Many women in San Diego are converting their garages to create their very own little hideaway. You can use your she-shed to pursue hobbies like gardening, painting, crafting, and jewelry making – or it can just be a corner for you to unwind, curl up with a good book, and drink some wine. Or tea!
The point is, it will be your space so it can be whatever you want it to be. If you are using your garage as a cluttered garage storage system for random stuff instead of making the most of it, a she-shed is a good idea. This will also be a good way to get rid of belongings that you haven’t used in years and declutter.
How To Get The Perfect She-Shed?
A shed is traditionally a structure located at a distance from the main house but we don’t think that women need to build a space outside the house to get away. Imagine if you said that to a man. “Want to watch the game tonight? Then take yourself and your buddies outside, to your ‘he-hut’ and live it up!”
Something tells us that won’t go over very well. This is why the garage is the perfect spot for both man caves and she-sheds! The garage storage system is often underutilized anyway, and you won’t need to build a new structure from scratch.
Here’s how you can create the perfect she-shed:
# Figure Out Your Purpose
What would you exactly do in this space? Will it be a place where you can paint? Make artisan jewelry? Work from home? Or would it be more of a reading corner with your bookshelves and a comfy reclining chair? Start your project with the end in mind.
# Clean Out the Clutter
Raise your hand if your Sabre Springs garage is like most and has become the catch-all for everything from Christmas decorations to gardening tools. And it’s probably a dirt-trap as well. So clear out everything that you don’t need any more – as Marie Kondo says, discard stuff that doesn’t spark joy in you! Once you’ve discarded, donated, or recycled the said stuff, vacuum or broom the area. Pressure- wash it if necessary.
# Invest In the Right Furniture & Accessories
This is going to be the really fun part. To make the space truly your own, you’re going to need just the right furniture and accouterments. This doesn’t need to be an expensive process; finding great bargains at the local flea markets and antique shops can be super fun.
If you don’t have any garage cabinets yet, you may want to invest in a good-quality garage cabinets system to store your books, hobby equipment, and whatever else you need to keep in there. If you’re going to be making crafts, sculptures, wooden goodies, jewelry, etc, get cabinets that have a countertop as well as Slatwall panels where you can hang up your tools.
Custom garage wall cabinets and bookcases are a must for a she-shed. The built-in cabinets will help you store the craft supplies. A place for a sewing machine, a built-in ironing board, special countertops for sewing, or a counter just for cutting ribbon or fabric are also great additions to your crafting she-shed.
If you’re going to use your shed for reading, built-in garage storage and custom bookshelves along with cozy reading nooks and other custom touches will add a luxurious touch to the space.
# Make the Garage Functional
We love using an existing garage in Torrey Pines for a she-shed because it can be so easily transformed. You can turn your pre-existing garage into a fantastic place to make arts and crafts, watch movies, read, or entertain your friends. To do this, you’ll need to take care of the following:
- Lighting: No she-shed is complete without gorgeous lighting! The lighting will help you set the tone of the space as well. And if you’re going to be working in there, you’ll need lots of bright light.
If you’re going to be making online videos or tutorials, you want lighting that will look good on camera. Softbox light stands that cast a diffused, soft light is what you’ll need for this. Remember, the softer the light, the more flattering it will look on camera. For readers, a soft reading light from a stunning chandelier will provide a great touch of luxury.
- Flooring: Most garages have ugly, garage flooring – which won’t cut it if you want a space that’s beautiful and feminine. Epoxy garage flooring is a great and durable option, especially if you have a limited budget. Since it can be easily customized, you can choose any color or pattern for your she-shed floor. You can add area rugs to make the space lush and cozy.
- Walls: If your garage is not insulated, it’s probably not a very comfortable place during peak summers and winters. In addition to insulation, you can have central air conditioning and heating installed so you can enjoy your sanctuary year-long.
As for the paint color, you can go as wild or girly as you want! For a soft and sophisticated look, consider blush pink, greyer blush, lilac, ivory, muted turquoise, or mint color. Or, you can choose navy, coral pink, berry, deep rose, cobalt blue, amethyst purple, a vivid green, or even a soft black for a bolder, jewel-tone option.
- Electrical: If your garage doesn’t have some electrical power, and you’re going to be using it for crafting, watching movies, and doing other things that need a lot of electricity, you may want to upgrade the electrical system.
- Fireplace: You know what comes to our mind when we think of the word “cozy”? (No, apart from a soft blanket…) A fireplace! With modern electrical fireplace boxes, you can enjoy a fireplace in your she-shed without having to construct a chimney or install venting.
- Kitchenette: A small kitchenette with a microwave, running water, and other add-ons can be a total game-changer. You’ll be able to host parties and have friends over for holidays, movies, or game nights. A coffee/tea corner or a wine bar might also be a fun addition.
Let Us Transform Your Garage Into a Feminine & Functional She-Shed Of Your Dreams!
At Garage Excell, we are more than cabinetry designers and builders. We specialize in turning San Diego garages into fully functional, modernized, and stylish spaces that can enhance the way you enjoy your home! Our designers combine creative vision with the best products and customer service to provide you with the exact solution you need.
Have the Garage Excell team come out and dream with you. It’s totally free! We will listen to the details about the space you want to create and then share with you how we can help you get there. To get a free estimate to create your she-shed, contact us online or give us a call at 877-573-6637.