Please help me with ideas for my new potting shed

[Scottishflower65]

One of my son’s and lovely daughter in law bought me this gorgeous woman cave potting shed. It’s bare at the moment and I’m looking for ideas on how to make it a space to relax in between gardening jobs (when the weather is not great) as well as potting. What would you add to make it special? Thanks in advance. I promise to post another photo when it’s ‘done’ and would love to see any photos of your sheds.

How delightful! Big enough for a comfy armchair OP? I'd start there. Then if it's got power kettle toaster and small fridge. Bookshelf, lamp. Little table.

More pottering than potting. 😄

Start by thinking what you want it for... actual 'potting' or tender plants, seed sowing....or lounging from the rain.. do you have a greenhouse already?

Thanks! Yes, power is available but not sure the armchair would be proportionate or even fit. Definitely need some sort of comfy seat, maybe with a folding footstool. Bookshelf is a great idea as I could keep my gardening books down there. I was thinking solar lighting of some kind. A small folding table, yes that’s good too. Off to look.

@Bonbon21 I have a small greenhouse. I would use the potting bit for plants but leave one section for low growing salad leaves and tomatoes for handy snacks and so I could still enjoy the view. So hybrid use, probably a nice shelter from showers or when the weather is too cold to sit and take a rest between jobs.

I have a folding chair, stool to put my feet on, solar fairy lights (no electricity), old-fashioned transistor radio and use one of the shelves to put things like cups of tea on. The windows are in full sun in the morning so I often eat breakfast out there in spring when its sunny but still too cold to sit outside. I wouldn’t be able to keep books out there though, despite being well ventilated it gets slightly damp in winter, I always bring my seed stash inside the house over winter, but anything cardboard is a bit susceptible to mildew.

@EspeciallyDetermined good shout re possible mildew on the books and seed packets.
I think I’d add some lavender or possibly some essential lavender oil for that serene vibe as well.

Yes, bunches of lavender in the rafters would be nice.

I would decorate it with some old fashioned metal/ tin/ wooden signs off Ebay or Amazon, garden related.
I have a nice few, one says "You belong among the wild flowers, and the other one says "Wild and Free" l also have bumble bee decorations etc. .
I would also buy some tiny little fairy lights and grow climbing roses or clematis around it. Maybe a small rocking chair, a mat, plenty of hooks to hang your tools, or gardening ornaments, some decorative tins for your seeds.

I like this chair which gets 5 star reviews and everyone seems to say very comfortable. Not sure how easy it would be to add padding. Maybe with some garden cushions with a bee print.
Oh, and definitely a garden Stoov cushion. I got one for my birthday and the infra red heat is amazing for my aging hips.

@SpentDandelion yes! A rocking chair, always wanted one of them. Off to look again. Climbing roses and other climbers, yes that’s a great idea too. I already have a lot of garden decorations and could repurpose some of those. I love bees and there is a colony that lives in a crack in the concrete.

What size is it and what sort of base are you putting it on?
What direction v sun?
Sorry I always think out the boring bits first!

It will get damp in there, surely, without insulation and heating. So books, comfy stuff will not be very practical. Also sheds do have a tendency to get full of Stuff.

I'm a keen gardener and my potting sheds (allotment and home) are mostly full of Stuff. Best thing in mine is the very big potting bench made (by me) to my working height; some power points and a really good light over the bench. Also galvanised bins (from Ikea) for bird food, and some really big plastic tubs for potting compost. It's not a beauty to behold I'm afraid.

@LadyGardenersQuestionTime yes, damp might be a problem but I would only have the soft material stuff from spring to autumn. I too have a real tendency towards too much stuff - will try to fight that 🤣
Have some bins for bird food etc. Tend just to leave the potting compost etc lying in a heap against a wall but bins would be tidier. I’ll have a look at IKEA ones thanks.

@Bonbon21 it’s not huge.
Width: 1814 millimetres
Height: 2288 millimetres
Depth: 2492 millimetres
Southwest facing. Slab based. I was thinking of a stone path with camomile lawn around the base / path. Along with climbers suggested by PP.

what an amazing present! I am so jealous! I would move my bed in there I think

@itsmeagainagain I was so surprised and grateful. I think it’s because they were visiting for the first time in 4 years - they live in Asia. I missed their wedding due to the travel restrictions (watched it on Facebook at 4am!) so I hosted a wedding celebration for them when they were here. This was my thank you.

oh amazing they must know and love you very much to pick out such a great present for you - I hope it brings you lots of joy 😍can't wait to see it done.

I’d have some strategically placed bird feeders too. I’d definitely need one of these gin holders too! I’m retiring within a year so will be spending a lot more time in the garden.

Oh I love a good shed thread!

Mine is on my allotment so sadly no power. It is a working shed but there is enough room for a chair if its raining. I do keep a snack stash down there because allotments are hard work.
As well as the potting bench, I put some more shelves along the back and side wall so I have a lot of storage space.
The gnome family move in during the winter for shelter
Love my shed

@Ted27 love that! I've just tidied my shed will try and post a pic -

I don't fit in that chair though 😂have got some folding ones

@Scottishflower65 love the gin holder!

I have a record player/CD player with bluetooth for listening to my LPs/CDs/podcasts in mine. Plus a comfy chair. And long nets to shade it out once the summer hits as it gets so hot in there. Bloody love it. Double doors open, kittens and cats wandering in and out and an LP on with a coffee. Looking at whatever seedlings are on the go. Bliss.

Lovely! You look so happy and chilled out as well. Yes, need a tin with snacks too - good tip!

@AlisonDonut that sounds lovely!