A typical American family has plenty of things to store, such as tools, lawn equipment, and bicycles, among other things. And those things are unlikely to fit into their residential property. Also, some may require extra space not just for storing items but for a home office or hobbies. That is why 2.39 percent of American households will build or buy a shed each year.
Most of those who acquire a new or renovate an old shed are willing to shell out anywhere from $500 to $1,000. And the investment will create an additional 120 square feet of usable space on average.
But sheds are not just for garden tools anymore. Have you ever considered turning a backyard shed near your main house into an additional bedroom or guest room?
Perhaps you should. It would be a great way to create additional usable living space that may come in handy soon.
What kind of theme you go for depends on your needs and preferences. Plenty of shed ideas exists, making your selection easier.
Shed Bedroom Ideas
Generally, bedrooms in the US average 132 square feet, but they only need to be 70 square feet, with each horizontal dimension being at least seven feet tall.
Since a standard shed has an area of 120 square feet, it more than meets the minimum area requirements. And that means you could convert it into various kinds of bedrooms without breaking any building regulations.
1. Cozy Retreat Summer Shed House with Single Bed
With a little bit of imagination, it can be transformed into a cozy retreat right in your own backyard. This summer shed features a single bed and white wall decoration, making it the perfect place to enjoy a quiet afternoon nap or read your favorite book.
2. Studio Shed with Double Bed
A shed can easily be turned into a cozy bedroom with just a few simple additions. For this shed, a comfy double bed was placed inside, along with some throw pillows and blankets for extra warmth.
Two floating nightstands were used, along with matching lamps to provide some ambient lighting. To make the space feel more like a bedroom, some wide louver shutters were hung up on the shed windows.
This shed makes for a great bedroom for when guests come over, or even for kids who want to have their own space away from the main house. By adding in some personal touches and furniture, a shed can easily be turned into a comfortable and inviting bedroom.
3. Rustic Shed Idea with Exposed Metal Roof
For shed bedrooms that double as extra living space, go rustic with an exposed metal roof like this one. This shed was converted into a bedroom and features two sets of French doors, one leading to the backyard and the other to the front yard. The shed also has a small sitting area and a bathroom. To make the space cozier, add some rugs, pillows, and throws.
4. Shed Bedroom with Wooden Walls and Floor
If you’re looking to add a shed bedroom to your home, why not go for a rustic look? This shed bedroom features wooden walls and floors, giving it a cozy cabin feel. Add some comfortable furniture and bedding and you’ll have the perfect space to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Create a Sleepover Bedroom
Children’s sleepovers are a rite of passage. They are fun, help children build and strengthen their social relationships with their peers, and improve their communication ability. In addition, they help kids become more independent and teach them to share their stuff with others.
Therefore, having a shed that you can purposely use as a sleepover bedroom for your children would be a great addition to your home.
It is the perfect place for child-related activities and can withstand all their vigorous activities if you build or renovate the shed with children in mind. That means considering their safety and using different colors to make the room attractive.
Bunk beds will come in handy if you need to accommodate many children. But if you want your shed back after sleepovers, you can always opt for folding bunk beds that you can tuck against the wall to increase your usable shed space.
Alternatively, you can purchase the multifunctional bunk beds with desks and storage so the shed can also act as a study area.
5. Shed Personal Space with Day Bed
A shed can make a great addition to any backyard. Not only does it provide extra storage space, but it can also be used as a guest house, office, or even a bedroom. If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas, then consider incorporating a day bed into your shed design.
Day beds are perfect for shed bedrooms because they can be used for both sleeping and sitting, and they don’t take up a lot of space. Plus, they can be easily decorated to match the rest of your shed’s decor.
6. Guest Room with Exposed Wooded Ceiling
Whether you have an extra room in your house that you want to turn into a guest room, or you’re looking for ideas on how to make the most of a small space, this guest room with an exposed wood ceiling is a great option.
The shed-style roof and simple, clean lines of the shed make it feel airy and spacious, while the wood ceiling adds a touch of warmth and coziness. The room is small enough that it doesn’t feel cluttered, but has enough space for a bed, dresser, and nightstand.
7. Guest Spare Room with Two Beds
Do you have frequent guests? If so, you might want to consider turning your shed into a guest room with two beds! This is a great way to make sure that your guests have a comfortable place to stay while they’re visiting, and it will also give you extra space in your home.
To make this happen, you’ll need to insulate and finish the shed walls, add some lighting and possibly a ceiling fan, and then furnish it with two beds. You can either use two twin beds or one full-size bed, depending on your preferences.
