A Room of Her Own

There might be no greater joy for a maker/creator than a sacred space where she can while away the hours in rapt devotion to her craft. Enter the she shed. “When we were considering purchasing our home, one reservation I had was how much smaller it was than our previous home,” Sarah explains. “I needed the space to sew, and there was no room in the house to do so.” The Chitwoods found their solution in a customized shed that they transformed into Sarah’s sewing studio. Here are some tips for planning a she shed of your own:

Do your research. To create a she shed that is comfortable and safe, take the time to research everything from zoning and building permits to associated costs, which not only include the price of the structure but any foundation, electrical and landscaping work. And, of course, you’ll need furniture to turn its interior into a proper room.

Establish its function. Have a primary purpose in mind for your she shed before spending any money. Will this be an art studio, crafting room or gardening shed? Establishing the shed’s function will help guide you in the design and placement of the structure and prevent you from having to make unforeseen changes midway through the project.

Set a budget. You know your shed’s purpose and understand the costs involved. Now it’s time to consider a budget. Once you are immersed in the project, you might be tempted to build bigger or include more features, but a firm budget can help keep you on track. Remember, you can always make improvements down the line.