‘She’ shed

[Baileys20]

Hello Mumsnetters,

I am looking to create a little ‘Oasis’ for me. I have looked at a variety of garden room options and have decided to ‘upcycle’ an existing summerhouse that we have. I have something very similar to the attached. I have been inspired by some images this evening where the windows and door frames were painted white and the rest of the wood work grey etc. external string lights, and it gave me hope!😁 and made me feel that I can make much more of it.

I am happy to spend a bit of money on it as I want to be able to use it throughout the year. Things on the list to get are proper installation (Wall, floor, ceiling?) and plaster board (any advice, or cheat tips on these would be great - hubby and I are looking to treat it as a bit of a project). Thinking to get a light, small oil or electric wall heater, and socket fitted. It’s 2.4m x 2.4m. Thinking to remove the bench seat and put in a small garden corner couch. Replace the plastic windows with small double glazing units.

What would you do to make it feel more like a proper room you would be happy to sit in and enjoy?

Any creative people with an eye for design and/or upcycling ? How would you create the dream ‘she shed’

Any Pro DIYers how would you make this shed properly usable. I don’t want to feel as though I am sat in a cold, damp shed with insects for company, thinking I should have put the money towards a proper garden room. 😁

[Baileys20]

Anyone ..... or do you think just go for a proper garden room?

[dudsville]

I know someone who's done this in a shed like yours. They also ran electricity out to it so they could have light and run a heater. It's adorable and a nice place to spend time. Google wil be what you need for inspiration!

[leafeater]

Pinterest is your friend. I have boards on Potting Sheds, Cosy Sheds etc.
I would say electricity is a must though!

[Baileys20]

Thank you, will continue to look for ideas online. Good to know it’s possible, and will definitely look to run electricity to it.

[leafeater]

This is lovely for a study/ reading room

[ScrapThatThen]

Spider proofing. It will look fantastic, enjoy.

[AliceinBunnyland]

Spider proofing

This would be my concern but I'm a wuss.

[Ariela]

Insulate it. Otherwise you'll freeze in winter and overheat in summer.

[GemmeFatale]

I think it’s worth costing up what it would cost you to make the existing summerhouse what you want vs buying something new that suits you.

Electric, heating, new furniture, double glazing, etc aren’t cheap and at the end you’d have a pimped up shed. Which is fine if the thing you really want is much more expensive.

[PigletJohn]

sheds are inclined to be damp, so rather than plasterboard, I'd think of lining it with insulating rigid foam slabs on the walls and ceiling, then a ply lining screwed through to the studs. This will be strong enough to fix things to without damage. A picture rail is also useful as there is no damage when you add or remove hangings. You can paint, paper or stain ply.

Also insulate under the floor, and space the bearers off the ground or concrete slab to prevent them absorbing damp. Shed floors often rot. A pipe heater with a thermostat will be enough to prevent damp or freezing if it is well insulated, and does not get hot enough to start a fire.

You will need double roof-felting, gutters and downpipe, and lead away the water to a soakaway downhill of the shed.

There are things sold as "log cabins" (though the timbers are similar to decking boards) that are much more substantial. I know a place that imports them from Finland, all the components are cut and slot together, you need two people to carry the pieces from the drop-off point to the assembly site. The doors and windows are a bit shed-like but you can fit better.

[Baileys20]

Thank you.

It’s on struts above the ground currently, and some great suggestions. Thank you.

PigletJohn I had considered a log cabin instead from possibly the same location - As an alternative similar to what your suggesting. They seem pretty good and a bit of a half way house between what I’ve got and the ultimate garden room.

As mentioned conscious that I could end up spending quite a bit and may have been better to go for something like that or shut my eyes and get a full on garden room with a view it may get used more by the whole family and whilst costing more make a better investment in the long run.