Our Top Ideas for How to Make a Shed Livable
Transform Your Shed With These 10 Ideas
Have a shed that’s currently housing old junk or sitting empty in your backyard? Converting the shed into a room could be a great way to add more living space to your property. Depending on your needs, it can serve many different uses, from a tiny home to a kids playhouse.
10 Shed Conversion Ideas
1. Convert Your Shed Into a Tiny House
Creating a shed guest house is the perfect solution for any time your family comes for a visit. It’s also a great opportunity to start your own vacation rental, assuming it’s legal in your area.
If the shed isn’t far from the main house with access to a bathroom, you can keep your shed-to house-conversion simple and just make it a cozy place for sleeping. Install floating shelves to free up floor space, a plush rug and a comfy bed with soft bedding. You might also consider including amenities like a nightstand by the bed, a storage solution for guests’ clothes and toiletries, a TV and a mini refrigerator.
Can You Legally Turn a Shed into a House?
Yes, most cities allow homeowners to convert sheds into guest houses, but there are some areas with rules against it. Before getting started on this project, check with your local municipality to see if you’ll need a permit. Many local building departments require a building permit for new construction and remodeling improvements. Some areas may not allow a shed guest house with water and electricity.
HOA rules may also limit your shed transformation plans. If you’re part of a homeowners association, ask the building committee if your plans are acceptable. Prepare a blueprint that includes the dimensions and positioning of your shed, if necessary.
Converting a shed into a house may also require meeting specific building codes related to fire safety, ceiling height, loft access, ventilation and structural integrity.
“Homeowners wishing to build or purchase a shed would need to determine in advance what their plans for use are. Some local codes allow for small accessory structures (non-residential use) with interior open wall construction to be manufactured without a WRB (water resistive barrier). If your plans are to use as an office or additional living space, follow local codes for construction and applying WRB and insulating. As always, consult your local officials before construction of sheds or other accessory structures.”
Brian Mathis, Construction Services Associate II, LP Building Solutions
2. Turn Your Shed Into a Home Office
If you work from home, having a designated home office space outside your main house can provide a quiet space to concentrate and help you keep some work-life balance. Converting your shed to an office will help create the mental distance you need to keep work and home separate, even if your commute is just to the backyard.
Arrange your office furniture based on where the outlets are, so you know exactly where to plug in your laptop and phone charger — ideally somewhere near a window with natural light. A comfortable chair, cozy rug and a plant or two can really help set the mood for you to have productive days, without ever leaving your property.
3. Turn Your Shed Into a Classroom
Much like having a separate home office to work in, a distinct space for schooling can go a long way. If you are homeschooling, cyberschooling or just looking to create a cute study space, a classroom shed conversion project is an easy way to make learning fun. Your kids are still close to you and the house if they need help, but this gives them their own space to really concentrate on their schoolwork.
To convert your shed into a classroom, add bookshelves for a mini library with bean bags or soft rugs for sitting, set aside one corner for art and use kid-friendly storage solutions to swap out different activities based on your lesson plans.
4. Turn Your Shed Into a She Shed or Man Cave
Create an oasis for any time you need to get away by converting your space into a she shed or man cave. Deciding how to build a she shed or man cave depends on your personality and your hobbies.
Are you a bookworm? Give your shed a mini library filled with your favorite books and a couple of novels you’ve been meaning to scratch off your reading list.
Looking for a retreat to watch Sunday Night Football? Set up a TV or projector screen and fill the room with items from your favorite sports teams.
5. Turn Your Shed Into a Carpentry Workshop
Unleash your woodworking skills in your own workshop. Converting a shed into a room for woodworking allows you to work on projects without disturbing others in your home.
The equipment you choose to include will depend on your specific skill level, but a sturdy workbench, tools and a dust collection system are essential to start. Ensure you have good lighting and organized spaces. A typical woodworking shop includes separate areas for lumber storage, stationary machines and finishing.
6. Turn Your Shed Into a Gym
Prioritize personal wellness by transforming your shed into a functional gym where you can exercise conveniently at home.
Before buying equipment, make sure you have room for the exercises you love most. If you’re working with a smaller space with low ceilings, for example, you might opt for more floor equipment and free weights instead of a large weight rack and box jumps. A simple home gym can include weights, resistance bands and a yoga mat. If you plan to use cardio equipment, make sure you have the outlets you need to plug machines in.
7. Turn Your Shed Into a Kids Playhouse
Transforming your shed into a playhouse for a child is a fun project that can encourage your child’s imagination and keep your own living space clean. Make the space feel special and personalized to your kids by adding furniture, decor, toys and games.
8. Turn Your Shed Into a Greenhouse
If you’re an avid gardener, create the perfect environment for your plants with a greenhouse. Converting your shed into a growing space means you get to garden all year long. Install plenty of windows to make sure your plants get the sunlight they need. You’ll also want to make sure the shed is well-ventilated and any raised beds have lots of drainage to keep your plants in their perfect environment.
