A SHED-load of ideas for your man cave
Whether you want to create a dream den or simply make the most of precious storage space, here are some top tips for getting started
Sheds can be the cornerstone of any garden – if they are used wisely. If yours is simply an outdoor storage space crammed full of tools, bikes and general junk, you’re not making the most of it.
Sheds should be so much more – a proper outdoor space that provides an escape from the pressures of life as you plan your next garden project. One recent survey even branded our garden sheds a British icon –alongside fish and chips, the Queen, a cup of tea and the Sunday roast.
Keeping it well- ordered – and spick and span – will save you endless time and frustration in the long run. So if you’re looking out of your window at a smelly, boring, brown junk- filled box with cracked windows, a leaky roof and cobwebs, it’s time to pimp your shed.
Here are some simple hints and tips on making the most of your shed.
They really can be the gardener’s Tardis – but not if you’re constantly fighting to find anything. So first you’ll need to clear everything out and check your shed’s structural integrity.
Get cracking and empty all the contents out on to the lawn and put stuff in groups.
High-value items such as mountain bikes, golf clubs and the like are usually best stored inside for security reasons. Get rid of as much as possible, give the shed a good brush out and then check it all over for leaks.
If there are any holes, use roofing felt and ordinary silicon bathroom sealant to plug gaps. While you’re at it, replace any broken windows and strengthen doors or walls with timber and nails where necessary. Go on, show it some love.
Then give your shed a proper scrubbing inside using a decent garden disinfectant like Jeyes Fluid.
And now you’re ready to begin your transformation.
Stick in some shelving units. Old bookcases, chests of drawers and kitchen units are perfect for storing fertilisers, seeds, smaller tools and other essential kit.
Screw hooks on the walls are ideal for keeping larger tools dry, safe and tidy. The more you get on to the walls, the more floor space you’ll have. Your shed will start to feel more like a proper outdoor room than a junk shop.
If you want it to be really smart, paint the inside and outside using coloured stain or paint.
There’s absolutely no need other than tradition to go with brown. Garden greens, reds, and even yellows and oranges can look classy.
It’s only the outside that needs protecting from the elements, but decorating inside too will help make you feel right at home – and lessen the chances of your shed simply becoming a dumping ground for household tat.
Now for furniture. Have you got an old sofa or some chairs? Or maybe the old coffee table would fit in?
If there’s space, add a workbench. It will make the shed more practical so you can do potting up, grow seeds and do other planting jobs.
Run some outdoor cable to the shed, and you can fix up lights, a heater and even a fridge or radio. These little things will encourage all-year-round use and make it feel far more cosy.
Then check out the flooring. An old rug or two can be used and rolled up over the winter.
Outside, embellish it with window boxes or containers – add trailing ivy or climbing plants.
Next, sort your content into three piles depending on how often you use them. Then arrange them with the least-used items at the back.
Finally, before you start putting everything back, be ruthless. Try to find at least five extra items that can be binned. Every bit of saved space is a bonus.