24 tips for turning a shed into a tiny hideaway

In addition to making sure that the door is properly sealed, you should also make sure it’s inviting and accessible. This may include adding a patio or porch area, building steps, painting the door, or installing a new door entirely. If you plan on leaving the door open most of the time, you will also need a screen door. Some shed conversions utilise sliding doors to both allow plenty sunlight in and create a more welcoming entrance.

Learn these DIY door basics. 

When it comes to furniture, you will probably want a couch, a table or lamp stand, and a chair or two – at the minimum. We suggest either looking for old pieces you can reclaim and restore, or building your own furniture based on what you need.

Turn the space into a pleasant living area by adding both plants and décor. A popular option is to plant a vine by a shed porch or wall so that it will eventually climb up nearby surfaces and make the shed look like a proper part of your garden. Indoor plants will also help keep the air fresh and add a little greenery to your new room.

This is how to repot an indoor plant. 

If possible, install more durable flooring in your shed room (cork, tile, carpet, and much more is suitable), and lay down a rug for greater comfort. A good wood floor can typically be restored, but it’s a big project. Remember that moisture and mould may be a problem if the floor isn’t properly protected.

Don’t miss this guide to non-timber flooring. 

When you have the shed walls insulated and the gaping holes plugged, then add weather stripping to the windows and doors.

Apply weatherproofing plastic to windows.

Apply sealing foam tape to the bottom panel of windows.

Add caulk to any draughty spots in the window as needed.

Slide a door draft blocker under the shed door.

Learn more about weather proofing your home. 

String lights aren’t just for holiday decorating. They can turn a normally boring shed into a place you look forward to escaping to at the end of a long day. Use pushpins or Command light clips to hang string lights on the inside and outside of your shed and route them to outdoor electrical outlet.

Here are some more great outdoor lighting ideas.

With a solar panel kit, you can add a little power to your shed without having to route electrical from your house. The panel absorbs energy from the sun during the day and allows you to route it to other appliances, like lamps, electric saws, stereo systems, and chargers for your mobile.

Check out these 5 amazing tiny houses.

Most manufactured liveable sheds have hard plastic or wood flooring. Another flooring option that can go over the top of the original floor is rubber flooring. Because the tiles interlock, you can easily install this flooring yourself. It’s an inexpensive and quick flooring solution that will provide shock absorption for your feet. You could probably even walk barefoot in your storage shed!

The better your relaxing shed space is organised, the more peaceful and welcome it will feel. If there weren’t many shelves in your shed, install a couple shelving units on the walls to store items that will make life in your new getaway more pleasant.

Learn how to make these stylish rope shelves. 

If you plan to enclose yourself in your shed to enjoy a book or do some woodworking for hours on a regular basis, be sure to install some type of ventilation system. An exhaust fan will allow air to escape and keep fresh air circulating in the space. If you want to avoid the hassle of installing a wall unit, get a standard twin window fan.