One man or woman and their shed

During increasingly stressful times, it can be great to have your own space where you can go to simply hang out and relax.

Whether you know them as a man cave or a she shed, these converted spaces can offer some sanctuary to avoid the stresses of the day – and they’re becoming increasingly more popular in the UK.

The concept of a man cave has been around since the ‘90s, and although they can usually be found within the four walls of your home, there has been a shift in guys converting their sheds to use as a retreat.

According to psychiatrist and author Scott Haltzmann, it is important for a man to have a place to call his own, referring to a male area to which retreat.

While men need their space, women do, too. More recently, there has been an increase in women creating what have been coined ‘she sheds’ (or ‘woman caves’, in some cases) where they can also relax and pursue hobbies.

As you can guess by the name, she sheds are typically situated in the garden, which is perfect for those with space inside their homes at a premium.

Building or converting a shed for use as a man cave or she shed is a great way to have a little extra space for yourself, while personalising it to your taste.

The first thing to do when building your man cave/she shed is to create an atmosphere that reflects what your primary usage of the space will be.

If you’ll be using your space to relax, use soft paint colours and warm lightning within to create a soothing surrounding that is the perfect location for reading, listening to music, doing yoga, or simply having a nap!

A great way to personalise your man cave or she shed is by hanging wall art or bar signs within. Personalised bar signs are also a wonderful addition to the outside of your space and add a personal touch.

If you’ve converted a shed, for example, Barsigns.UK offers various customisable bar signs that would look great adorning the exterior of your backyard haven. Why not christen your man cave/she shed with a fun bit of alliteration like ‘Chris’ Cave’ or ‘Sue’s Space’?

Having a personalised sign is an ideal way to give any potential guests a glimpse into what they can expect to find within your space. A vintage wooden sign suggests a warm, relaxed atmosphere inside, while a custom metal sign has a bit more of a rock ‘n’ roll edge to it that lets your company know that they’re about to enter the fun zone!

Many man caves these days are being used as home pub sheds, which is an even better excuse to get yourself a personalised bar sign featuring that genius pub name that you and your friends drunkenly thought up  five years ago.

No matter how you choose to furnish your man cave or decorate your she shed, just remember to make it a place that you are happy to retire to in those moments of the day where you need some time to yourself. Having that special space to go to can do wonders for you and your mental health.