8. Guest Retreat with Swing Bed and Upper Loft Bed
Forget about camping out in the backyard! This guest shed retreat has everything you need for a cozy night away, including a swing bed and upper loft bed. Plus, the shed’s compact size means it can easily be incorporated into any backyard without taking up too much space.
Small Shed Bedroom Ideas
Since a standard shed is about 120 square feet and a bedroom should be at least 70 square feet, anything in between can still be a small shed bedroom, which you can utilize for other things if you are creative enough.
9. Beautiful Shed Bedroom with Natural Light
If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas that include plenty of natural light and a touch of blue, this lovely space is sure to inspire. The shed has been outfitted with large windows to let in the sunlight, and the blue bedding adds a calming vibe to the room. White-wash walls and stained wood floors complete the look, making this shed bedroom feel bright and airy.
10. Spare Children’s Shed Bedroom
Your children will love this shed bedroom idea as it comes with a single bed and child rocking chair. This is perfect for spare shed bedrooms or if you need an extra room for your kids when they have friends over. The shed can also be used as a playhouse during the day, giving them plenty of space to run around and play.
11. Smaller Shed with Two Single Beds
This shed has been converted into a small bedroom, complete with two single beds, nightstands, and wall sconces. The shed still has its original double doors, which can be opened to let in natural light and fresh air.
The plank wood floors are painted a light gray with white beadboard paneling and the exposed ceiling is painted white.
12. Smaller Shed with Separate Seating Area
If you have a shed that’s large enough, you can consider incorporating a seating area into your shed bedroom design. This is a great way to create a cozy and inviting space that feels like a true retreat.
You can add a small sofa or armchair, along with a bench seating and storage bins underneath. This will give you a place to relax and enjoy your shed bedroom, even when you’re not sleeping.
13. Shed Bedroom with Privacy Curtain
If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas, look no further than this cozy shed with a privacy curtain, curved ceiling, dark wood floors, and wicker furniture. This shed is the perfect place for your guests to relax and unwind after a long day of traveling or sightseeing. The shed also has a small desk, perfect for working from home or studying.
She Shed Bedroom Ideas
Women are still the primary caregivers in the US, making them exhausted and stressed out. But sometimes, girls just want to have fun! In addition, they need to practice self-care by relaxing and doing things that only benefit them. And that is where she sheds come in.
The she shed is a structure meant for women. Think of it as the female version of a man cave, where a woman can escape the world and seek refuge to recharge. So, it should feature soft and feminine colors and designs.
14. She Shed Inspired Space with Day Bed
This shed was originally built as a garden shed, but it has been turned into an inviting space that can be used for reading, relaxing, or even sleeping in. The shed has been painted white to brighten up the space and make it feel more spacious.
A day bed has been added to one side of the shed, and there are plenty of pillows and blankets to make it feel like a cozy bedroom. A small table and chairs set up in the shed provide a place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. The shed also has electric lights and outlets, so it can be used at night as well.
15. Girls She Shed Bedroom with Mint Green Trim
If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas with a feminine touch, take inspiration from this shed bedroom. The shed’s exterior walls were painted pale green, and the door and window frames were trimmed in mint green. Inside, the shed was transformed into a cozy bedroom with a day bed with dresser storage underneath.
16. She Shed Bedroom with Country Living Theme
If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas, then consider this design. This shed has been turned into a beautiful and relaxing space, perfect for spending time alone or with a partner. The day bed is the perfect spot to curl up with a good book, while the white walls and curved ceiling give the shed an airy feel. The country living theme makes this shed the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Kids Shed Bedroom Ideas with Bunk Beds
It never hurts to give kids their own space in addition to their primary bedrooms and the shared living room. So, converting your shed into a kid’s sleeping space is a good idea.
17. Shed Bedroom with Bunk Beds
If you have a shed that is large enough, consider adding bunk beds to create a fun and functional space for your kids. They will love having their own space to sleep and play in and you can easily add storage underneath the beds for all of their toys and belongings.
18. Shed Bunk Bedroom with Exposed Log Ceiling
This shed bunk bedroom looks like the perfect place to escape on a summer night. The painted wood log ceiling gives the space a rustic feel, while the large windows let in plenty of natural light. The beds are built-in with one along the left wall and the second elevated across the back wall leaving plenty of room for other activities.
Shed Guest Bedroom Ideas
No list of shed designs is complete if it does not include converting a shed into a guest house. It is a great place for guests because it can give them a bit of privacy, so they are not in each other’s space.
