35 Amazing Shed Makeover Ideas You'll Want to Steal
Wish your home had more space for an office, art studio or gym? With a little creativity, you can turn a simple shed into the ultimate bonus room.


Photo By: Lowe's
Photo By: eDen Garden Rooms, Ltd.
Photo By: Cody Ulrich/Cool Springs Press, She Sheds
Photo By: Clare Mansell/Cool Springs Press, She Sheds
Photo By: Studio Shed
Photo By: Blake Gordon
Photo By: Kristen Whitby/EllaClaireInspired.com/The Home Depot
Photo By: Lowe's
Photo By: Studio Shed
Photo By: Katie Grant Photography
Photo By: Dominic Bonuccelli/Modern-Shed
Photo By: Gold Peak
Photo By: Doreen Wynja
Photo By: Debbie Wolfe
Photo By: Colleen Pausley/MyLifeOnKayderossCreek.com
Photo By: Meghan Bob
Photo By: Joslyn Amato
Photo By: Eric Perry ©2014, Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: Nick Glimenakis
Photo By: Molly Bender; www.mollyjeanstudio.com
Photo By: Sesha Smith, Convey Studios
Photo By: Studio Shed
Photo By: Kristi Will
Photo By: Giselle Loor Sugerman, B + G Design
Photo By: Hilton & Hyland, a member of Luxury Portfolio International
Photo By: design by: Catherine Thomas
Photo By: Martin Cox Photography; Design By: June Scott, June Scott Design
Photo By: Danielle Driscoll/Finding Silver Pennies/The Home Depot
Photo By: Chinasa Cooper
Photo By: Shawna Coronado
Photo By: Kevin Loud
Yoga Studio
Salute the sun every morning by converting your storage shed into a quiet place for stretching and meditation. Paint the walls a soft hue, hang a print of your happy place and install meditation bells. And if you don't have them already, consider putting in French doors to enjoy plenty of fresh air.
Home Gym
If you prefer weightlifting and running, a home gym is the way to go. Add mirrors and a ballet barre to the back wall and cover the cold floor with rubber mats. Finally, bring in your exercise equipment (bikes, treadmills, medicine balls, etc) and get to work.
Photography Studio
With floor-to-ceiling windows and a bright white interior walls, this backyard shed is ideal for a photography studio. Set up an area on one side for shooting and a desk and chair on the other for editing.
Sewing and Quilting Corner
Sewing can be so therapeutic, especially when you're not worrying about the little ones playing near your equipment. Give yourself some peace of mind (and permission to get lost in your latest project) by setting up a sewing area in the shed. Pull in an old sofa or loveseat for ultimate relaxation.
Modern Man Cave
Who says your man cave has to be in the basement? Bask in the sunlight while hanging out by taking your base above ground. An experienced electrician can help set up a connection for essentials like a flatscreen, mini-fridge and gaming consoles. If you have any sports memorabilia or a pair of well-worn recliners, this is the place to put 'em.
Hip Home Office
If you struggle with working from home, an outdoor office might be the perfect solution. Close the door on day-to-day tasks, like laundry and dishes, with a simple work set-up and some cozy decor.
Glamping Party
Spend the weekend sipping wine and stargazing without even leaving town by turning your backyard into a "glamping" ground. Hang billowing curtains at the entrance of your she shed, add a sleeper sofa or a couple of air mattresses and bring in a mini-refrigerator for refreshments.
Art Studio and Gallery
Every artist should have a proper studio. If you're the kind of person who loves to paint and sketch the day away, use your shed as a workspace and gallery. Custom touches like skylights and French doors help let in lots of natural light, while slat-wall panels hold paints and pails of tools.
Pottery Shed
On that note, a shed would also make a great pottery studio. If you prefer to craft pots by hand, all you'll need is a table, a small electric kiln and a shelving unit for works in progress. Be sure to consult a licensed HVAC professional to ensure the space is properly ventilated.
Romantic Retreat
Create a romantic weekend retreat for two — that you can book for free — by converting your shed into a cozy cottage. Since your home is just steps away, keep the interior fairly simple with a comfortable bed, toss pillows and lots of blankets. Place a small bistro table and folding chairs out front to enjoy coffee and breakfast al fresco.
Bike Repair Shop
Why squeeze your workbench, bike and tools in a corner of the garage when you could set up your own workshop instead? This structure's abundance of windows make it feel wide open — ideal for a shop set up.
English Tea Shed
Tea time, anyone? Take a page out of designer Egypt Sherrod's book and create a charming "tea" shed that's brimming with style. Her project was designed to be a space that would spark creativity, but you can play on the idea by putting in a bistro table and matching chairs.
Take the Tour: Egypt Sherrod's Backyard Shed Is Adorbs
Japanese Tea House
Alternatively, fashion your shed into a traditional Japanese tea house. Use stone pavers to create a gently winding path that encourages peace and reflection. Keep the space as simple as possible, with no more than a tatami floor mat, sunken stove, ceramic bowls and a painted hanging scroll.
Kids' Playhouse
A brand new outdoor playhouse could cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000. But making a playhouse (and memories) with your kids? Priceless. Let the little ones select a new paint color for the shed, cover the floor with a cheerful rug and put in a cubby for their toys. Complete the look with an adorable sign that reads "No Grownups."
Hot Cocoa Stand
For those chilly winter months, convert the shed into a hot cocoa stand for the kids. Pull in a pair of old rocking chairs, flannel blankets and a shelf for all the essentials. When they need a break from building snowmen, the little ones will love warming up in this hut.