9. Turn Your Shed Into a Music Studio
Passionate about producing music? Having a dedicated studio can provide you with the privacy and space you need to practice without disturbing others in your home.
Extreme temperatures can affect instruments and gear, so you’ll need to install heating, cooling or insulation to maintain a suitable environment. If you live in a cold climate, use a humidifier to keep your instruments from cracking. Soundproofing the space will help create quality recording conditions.
10. Turn Your Shed Into a Dog House
Want to provide your furry friend with a comfortable outdoor living space? Consider your dog’s size, breed and specific needs to convert your shed into a custom dog house. This space can simply include a bed, water and a few toys.
Add a doggy door so your pooch has easy access to your dog-friendly backyard. You can also consider adding a dog washing station to make bath time more convenient.
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How Much Does It Cost to Make a Shed Livable?
Converting your shed into a living space can cost between $5,000 and $40,000, depending on the size of your shed and how much work you’d like to do to it. If you’re just adding some paint and lighting, for example, you can expect your shed conversion to cost a little less. But, if you’re overhauling the space and adding big utilities like water and air conditioning, your budget might be on the higher end of this range. There are four key factors that will impact the overall cost of your shed conversion:
4 Factors That Impact the Cost of Your Shed Conversion
Size
The overall shed renovation cost will depend on the size and amenities you plan on adding. The larger the shed, the more materials and labor required to convert it into the livable space you want.
Material Costs
Material costs vary depending on the current condition of your shed and the type of conversion you choose to tackle.
Materials for a simple conversion covering insulation, electrical wiring and small finishes could cost around $5,000. Anything beyond the basics will add to the cost of your shed conversion. High-end materials or more complicated renovations, like plumbing, can greatly raise the overall cost of your project.
Labor
If you know how to convert a shed into a room using your own DIY skills, you’ll save on labor costs. However, certain tasks such as plumbing and electrical work may require professional help. On average, plumbers and electricians charge $80 an hour for labor, so you can expect your project costs to go up if they need to spend more time on your shed.
Contractor costs vary based on the amenities you choose to install. More extensive shed transformations will take longer to renovate, leading to higher labor costs. For example, the cost of converting a shed into a house will be much more than creating a simple she shed.
Location
Renovation costs always vary depending on the overall cost of living in your area, and some cities charge more for permits than others. Compliance with local building codes may also impact the cost of materials and labor.
The climate in your region will also affect the type of materials needed for renovation. In areas with extreme weather conditions, additional heating and cooling materials will add to the cost.
Adding Amenities to Your Shed Conversion Project? Follow These Steps for Success
Depending on what transformation you want your shed to undergo, there are a few major components to tackle, like plumbing, insulation, windows and electricity.
Add Electricity
If you want to use your air conditioner, space heater, lamps or a computer, you will need to set up electricity. When creating the blueprint for your shed conversion and mapping out the plumbing, make sure to include how many outlets you’ll need to install to accommodate the space. Hiring an electrician is recommended to make sure your shed is up to code and everything is installed safely.
Add HVAC
The decision to add heating, ventilation and air conditioning to a shed depends on what you’d like to use it for, and where you live. For example, if you want to use your shed as a home office and you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll probably want to add heat. But, if you’re just using that space as a workshop or dog house, you might not need that extra comfort.
While adding air conditioning will make the space comfortable, it isn’t typically crucial to a remodel. You can consider cooling off with these ideas instead.
Set Up Plumbing
Plumbing in a shed is always convenient but it can be expensive to install. Think about how close the shed is to your main water supply and sewage lines. If it’s far away, the plumbing installation will become more complex and expensive.
If your shed will be exposed to cold winter temperatures, make sure to insulate the plumbing as much as you can to prevent freezing water lines. Create a blueprint of your ideal layout and have the plumbing installed before starting on any insulation.
Install Insulation
Adding insulation is crucial to making the shed comfortable in different weather conditions. If you plan to install an HVAC system, or even just use a portable air conditioner or space heater, insulation goes a long way to keep your space the right temperature, while reducing how much energy you need to get it there.
Install Windows
For any space to be comfortable, having a window that lets natural light and fresh air into the room is a must. A window or two will also allow for a window air conditioning unit for the hotter months. The most energy-efficient option for installation is double-paned windows, which will help you save on future electricity bills when you’re heating or cooling your shed.
Define the Space
The final touches to your space should add functionality, aesthetics and comfort. Painting will help protect the walls and add a little personality to your converted shed. To brighten up the space, install light fixtures you love. Keep your shed organized by incorporating shelves, cabinets or built-in storage solutions. Finally, add another personal touch to the shed by customizing it with decor and artwork that reflect your taste.
Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space
Whichever route you choose for your shed conversion project, the space should ultimately be functional, organized and a reflection of your personality. Looking for more ways to spruce up your backyard? These posts will help you out:
