The She Shed: Why You Need It and How to Get It
Behold, the latest home trend women all over the place are raving about: the she shed! We all love our families, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy time to ourselves. It is important that each member of the household has their own private space to relax, recharge their batteries, and even enjoy their passions.
For women, it can feel like there is no place in the household that is truly yours. If you have children, there are toys and care items everywhere! If you share an office or bedroom with your partner, it feels like there is no place to retreat and enjoy some alone time. That is where the she shed comes in!
What is a She-Shed?
We’ve all heard of the “man cave” as a space where men can go for private time. The she shed is a private area where men can retreat to enjoy some alone time and pursue the things they are passionate about. The man cave is a common idea that most people are familiar with, so take that same concept and apply it to women to get the she-shed!
The she shed gets its name partly because of alliteration (doesn’t it just sound fun?) and partly because the most common area to create a private female space is right in your backyard. Many women find that the storage shed on their property is the perfect size and space to create their own special area.
Why Do You Need a She Shed?
If the idea of a she shed sounds a bit silly to you, you aren’t alone. But once you actually start to examine the idea, the concept of having a private area specifically for you and your needs is extremely appealing. You can use your she shed for anything you want! Here are a few examples:
- A new office or work space
- A painting studio
- A space to exercise
- A quiet spot to read
- The perfect place to unwind with some friends
Your she shed can even combine all of these! You will find that having a special space can help with feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or pressured to be constantly available. The benefits of having a comfortable retreat for when life gets stressful really can’t be overestimated!
What to Know Before Building Your She Shed
Now that you’re sold on the idea of having a she shed, it’s time to make that fantasy a reality. There is quite a lot to do, and the steps in the process vary depending on how you want to start. You don’t want to go into the project with tons of energy and then burn out, leaving it half finished. Here are the things you need to know before you start building your she shed!
Consider if you want to use your old shed, buy a pre-made one, or build one from scratch
When it comes to creating the space for your she shed, nobody can say that you don’t have options! Some people choose to repurpose the original shed on their property, which is the cheapest method.
Buying a pre-made shed from a place like The Home Depot will be more expensive, but it gives you more options. Finally, contractors can come to build a special space from scratch – as long as you are willing to pay!
Know if you need a permit or the permission of your local HOA
We know you want to jump right into getting your own she shed built, but it is important to take your time to do it right. Depending on your local rules, you may need to get a permit to build a new shed on your property. Make sure to do some research into your location to make sure you’re in the clear!
In addition, anyone who is a member of a home owners associations will need to look at any requirements before they begin building. Some home owners associations have restrictions on what you can build and add to your properties. You could face a fine or even have to tear down your she shed without thoroughly investigating this!
Decide where you want to place your new she shed
If you are repurposing a shed already on your property, you’re in the clear! However, you must still decide where to move or store the things currently in the shed. Anyone who is buying or contracting a new she shed needs to figure out where they specifically want the building placed.
You need a safe and clear spot on your lawn, and sometimes there are even rules about building away from your property line. Find your space, mark it, and get ready for your she shed!
Tips for Crafting the Perfect She Shed
You want to create a space that feels like you! No matter what your intentions are for your she shed, you can use them to decorate your space. For example, an area to workout will need a relatively open floor, but a space to relax can have plenty of comfy furniture around. Here are more tips to build a she shed you can get excited about!
- Decorate the outside as well as the inside. Even something as simple as a new coat of paint can make the entire space feel more exciting, in addition to marking it as yours.
- Utilize natural light. Big windows or a skylight can both make your space feel bigger and cut down on that electric bill.
- Take things one step at a time. You don’t need to have your entire she-shed decorated within a week of building. Take time to breathe and consider what you really want.
- You can use the outdoor area as well! Don’t be afraid to include a gardening area or patio in your vision for the perfect space.
- Scour flea markets and antique shops! This will not only save you money on decorating, but allow you to build a truly unique and lovely space.
Enjoy Your New She Shed!
After all the hard work is done, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the space you’ve created for yourself. You deserve a place to rest, recharge, and reflect. A beautiful she shed can give you all of that and more!
Olivia Smart
Thank you for explaining that it’s important to figure out where the shed is going to go. My husband and I are thinking about adding a shed in our backyard. I’ll be sure to look at our current layout to see how much space we have available for one.