People talk about “creating the perfect man cave,” which is a masculine place in the home that resembles a sports-bar or movie theater. But, what about a serene sanctuary where you can escape all of the commotion of the household and be surrounded by nature?

Welcome to your "she-shed", a backyard retreat where you can escape and relax. It can also be a place where you can focus on your craft without distraction, like so many famous authors and artists have done. 

What is a She-Shed?

A she shed, sometimes called a "woman cave," is an outdoor shed designed to be a place to relax, unwind, and pursue your own interests. Long ago, writers like Virgnia Woolfe or Henry David Thoreau sought out such places for inspiration. Today, you can build one in your own backyard.

Possibly the biggest breakthrough for she sheds was this 2019 State Farm commercial about Cheryl and her burning she shed. It gained a cult internet following and spawned massive online searches for “what is a she-sheer she shed?” (Actually, the actress in the commercial is saying “chichier,” which is a slang term for “fancier”).

In any event, the she shed should reflect your creative side. In an era when many people do everything—from working full time to raising a family—a she shed provides a calm refuge in the storm of daily life.

 

What Goes in a She Shed?

Every she shed should reflect the owner's own interests and personality. It should be your own private retreat.

Here are some she DIY shed ideas to help inspire you:

• Pursue your crafting hobby in peace by building a mini workshop.
• Indulge your creative side by turning your she shed into a painting room or art center.
• Transform your rustic she shed into a mini greenhouse for gardening.
• Set up a work-from-home office.
• Fashion an inspirational setting for your writing.
• Make an exercise and prayer/meditation room to nurture both body and spirit.
• Build a quaint reading room or build a she shed porch where you can sip your morning coffee and absorb the sunlight.
• Create a friendly atmosphere and entertain your girlfriends with wine and good conversation.

Many people fill their she sheds with trinkets and artwork to beautify the space and make it their own. Add a comfy couch, light some scented candles, and string twinkling lights across the room to create a cozy escape. Not your thing? A she-shed can also be a place to jam out on your drumset or beat the sand out of a punching bag after a rough day. Anything you want can go in a she shed, but there are some practical considerations.

 

How to Build a She Shed?

Building a she shed is a very custom and personal project. There are no rules, except that a she shed is outside. In many cases, people will convert an existing tool shed into a she shed, while others build a DIY she shed completely from scratch.

Before starting your she shed project, you need to figure out a few basics:

1. Do you have the space for a she shed? Where are you going to put it? Many people like to build it next to a garden for an English countryside feel. You can install a window facing the garden and pretend you’re far from home each time you enter your she shed.
   
   
2. If you’re converting an existing tool shed into a she shed, where are you going to put all the tools and lawn equipment? If you don’t have extra space in a garage or basement, you can always split the difference and have a hybrid tool/she shed.
   
   
3. If you’re building the she shed from scratch, what materials will you use? To minimize costs, a popular practice is to repurpose old windows and doors as well as shelves and tables you might pick up at garage sales.
   
   
4. Who will build the she shed? Will you draft someone or take the project on yourself?
   
   
5. Will your she shed have a bathroom or electricity? Are you planning on using it year-round, even when it’s cold? We’ll discuss this in more detail below, but if you want heat, electricity, or running water, you’ll need plumbing and electrical running to your shed.

 

How to Power a She Shed

If you’re serious about turning your she shed into a hobby workshop of some sort, you will probably need electricity, whether it’s for a sewing machine or a wine cooler. You may also just want to power a TV or fan to stay comfortable.

In many cases, it may be worth having your electrician wire the she shed. If you only need to power a few small items, however, you may get by with a solar generator. A solar generator is compact, quiet and much simpler than running wire. For heavier electrical use, you may consider turning your she shed into a mini solar home. Consult an electrician before making your decision.

 

How to Heat and Insulate a She Shed

For many, she sheds are a seasonal space, used mostly in the spring and summer when it’s warm. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just like there are ways to heat your garage during the winter, you have options for keeping your she shed warm and toasty after the first frost.

One way is to install a wall furnace. These are sleek, low profile heaters that won’t be too difficult for a professional to install if you have a gas line running out to your she shed. You will need to directly vent the furnace out the wall to get rid of exhaust gases and bring in fresh air.

No gas line? There are electric furnaces available, as well as ductless mini split heat pumps. Overall, a mini split will run more efficiently and use less electricity than an electric furnace, but you will need both an indoor and outdoor unit. For any of these electric options, you will need wiring.

 

Find Peace in Your She Shed

Just imagine. At the end of a long day, you could have a private, comfy she shed waiting just for you. A place to escape reality, recharge your batteries, and emerge energized for whatever comes next. Whether you plan on building your own DIY she shed or repurposing an existing one, you deserve a she shed, so make it happen!

 

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