing, flooring, built-in shelving and cabinetry. Is the finish work a carpentry job you can do yourself, or would it be smart to hire a professional? Lighting is important and not an area where you should skimp. Consider how much space you’ll need for a desk or workstation and if more than one person will be utilizing the space. Another consideration is wiring especially if you’re going to be using power tools or multiple forms of technology. Maybe your shed is intended as a Maker’s space to launch or expand your craft business. In that case, consider what storage you’ll need not just for the tools and elements of your trade, but also inventory and packaging. And remember that while most localities don’t require a building permit for sheds or shed-like structures, if you intend to run a home business from your shed, you might need a permit for that, especially if it’s going to mean a need for extra parking.
Will your He/She Shed add to your home’s value? Generally speaking, storage sheds do not increase your home value. That said, according to this article, there are four ways a shed can add value to your property. It’s indisputable sheds offer additional storage space and that alone is attractive to buyers.
We have a shed, quite a lovely shed, in our current backyard. When I came around with the real estate agent four years ago to look at the house, I was immediately drawn to the shed, which is quite an attractive structure. Like the house, it was shingled and the door painted the same lovely shade of lavender as the front door of the house. Inside, the space was unfinished save for some old but sturdy kitchen cabinets and a rather nice blue slate floor. When I first looked at the property, the shed was filled with surf boards. Since we moved in, my husband has been sharing the shed with our own lawn mower and grass seed. It’s also where he plays the saxophone. Not a day passes that I don’t dream of stealing the shed away from him. I know exactly what I’d do with it, if I had my druthers. I’d turn it into a Reiki studio where I’d start seeing clients. Meanwhile he’s out there playing “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To.” He’s loud. We’ve thought of having it soundproofed.
Eve Marx
Eve Marx is a national journalist and book author. Follow her reflections on home design and interior style on Instagram at the hashtag #funkybeachhouseseasideror.