Could your shed be put to another use? This overlooked outbuilding could be converted into everything from a bar to a sauna. Below are 17 ways to repurpose a shed that could inspire you to transform this structure.
Bar
An outdoor bar could be a great place to enjoy a few drinks with family and friends in the summer. You could convert your shed into a basic tiki bar, or you could consider something more elaborate with drink fridges, a TV and beer pumps. Check out this guide at House Digest on how to turn your shed into a backyard bar.
Home office
Need somewhere private and secluded to work from home? A shed could make a great home office. Having a separate building to work in could help you more easily separate your home and work life. No more Zoom meetings interrupted by kids.
Workshop
A shed could also make a great private workshop for carrying out repairs or craft hobbies. You can set up a work bench and store any equipment you need here. This could also serve as a man-cave/she-cave to get some alone time.
Gym
Always wanted a home gym, but don’t have the space for it? A shed could be the perfect space for working out – instead of cluttering up the living room with weights of exercise bikes, you can keep it all in here.
Playhouse
You could also convert your shed into a playhouse for the kids to play games in. It could be the perfect place to put all those bulky toys like kitchen play sets, toy prams and train sets. You can also get your kids to decorate it with you so that it feels like their very own space.
Outhouse
If you need an extra toilet, but don’t have space in your home for another bathroom, why not consider turning your shed into an outhouse. This could contain a composting toilet, or you could hire a company like Above and Beyond Drains And Plumbing to plumb in a toilet for you.
Art studio
A shed could also serve as a peaceful area to work on painting or sculpting. You can also store and display your pieces of artwork here. Just make sure that the shed is waterproof and insulated so that your artwork doesn’t get damaged.
Music studio
If you’re a musician, you could also turn your shed into a private recording studio. You could store instruments and musical equipment here, and potentially even collections of vinyl. Make sure that your shed is suitably soundproofed – this Shed Blog guide offers more tips for converting a shed into a music studio.
Library
Many avid bookworms dream of having their own private library. A shed could be ideal for a small book collection. It could also serve as a cozy private reading nook to escape to. Make sure that no moisture can get into your shed so that your books aren’t damaged.
Games room
A lot of people also turn their shed into a games room. It could be the perfect space to hang a dartboard or store a pool table. This could double up as a bar or as a playroom for kids.
Dog kennel
Why build a kennel when you have a shed? A shed could make a cozy escape for your dog – you can place their bed here and all their toys, and add a dog flap so that they can easily use the toilet whenever they need to.
Chicken coop
A shed could be used as a home for other more unusual animals – such as chickens. Chickens can provide a fresh supply of eggs and serve as a novelty pet. Most garden sheds are the size of your average chicken coop, however will need to be renovated to contain chicken-friendly features like roosting perches.
Sauna
If you live in a cooler climate, turning your shed into a private sauna could be a great idea. This requires adding extra insulation and a moisture barrier as well as working out what your heat source will be. Check out this guide for more tips on how to convert a shed into a sauna.
Hot tub room
Sheds can also make great spaces to install a hot tub. Having your hot tub in a sheltered indoor space could make it more suitable for use in all weathers. If you’ve got quite a large shed, you could even turn it into a private spa – dedicating one half to a hot tub and the other half to a sauna.
Potting shed
A potting shed is pretty much a workshop for gardening activities. It can also serve as a greenhouse for growing plants that may need extra shelter from the elements. Make sure there is ample room for a potting bench and plenty of natural light getting in.
Toolshed
This is technically what a shed is designed for – for storing tools. However, it doesn’t just have to be for gardening tools, but could also be a space for storing other DIY equipment from paint brushes to car jacks. Consider adding shelves and creating a clear labeling system so that all your tools are organized.
Wine shed
Who needs a wine cellar when you can have a wine shed? A shed is a great place for storing bottles of wine if you are a budding oenophile. This could double up as a private bar or simply be used for storage.
Conclusion
Sheds are very versatile spaces that shouldn’t just be used for dumping clutter. They can be a place to enjoy your private hobbies in peace, a secluded place to work and earn money, somewhere for the kids to play or the perfect home for pets. Such a conversion could be much cheaper than an attic conversion or garage conversion, while adding value to your home. There are plenty of guides online that can offer tips on how to repurpose your shed for different uses – even if you don’t feel your DIY skills are up to the mark, you could find that there are plenty of contractors out there who you can work with to make it happen.
