We’ve compiled the best she shed ideas so you can create your own little slice of heaven. But what exactly is a she shed? In short, it's a woman’s answer to the man cave. A space that’s just for you, cleverly positioned away from the hustle and bustle of the house, so that ‘me time’ can become a little easier.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to exactly what a she shed should be. Whether you need a space for your favourite creative hobby, a relaxing place to unwind at the end of the day, or a room to get your head down and work in peace, a she shed can be a brilliant, and relatively inexpensive, solution.
So if a private retreat at the bottom of the garden sounds like the stuff of dreams, and you're raring to transform your humble wooden shed into a delightful den, check out our favourite design ideas, then take a look at our round up of the best sheds for every budget.
1. Create an artistic space
Whether you’re a budding painter, writer or print maker, give your hobby the attention it deserves with a dedicated hobby room in the garden. Painting the inside of the shed as well as the outside goes a long way in making your she shed feel like less of a shed, and more like a room.
This shed was transformed with Royal exterior paint in Rose Pink on the outside and silver grey on the inside, both from Protek. The soft colours make for a calming environment to get those creative juices flowing.
2. Embrace the dark side
Don’t be afraid of a lick of dark paint when it comes to painting your she shed. Dark colours have a cosy and cocooning feel that make you want to grab a blanket and hunker down with a nice cuppa and a good magazine.
We love how the window frames and ceiling here have been left in their natural wood tones, emphasising the effect of a cosy lodge. This she shed décor matches the main house’s decorating scheme perfectly, making it feel like an extension of the home. See the whole she shed and more at @e.t.shown_home.
3. Work from home? Work from your she shed instead
Working from home will always be a pleasure in a separate space like this. This she shed, created by print and pattern designer and entrepreneur Rachael Taylor, is big enough to store work materials and fit in a large desk. The bright coral front doors make for a vibrant and welcoming entrance, setting you up perfectly for a good day at the office. We love how the plant pots are painted in the same colours as the interior, blurring the boundary between inside and out. For a similar shed, try Waltons.
4. Create a gin bar for a girls' night out
If a gin bar in your garden sounds like a dream, it’s easier to achieve than you may think. Here a wooden bar has been installed, bottle holders attached to the wall, blackboard paint used for a menu, and all that’s left to do is position the all-important gin itself and invite the girls round. This was an entry for Cuprinol Shed of the Year awards, and one of our favourites.
5. Keep organised with slimline storage
Whatever your she shed’s purpose, ensure you’ve got everything you need raring to go with some handy and stylish storage. A clever tip is to use Ikea picture ledges to display decorative items, such as the tiles shown here. As they’re fairly narrow, they’ll take up less of your shed’s precious space, while allowing you to display your personality and inspiring pieces. A small chest of drawers is perfect for larger items, too.
6. Create a second living room
This lovely she shed by @life_of_isatu has everything you could want in a living room, with the added bonus that there's no squabbling over the remote, or squabbling over anything for that matter, as this one's just for you. Position a mirror facing out of your shed to reflect the garden and make your room feel bigger. For a similar wood paint, try White Daisy at Cuprinol.
7. Find your inner zen with a tranquil den
Japanese-inspired interiors promote relaxation and order, so if your she shed is destined to be your place of calm, listen up. Low seating, such as a low-level sofa or even an oversized floor cushion, will typically make your room feel larger, and your ceiling higher. Simple lines and natural textures, as favoured by homeware brand Mkira, will help to conjure a feeling of tranquility and peace. Exposed wood cladding on internal walls adds to the overall effect.
8. Extend your she shed décor outside
Maximise your she shed’s potential for social gatherings (cocktails in the garden anyone?) by positioning your shed next to your patio. Using the same decorating scheme indoors and out, such as the soft pinks and grey shown here, will help to unify the two spaces. To continue the party after dark, go for several strings of on-trend festoon lights, and invest in a chiminea or fire pit for aded warmth once the sun has gone down.
9. Consider the architecture of your she shed
If you’re investing in a new shed rather than updating an existing one, you’re in the lucky position of being able to choose your shed’s architecture. The shape, materials and finishings of your she shed can make a huge difference to how it feels from both the outside and inside.
If you're after more of a country cottage look, a she shed with scalloped detailing and a shingle roof will do the job, as shown by this pretty design from The Posh Shed Company.
10. Choose colourful flooring for an uplifting vibe
Your flooring can go a long way to transforming the entire feel of your she shed. This colourful design, created by owner Rachael Taylor, is perfect for creating an energising workspace. If you’re after something calmer, display your exposed wooden boards, but throw down some soft rugs for comfort. If you love a patterned floor tile (and who doesn’t?) you can easily replicate the look on wooden floors by using a simple stencil and some coloured floor paint – check out Dizzy Duck Designs for a great range of stencils for your she shed project.
11. Create a gardener’s happy hideaway
Love nothing more than pottering with your plants? Whether you’re potting, repotting or watering, a she shed where you can tend to your plant babies come rain or shine could be a game changer. All you need is a table big enough for your pots, a chair for comfort, some hooks for practicality, and you’re sorted!
There is no crisper palette than blue and white, and this shed by Cuprinol combines them to perfection. The patterned window blinds are a great finishing touch for a more homely feel.
12. Go for added comfort with cushions and throws
You can never have too many cushions, as perfectly demonstrated in @simplecozycharm ‘s delightful she shed. Choose a particular palette, such as soft pinks, greys and whites as shown here, and go all out. We’re talking layers of cushions, and maybe even some for the floor, too. So whether you’re snuggling up to read, lying down for a nap or working at your desk, comfort takes priority. For a similar pendant light, try Cox & Cox
13. Go ultra modern with vibrant windows
A she shed is the perfect place to experiment with bold décor. We love the bright yellow window panes on this shed from Waltons – not only do they make a real statement inside and out, but they’ll create a warm glow as the sun seeps through too. Faux grass used inside as an alternative floor covering creates a fun, chilled out vibe, plus it's hardwearing and won't show up any dirt you might traipse in from the garden.
