OUT OF THE BOX
HOW TO TURN A SHED INTO A CHARACTER-FILLED HOME.
Our guide on how to turn a shed in to a character-filled space to live in.
WHETHER TUCKED AWAY at the bottom of a garden or standing proudly in a paddock, sheds are a ubiquitous part of Australian life. But lately they’ve become more than just a basic structure for storage, garden tools or odd jobs. Sheds are getting a makeover as the perfect place for a spare room, a relaxing retreat, or even a second dwelling.
Renovating an existing shed may be an option for some, but experts suggest that it’s easiest to build from the ground up, so you can take into account the extra requirements you’ll need for a comfortable living space, such as insulation, windows and ventilation. “Even the concrete slab has to be designed differently to allow for moisture barriers and strength,” explains Max Italiano, managing director of Action Sheds in Western Australia.
If you keep the footprint small and the details simple, a shed home can be quite cost effective, adds architect Alexandra Ansari. Here, we’ll walk you through the steps to building a shed-style retreat in your own backyard. >
Planning
Take a moment to consider what the shed will be used for — now and in the future. For example, you may want a bedroom for a teenager, a self-contained studio to rent out on Airbnb, or it may need to fulfil multiple roles, such as an office and guestroom. “The most important thing is to really think about what you want to get out of it,” says Alexandra. “Do you need a kitchen, or could you get away with just having it as a room? Be really clear, because costs can be a lot higher if you want the full kit.”
Location should also be a key consideration. James Hudson, owner and builder of Blackbird, a luxury bed and breakfast in the Byron Bay hinterland, says that his modern shed-style pavilions would have looked entirely different if they were built somewhere else. “I think the landscape and environment is always going to dictate the final product,” he shares. “I believe things like this have to come from the heart — I don’t think it’s a cut and paste situation.”
Design
An industrial designer by trade, James deliberately kept the layout of the three Blackbird pavilions simple — the minimal concrete boxes resemble shipping containers in shape and the slim interior space contains just a small kitchen nook, a bathroom and a combined living and bedroom area.
“It all just comes down to what kind of things you need — and what you expect on holiday — and how to maximise it,” he explains. “I also wanted to ensure that when you’re inside, it feels like you’re the only people here, so when you’re in bed all you can see is sky from the high louvres to the left or right … and there are big glass doors in front of you which frame the view.”
The small scale of a shed can allow you the freedom to experiment with styles and finishes, Alexandra notes. “You can go very minimalistic, or you could opt for a timber and corrugated iron combination, like a typical shed, and make the inside more special — because it’s a small space it won’t immediately bust the budget,” she says. “Often it comes down to what your main house looks like — you would always link it back in some way so it doesn’t look too alien.”
What will it cost?
Your outlay for a custom-built shedstyle home will be dictated by your unique situation and vision for the project, says Alexandra. “It depends on so many factors, from general size, inclusions (kitchen, bathroom, joinery) to things like accessibility — can the builder drive a ute right up to the building site or does he have to hand deliver; can he get a bobcat on site or will he have to hand excavate?”
If you have the appropriate skills to get on the tools you could slash costs, as labour is always the priciest aspect of a new build. “Custom building is expensive, as it is all done by physical labour; man hours equals cost,” Alexandra explains.
Max says that opting for a steel shed-style home will save you dollars compared with a brick and tile structure. “We do shed comparisons compared to brick sheds for instance,
“... really think about what you want to get out of it. Do you need a kitchen, or could you get away with just having it as a room?”
and you’d save 20 to 30 per cent, easy,” he says. The steel frame also offers far superior insulation qualities, he adds.
Customising a kit shed might be worth exploring: Max says an 84 square metre steel shed ($24,000 off the shelf) dolled up with internal walls, insulation, a bathroom and kitchen will set you back between $85,000 to $100,000, depending on the finishes and fixtures you choose.
Materials
Hard-wearing materials that are fire resistant are ideal for a shed. Max says a matte, corrugated steel like Spandek laid horizontally “looks fantastic”, while a composite fibre cement cladding that mimics timber is a good option because it’s durable and won’t warp.
At Blackbird, James used hardwood and tin salvaged from an old banana packing shed on his property to keep costs down and give the concrete sheeting-clad pavilions character. The reception and communal space is simply a customised off-the-shelf steel shed, with reinforcing mesh layered over foil-backed insulation bats inside to give it a “nesting” feel and use up excess materials. “I was trying to reduce my waste to an absolute minimum,” he explains.
For flooring, Alexandra says it’s hard to go past concrete. “It has that utilitarian feel to it, and you can polish it up nicely or colour it,” she says.
If you prefer a warmer feel underfoot, try floating floorboards over the slab.
A corrugated tin roof is the natural choice, but Alexandra suggests going green: “A green roof or green walls can make the shed blend into your garden.” A living roof also provides natural insulation — just don’t skip the waterproofing layer!
For more information, visit ansariarchitects.com.au, blackbirdbyron.com.au and actionsheds.com.au