19. Small Country Theme Shed Bedroom with Barn Doors
You can easily turn your shed into a guest bedroom, complete with all the amenities, by adding some country charm. This small shed was turned into a cozy bedroom with double barn doors, natural wood walls, and plenty of storage space. Add some quilts and pillows for a homey touch, and your guests will never want to leave!
20. Pink Shed Bedroom with Antique Furniture
This shed bedroom has a very antique feel to it. The shed itself is painted pink and the furniture inside is all old-fashioned. There is a bed, a rustic dresser, and a small table and chair. The floor is covered in a striped rug. This shed would be perfect for a little girl who loves pink and frilly things.
21. Modern Shed Bedroom with Wood Ceiling
Shed bedroom ideas come in all shapes and sizes. This modern shed bedroom has a wood curved ceiling, which gives the shed a unique and stylish look. The shed also has plenty of windows, which allow natural light to enter the shed and brighten up the space.
The shed bedroom also has a small built-in table, where you can work on your laptop or write a letter. There is also a small bedside lamp, which is perfect for reading in bed.
This shed bedroom would be perfect for anyone who wants a stylish and modern shed to call their own. If you are looking for shed bedroom ideas, then this shed would be a great option for you.
22. Shed Primary Bedroom with Wallpaper Focal Wall
If you’re looking for shed bedroom ideas, then this is the post for you! This shed has been turned into a beautiful primary bedroom, complete with a white curved ceiling, glass skylight, and wallpaper focal wall.
The shed was originally built as a storage shed but was converted into a bedroom to provide more space for the family. The shed is decorated with beautiful furniture and has a lovely view of the backyard. This shed would be a great addition to any home!
23. Shed Bedroom with Budget-Friendly Furnishings
When it comes to outfitting your shed bedroom, thriftiness is key. After all, you’re likely working with limited space and a tight budget. But that doesn’t mean your shed can’t be a stylish and cozy retreat.
With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your shed into a charming bedroom on a budget. Start by looking for secondhand furniture pieces that can be repurposed.
24. Shed with Day Bed with Decorative Pieces
You can use your shed for many things such as a bedroom, office, or playroom. If you want to turn your shed into a backyard shed bedroom, there are some great ideas that you can use to make it happen.
Additional Backyard Shed Conversion Ideas
Build a Tiny Home
The tiny house movement has grown steadily over the past few years. Their popularity is fueled by people’s need to simplify their lives while cutting costs so they can pursue other interests.
Most tiny homes average 100 to 400 square feet, making it possible for you to convert your shed into one. First, however, you need to bear in mind the challenges of turning your shed into a fully functional tiny home with a living room, sleeping area, kitchen, and bathroom.
First, you may need building permits to run electrical, plumbing, and gas lines into the house to turn it into an independent structure.
Second, you must ensure the tiny home has everything your renter or guest would need. That means customizing the shed to have functional furniture that can be put away when not in use, taking advantage of all available vertical space, and fitting in the right appliances that will not waste your space.
By embracing DIY, you could limit your budget to $8,000 to $30,000. But they could cost $60,000 to $150,000, depending on the amenities you include. However, attract low monthly fees and could net $50 to $500 per night as a vacation rental or $600 to $800 as a long-term rental.
Convert Your Shed to a Pool House
If you have a pool, consider building a pool house to house your pool equipment, provide changing spaces and a bathroom, and extend your party space. But if you are not a party animal, you can designate a relaxation area that allows you to take afternoon naps.
Typical pool houses have walls on all sides. But you can install wide French doors. These glass doors enhance the views and bring in natural light, and apply a fresh coat of paint to your walls to brighten up the space. White walls are pretty popular with pool houses for this reason.
If you use a pool house kit, expect to pay an average of $5,000 to $44,300. But for a customized pool house, your budget may average $114,000. And the more add-ons you include, the higher your final construction bill will be.
Create an Artistic Studio
Bedrooms don’t have to be boring. For example, if you love art and crafts, you can create an art studio and combine the livable space with a relaxation area. So, feel free to include a day bed or a chaise lounge or two. Your local Home Depot store probably sells these pieces of furniture.
And if you love to read, you can install a reading nook on one side of your art studio or relaxation space for those days when you are not feeling creative and need inspiration.
Remember, your she shed does not have to be boring and depressing. You can turn it into a bright, welcoming space by installing glass doors and windows.
Get That Potting Shed
Gardening is an easy way to get the exercise you need while doing something you enjoy. But it has additional benefits. First, it boosts your mood, makes you happier, and reduces stress.
