Transformations: Turn That Old Shed into a Women’s Retreat (Or, a She-Shed)

We’ve all heard the term “man cave”—but what about a relaxing, backyard respite for women? With some paint, light construction, and décor, you can turn a structure into the women’s retreat, a “she shed.”

We work hard, and there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. But despite how busy our lives are, we can’t forget to take time for ourselves. Time to unwind and escape that hustle and bustle—or even a noisy TV in the living room.

The ideas are seemingly endless to how you can transform a garden shed into a she shed! Whether you’re looking for a sewing or craft nook, a studio, a reading lounge, an exercise room, or an open and airy meditation area, with a little work, you can carve out a space just for you. Since women share many of the same interests as men, she sheds can look like man-caves, and that’s great!

The first step is cleaning out your existing shed so you can really get a handle on how much space you have. Plus, it’s easier to visualize the possibilities when you’re looking at an empty space. From there, draw up your plan—you can find ideas (even blueprints) online. Many design websites feature she shed makeovers—but don’t let the ideas sway you. Your shed should be uniquely you!

You will have so much fun watching your vision for a women’s retreat come to life—picking out colors, choosing décor, and installing shelves (maybe even a wine rack?) and getting furniture. But the best part will be sitting back and enjoying the space you’ve created!

Remember, alone-time is not just something that’s nice to have; solitude actually makes us happier and healthier!