Stylish Guest Suite
If you've been thinking about becoming an Airbnb host or just need a little extra space, transform your shed into a gorgeous guest suite. A comfortable bed, privacy screen and stylish essentials, like a velvet sofa and brass coffee table, will put this space on everyone's wish list.
Poolside Cabana
Get the resort experience without the resort price tag by crafting your shed into a poolside cabana. Outfit the space with a cushioned bench, rattan baskets for towels and a cooler for chilled drinks. When the day's over, place pool floats and accessories inside for easy storage.
Outdoor Shower
Rinse off after a day at the beach with an outdoor shower shed. Keep it simple by connecting to your existing plumbing or by choosing a spot that a garden hose can reach. The open top allows for ventilation while hooks on the exterior provide a place to hang towels.
Sleek Sauna
Sweat your troubles away by converting your shed into a sauna. Line the interior with pine or cedar boards (which won't rot when exposed to moisture), insulate the walls and install a vent. After that, set up a bench and small sauna stove, and you'll be good to go.
Rehearsal Space
No place to rehearse? No problem. Soundproof your shed by installing a few acoustic foam panels and sealing any gaps around the door and windows. Outfit the new studio with instruments and equipment and you're ready to rock and roll. Bonus: Cover a wall with chalk paint to keep track of upcoming gigs — or to test out new band names.
Workshop Venue
If you're a natural teacher with a knack for embroidery, jewelry making or woodworking, use your shed to host intimate workshops. Set up a table and stools so everyone has a spot and keep supplies on hand in cubbies. Add an outdoor shower to the side of your shed to create a station for easy clean-up.
Garden Party Gazebo
Is there anything more magical than that scene in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette when the monarch and her friends sip champagne and play card games in the gardens of Versailles? With a gazebo and a little creativity, you can recreate that moment in your backyard. Hang string lights for a little sparkle, lay down an Oriental rug and use velvet chaises for lavish seating.
Kid-Friendly Arcade
You'd definitely be the coolest parent on the block if you converted your shed into an arcade. Entertain the idea (and the kids for hours on end) by snagging a few secondhand pinball machines and/or a ping pong table. Add in a mini-fridge for snacks and a few bean bag chairs to create the ultimate play area.
Writing Retreat
Whether you're penning your memoir, writing a novel or drafting web pages, find the peace and quiet you need in a writing retreat. Web designer Marco Morelli used corrugated steel panels, block siding and clerestory windows to create this dream space that has plenty of natural light and views of his vegetable garden.
Locker Room
Bring on the bocce ball tournaments! If your family has sporting gear to spare, transform your shed into a luxury locker room. Cover one wall with mirrors, lay down rubber gym mats and add a large shelving unit to organize equipment. Be sure to include a few benches, so everyone has a spot to lace up their skates or sneakers.
Home Movie Theater
Make the whole family feel like VIPs by inviting them to a screening in your very own indoor theater. Roll out the red carpet (read: lay down a red area rug), stagger old loveseats and chairs to create rows and add a projector overhead. But most importantly, don't forget the snacks!
Wellness Spa
Find bliss in your own backyard by transforming your storage shed into an at-home spa. Paint the walls a soothing, neutral hue, set up a pair of massage tables and pull up a comfortable chair and foot spa for pedicures. Add shelves to the walls for your nail polish collection, hooks for your fluffiest robes and a wireless speaker for your favorite playlist.
Sportsman's Storeroom
To all fishermen, hunters or avid hikers, save space in your closet by using the shed as a storeroom for equipment and outdoor apparel. Hang jackets and vests from a garment rack, keep waders and bibs in a custom drawer and add wire baskets to the wall for headlamps and utility cords.
Private Library
Every book-lover dreams of having their own library a-la-Belle in Beauty of the Beast, but few realize they can use their shed to make it a reality. In a climate-controlled space, line the wall with large bookshelves, install a small pendant light fixture to illuminate the room then create a cozy seating area. And voila! Now you can read, undisturbed, for hours.
Beach Retreat
Blogger Danielle Driscoll brought the beach to her backyard with a cottage-style retreat complete with rattan furniture and coastal decor. White shiplap walls reflect the light and oceanic colors like blue and aqua keep the good vibes going throughout.
Family Game Room
Family game night just got so much better. Instead of crowding together on the living room couch or squeezing around the kitchen island, stretch out in this detached den. Set up a sectional, settee and coffee table to create the common space, and then use a buffet table or bookshelf to store all the games.
Backyard Tiki Bar
When you need an escape from the real world, slip away to your very own tiki bar. With a little reed and straw, you can transform your shed into an inviting hut. To further the sense of a tropical paradise, encircle the space with torches and palm trees, light a few citronella candles and add some sand that you can really sink your feet into.
At-Home Casino
You'll feel like you've hit the jackpot when you set foot inside your own casino. Create the perfect poker shed by outfitting it with a card table, comfy chairs and even a wildly patterned rug for the full effect. Complete the space with neon signs or a classic image of dogs to set the tone.
Dog Wash and Grooming Station
Save yourself a trip to the groomers by setting up a dog-washing station in the backyard. Work with an electrician and plumber to install a tub, drain and outlets for a blow dryer and keep shampoo and supplies on a shelf. Easily convert a storage cabinet into two comfy cages for the pooches.
Greenhouse
Passionate about plants? Upgrade your potting shed to a full-fledged greenhouse. A glass-walled kick-out allows sunlight to filter through and reach seed trays while a hanging rack keeps gardening tools organized. For a little English garden character, replace your builder-grade door with a Dutch door.