Move Over "Man Cave" & Make Room for the "She Shed"

When house hunting there has often been a room reserved as a masculine den, game room, or man cave. While there certainly isn’t anything wrong with this, there is a new trend that is growing in popularity in  Los Feliz, the Hollywood Hills, Venice, Malibu, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades — she sheds!

What Is A She Shed?

What makes a she shed different from simply converting a spare bedroom into a private space for her, is that she sheds are traditionally completely separate from the home. While the she shed does not have to be large (hence the name shed), it is designed to be a quaint safe haven she can escape to when in need of some well-deserved “me time.”

Make It What Ever You Want

Many she sheds are designed with decorative windows, skylights, and doors that open outwards allowing the fresh air in. Day beds, chaise lounges, or comfy seating are a must—and maybe even a table for two if she wants to invite a friend over for afternoon tea. There might even be enough room left over for yoga or mediation.

She Sheds—Small But Mighty

Most of these backyard beauties have electricity and maybe even heating or cooling, but most do not have a bathroom or running water. This helps to keep construction costs low. Even if there is no running water, adding a she shed will certainly beautify your backyard—and increase your property value. Even though there is not a bathroom, the she shed can double as a guest room when out-of-state friends and family come to visit.

Get Creative

While traditional sheds in Los Feliz, the Hollywood Hills, Venice, Malibu, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades are typically rectangular or square—there is much more flexibility when it comes to the architecture and design of a she shed. Get creative with more than just the doors and windows, but consider creating a cool and contemporary refuge, or even a cottage-inspired she shed. You could also add a mini patio, or beautiful entrance way. Talk with your builder about the possibility of placing your she shed in an underutilized or uneven area of your backyard—where the hill may allow the shed to be larger inside than it appears to be on the outside.

She sheds are an excellent home extension. Depending on the design elements you select, and how many amenities you prefer—she sheds can be a fairly inexpensive, fast, and easy to build.