8 Garden Sheds That Go Above and Beyond
Extend your living space with a backyard cottage, home office or workshop
With home and garden space at a premium, many homeowners are asking more of their garden sheds. No longer simple structures that only store garden tools, garden sheds and outbuildings are increasingly being transformed into functional outdoor rooms. Whether you’re looking to add a backyard cottage or update an existing shed to better fit your needs, here are eight examples for inspiration.
To make an existing garden shed feel more like an outdoor room or office space, bring elements from the home into the shed, such as artwork, comfortable furniture and soft lighting. Here, a pair of patio chairs on the stoop provides a relaxing spot to take a break from work and enjoy views of the garden.
Inspiring ideas for garden sheds
Inspiring ideas for garden sheds
2. Storybook shed
Although this shed is a new addition to a working avocado ranch, the building looks as if it’s always been a part of the site. Reclaimed barn wood siding, traditional wood shake roofing and an off-centre Dutch door contribute to its rustic character.
Although this shed is a new addition to a working avocado ranch, the building looks as if it’s always been a part of the site. Reclaimed barn wood siding, traditional wood shake roofing and an off-centre Dutch door contribute to its rustic character.
Inside, a wide potting bench provides plenty of space for starting seeds for the vegetable garden and repotting seedlings. The space also houses garden tools and supplies for the chicken coop on the ranch.
3. Backyard two for one
Homeowners Aislin and Tim Gibson designed their garden shed as a ‘shed duplex’ with two distinct areas separated by an interior wall. The area to the left provides a place for storing tools, while the second space houses their brood of backyard chickens.
To construct the shed, they used a combination of new timber, corrugated aluminium roofing and salvaged redwood boards from a family member’s old deck. Designing a single structure to serve two purposes saves floor space and eliminates the need for additional outbuildings in the backyard.
Homeowners Aislin and Tim Gibson designed their garden shed as a ‘shed duplex’ with two distinct areas separated by an interior wall. The area to the left provides a place for storing tools, while the second space houses their brood of backyard chickens.
To construct the shed, they used a combination of new timber, corrugated aluminium roofing and salvaged redwood boards from a family member’s old deck. Designing a single structure to serve two purposes saves floor space and eliminates the need for additional outbuildings in the backyard.
In the shed’s chicken coop portion, a hatch lifts to reveal nesting boxes for easy egg collection by Aislin and Tim’s two young boys.
4. Blacksmith’s workshop
Take a lifetime hobby to the next level with a proper space to practice the craft. When Jennifer and Dick Lanne moved into their traditional house, they restored an old, leaning outbuilding and transformed the space into a blacksmith’s workshop.
Take a lifetime hobby to the next level with a proper space to practice the craft. When Jennifer and Dick Lanne moved into their traditional house, they restored an old, leaning outbuilding and transformed the space into a blacksmith’s workshop.
Dick has a large collection of hand tools for working with iron and wood, as he prefers the artistry of traditional techniques over modern machinery. Converting the shed into a workshop created plenty of space for Dick to keep his tool collection organised and within easy reach of his workbench and forge.
Dick Lanne and his blacksmith’s workshop
Dick Lanne and his blacksmith’s workshop
5. Cottage pod
Bound to become the most sought-after spot in the backyard, this take on the backyard shed can function as a backyard lounge, kid’s playroom, home office or meditation room.
Bound to become the most sought-after spot in the backyard, this take on the backyard shed can function as a backyard lounge, kid’s playroom, home office or meditation room.
To convert an existing garden shed into a relaxing retreat, consider painting the walls a light, inviting colour and adding a skylight. Allowing sunlight to illuminate the space during the day and welcome stargazing by night, skylights can be relatively inexpensive to install and offer big rewards.
6. Grown-up hangout
When interior designer Dominique Lobjois built her backyard potting shed, she didn’t anticipate that it would end up being a clubhouse for adults.
When interior designer Dominique Lobjois built her backyard potting shed, she didn’t anticipate that it would end up being a clubhouse for adults.
The cosy interior has become a favourite spot for guests to hang out in and even spend the night. Built-in shelves in the eaves and cabinets running along the side provide storage for baskets and garden accessories.
Read stories about outdoor living
Read stories about outdoor living
7. Side yard workshop
Extremely hard-working for its small size, this garden shed measures only 3.25 square metres but houses a workshop space, hidden storage for garbage bins and a mini deck for relaxing.
Extremely hard-working for its small size, this garden shed measures only 3.25 square metres but houses a workshop space, hidden storage for garbage bins and a mini deck for relaxing.
With the help of a designer, the homeowners were able to build the shed in two weeks, spending roughly US$5,000 on both labour and materials. Smart choices on building materials, including using salvaged windows and corrugated Plexiglas for the roof and one side, cut down the cost and allow light to shine through.
8. Cottage charm
Tucked in the back corner of the yard, under the boughs of a curly willow tree, this inviting garden shed blends in with the surrounding landscape.
To emulate this look, pick an understated shed design, select a slightly hidden spot for it and choose paint colours that pick up the hues of nearby plants and hardscape materials.
TELL US
Do you have a backyard shed? What do you use it for? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
See more great sheds and granny flats
Tucked in the back corner of the yard, under the boughs of a curly willow tree, this inviting garden shed blends in with the surrounding landscape.
To emulate this look, pick an understated shed design, select a slightly hidden spot for it and choose paint colours that pick up the hues of nearby plants and hardscape materials.
TELL US
Do you have a backyard shed? What do you use it for? Let us know in the Comments below.
MORE
See more great sheds and granny flats
Longing for a quiet place to work from home? Take a look at this backyard office, nestled against a lush woodland backdrop. The outdoor room includes a workspace, an area to relax in and wall-mounted hooks to store tools and accessories.