A Place of Her Own

  And then, it wasn't long after the man cave trend took hold that women decided they, too, needed a place of their own away from the stress of marriage and family life. Or they needed a haven to paint, sculpt, spin the potter's wheel, write books, garden, or to retreat and practice yoga. While the men were relatively content with their couches and television screens, women needed something more — they required flowers for the outside of the shed, a tidy walkway up to paradise, and decor — lots of decor.

The Origins

The she shed movement began in the Northeast — the Catskills Mountains, to be exact. According to a blog article on the CS Shop website, New Yorker Sandra Foster created the first she shed in 2015 to save her marriage and recharge her life. Women across Massachusetts also jumped on the trend, eventually blossoming across the US. Now men had their caves — and women had their sheds.

  However, for most people, the word "shed" conjures in the imagination a broken-down garden shed with cobwebs and rusty nails jutting out of the floorboards or one of those plastic sheds purchased from a big box store and secured with a metal lock.

  A she shed takes the micro building to a new level. The microstructure might contain the makings of a yoga studio, complete with a statue of Buddha in the corner and lit candles on an antique table. Or entering the shed, we find shelves lined with books, a cozy armchair or a wicker couch just waiting for us to sink in our bodies, read a book and sip a cup of herbal tea.

  Browsing through a book on micro houses and sheds, the opportunities to make it her own stretch as far as the woman's hobbies, passions, and even career, such as creating a writing studio for a novelist or journalist. While the average man cave probably was created with minimal costs, the construction or reconstruction (converting a garden cottage or shed into a micro space) ranges from $1,767 to $9,567, with an average cost of $3,634 according to the Lawn Starter.com blog. The high-end for discerning women is around $30K.

  Most she sheds would be wired for electricity unless it's only used during the daylight hours, but most likely not fitted with plumbing (but that depends on the use for the shed). The high-end she shed might resemble a tiny house, whereas most custom-built she sheds range from 80 to 150 square feet. Remember, this isn't a living space but an extra space for crafting art or retreating from the daily grind.

Obtain Building Permits and Research Local Building Codes

However, with all backyard structures, check with the local building code department and ask if a building permit is required. Most likely, if plumbing or electricity is part of the structure, then a building permit is a requirement.

  Building permits and codes differ per region, so it's best to check with your city's planning department before constructing or purchasing a prefabricated shed. Find out the permitted size and dimensions and other requirements if the structure will be connected to the grid through the main house.

  A couple in Washington State who failed to obtain a building permit when they combined two micro buildings on their property were unable to insure the structure through their homeowner's insurance. This is another reason to obtain a building permit.

  According to Isa Bauer, project manager/lead designer for Tiny House Northeast in Sanbornville, New Hampshire, "Policy is unique town to town, and on a per zone basis. New Hampshire hasn't come to terms with how to handle portable stick-built tiny homes. It's a work in progress. At times, towns have created their own policy. We don't know which town has which policy.

"Frankly, at times, the decision to allow a tiny house on wheels, like Tiny House Northeast's, was an arbitrary decision based on who owned it and their personal profile; e.g., a retired teacher and a nurse had been approved where others had not."

  But remember: a converted backyard cottage or garden shed isn't a tiny house where someone will reside, but if you plan on purchasing a prebuilt tiny house and using that as a she shed, there could be problems in New Hampshire. It's best to go with a business that specifically designs and builds sheds. Jamaica Cottage Shop in Londonderry, Vermont, comes to mind. (BTW, Vermont's building codes for tiny structures are more relaxed than New Hampshire's codes).

Decor

Some women already have an idea of how they'll decorate their shed ahead of time. For others needing inspiration, check out local antique shops or places that sell unique decor items.

  Deb Johnson, owner of the shop, She Shed (Swanzey), says, "Pillows, throws, lamps, fun area rugs, decorative bowls and trays, candles, candlesticks, vases, floral, succulents, small furnishings such as side tables, coffee tables, shelving, signs, seasonal décor and other home décor pieces."

  And for decorating the outside of the shed, Johnson recommends "Seasonal artificial florals, artificial and real succulents, wave petunias, geraniums, most annuals and perennials associated with the zoned climate area, shrubs."

According to Debra Prinzing, author of "Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways," a shed gives us license to become our true selves with aspirations and dreams. "It's where we showcase our personalities and preferences," she writes. "Its modest size belies the abundant joy its occupants feel when they enter to sip tea, enjoy a glass of wine, admire the garden view, draw, paint, write poetry, daydream, nap ..."

  Given the stress of the current era, man or woman, we all require a place to retreat with our personal signature.

MADE YOUR SHE SHED YOUR OWN

Tip: Paint the shed's interior in bolder or vibrant colors that match your personality.

Tip: Use the shed as a place to display a collection of art or favorite objects that give you delight.

Tip: A shed is a place where you can use your table for crafting, quilting, or for completing a super-size jigsaw puzzle. And no one will tell you to remove the clutter off the kitchen table.