Image Source: Mark Gaynor / Quarto Publishing Group
If you've never heard of a she shed, you're not alone. But this relatively new home trend is starting to pop up all over your favorite design blogs and home decor magazines. She sheds are repurposed backyard sheds, which can be turned into a haven for almost any use. Whether you're a gardener, an artist, or just looking for a secluded backyard getaway, they're the perfect option for space-starved women who need a space to call their own.
Author Erika Kotite's new book, She Sheds: A Room of Your Own delves into this fast-growing trend and takes a look at some of the most beautiful she sheds from around the country and beyond. We chatted with her to find out just what makes she sheds so special and why you should think about making one of your very own.
You Can Use Them For Anything
Image Source: Clare Mansell / Quarto Publishing Group
While Erika identifies gardening sheds as the most common use for she sheds, the possibilities are endless as more and more women are turning to she sheds as a retreat to indulge in their hobbies. “Instead of just making a shed where you’re stashing your stuff, you’re making it so you can actually sit in there and have a work table,” Erika said. “You can actually spend time in there and enjoy it and have it pretty and organized.” Other common uses for she sheds Erika has seen are art studios, living spaces for relaxing, and even home offices. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box — Erika has seen a she shed used for tacking and even a meditation space.
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They Can Be Cheaper (and Easier) Than a Home Reno
Image Source: Jeff Doubet / Quarto Publishing Group
A home renovation can set you back tens of thousands of dollars, but she sheds are a much more affordable option if you’re running out of space in your home. A couple thousand dollars can turn even the most basic utility shed into a sanctuary. “It’s relatively inexpensive, you don’t need a ton of space, and you can have this little space for yourself.” Most she sheds don’t necessarily require permits (as long as you’re not using it as a full-on living space), so you can bypass a lot of requirements you’d need to fulfill for a home renovation.
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. . . But They Don't Have to Be!
Image Source: Jeff Doubet / Quarto Publishing Group
While most of the she sheds Erika toured while writing her book were a few thousand dollars, there were a couple that went above and beyond the affordable option. Adding additional features like wiring and plumbing can drive up the cost, and Erika has seen some sheds that cost in the five-figure range. Basically, the cost depends just how much customization you want for your she shed and whether or not you’re willing to do some of the work yourself.
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The Best Sheds Are Rustic and Simple
Image Source: Sarah Greenman / Quarto Publishing Group
While a shabby-chic aesthetic certainly isn’t a prerequisite for having a she shed, it’s definitely the style that lends itself to the maintenance and upkeep of a she shed. Sheds with a rustic feel are easier to keep feeling rustic, Erika said, as they might require a little less in the way of renovating or painting. The shabby-chic aesthetic can also help you avoid things like drywall and other features that might drive up the overall cost.
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There's a Ton of Room For Personalization
Image Source: Dominic Bonuccelli / Quarto Publishing Group
She sheds come in all shapes and sizes, even beyond their use. Whatever your decor style, it’s easy to translate that into a she shed. Whether you go for a modified utility shed, a modern look, a romantic vintage vibe, echo the style of your home’s architectural features, or stick to the rustic look that she sheds are famous for, no she shed is the same. "It is a testament to very enterprising women, making it what they need it to be," Erika said.
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They Add a Lot to Your Backyard
Image Source: Mark Gaynor Photography / Quarto Publishing Group
The aesthetic appeal of she sheds goes beyond the sheds themselves. Adding a she shed to your backyard is a great way to create a focal point in your landscaping and can really pull your outdoor space together. Erika noted that this differs from a traditional shed, saying, “Instead of you plopping a utility shed in and it being an eyesore in your landscape, you create it so that it becomes part of the landscape.” So whether you have an English country garden or a sparse modern outdoor space, your she shed can be the perfect addition.
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They're Great For All Climates
Image Source: Susan Mintun / Quarto Publishing Group
While a lot of the she sheds in Erika’s book are in locales like California and Arizona, you shouldn’t feel limited by your location. She sheds can be adapted to meet other climate requirements or can be used seasonally if you live somewhere with cold Winters. Erika explained, “All it means is that if you have a she shed in Minnesota and it’s not electrified, then you probably just don’t use it part of the year.”
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You Don't Have to Keep Them Tidy
Image Source: Judy Weiss / Quarto Publishing Group
Having a space that's removed from the rest of your home offers a lot of benefits, including privacy and leaving the space exactly how you want it. Because it's not attached to your home, you won't feel the pressure to keep it tidy and include it in your home's regular cleaning schedule, Erika explained. “It’s your space, you leave the projects out, and when you come back no one has touched it and it’s there where you left it. That is just the best feeling.”
