The average homeowner is expected to live at their home for about 13 years before moving. However, the urge for more space can lead to many wanting to leave long before this time. Some even look toward innovative solutions to add to their home’s space.
A storage shed can be a great way to do this. It adds a new space to your house that can be used for a number of different activities. Today, we’ll look at five storage shed ideas that will allow you to maximize the space you already have.
One of the easiest ways to transform a shed is to transform it into a work shed. The majority of sheds out there are focused on utility rather than comfort. Since utility is all that is needed from a workshop, it requires little retooling to make a shed into a functional workspace.
This can save space inside the house. There are plenty of people who aren’t able to store their cars in their garage because they need that space for a small workshop. Moving these tools and materials into the shed frees up this space.
What type of workshop you ultimately go with depends on your interests.
A shed can be a versatile place for any type of workshop. By setting up a workbench and outfitting the area with tools, you are ready to go.
What exactly you work on is up to you. A workbench and tools will allow you to perform general repairs or plenty of additional work.
However, you can also get more ambitious. If your shed is big enough, you can add large equipment like table saws or a lathe. The only limits are the amount of space you have and the amount of work you want to accomplish.
No matter what you do, it will allow you to move items out of your house to a room where they belong. This gives you the maximum storage space in both places.
Depending on the size of the shed, it can be the perfect place to establish a car workshop. If you are a classic car collector or someone who simply enjoys working on vehicles, this could be a great option for you.
The advantage of this is that it removes the vehicle from the rest of the house. Instead of having a pricey classic car get damaged while you bring in groceries, you know that your vehicle is safe in the shed. It is also a better option than storing the vehicle outside, where it can be damaged by the elements.
It also prevents work on your vehicle from disrupting the household. Working on cars can be loud and can go on for a while. By moving this work to the shed, you don’t have to disturb the rest of the house with this noise.
Using your shed for gardening is a classic way to get the most out of the building. However, there are creative ways in which you can get even more out of your shed.
A mini barn shed is particularly helpful in this way. It is multipurpose and helps with plenty of different gardening activities. This can range from just storing your tools to actually helping you create better plants.
Let's talk about the classic reason to have a garden shed first. If you have a garden, your shed can be the best storage place for you. Storing your tools and supplies in the shed will prevent you from having to store them in your garage or another part of your house.
This can reduce mess. You no longer have to drag dirty and muddy tools into and out of your living space. It also saves space, as you no longer have to devote part of your home to this storage.
A garden shed can also be an important safety feature. If you are using fertilizers or pesticides on your plants, you don’t want these materials coming into contact with people. Keeping them in the shed and then putting a lock on the sheds helps with this.
This is particularly important if you have young children. They may not understand how bad these chemicals are for them, so keeping the chemicals out of reach is critical.
One of the more creative storage ideas regarding your garden shed is to use it as a makeshift greenhouse. As long as your shed stays above freezing, you can start seeds in the shed before transplanting them into your garden.
If necessary, you can even add a heating element. This will keep your plants warm when there is a threat of freezing. Just make sure to set this up carefully and in a way that will not be a fire hazard.
Having a greenhouse is especially important when growing a produce garden. It helps you get larger plants in the ground sooner. Think of the number of extra tomatoes you could have if you were able to get the seeds in the ground a few weeks earlier.
The best part about using your shed as a greenhouse is that you can still get more use out of it. As long as you save some room, the shed sill works as a storage place for your tools and your fertilizers/pesticides.
Around 59% of US workers who say their jobs can be done from home are still working from home. If you are one of these workers or if you do plenty of work at home in your off-hours, you may want to consider turning your shed into a home office.
A home office can dramatically change the way you go about your job. It provides you with an isolated space where your level of focus can rise. Plus, isolating your workspace from the rest of your house can have positive psychological benefits.
If you plan on turning your shed into a home office, there are a few things to consider before you do so. Otherwise, you may run into trouble while trying to get your daily tasks accomplished.
