1 | What’s Your Shed Style?

If you were to create your own she shed, what would it look like?

Sheds are by definition very practical, no-nonsense little structures. Derived from the Middle English word shade, a shed exists primarily for protection—a dry sheltered place to keep things safe.

This practical nature is still very present today even in the most stylish sheds, and for good reason. Keeping the shed’s inherent function is intrinsic to its appeal as a she shed. Each woman who possesses a she shed has her own personal reasons for using it. Usefulness is the real beauty in these structures, even if that usefulness includes serious naptime.

That being said, a woman’s joy comes not so much from the architectural style of the shed’s exterior as from the soul of its interior. Windows and French doors bring in the light of a spring day. Shelving provides a long-awaited place to put family photos or keep jars containing your go-to artist brushes.

No matter how your shopping list of must-haves compares to your budget, there are dozens of ways to modify, make do, salvage, and repurpose. Even women with money to spare enjoy the challenge of creating a haven for practically nothing.

So your shed style will evolve from the functional into its ultimate form. There are a few overarching shed styles that you can consider and some building tricks to achieve them that are within reach and affordable.

Modified Utility Shed

Most kit shed manufacturers provide a no-frills “utility shed” that is meant to serve a variety of functions. This is a shed that begins with a simple wall framing construction, a roof that is high enough to allow for a person to walk upright into the shed, and a single window to let in light. It is basic on purpose: the intention is to make it easy for you to customize it as you see fit.

Think of this shed as a starting point. It provides the floor, walls, and roofing that you require, but it needs your imagination and elbow grease to bring it into full she shed mode. From foundation to rooftop, there are dozens of ways to upgrade and personalize the structure.

For example, instead of laying flat on the ground, your shed can be raised up and given a specialty floor option, such as vinyl or laminate.

The exterior siding might consist of either basic flat plywood panels or shiplap siding. Shiplap siding is often installed vertically (think about a barn), but it can also be turned on its side to create a sleeker, more modern look. You can also add decorative trim and give it a two-color paint scheme.

The kit window is usually made of thin glass or even plastic, so it can be replaced with a true operating window. Sheds usually have very wide or double doors, but you can opt for a beautiful French door instead.

Modern

The modern look is most often equated with minimalism—straight lines, no frills, and a restrained palette with maybe one bright note of color here and there to keep things interesting.

Modern-style sheds are often built of horizontal wood siding or larger rectangular panels—aluminum, acrylic, and other modern materials are common as well. The roofline is flat or minimally sloped. Windows are large, single pane, and simply framed; upper-level clerestory windows and skylights satisfy the style’s natural light requirement. Decorative elements might include abstract sculpture or a tapestry of native or geometric design.

Another very appealing element to modern style is the removal of barriers between outdoors and indoors. Besides the large windows, many modern-style sheds have single or double glass doors opening out to a front deck.

Romantic/Vintage

If Pinterest is any indication, the romantic/ vintage aesthetic is probably the most popular in a she shed. The look is deeply feminine, borrowing from the still-thriving shabby chic tenets of muslin slipcovers, distressed antique furnishings, cabbage roses, and sparkling chandeliers. This style goes very well with Victorian architecture, especially Gothic; it’s also a good choice with a simpler cottage-style shed.

A romantic style accommodates women who collect china, art, fabrics, jewelry, or antique silver pieces. The collections become part of the design. Women with romantic-style she sheds experience a deep satisfaction in finally having a place of their own to decorate that doesn’t have to take into account anyone else’s opinion or style.

Classic

The classic style varies from country to country. It is essentially the home style that we each imagine in our minds, an etched impression we’ve had since childhood. Very often, a classic she shed will mimic the lines of a woman’s home—similar siding, window shapes, and roofline.

Think about the traditions of architecture in your own area. Does that sense of connection with home and country appeal to you? If you want a shed that serves more as a “second home” in your life, then a classic design approach could work well. Classic she sheds attempt to provide similar amenities of a proper home, on a smaller scale.

Rustic

The rustic she shed holds a particular beauty in its utter lack of finesse. Weathered, quirky, and eclectic, these structures appear to have sprung organically out of the ground where they sit.

Whether you are a nature lover or simply one who hates waste, the rustic design is appealing in that it embraces near 100-percent sustainability. These are sheds built with a hodge-podge of salvaged materials, donated windows, and leftover furniture from the house. What’s astonishing is how beautiful the end result can be.

These are by no means the only styles to consider. They offer advantages and ideas that you can incorporate or even layer. You will find—if you haven’t already—that visual cues and examples will be the building blocks on which you will plan your own space.

Anatomy of a Shed

No matter what the style and function, a shed is constructed with essential components. You can think of it like a stripped-down version of a small home.

Foundation. This is where it all begins. Your foundation supports the entire shed and keeps it firmly in one place. You’ll find more information on foundations in Chapter 7, but there are three types to consider: skid, slab, and raised (or pier).

♦ A skid foundation rests on a gravel bed and consists of two or more 4×4 beams with the floor frame built on top.

♦ A slab foundation is a level platform made of concrete that is poured into a wood frame about 6 inches in depth. The slab rests directly on top of the ground and can be used as flooring, or you can build a floor on top of it.

♦ A raised foundation rests on four piers—concrete cylinders dug partially into the ground for stability. The piers support the floor frame of the structure.

Which one is right for you? First check with local building codes to see if there are any rules for outbuilding foundations. Then you might seek the advice of a knowledgeable builder in the area. Slab and skid foundations are probably the easiest and least expensive to build, but raised foundations provide better protection from ground moisture and are good options on a sloped site.

A floor plan. Most she sheds are single rooms of a square or rectangular shape. They have no interior walls; half walls and other partitions can be added to conceal a storage area.

Walls. Walls consist of framing lumber, usually sheathed with an exterior-grade plywood panel. Most sheds do not have insulation or drywall. Instead, the stick wood framing is left exposed, providing rustic charm and ad hoc shelving on the nailers (horizontal studs).

Doors. Since they are designed to house large items, sheds are often designed with wide or double doors. Kit sheds usually come with simple swing-out doors, hung with heavy-duty metal hinges. Custom sheds often incorporate doors with glass, either single-pane or French style. Another fun option is a Dutch door, which is divided in half horizontally so you can open just the top for light and air.

Windows. Larger kit sheds (8×10 feet or more) will usually have at least one window in their design. The “glass” may be actual glass or acrylic. Most she shed owners will add or modify their windows, and it’s not difficult to do. Pay attention to window placement for optimal light, ventilation, and privacy.

A well-built shed is sturdy, watertight, and comfortable. A she shed should be tall enough for comfortable standing, roomy enough for simple furnishings, and equipped with windows for light and ventilation.