Have you got a garden shed you don’t know what to do with? Why not extend a room outdoors? If you’re after a home-office or a space to unwind, your shed could be the perfect place.
Related: Shed and garage organisation ideas to make life easier
Personal space is everything, Science even says so. In an interview with National Geographic, neuroscientist, Michael Graziano stressed that we are increasingly more in danger of losing the idea of personal space and it’s changing how we interact socially. Basically, we need our personal space, it makes a huge difference in the ways that we react and understand each other.
Related: The best wood paint: from fence panels to furniture
A shed is a perfect place to create a space just for you, it's far enough from the rest of the house, but still only a short walk away. Long gone are the days of a garden shed being used purely for storage - come rain or shine, your shed could be an extension to your home and a little backyard getaway. With a fresh paint job and a little bit of DIY, your charming garden escape is just a weekend of work away.
Shed to backyard getaway renovation essentials:
Fresh paint job
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. Whether you're looking to paint the exterior wood panels or need to brighten up the interior, a new colour will help to completely transform your shed.
If you're struggling to pick a colour or finish, check out our article on how to choose the best paint for your walls at home.
Best outdoor paint
AMAZONEasy to apply and quick-drying, this outdoor paint by Johnstone's will help transform the exterior of your shed and make it the centrepiece of your garden. Available in a wide variety of colours, you can find a colour that fits the vibe of your bar or peaceful getaway. We love the Wild Bluebell for a zen getaway and the Lime Burst for a tiki-inspired bar.
Best interior wood paint
AMAZONWho doesn't love fresh white walls? White is the perfect colour for your shed interior, it will bring more light into the room and provide a tranquil ambience perfect for a peaceful escape.
Wi-Fi extender
If you've found that your Wi-Fi doesn't quite reach the back of your garden, then a Wi-Fi extender is the way to go. They're an affordable way of boosting your Wi-Fi to ensure you get the most out of your connection. This is especially useful if you're turning your shed into a home office or gaming man cave.
Recommended for boosting Wi-Fi
AMAZONThis Netgear Wi-Fi booster works with any Wi-Fi router for hassle-free reliability. Budget-friendly and safe, this Wi-Fi extender broadens your connection up to 1200sqft for up to 20 devices, so you can game and work without worrying about your connection.
Fan/heater
A shed doesn't have the benefits of indoor heating like our homes, and with the unpredictable weather of the UK, it's great to be prepared for anything. Whilst we're still on the cusp of spring, consider a portable heater to beat the chilly mornings, and of course, with summer on the way, a tower fan will be more than necessary.
Best heater and fan all-in-one
AmazonGet the benefit of hot and cool air all-in-one with this amazing fan heater from Dyson, which gives you powerful heating and cooling all year round. Sign yourself up for stock updates, and fast. This Dyson fan heater comes in and out of stock quickly, and with hundreds of amazing reviews, there's no surprise as to why.
Shed home office
Working from home and bored of the same four walls? Why not bring the office outside and into your shed? On top of optimum daylight and the endless hours you can spend watching birds and squirrels, working outdoors could increase your overall productivity.
Related: 12 things you need to make your home office healthy
Spending time creating a motivating work environment is a great investment in your performance and mood. Having a dedicated workspace that reminds you of an actual work office is great for getting into work mode. Plus, the short commute to the back of the garden every day may just be what you need to get in the zone.
If you don’t have space inside or find yourself too distracted by all the gadgets indoors branch out, literally, and make your shed the perfect workspace.
You'll need the basics like a desk, chair and monitor but we’ve pulled together a list of fun yet practical accessories that'll bring the space to life, check them out below.
Accessories for your shed home office
1 of 5LONGLISHENG 2.5L Penguin Water Dispenser
It's not a want, it's a need, and you need this in your life. If you miss having watercooler chats at the office, bring the watercooler home and create a fun and realistic work environment in your back garden. Feeling the Friday vibes after work? Why not fill it up with another beverage of choice... wine.
2 of 5Evergreen Indoor House Plants Collection - 3 x Scandi Houseplant Lucky Dip
Breathe some new life into your home office set-up with some greenery. This lucky dip selection of indoor plants is all low-maintenance and perfect if you're someone that struggles to keep plants alive.
£26.99
3 of 5Cork Memo Board
Made out of sustainable cork, this noticeboard is perfect for organising your workload and adding some personality to your office with pictures of friends and family.
4 of 5Star Wars the Mandalorian Gadget Decals
Waterproof and removable, these Star Wars Mandalorian stickers are a fun way to deck out your tech and gadgets.
5 of 5Intempo EE5981BLKSTKEU7 Extendable Tablet and Phone Desktop Holder
Phone holders are great for going hands-free whilst working, this one has a convenient adjustable head, so you can find the best angle for you and work with ease.Tried and tested: "I love using mine to FaceTime friends whilst I'm working, it's a great way of keeping spirits high and can be motivational if you're all working. Such a convenient thing to have and makes a big difference to your work day, don't know how I went so long without it, to be honest!"
Man cave
The male's retreat, a man cave, commonly a basement or attic separated from the rest of the family as a place to relax and pursue hobbies. Everybody needs their own place to unwind, sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps us sane, so why not call the shed a place of your own?
Segregated from the rest of the house, it's truly a place to call your own and escape. For the women, it also means all the weird and wonderful memorabilia and clutter men come with has a home, hidden away from the meticulously planned décor of the house.
Men, the time has come to convince your other half that a man cave is beneficial to you both - because everyone deserves a little alone time to do what they love. So, whether your man cave is a place for the lads filled with games and booze or just a calm area to unwind, you’ll find some fun ideas for the ultimate man cave shed down below.
