Do you want to make use of that old backyard shed for more than just storage? Reclaiming this space adds functional square footage to your home and creates a getaway destination hidden from the world. But no matter whether you want a 'man cave', a 'she shed', or a yoga studio, one key to using it to its fullest is the make it inviting from the outside. Here are five ways to do this.
1. Clear Out Around It. Start by clearing out the jungle that may exist around the shed. Unkempt greenery is a fire hazard and it can attract pests or local wildlife. It may also make the shed less inviting to hang out inside. Clear and add hardscape to a wide path around all four sides for maintenance and to give you a blank canvas for decoration.
2. Build a Good Walkway. The ease and comfort of getting to and from your shed will determine how much you use it. So, start with a good footpath. It can be made of many hardscape materials, ranging from pea gravel to pavers to poured concrete. Use something solid in all sorts of weather. Make it wide — perhaps as wide as two people walking side-by-side. And try to keep it as straight and simple as possible.
3. Light It Up. The walkway to the shed and the area all around it should be well-lit. The specific lighting style is your own personal choice, but it needs to provide good lighting that welcomes users outside to follow the path and find a bright area they feel comfortable and safe in. This may call for a combination of things like stake lights, string lights, and motion-detected overhead lights.
4. Focus on the Porch. The porch of your shed is where people get their first impressions. What can you do to make this area more welcoming? Widen the path near the shed to its full width and give it a solid floor of pavers or gravel. Add some outdoor chairs, a table, a hammock, or a bench to invite people to lounge. And use it to give people a preview of what the shed is all about such as adding a reading nook or a fire pit.
5. Open It Up. Make the shed's interior bright and inviting by opening up the entryway. Replace single doors with double doors. Add large windows around the door or use a door with glass. You might even add clear panels to the roof or eaves to bring in natural lighting. The more open this area feels when in use, the more people will want to go inside.
Get started crafting an inviting approach to your backyard shed by learning more about hardscaping services and material options. With a wide variety of everything from gravel to furniture, you can find the perfect combination to design the perfect outbuilding for any purpose.