Secondly, gardening exposes you to the sun, thus increasing your vitamin D intake, which you need. Also, it improves your quality of life and lowers your risk of getting dementia. And it provides food too.
Therefore, creating a garden shed is a great idea. You can tend to your flowers, seedlings, and plants. And you can also store your gardening tools and supplies. In addition, you could designate a relaxing space where you can lounge, get an afternoon nap, and enjoy your beautiful plants and the rest of the garden outside.
It will cost you anywhere from $20 to $175 per square foot to build a custom shed. But potting sheds are less demanding than other kinds of conversion.
You could convert your existing storage shed into a garden room by doing some work yourself and saving thousands of dollars. In addition, you could use window boxes and flower pots to beautify your shed at a low cost.
Make your Home Office Sleep-Friendly
Telecommuting offers many advantages. It reduces your business operation costs, improves your work-life balance, increases job satisfaction, and makes it easier to focus, far from office politics. But it would help if you had your own space for work to be more productive. And that is where a home office comes in.
Many home offices range from 50 to 150 square feet, making a small shed appropriate for telecommuting. And you can install a closet for storage and a small bathroom to suit your small space.
In addition, when work becomes overwhelming and you need a break, you can always sleep on a reclining office chair with a footrest. Alternatively, you can invest in an office nap pod, which would reduce external noises and reduce distractions.
Create a Man Cave
Men are still the primary breadwinners in most American households. So, they, too, deserve a break from their daily responsibilities. Therefore, a man cave is worth considering if you have no idea what to do with your shed.
A man cave would be the place for you and your loved ones to meet, relax, and carry out your manly activities. So, the interior design of such a shed should have a masculine theme, featuring darker colors.
If you love to build things, your man cave should have a tool wall and table where you can store your tools and supplies. Alternatively, you can opt for a bar or a coffee table, seats, and wine cabinet. And a plush leather sofa bed in front of a wide TV would provide extra sleeping space for a friend or two.
Turn Your Shed into a Treehouse
Many kids imagine themselves as Tarzan and fantasize about living up in the trees even as they place in the available outdoor spaces. But that is not surprising considering the fertile imagination children tend to have. To them, there are no limits.
It’s a good thing we live in the era of technological advances that will enable you to lift a prefab shed onto a platform. You can then include a ladder or rope.
Alternatively, you can build a shed to mimic a treehouse. And you can also connect an existing shed to a smaller treehouse to maintain the treehouse feel. Alternatively, you could designate a loft area in the existing shed and add a bed, large window, and ladder to create a treehouse feel for your kids.
Turn Your Shed into an In-Law Suite
Did you know that only 27 percent of couples get on exceptionally well with their in-laws?
Respect between you and your in-laws is essential. And too much familiarity breeds contempt. Unfortunately, living close to each other for too long could bring that about. That may be why 70 percent of couples blame their in-laws for the marital strain they may be feeling.
So, to ensure that everyone gets their privacy, you can convert your shed into a functional house. That means you should be ready to invest a significant amount of money to make the shed livable by bringing in the electrical, water, and sewer lines.
And in deference to the health of your family members, especially the older ones, you must ensure the shed is well ventilated and insulated so they can sleep there comfortably.
It would be best to have a budget of anywhere from $1,500 to $30,000 to turn your shed into a home. But if you invest in sweat equity and buy materials at wholesale prices, you can significantly reduce your renovation costs.
Create a Handicap-Accessible Guest House
One in every four Americans has a disability, translating to about 61 million people across the country. That means you probably know at least one person with such issues, assuming you are not handicapped. And many people with disability struggle to move around, see, hear, or even take care of themselves.
Unfortunately, despite 15 percent of American households having someone with disabilities, only six percent of homes are handicap accessible. But you can change that.
If you have a loved one who has a disability and likes to visit, you can make it handicap-accessible by making some changes. For example, you could build a ramp and get rid of any stairs. It’s an easy fix that enables your guest to get into the guest house.
You could also install a step-in tub, which does not pose an obstacle to someone with disabilities. And it helps if you ensure your entire shed has slip-resistant floors.
Other changes you can make include installing handrails around the toilet area and strategic areas of the shed so your guest can maneuver around. Also, consider installing automatic doors so there is no strain when closing and opening them and rearranging and adapting furniture so that your guest can use it comfortably and move about quickly.
Modifying your shed will cost you an average of $815 and $8,208. But since sheds are open and not very big, you may spend even less than $815. However, even if it costs more than you anticipated, consider it an excellent investment in the well-being of a loved one who has a handicap.
