You have probably heard the term “man cave” at some point during the past several years, and you likely already know what it means.
It’s a place that is typically created by a man where they can watch some television, play some games, read a book, or enjoy any other number of hobbies.
However, women want and deserve a place to call theirs while enjoying these same types of activities. Many have taken to calling these locations she sheds.
They both serve the same purpose. They provide a sanctuary where people can enjoy spending some time with friends or on their own.
It’s possible to decorate the space in any way that they might want, so they can choose an aesthetic that is entirely different from the rest of the home.
While men will often choose places like a basement for their man‑cave, many women find that they don’t want to be stuck underground or in a small room of the house.
Instead, they may want to have more space, and a place that can provide them with a little bit of distance from everything that’s happening inside of the home.
They want to create their own little oasis, and a she shed is a perfect solution.
Consider some of the locations that might be useful for creating one of these spaces. You might want to turn the garage that you rarely use into a place of comfort and relaxation.
Perhaps you have a backyard that you could turn into a place to unwind and enjoy some of your hobbies.
Maybe there is a location that was once used by the kids as a fort or playhouse that you could turn into your sanctuary now that they are older.
Even if there isn’t an already existing structure, it’s no problem. There are many kits available to build one of these she sheds that will make it easy to create your own space.
No matter how you plan to build your shed, the project can be a lot of fun from start to finish. However, it needs to be noted that before building anything on your property, you will want to check to see if you need to have permits first.
You have a building already in place?
If you have a standing structure on your property that is already in place, you are several steps ahead of the game.
The first step when preparing to turn a location into your she shed is to clean it out. Often, this means that you will need to get rid of some items that you do not need and place others in different locations around the home for storage.
In some cases, you could put the items that you are keeping into the attic or the basement, for example. Think about the other places where you might be able to safely store those items while creating a clean location for your new hideaway.
Make a list of the items that you need to keep, the items that you can give away to charity or to friends who might need them, and the items that you could sell.
You can sell items at a garage sale or online and make some extra money to help with decorating your new space, or to buy some pizza and drinks for those that you get to help you.
Put a plan in place for your new space
Before you start making changes or buy a kit to build, you must have a solid plan in place.
This will make it easier for you to know what steps you will need to take, and what you might need to buy to finish the she shed. It’s a good idea to create a budget before you go overboard on things that you want in the space.
Don’t worry; you can always buy things piecemeal until you have everything that you want, so you don’t have to spend too much at once.
Figure out the dimensions of the space including the height, width, and depth along with any items that are in the space and can’t be removed, such as a water heater, beams, etc. Know what you have to work with and what you will need to work around. In addition, consider whether you will need to have any electrical or plumbing work done in the space.
Make sure the structure is sound and able to be turned into a hideaway and check to see whether you have enough insulation. If you don’t have insulation and a way of heating the place, you might not be able to use it during certain times of the year, such as winter if you live in a cold and snowy location.
The creation of the perfect space in 5 steps
Choose your vibe
Once you know what you have available to work with, it will be easier for you to determine the finer details. This includes the aesthetic style that you hope to create in the home. Perhaps you want a modern look and feel, or maybe you want more of a rustic flavor to the space. It’s all up to you.
Let there be light!
Consider whether you have enough windows for natural light or if you might need to add some.
If you are transforming a space that already exists, think about the color of paint that will work best and that will create the look and mood that you want for the space.
Rethink. Recycle. Reuse.
When choosing furniture and decorations for the shed, you may want to look at places like flea markets and antique shops to find what you need.
This is cheaper than buying all new furniture and will be helpful if you are on a budget. You may also have some items in storage or the house that can be moved and repurposed in the she shed, such as a desk or a folding table.
Get creative and have fun.
Make the outside look great
It’s also a good idea to make the outside of the shed as beautiful as the interior, so it looks inviting.
You might want to add a small patio or deck with some chairs, so you can relax outside.
Plants are another good option to consider or even a small water feature.
Make it yours
No matter what style you enjoy and no matter how you plan to use the she shed, you want to make it your own. It should be a place where you can unwind, where you can write your novel, work on your art, read a book, and do whatever else it is that you enjoy and that makes you happy.
Places to get some ideas
The Internet is filled with places where you can find great ideas if you are stuck. Some of the best options for getting some inspiration include:
Adding an all‑glass garage door – The best wow factor ever!
Regardless of whether you are working to create a she shed from a mini garage or a larger shed on your property, you may want to consider adding a small garage door to it.
Even though you aren’t going to be putting your car in the space, you will find that these doors, also called panoramic doors, can be a nice feature.
Garaga has all‑glass‑garage doors that can provide you with more natural light. You can keep the garage door open on those warm days to get some airflow and closed when it gets cold outside.
As a complement to the California door, Garaga provides a range of aluminum frame colors and layouts, along with different types of glass. You could choose from blue‑tinted, bronze, satin black, satin grey, or clear. The doors can be as small as 4’ wide and 6.5 high.
Is a door right for you?
Those who live in the area of Kingston (613-547-4566) or Belleville (613-966-5655) will want to contact us. We can let you know more about the doors and the sizes available, and even whether you can opt for an electric door opener if the space has the clearance.
We could also send you a quotation by email if you would like. It’s even possible to come and visit the showroom. Those who want to change a garage door they already have might want to check out our design centre and our image gallery for some ideas.
Add new comment