Man cave accessories
1 of 6Man Cave Manly Men Doing Manly Things small steel sign 200mm x 150mm
Because every man cave needs a clever sign, right? This sign acts as a perfect warning sign, so your guests know exactly what they're stepping into.
2 of 6WIN.MAX Preassembled 4' Foldable Compact Foosball Table
Preassembled and ready to play immediately, this foosball table does a great job exposing everyone's competitive side. Perfect for family games or adapted for drinking games, it's great for getting everyone involved and easy to fold away when not in use – so you get the most out of the limited space.
3 of 6Govee Colour Changing LED Strip Lights 5m, Smart WiFi APP Control
No man cave is complete without the right lighting. With wide illumination and a built-in microphone that syncs the lights to your music, these LED lights provide the perfect ambience. Enabled withAlexa and Google Assistant voice control, turning lights on/off and changing colours has never been more effortless.
4 of 6PlayStation Buttons Icon Light
If you're going for a gaming room, this iconic light featuring the PlayStation controller buttons is such a creative and fun way of lighting up your space.
5 of 6Magnetic Basketball Bottle Opener
Avoid the hassle of finding the bottle opener with this wall-mounted one that is sure to never get lost. Ideal for beer and basketball lovers, this bottle opener is a fun and practical gift – amp up the fun by trying to shoot your caps in the hoop.
6 of 6PHILIPS NeoPix Easy 2+ NPX442 HD Ready Mini Projector
Projectors are a great way to make use of an empty white wall – this Philips projector is a compact and affordable way of turning your wall into a screen. Perfect for game rooms or movie nights, you can place it anywhere you like and enjoy high-quality image with built-in speakers.
She shed
She shed or babe cave? Call it what you like, women deserve a space of their own too.
Whether you’re looking to escape the family for a bit or just need a place of your own to fully relax, a she shed is a perfect idea. It can be a place for self-care, enjoying hobbies or anything you like, from gardening to painting, a She Shed can be tailored to all your personal needs.
Off the back of the infamous man cave, she sheds are a great place for women to re-charge their batteries after long days and put the attention on themselves every so often.
Treat yourself to a much-needed retreat with the help of some of our she shed essentials.
She shed retreat accessories
1 of 6She Shed Peace at Last Sign
The perfect decoration for the door – this sign is your indicator to leave your worries outside and step into a calming and safe space.
2 of 6YQing 12 Pack Artificial Ivy Leaf Garland with 90 LED String Light
Bring greenery and light in at the same time with these artificial ivy leaf garlands. No special care required, they're ready to hang from the get-go and work as great space fillers to provide a whimsical and calming environment.
3 of 6Birdie Planter
Add a touch of charm to your peace palace with this gorgeous birdie planter.
4 of 6HEQUN Faux Fur, Soft Fluffy Rug (White 60x90)
Keep your feet toasty with this amazing fluffy rug. Thick and plush, it makes a great accent rug or even a seat cushion. Hyper-allergenic and made with non-toxic materials, this rug is perfect for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
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5 of 6The Calm & Mindful Notebook
If you're using your shed as a space for me-time and relaxation, try bringing in a wellness notebook to help you guide your meditations and promote stress relief. We love this Calm and Mindful notebook as it's designed to make you more aware of the present and is great for finding self-care inspiration.
6 of 6Sage Green Gluggle Cocktail Cup & Jug Medium
We're in love with these gluggle jugs from Oliver Bonas – If cocktails and wine help you unwind, then this statement cup is a great way to sip in style. Use this cocktail cup to sip your drinks or even as a vase to hold your flowers; its just that versatile and amazing.
Shed bar
Is there a better time to build a bar in your own garden than right now? Now is the perfect time to start decking out your shed and stocking the shelves, ready for when family and friends can visit.
There's never been a better time to replicate a beer garden or bar for you and your friends to enjoy - the shed offers the perfect dance floor, whatever the weather. From speakeasy to sophisticated, whatever style bar you want to go for, Pinterest is booming with ideas to get you started.
With Pinterest and our bar essentials behind you, you’ll be ready to start serving pints and cocktails in no time. Have a look at what we think you’ll need to get started.
Shed bar accessories
1 of 5Barbarian 6 Bottle Optics for Spirits with Shot Measure Bracket
Pour the perfect shot every time and create a stunning display for your bar with this wall-mounted drinks dispenser. Great for impressing guests, this dispenser is both practical and fun, ideal for your home bar.
2 of 5SONGMICS Bar Stools Set of 2, Height Adjustable with 360° Swivel
Ensure guests have a comfortable place to sit and watch the cocktail master at work. Padded with high-density foam and upholstered with comfortable synthetic leather, this set will keep guests at the bar until the last call.
3 of 5Personalised Bar Runner
Get creative with a personalised bar runner you can have any face put on! Let your favourite person catch all the spillages and keep your bar clean for longer.
4 of 5Fallen Fruits DB41 Deer Doorbell, ant. Brown
Bring the pub home and make last orders just as fun with this awesome deer bell. Decorative fun with a rustic look, it'll work in a whole host of settings. A word of advice: make sure you hang it high enough away from little hands, sure to have a blast if they get their hands on this.
5 of 5Multi-Coloured Glass Straw Set
Get rid of plastic in style with these eco-friendly reusable glass straws. With three straight straws and three curved straws, you've got the perfect straw for every cocktail you make.
All of these fun shed interior accessories have been hand-selected by What's The Best shopping experts. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching shed interiors, so you can choose what's right for you. Plus, we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in. Find out why you should trust us here.
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Angelica Daujotas is a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media where she tests products for What's The Best, Yours and Mother&Baby.
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