10 Backyard Sheds With Extra-Special Features
Personalise your shed to make it cosier and more functional – so it's an ideal place to while away the hours in
Charmean Neithart
21 December 2014
My fascination with small spaces started when I was a kid. Our house was small, with tiny closets. The hall closet was the space designated for my things only. I loved that little closet and filled it with all my favourite things, really the first space I ever decorated.
A shed is a glorious space to me. I’m really not picky about how finished it appears. I just love the idea of a mini space that can be used for hobbies, relaxing, solitude or storage. Usually it tells a story about the homeowner. A shed feels like that closet used to, a small space just for your things. Sheds can be rustic or orderly; it’s really up to you. I poked around Houzz to see what folks are doing out in their sheds. Take a look, pick up some ideas and let me know what’s in your own backyard shed.
A shed is a glorious space to me. I’m really not picky about how finished it appears. I just love the idea of a mini space that can be used for hobbies, relaxing, solitude or storage. Usually it tells a story about the homeowner. A shed feels like that closet used to, a small space just for your things. Sheds can be rustic or orderly; it’s really up to you. I poked around Houzz to see what folks are doing out in their sheds. Take a look, pick up some ideas and let me know what’s in your own backyard shed.
1. Weathered furniture
A shed is a great place for your old chairs and benches. No need for shiny surfaces and stain-resistant fabrics. This is your chance to track in dirt and scratch the furniture.
A shed is a great place for your old chairs and benches. No need for shiny surfaces and stain-resistant fabrics. This is your chance to track in dirt and scratch the furniture.
2. Gardening tools
Of course, a shed is a natural place for the tools you use for gardening, potting up plants and working on your landscape. Extra pots, shovels and pitchforks are the only accessories you’ll ever need.
Of course, a shed is a natural place for the tools you use for gardening, potting up plants and working on your landscape. Extra pots, shovels and pitchforks are the only accessories you’ll ever need.
3. Flower harvesting gear
A shed can house all the things necessary to harvest your garden flowers – baskets, shears and footwear for tromping through the dirt.
A shed can house all the things necessary to harvest your garden flowers – baskets, shears and footwear for tromping through the dirt.
4. An environment for drying
Most sheds have dry heat, the perfect environment for preserving flowers and herbs. Cut a few of your favourites and hang them upside down from rafters and hooks for use in arrangements, cooking and potpourri.
Most sheds have dry heat, the perfect environment for preserving flowers and herbs. Cut a few of your favourites and hang them upside down from rafters and hooks for use in arrangements, cooking and potpourri.
5. Salvaged plumbing
If you are a vintage buff, a shed is the perfect place for some plumbing fixtures with character, such as salvaged sinks and tapware available from antiques stores, junk yards and sites such as eBay.
If you are a vintage buff, a shed is the perfect place for some plumbing fixtures with character, such as salvaged sinks and tapware available from antiques stores, junk yards and sites such as eBay.
6. A cosy chair
Why not? Pulling weeds, pruning and planting can be exhausting. Stick a big cosy chair in your garden shed for a spontaneous nap by a sunny window.
Why not? Pulling weeds, pruning and planting can be exhausting. Stick a big cosy chair in your garden shed for a spontaneous nap by a sunny window.
7. The shed uniform
Add hooks on the door for a casual entry and storage place for your garden hat, apron and boots.
Add hooks on the door for a casual entry and storage place for your garden hat, apron and boots.
8. Open air
The most important element to a shed, in my opinion, is the roof: It’s best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. An open-air shed can house most things that a more traditional enclosed shed can.
The most important element to a shed, in my opinion, is the roof: It’s best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. An open-air shed can house most things that a more traditional enclosed shed can.
9. Bins
Open bins can help you organise your shed stuff in style. Custom cabinets and plumbing are definitely luxurious touches for a shed. Warm wood and rustic finishes help keep the look casual here.
Open bins can help you organise your shed stuff in style. Custom cabinets and plumbing are definitely luxurious touches for a shed. Warm wood and rustic finishes help keep the look casual here.
10. A place for pets
Chances are, your pet likes to follow you wherever you go. Include a space for your pooch or cat when you head outdoors for some shed time. When your pet is comfortable, you are more likely to get the peace and quiet you crave.
TELL US
Are you a lucky shed owner? Please share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Shed Spruce Up: Inspiring Ideas for Garden Sheds
Stickybeak of the Week: A Humble Shed Becomes a Multipurpose Retreat
Style USA: Is This the Coolest Garden Shed You’ve Ever Seen?
Chances are, your pet likes to follow you wherever you go. Include a space for your pooch or cat when you head outdoors for some shed time. When your pet is comfortable, you are more likely to get the peace and quiet you crave.
TELL US
Are you a lucky shed owner? Please share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Shed Spruce Up: Inspiring Ideas for Garden Sheds
Stickybeak of the Week: A Humble Shed Becomes a Multipurpose Retreat
Style USA: Is This the Coolest Garden Shed You’ve Ever Seen?
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My husband and I recently built my "Mermaid's Garden Studio" together. It's a dreamy place.
I absolutely love it...
Have some really nice potting sheds there. So many nice ones to choose from.
So how many sheds do I need.
One for hot tub, yoga mat, cosy chair and steam room???
the next for a guest cottage bedroom tiny shower room and small kitchen counter and somewhere to eat and sit.
The third for the grandkids to play in.
Ah well I can dream can't I