This whole ‘She Sheds’ thing is a bit of a puzzler to me. I get that women can hanker after an equivalent of a man cave and I totally get that a plain old garden shed offers up infinite possibilities beyond storing gardening equipment and a lawn mower. But I didn’t realize how much these fluffed up out-buildings can be fraught with implications.

The value of a shed for she

Back in April of this year, an article on Zillow®, an American real estate website, reported that home buyers are looking for “luxuries that personalize their space” and are willing to pay more for them. A property that includes features such as a pizza oven can sell for up to 5.3% more than a similar home that doesn’t have these features.

Interestingly for gardeners, Zillow® research pointed out that there are plenty of home buyers out there willing to pay a bit more for homes that offer fun diversions, including:

• some kind of outdoor retreat area
• an outdoor entertaining area designed to impress
• a salt water pool
• an outdoor kitchen
• a putting green

What’s also been pinging on Zillow’s radar is the wonderfully weird ‘SheShed’. A property that boasts a she shed can contribute to a 2.5% premium. However, homes with she sheds are typically slower to sell by several days. As it turns out, extra-jazzy features (like she sheds) offered in a listing can translate into a bump in the final sale price but can also lead to a longer selling time as realtors search for the purchasers who might be into said jazzy feature.

SIDENOTE: According to Canadian Home Trends magazine, any shed can increase the value of your property if (and it’s a big if) the shed is “well built”. What does well built mean? Well, I’m guessing that probably means different things to different people but quality materials, good design, structurally solid (including a well built roof) and roominess are all generally good indicators of something being built well.

Where to start your She Shedding

There’s all kinds of advice out there about how to go about creating the She Shed of your dreams. Even the venerable Forbes magazine dives into this hot topic with an article entitled Experts Share Tips And Trends For 2023’s Best She Shed Spaces. Covered are some “essentials” for ultimate She Shedness. They include:

• Cozy seating
• Art and decor that reflects the owner’s interests
• Good lighting: both natural and with fixtures
• Storage and a tabletop for dining, work, crafts, whatever
• WiFi access
• A bar fridge and/or mini bar (I like how these people think)

But, as much as a she shed can potentially be the refuge of your dreams, we are also lead to believe that the journey from idea to finished project can be bumpy and it’s not just about indecisiveness over curtain fabric or pillows. For instance, the Forbes article quotes one psychologist who warned that she shed longings may necessitate a pre-planning conversation for those with partners. The doctor suggested that she “tak[e] time before the conversation to write down what she needs and how her space will not only help her but help the household. This talk should happen at a non-busy time in the couple’s schedule when they can communicate without interruption, and in a private area” going on to suggest an opener such as “Bill, I have some ideas about how space is used in this house. Do you have time now to discuss this or is there a better time for you?” Seriously.

Interestingly, the article also notes that a previous survey by an American retailer revealed “61% of women wouldn’t allow their partner in their she sheds.” I wonder if some of these women actually had the above conversation with their partner and it didn’t go well and they built the damn thing anyway.

To She Shed or not to She Shed

Ultimately, I think she sheds are most certainly a terrific addition to the garden. What woman/man/non-binary person wouldn’t want a totally-built-for-their-refuge-and-amusement hang-out? Anyone who’s ever had the good luck as a child to have played in a treehouse or a ‘fort’ or a play house will know this feeling. Why wouldn’t you want to re-ignite those delicious memories but this time make it an adult’s version, complete with internet and dimmer lights?