Getting the Perfect Backyard She Shed

The She Shed Chronicles – Part 1

From a very early age, I loved having my own private little space. So, getting the perfect backyard She Shed was an amazing birthday present!

From a very early age, I loved having my own private little space. So, getting the perfect backyard She Shed was an amazing birthday present!

This post is the first in a series of posts sharing thoughts, ideas, and the beauty of having your own personal space. In this first post, we will look at getting the perfect backyard she shed, whatever that looks like for you.

What is a She Shed?

“She Sheds” can come in a wide variety. They don’t have to be an actual building in the backyard. You could have a She Shed in an unused room, a closet, on a porch, a backyard hideaway, or a variety of other areas. As long as it is a private space for you, (a dedicated space to do with what you want), it should work. It is the equivalent of a man cave for men.

My Childhood “She Sheds”

As I mentioned, I always loved having my own little space all to myself. Several things probably played into this, one being my introvert personality. I love being around people, but after a while, I have to have alone time to recharge! As a child, I didn’t understand this, but I guess I made it happen. 

As crazy as this sounds, I can remember a Bugs Bunny cartoon where it showed his home. Of course it was underground, secluded, and very cozy! I was so envious and dreamed about having a Bugs Bunny hideaway. 😂 I love natural light too much for a little space underground to work though.

I can also remember:

• Reading in the tree of our front yard
• Making my own clubhouse (for one) in my closet. I had books, notebooks, pens, a lamp, a walkie-talkie, and a secret code (knock) that went through to my sister’s clubhouse closet.
• My grandparents built us a playhouse that was like a real little house in the backyard. It was a small space, but it had everything we could ever want: electricity, lamps, a kitchen, a sitting area, and a bedroom.

My Current She Shed

Fast forward several decades – I decided I wanted a personal space of my own again. The kids were gone, and Jay didn’t care if I took over one of the extra bedrooms if I wanted. However, I wanted my own backyard getaway. I searched and contemplated for months, trying to decide what would be best for me. I narrowed it down to an outdoor storage type building or a vintage camper. The possibilities were endless with both, and you could make both of them adorable.

Check out the Pinterest Board I started then with all of the She Shed ideas I loved. I continue to add new thoughts and ideas to this even now.

Other She Shed Options

There are other great options for outside buildings, if that is what you are looking for in a She Shed. Here are a few ideas for a new or an already existing structure:

• Shed Kit that you put together with step-by-step instructions
• Brand new structure or new shed (pre-fab or custom build)
• An old tool shed
• A garden shed or greenhouse
• A potting shed
• An unused barn 
• An old storage shed
• Any unused living spaces

She Shed Purposes

The main things to think about when planning to get a She Shed is what you want to use it for and how much room you will need. You want to make sure you will have enough room. I started to get a smaller building, but it was my husband who suggested the larger one. He was right in that!

When I first got mine, it was my Coffee Shop/Prayer Room. Lots of prayers and Bible reading has gone on between those four walls! I feel like it has an anointing on it, and I can hear the Lord just a little bit more clearly when I am out there.

I am in the process of converting my little backyard getaway into my home office for Home With Grace and Joy. Bible study and prayer will still happen out there, but now that I am working full time from home, I feel like I need to separate home and work.

Here are some other great ideas for a She Shed:

• Art Studio
• Reading Nook – Every time you get a good book, you can go read in your own private quiet place!
• Potting Shed
• Yoga Studio or Workout Area
• Craft Room
• Sewing Room
• Other Creative Avenues
• Coffee or Tea Room for you and a close friend

What I Purchased

Once I narrowed it down to an actual building instead of the vintage camper, I still had decisions to make. I started by looking at the ready-made buildings at Home Depot and Lowe’s. They were very nice, and I liked them, but a guy we had known for years had a business where he had them made to order. I chose:

• Square Footage – 10X16 
• Color – Gray with black trim
• Material – Wood covered with metal siding

I did not get any of the extra options because I knew we would do our own thing. In fact, we got it without electricity, insulation, or inner walls. Jay is more of a DIY project person than I am, but the hard work paid off. The finished product worked out better than if we would have purchased it finished. It is very customized with unique family items and heirlooms. (I will share some of these in upcoming posts.)

​Still to Come

​I have lots I would like to share about She Sheds and having your own personal space. There was definitely a learning curve to putting it all together, but that has actually been the fun part. It has been such a great opportunity to decorate the entire shed exactly as I wanted. Now that I am redoing it, the fun is starting over again. Here are some of the topics I would like to share, maybe once a month:

• Getting a Dream and Plan for the She Shed
• Adding the Necessities to the She Shed
• Putting a Little History into the She Shed – The Ceiling
• Finishing the Walls and Flooring
• Sentimental Items
• Accessories & Furniture and Where to Find the Best Deals and Ways to Keep the Total Costs Down
• The Finished Product
• Productivity Tips for Working from Home

I hope you will join me each week as I share posts of faith, food, family ideas, and more about the She Shed. If you would like to receive these directly to your inbox, please join below. You will also receive 5 of the EASIEST candy recipes I have ever found.

Setting Up a She Shed or Man Cave for Your Child

​Because I loved having my own space as a child, I automatically think all kids would like it. That is probably not the case, but for those who do… Here are a few ideas:

• Find a small space they can call their own.
• Put comfy items in it – A chair, blanket, etc.
• Let them choose things they have an interest in, such as:
  • Journals
  • Small Notepad for spy notes
  • Sticky Notes
  • Pens, pencils, and markers
  • Books
  • Lamps
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Other hobbies and interests

You may just find that they have been dreaming of a Bugs Bunny home as well! 😊 If so, they will thank you for this space.

Products for a Kid’s She Shed or Man Cave

Here are a few fun ideas to get your child’s own little space started.

Girls’ Journal/Diary
Boys’ Journal/Diary
Small Notepads

Fun Sticky Notes
Walkie Talkies
Rechargeable Lamp

I would love to hear from you. Do you have a special private space that is only yours? Please share about it in the comments.

Related Posts

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In the War Room

Until next week…

disclosure: Amazon affiliate links are used on this page. Thank you for supporting Home with Grace and Joy. When you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure and privacy policy on the website. 

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21