Rise of the SHE shed

the SHE shed – Is this the ultimate sanctuary?

Rise of the SHE shed, as more women demand an oasis of calm at the bottom of the garden away from the chaos of family life.
For years, the garden shed has been the domain of the man, but now women are demanding their own huts at the bottom of the garden. They come in an array of styles including beach huts and Tudor cottages

For decades, sheds have a been a place that men build at the bottom of the garden so they have a place to be alone. 

In the book ‘Men and Sheds,’ the author Gordon Thorburn called the wooden buildings a “male necessity” – somewhere were they could do some woodwork, pot some plants or even just read the newspaper in peace.

But now the female sex and demanding a place at the bottom of the garden to call their own – a she shed.

Rise of the SHE shed - The Gothic Retreat Shed from Wolverhampton

The Gothic Retreat Shed from Wolverhampton

More and more women are demanding their own ‘she sheds’, places at the bottom of the garden they can call their own.

As everyday life gets every more stressful and homes get smaller, women are also looking to the single-storey structures as a safe haven.

But while most men might be content with a leaky old shack made of rotting timber, female customers are looking for a home away from home.

They are commissioning sheds in a range of styles from beach huts and gypsy caravans to mock Tudor pavilions with tiled floors.

Instead of a few upturned apple boxes and an old wireless, the new she sheds are being decked out with Moroccan rugs, cushions, chandeliers and coffee tables.

Some have gone one step further and installed a diner in theirs, complete with working jukebox and fifties-style restaurant booths.

Fancy a ‘she shed’ of your own? Read on for some inspiration…

Seaside Shed - Beach Hut

The owner of this shed has taken inspiration from the seaside, creating a beach hut-type style

 

Extremely Spacious Hut

This ‘she shed’ is extremely spacious and could entertain a number of people without feeling cramped

 

This shed owner has added numerous grand touches to their abode, including ornamental lions, ornate curtains and a candelabra 

This shed owner has added numerous grand touches to their abode, including ornamental lions, ornate curtains and a candelabra

 

Gypsy-style Caravan

This quaint gypsy-style caravan has gone for the light and airy touch, with some bright furnishings inside

 

Renne and Alberts Shed from the Sutton

Renne and Alberts Shed from the Sutton, a finalist in the normal category of the 2014 Shed of the Year competition sponsored by Cuprinol. The shed has been selected from over 2,000 entries by more than 20,000 public votes. The winner will be announced during Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces: Shed of the Year series. To be aired over three episodes, starting on 24th July at 8pm. As well as the prestigious title, the winner will receive £1,000 courtesy of sponsors Cuprinol and a commemorative winners wooden plaque for their shed.

With a jukebox, fridge, popcorn maker and bar… the owner of this shed never needs to go back into their main home.

 

Olde English Garden Shed

This she shed owner has gone for the Olde English Garden touch with their thatched rood and Union Jack bunting.

 

This pagoda-style shed has taken inspiration from The Orient

This pagoda-style shed has taken inspiration from The Orient.

 

kooky garden shed

This kooky garden shed appears to have taken inspiration from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

 

This shed has more soft furnishings in it than a lot of living rooms in proper houses 

This shed has more soft furnishings in it than a lot of living rooms in proper houses.

 

This shed has brought a splash of Arabian colour to an English back garden 

This shed has brought a splash of Arabian colour to an English back garden.

 

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