Creating the perfect she shed

Creating the perfect she shed is about designing a personal retreat that reflects your style and meets your needs. Whether it’s a cosy reading nook, a vibrant craft space, or a tranquil yoga studio, focus on comfort and inspiration. Let your creativity shine in this unique sanctuary just for you!

Florist, Nadine Brown, converted three sheds on her 50-acre Southern Highlands property in New South Wales. She has turned these sheds into workspaces and a studio and has kept her business, Wild Flora Studio, running from home during the pandemic. Nadine now holds short courses from her ivy glasshouse on topics such as business coaching, mentoring and floral training. Nadine describes her space as having a natural warmth and tranquility which draws her audience, creating a unique form of online learning for the floral industry.

‘We self-renovated, salvaging a dark old shed into a light-filled sanctuary using almost all recycled and repurposed materials – that’s so unique. But, maybe, what I love the most, is the reaction I get as people step into the space – a deep breath and sigh is generally the physical reaction, along with ‘oh I need a space like this in my life’. I think ‘sheds’ have been seen in our society as a masculine space – every man needs a shed, right? Essentially, they are seen as a space for hobbies and tools, and a place to relax, tinker and have time to themselves. But I think that’s exactly what the woman that spend time with me in mine really love and wish they had in their own lives.’

Lesa Lambert, based on the Gold Coast, has created what she calls her hobby hut. A space for Lesa to escape where she makes candles and whitewashes furniture (which she shares on her social media account @mossandtwine), or it can be turned into a spare bedroom when guests visit. Lesa spends at least five hours a day in her hobby hut and it has become her sanctuary to unwind “I do a bit of reading in there, light candles and crack a bottle of wine when my friends come round.”

When asked what inspired Lesa to create her hobby hut she says “I actually had a dream one night last year that I walked down the stairs of our house, out of the front door and to my own hobby hut shed. I mentioned it to my husband, Greg, who is a concreter, and he said let’s do it.’

We may not all be so lucky to have the space, the time or the means to create separate dwellings to WFH but even the most basic of spare bedrooms or studies can be turned into a home office to envy. Whether it is a standalone she shed or turning an existing room into a luxe office space, here are our top tips to make it the perfect WFH space!

Natural light and great ventilation are key. No one wants to work in a dark storage closet so forget turning the broom closet into your WFH space.
Choose comfortable, ergonomic furniture. It is fine and well to use the dining room table and chair until your back gives out and you end up with chronic pain. Look into how to set your workspace up ergonomically, we like ergo-plus.com for top tips.
Use clever storage to declutter your workspace.
Add some pot plants. Natures very special way of filtering the air in your home and they make you feel good too.
Add your own personal touches, whether it is art, lamps, rugs, or simply a scented candle, whatever brings you joy.