Shed into playhouse/den (in time for Christmas??!)

[mabelbabel]

DIY people!
We have an old shed in our garden, which currently houses some garden stuff (lawnmower etc) which could probably all be in the garage instead. I have an idea in my head to turn it into a den/playhouse for my girls (8 and 5) - the 8 year-old is heavily into Famous Five/Secret Seven etc, so I thought it might be fun for them to have a den - maybe even as a Christmas present. I have approx one day at home per week, so I'm hoping that might give me enough time to make a reasonable job of it. However, DH is not sure it's a good idea. I need AWESOME ideas and plans to convince him!! Here's a few questions that I've got at the moment...

(1) Interior walls and floors - how can I cheaply/easily make the place practical, fun and cosy?
(2) There's no electricity to the shed. I was thinking maybe a couple of wind-up torches/lanterns and a radio would be fun. Could also rig up some solar fairy lights, I think. Any other bright ideas?
(3) The exterior is a mess - paint flaking off and windows are blacked out with paint. I am thinking of leaving this as it is whilst I work on the inside so that suspicions are not raised, but what is the process for making the exterior good for re-painting? And what's the process for replacing shed windows? Could I do it myself?
(4) AND most importantly what shall I put in the den to make it a great place to play!!

try pinterest for ideas
www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=shed%20playhouse%20interior

The secret seven had a crate for a table, and used upturned crates and barrels with sacking over them for chairs. Mind you they also had a wood burning stove and the shed was 'very cosy indeed'.

I'd line the whole thing with board and paint it yellow inside, maybe with some flowers, plastic picnic furniture, a shelf for 'things', maybe some hooks for hanging their things from. Would there be room for a little wooden sofa with cushions (for some reason cushions figure largely in FF and SS. If you have room for a little cupboard to store treats in that woudl be nice, as long as everyting was in tins to prevent mice being attracted. A toybox?

Momb that sounds great! Will peruse pinterest. Is there an idiot's guide to boarding the interior walls anywhere?

OK - project postponed until post-Christmas, but at least it will then be done for Spring/Summer. I'm really looking forward to it!!

Pictures of my shed/den/

Painting it, loads of cushions, cheap mirrors to bounce the light around. I have a plug in electric Fire - an oil radiator would be safest.
My most expensive outlay was £30 on a garden electric reel - an extension cable that can get wet, it's plugged in in the house but stretches to the shed for the fire/radio/lights

I have hundreds of fairy lights on the roof plugged into the extension cable - shed is wood like yours so I just hung them with those cheap screw in hooks.

God, I love that, Laurie. I've lived in smaller bedsits!

line the inside with WBP ply. You can put insulation between the lining and the outer walls, but it must be impermeable to water, so plastic foam, not loft quilt. Look at Celotex or Kingspan in Wickes or similar. If you see damaged slabs at reduced price, have them. They are sometimes on ebay.

mark the positions of the framework so you know where to drill holes for hooks, shelf brackets etc.

I am always anxious about risk of fire in wooden structures, so no candles or paraffin lamps and no cookers.

Adding wiring to an outbuilding must be done by a qualified electrician.

You can treat the outside of the shed with water-based stain that you will find in DIY sheds. It does not stick to varnish or paint.

You can paint the inside with white emulsion, or masonry pain which is similar but damp-resistant. White paint will make it much brighter.

If the roof is not watertight, re-felt it.

Get a strong padlock and hasp for the door as it may have small stealable things in it.

Wind-up lanterns are very good.

Thanks for the replies - very helpful PigletJohn, and I love your shed Laurie - it's inspirational! I'm going to have to content myself with planning only for the time being - but will get started in January. Can't wait!