Backyards offer hideaway havens for adults
A crafter needs her craft room and a gardener needs her garden shed. One fit for a grown up Disney princess.
No doubt about it! Backyard escapes are a hot, hot trend that offer hide-away havens for adults. As evidence, look no further than the social media site Pinterest. It’s brimming with images of charming little out-buildings that double as a comfy respite between garden chores. From frilly “she sheds” and art and yoga studios, to home offices in tree forts, they are mighty appealing to the kid at heart.
So what’s behind all this, you ask? What’s driving this trend? Well, for one, it’s simply that modern technology has made it easier than ever to work ‘remote’. Wireless communications mean you can connect with the business world from virtually anywhere. This liberates employees from the office cubicle. (and perhaps annoying co-workers). Hence the desire for alternative and even inspiring work spaces.
Internet commerce is growing by leaps and bounds, creating business opportunities for entrepreneurs like never before. Every year, more people start their own business. Some do it as a “side hustle” to earn a little extra income. Others are striving for something self-supporting so they can leave a corporate job. Some retired folks are re-entering the work force via their lap tops and want a home office a bit fancier than the spare bedroom.
She sheds, relax shacks just for FUN
I’m no psychologist, but I personally believe the main reason for the growing popularity of backyard retreats is an internal one. It’s the ever-increasing desire to escape and unwind, even if it’s less than 50 feet from the house. A comfortable and welcoming place to hang out. Like kids, adults also need an outlet for imagination and creativity. Further, “she sheds” and tree forts are rooted in happy childhood memories.
Dan Pauly is know for his whimsical little cabins that seem to jump right out of the pages of Dr. Seuss or J.R. Tolkien.
Where do you get them?
Many of these outbuildings are nothing more than an attractively converted storage shed. That makes them fairly inexpensive. Partially assembled kits are readily available for order on-line or at hardware stores like Lowes already selling them under the name “She Shed” (SEE Link to ‘she sheds’) or Home Depot (link to sheds +custom design) They come with with options for windows, skylights and french doors.
Others are quite elaborate designs with DIY plans that can be purchased online. If you don’t have basic carpentry skills or power tools on hand, you can still hire someone locally to build the ‘she shed’, office, art or yoga studio of your dreams. For something small like this, you’ll want to look for your all around “handyman”. Someone licensed, bonded and insured. Other contractors, home builders, and certain carpenters likely won’t have time for little backyard projects.
You might also see if there are companies in your area that specialize in building storage sheds. They offer a number of package deals and limited customization for your consideration and price comparison.
She sheds as a garden destination
Gardens can be even more enjoyable places to spend time if there is a destination. A charming outbuilding in the backyard becomes a focal point that adds character and personality to the landscape. It can even have a little built-in nook for an afternoon nap. But watch out! Adding more design elements to the landscape might become virtually irresistible!
How? Well, for starters, a destination needs a route to get there, doesn’t it? Sure, you can just trudge across the lawn, but wouldn’t you prefer a little winding pathway to make it a little more interesting? Then, maybe a new garden bed or two. After that, a few flowering shrubs, an ornamental tree and some whimsical garden art. It may take a couple years, but that backyard has potential to become a much more intriguing place and to think it all started with a great little hideaway.
Tree house for adults
Believe it or not, there are several companies across the United States that are professional tree house builders. They build fairly simple to elaborate designs for kids and the kid-at-heart. If you’ve ever wanted to re-live your childhood, or the childhood you might have missed out on, this is it!
As for the home office, how about a Monday morning commute across the back yard?
For your information, here are a couple companies in the United States that build tree houses. I haven’t done business with either of them and am not related to anyone in the company, I’m just trying to be helpful to you. There are others, but either of these may be a good place to start if you’re interested. Take a look!
Tree Top Builders in Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Nelson Tree House from the hit TV show “Tree House Masters” (aired from 2013-2018)
Final thoughts
I hope that you’ll consider adding a little private get-away to your yard or garden area. Stop dreaming about it, and just DO it! That’s actually one of the projects on my own list. A destination doesn’t need to be fancy, though. Even a semi-open structure that provides shelter from wind, rain, or the sun’s heat can be an inviting place to relax. It’s so much fun to decorate this personal space with your own favorite things.
Our magazine always enjoys sharing what our readers have done in their own yards and gardens, so if you’ve got a special place to hang out in your backyard, feel free to send a photo and brief description and I’ll post it on our site.
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Related posts from Make it a Garden:
Garden Sheds are Chic in the backyard
Upgrade your Storage Shed from Average to WOW
