Outbuildings
Backyard Escapes: 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.
1. Office retreat. Longing for a quiet place to work from home? Take a look at this backyard office in Seattle, 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.
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.
2. Storybook shed. Although this shed is a new addition to a working avocado ranch in Southern California, 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-center 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.
See more of this rustic Santa Barbara shed
See more of this rustic Santa Barbara shed
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 lumber, corrugated aluminum 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.
To construct the shed, they used a combination of new lumber, corrugated aluminum 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.
See more of this combo shed and backyard
See more of this combo shed and backyard
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 a traditional Colonial house in upstate New York, 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 organized and within easy reach of his workbench and forge.
See more of this repurposed structure in New York
See more of this repurposed structure in New York
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.
To convert an existing garden shed into a relaxing retreat, consider painting the walls a light, inviting color 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 in Los Angeles, she didn’t anticipate that it would end up being a clubhouse for adults.
The cozy interior has become a favorite 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.
7. Side yard workshop. Extremely hard-working for its small size, this garden shed in Santa Barbara, California, measures only 90 square feet 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 $5,000 on both labor 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.
See more of this compact California shed
See more of this compact California shed
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 colors that pick up the hues of nearby plants and hardscape materials.
More
How to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living
10 Ways to Revamp Your Garden Shed
To emulate this look, pick an understated shed design, select a slightly hidden spot for it and choose paint colors that pick up the hues of nearby plants and hardscape materials.
More
How to Add a Backyard Shed for Storage or Living
10 Ways to Revamp Your Garden Shed