One of the most important things to do is make sure your shed gets internet access. Chances are if you work from home, your job requires you to have internet throughout the day. So, you should check that your shed receives internet and that the signal is strong enough for what you need.
If this is not the case, there are steps you can take to fix the problem. You can run an ethernet line from your house to your shed and set up anything you need from there. Or, you can see if a wifi signal booster can fix the problem.
You should also make sure that your shed is comfy and free of distractions. A leaky roof and drafty walls can be uncomfortable and also distracting. These problems are not conducive to an efficient workplace.
Finally, you should see if your home office qualifies you for any tax deductions. As long as the shed is used “exclusively and regularly for business”, this may be an option for you!
Turning your shed into a home office is already an upgrade. However, there are steps you can take to make the experience even better.
Your chair is the first thing you should upgrade. This is the place you are spending the most time while you work. So, making sure this place is comfortable is a priority.
In a similar way, it may be worthwhile to upgrade your work setup. A second monitor for your computer, a more ergonomic keyboard, and a better headset can all change the way you feel about working.
Finally, consider upgrading your surroundings. Plants, artwork, and better lighting will all have an impact on your mood. You can even look into adding a window to your shed if it doesn’t already have one.
One of the biggest advantages of a shed is that it is removed from the rest of your house. This may not seem like a big difference but it can have a significant impact.
Changing your location takes you away from the stresses of life. For some, looking around the house is a reminder of everything still on their list. Whether this comes from dirty dishes or a floor that needs to be swept, knowing there are chores out there is stressful.
For others, stress may come from other people. No matter how much you love your loved ones, everyone needs space. Plus, there will be times when they want to do something noisy, like watch a loud movie, while you just want to relax.
One increasingly common way to create a room of relaxation is through a man cave or a she-shed. These terms have specific connotations that usually go with them. However, both indicate a place where you can escape the troubles of the day.
A man cave usually includes a large television that can be hooked up to games and streaming. Bar themes are also popular and can include bar games, like pool or darts, and a few bar essentials, like a kegerator and a mixology kit.
She-sheds usually include comfortable chairs and/or couches in a room filled with beauty. This can be the perfect place to get away from it all and curl up with a nice book.
However, at the end of the day, what you do to relax is up to you. Fill your man cave or she shed with whatever makes you
If you are serious about your relaxation, creating a dedicated meditation space is another option.
Meditation reduces stress so finding a place to meditate is helpful.
A meditation space doesn’t have too many requirements. Removing distractions and stress already does a lot when it comes to promoting meditation. In this way, a minimalist shed can be a wonderful retreat.
It can also be a space for meditative activities. Many use yoga as a way to clear their mind while also improving their bodies. Outfitting your shed with yoga mats and other materials can be a simple way to do this.
For something like this, you also don’t need a lot of space. So, even small storage sheds can work.
Combining elements of work and stress relief, a hobby zone is another great option for your shed. As most sheds are pretty much a blank canvas, they are open to all sorts of different hobbies.
If you like to build model trains, a shed can hold the trains, the tables, and more. If you like to collect action figures, you can add shelves and cases that will turn the whole shed into a collection display. If you like to hunt and fish, your shed could even be your trophy room while also creating extra storage.
This level of versatility makes any shed helpful. However, a large storage shed may be a better idea. This way, if your interest in your hobby grows, you have room to expand.
When designing your hobby zone, you also have the opportunity to truly get creative and express yourself. The best storage shed is one that reflects your interest in it. This means you can deck the entire building in artwork or visual representations that reflect your hobby.
The fact that your hobby is removed to the shed helps optimize space. You may have had a hard time justifying using an entire room for your hobby. However, with your shed converted, you will be able to use the space to your heart’s content.
There are plenty of storage shed ideas that can help turn your shed into a vital piece of your home. Doing so can free up space for you while also improving your quality of life. Just make sure to get the most out of what you enjoy.
If you are interested in getting a shed of your own, make sure to check out the sheds available from Cricket Valley Structures.
