7 ideas to increase the possibilities of your garden shed

Garden sheds are very useful for storing tools, lawnmowers, barbecues and even outdoor furniture during the winter.

But have you ever thought about using your shed for something else? This is to say divert it from its initial useor even combine it with equipment that will increase its possibilities?

I'll go over 7 ideas that will make you see your retreat differently and make you want to personalize it.
This advice is brought to you by Chaletdejardin.fr, manufacturer and seller of garden sheds.

A shelter with a greenhouse

The first idea that comes to mind is that of combine a garden shed with an attached greenhouse to this. This way you can store all the necessary equipment such as tools, soil and empty pots in the shelter and access them easily from the greenhouse.

The simplest way to proceed is to place a greenhouse on one of the sides of your cabin, respecting some rules:

• Check that there is sufficient height.
• Remember not to position the greenhouse facing south because the temperature inside would be too high.

With this configuration it is necessary to exit the greenhouse to access the shed. If you are an experienced DIYer, you can do it create an opening with a door to access from one to the other without going out.

A shed with a chicken coop

Integrating a chicken coop into your yard is trendy. It must be recognized that this is very practical because it allows you to have fresh eggs at hand.

To create a chicken coop, you have two choices. Or buy a kit model, it is easy to assemble but often quite small. Or make one yourself, starting from scratch, which isn't always easy. So why not use a garden shed as the basis for this structure?

Simply create, next to your cabin, a running area for chickens surrounded by a fenceea they hatch to be able to enter the shelter in the evening.
Inside it will be enough to install nest boxes, perches, a drinker, a feeder and a ventilation system. You can opt for a small garden house dedicated exclusively to this, or get a larger one in which you divide the space: one part for the birds and one part for storage.

Transform a shelter into a pool house

When you have a swimming pool, installing a pool house nearby is often a dream. But it is a dream whose cost is dissuasive.

Why not use a garden shed where you can put a fridge and equipment, e.g combine it with a pergola which will create a shaded terraced area? You will thus find the usual configuration of a pool house: a closed part with the equipment and a terrace part, all at a lower cost!

You can also consider, inside the shelter,install a kitchen space (without cooking) with a water inlet and create an opening on one of its sides to create a serving hatch or a counter!

This is especially appropriate with a flat roof shed because the latter will be an extension of the top of the pergola.

Install a hot tub area in a shed

If you are not lucky enough to have a swimming pool, why not? install a hot tub in your retreat?

In this case, choose a cabin with glass openings or replace the door yourself with a glass version that lets maximum light inside.

In summer you don't risk sunburn or sunstroke because you are protected from direct sunlight.
In winter this allows you to stay warm, thanks to the installation of heating, and protected from the elements.
Obviously this requires some adaptations, especially at the level of ventilation because a hot tub produces water vapor that must be evacuated.

Convert a shed into an office or guest room

We can take the changes even further by creating a real additional room in the house thanks to a garden shed.
You can turn it into an office or, for fairly large models, in the guest room.

Adaptations will depend on your needs in terms of equipment: electricity will be essential, water will be necessary if you install a shower or toilet.
Also think about isolation. For this type of accommodation it is preferable take shelter with thick enough walls and also add to true isolation. But this work is worth the cost, because you will get it the impression of having a mini wooden chalet in your garden!

Transform a shed into a children's play area

Children like to imitate their parents and there are outdoor playhouses for them.

Again, why not use a garden shed to create a large play area for your children?

Inside they will have space to play, even when it rains, and to store their toys. Outside you can match the shed with outdoor play equipment like a platform with a slide.

Give your children the opportunity to personalize the place by letting them decorate it as they wish.

A shelter with a vertical vegetable garden

It is also possible to increase the practicality of your garden shed. For example, it is possible to extend the roof overhang to dry firewood, or connect a rainwater collector to the gutter (not always included in the kits).

An idea that I particularly like is that of place a vertical vegetable garden on the best exposed side of your shed. You can also let rainwater from the roof drain directly onto the vegetable garden and water it yourself!

You understand it, the possibilities are immense thanks to the wooden sheds, a material that can be easily worked, cut, etc.

Some of these modifications are simple, others require a little DIY knowledge, but there is something for everyone's tastes and abilities. Just choose the one that best suits you.

Obviously, before making any cuts to the wall, take the necessary measures to ensure that this does not degrade the solidity of the shelter!