Everyone deserves a place to relax and unwind, engage in passion projects, and just "be". Sure, you can relax or explore hobbies in your home, but there's always chores to be done and roommates or family members who need your attention. A she shed is more than a shed – it's a place where you can be you, free from all of life's distractions! Read further to learn what a she shed is and why you need one.

So, What Is a She Shed?
What Is a She Shed Used for?
She Shed Benefits
How Much Is a She Shed?
How to Decorate & Furnish Your She Shed

So, What Is a She Shed?

Typically, a she shed is a garden shed converted into an oasis for women to get away from day-to-day life. Essentially, a she shed is the female equivalent to a man cave.

Does It Have to be a Shed?

If you don't have an outdoor space for a she shed, you can always adapt the idea and convert a spare room in your home. The main idea is that you have a space that's completely your own. A comfortable space where you can enjoy a bottle of wine, keep supplies for projects, and be undisturbed.

What Is the History of the She Shed?

If you think about it, the "she shed" has been around for hundreds of years. What was once quaint entertaining parlors, boudoirs, or morning rooms, has become a more casual, modern space fit for the 21st century. Some say the modern she shed goes back to 2010, when Sandra Foster shared her beautiful shabby chic oasis in the Catskill Mountains on social media. She demonstrated that even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a cozy and inviting retreat.

What Is a She Shed Used for?

Now that you have an idea of what a she shed is, let's discuss all the fun ways you can make it your own. In your she shed, you make the rules. Whether your goal is to relax, create, or exercise, there are so many possibilities. Here are just a few examples of how you can use a she shed to get inspired:

• Art studio
• Reading nook
• Nap room
• Yoga and meditation studio
• Weight-training workout room
• Wine tasting room
• Garden prep and seed-sowing room
• Writing nook
• Music recording studio
• Home movie theater
• Carpentry and wood-working shop
• Dance studio
• Sewing, knitting, or crocheting room
• Jewelry-making studio
• Bird-watching shed
• Outdoor breakfast nook
• Greenhouse with lounge space
• Photography studio
• Pottery studio
• Bouquet and flower arranging workshop
• Work-from-home office space

Tip!

Get more inspiration for she shed interiors in Watch: One She Shed, Three Ways.

She Shed Benefits

Below, we've outlined all the benefits of having a she shed, in case you're still on the fence about gifting yourself one. Your physical and mental well-being will thank you!

• Provides space for relaxation: Sure, your living room or bedroom can be relaxing, but then there's always something that calls to your attention, whether it’s chores, fur babies, kids, husbands, or other family members. You need a place that is yours and yours alone in which to relax. You can designate your she shed as a place where you can actually be alone with your thoughts, clear your mind, and recharge your social batteries so you can be your best self.
• Encourages you to stick with passion projects: It's easy to put off reading or crafting when you're staring down a pile of dishes. The magic of a she shed is that it removes you from your home environment and forces you to focus on your interests! So whether it's napping, reading, painting, or playing guitar, you have no excuse to put it off.
• Makes you take time for yourself: Overall, she sheds force you to put yourself first from time to time. This can help prevent burnout or stress from building up in your personal and professional life and keep you fulfilled.
• Helps limit distractions: As we touched on above, she sheds are the perfect place to go when you need to focus, relax, or work undistracted. It's easy to put off relaxation or to not make time for hobbies when there are so many other things to do!
• Keeps your home clean and uncluttered: Your she shed is the place you can go crazy with projects without worrying about making a mess in your house. Whether it's potting up and propagating plants, painting your next masterpiece, or making ceramics, your house will stay pristine! Just make sure that your shed is weather-proofed to prevent damage to your projects.

How Much Is a She Shed?

She sheds range in price depending on the size, features, and materials they come with. Small she sheds can be $500–$1000, while larger sizes with windows, sky lights, finished floors, or decorative architecture can range from $1,000–$10,000. Building a she shed yourself is a great option if you're on a budget and have the expertise. Review our guides on how to choose the right shed size and our shed designs guide to pick the perfect option for a personal retreat and your budget.

How to Decorate & Furnish Your She Shed

Whether you have a she shed ready to go or are still on the hunt for the perfect option, it's important to know how to furnish and decorate one. If you have yet to purchase a she shed, this is a great way to ensure you purchase a size and design that fits your furnishing/decor requirements. If you already have a shed you want to convert, then this will help you narrow down the size of furniture and decor that work best for your space. Now, follow these steps to turn your dream oasis into a reality.

1. Consider the Purpose of the She Shed

First, think about what you want to use the she shed for. This will influence the she shed size you need as well as what items you can fit inside. If you already have a shed you want to convert, you'll need to make sure it can accommodate your activities and furniture sizes. You may need to upgrade the size or design of your shed to achieve your goals. Reference the shed sizes and design guides in the above section for tips on picking out the best she shed for your needs. If you plan to create an art studio, you'll need a well-lit spot with plenty of room for an easel. If your goal is to meditate and do yoga, you'll need a generous amount of floor space to lay down your yoga mat. You may need to make room for wall storage to organize crafting accessories and keep the space open. You want the interior of your she shed to have a good flow so you can relax, create, or exercise with ease and without feeling cramped or cluttered.

2. Decide on a Color Scheme

Next, think about what color scheme you want for your she shed. Consider fun, vibrant paint colors and decor in she sheds where you want to be creative, and soothing neutral shades in she sheds where relaxation is the top priority. You can also paint the exterior of your she shed to help upgrade it from an everyday garden shed.

3. Remodel the Walls

Use tapestries, curtains, or moisture-resistant wallpaper to cover up the metal or plywood frame inside your she shed. This makes the space feel more cozy and reminiscent of a room inside your home, rather than reminding you you’re in a shed!

4. Lay Out an Area Rug

Similarly, you'll want to outfit the floors with a decorative area rug that matches your style. The right rug will help enhance the she shed's style and color scheme while cozying up shed floors. Check out our guide on How to Choose the Best Outdoor Rug Sizes to decide on the best size for your she shed.

5. Choose Outdoor-Friendly Furniture

Use outdoor furniture in your she shed to stand up to weather changes and outdoor conditions. This is important, as she sheds don't come with built-in heating or air conditioning systems unless you add them. You can use normal furniture inside of your she shed, but you need to make sure the shed is weather-proof to prevent moisture or pest damage. Make sure to measure the length, width, and height of the interior of your she shed to determine the maximum measurements for furniture. Still deciding on a she shed? Measure the size of furniture you want to include and use it as a guideline for the best shed size.

6. Install Suitable Lighting

Make your she shed warm, inviting, and functional with the right light sources. Light the pathway to your she shed with solar-powered path lights. Frame the shed door with outdoor wall sconces. Fill out the interior of your she shed with a mix of ambient and bright overhead lights including chandeliers or flush-mount lights, fairy lights, table lamps, or floor lamps.

7. Add Decorative Touches

Make the space your own with suitable she shed decor that speaks to your style and the purpose of the space. Opt for durable outdoor wall decor to decorate the exterior and interior of the shed. Outfit lounge spaces with outdoor throw pillows that have beautiful patterns or designs. Add fun decorative objects, bookends, vases, and candle holders around the space to help make it your own.

Tip!

Check out Before and After: A Stunning She-Shed Office and 12 Backyard Shed Ideas for more she shed decorating ideas.

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