Trending Home Improvements: 2016 Year of the Shed
By Paul Esajian on March 11, 2016
Sheds are trending. What will you do with yours?
Those looking for home renovation ideas, ways to add space, and opportunities to add appeal to investment properties shouldn’t be overlooking one of this year’s top real estate trends – sheds.
Why Sheds?
Customized sheds have been growing in popularity and visibility over the last year, and appear set to be a mainstream, in-demand home feature for 2016 and 2017.
Just some of the reasons homeowners, investors, and renters are loving them include:
- Affordable way to add extra space
- A fraction of the cost of finishing a basement or attic
- Tens of thousands cheaper than a conventional home addition
- Fast to get set up
- Portable and can be moved with you
- Truly private and customizable space right at home
- Can be green and promote sustainability
How to Get a Shed
There are several options for getting a shed of your own:
- Buy or rent a property with an existing shed
- Ask your landlord to install one
- Custom design one with a local specialist
- Order a shed online via major home improvement stores
- Have one custom built by a local contractor
- Get a DIY shed kit and build your own
- Look for used sheds to buy
Today’s sheds offer a variety of styles from pre-fabricated special use pods, to customized shipping containers, traditional wooden sheds, and even vinyl options. Base price options range widely depending on what you are looking for. A simple kit some materials may run a hundred bucks or two. A deluxe two story suite with hand-carved finishes will cost at least a few thousand. For those on a budget many vendors also offer in-house financing or rent-to-own options.
Note that you’ll want to check if you need a permit first.
Nine Shed Ideas
What can you do with a shed?
- Art or Craft Studio
With lots of natural sunlight sheds can make the ideal art or craft studio, and there’s no need to worry about the rest of the household complaining about the clutter. Just close the doors.
- Music Studios
Whether it is mixing music, singing, or playing an instrument a shed can offer the perfect space to make noise without driving everyone else insane, or interrupting your recordings.
- Kids Hangout or Gaming Room
Sometimes kids just need to be loud, and let off some steam. That can be difficult in a small home, especially when the weather outside isn’t ideal. Let them make all the noise they want in their own space.
- Home Office
Home offices are one of the most in-demand add-ons today. Having it in a separate space on-site alleviates relationship stress, while cutting down on overhead, and eliminating the commute.
- Princess Tower
Let the princess retire to her tower for a little peace and quiet, complete with a chandelier and plenty of pink throw pillows.
- Man Caves
Break out the sports memorabilia, keep busy on manly projects, and work on growing that beard.
- Sports Rooms
Some sheds are big enough for full sized pool tables, big screen TVs, darts, and more. Make it a surprise entertaining space, without having to load up in the car.
- Gardening Shed
A traditional garden shed shouldn’t be off limits either. Or upgrade it with an indoor aquaponics farm, go green, and increase your self-sustainability in case of a new crisis or zombie apocalypse.
- Library
Maybe all you need is a quiet and cozy reading and thinking den where you can curl up with a good book and let your imagination take off.
Summary
Sheds are shinning as one of the trendiest home improvement projects and additions this year. They are incredibly affordable and flexible, and can even be taken with you when you move. Some may require permits, others won’t. The biggest problem some will face is that everyone in the house might end up wanting their own private shed space.