She sheds are small havens for women who need a place to work, create or find some solitude without having to travel further than their backyard.

Las Vegas resident Alexandra Balassy, who moved to the United States from Germany, runs her documentation business from her shed. She specializes in citizenship paperwork for a prominent immigration lawyer and occasionally does confidential work that requires privacy—hard to get in a full house with family and regular guests from Deutschland.

The solution? A 196-square-foot she-sanctuary from Tuff Shed.

“I had calls from all over the world, [sometimes] early in the morning. My husband wanted to sleep. It’s why I really enjoy having this place for myself,” she says.

The trend of converting tool sheds into cozy lioness lairs took off during the pandemic when people had time for projects and needed space. Converted sheds remain popular now that 35 percent of people do some or all of their work from home, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Opposed to having an office in your home, you have a dedicated place for work or hobbies, but you don’t have the distractions of actually being in your house,” says Jeremy Nova, co-founder of Studio Shed, high-end supplier of prefabricated backyard spaces and accessory dwelling units.

Though women use their lady caves for reasons beyond work. Balassy also likes to read, relax and brainstorm in a space that’s decorated with things she loves, like a large Buddha light and shelves for her books.

Another Vegas resident, Ann Lee, uses her Key West-style bungalow, inspired by Lee’s love of the Florida island city, to host events like fundraisers, cookie exchanges, parties and game nights. The shed also has a projector and surround sound for the occasional movie night.

Nova said people go the shed route because they’re easier to build than additions and remodels.

“You’re not cutting into existing walls or tying in existing roof,” he says. “It’s a cost-efficient way to add finished square footage to a property while avoiding the hassle of permitting.”

Clark County requires a permit for anything over 200 square feet, so most are just under that size.

Cost-wise, Lowe’s sells kits for around $5,000 to $8,000. Balassy and Lee’s spaces both cost around $22,000. Studio Shed units are anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 and take about a week to complete, including building the foundation. Nova says people can install their own Studio Sheds to save money, but it takes more than a Phillips head and some duct tape.

“You have to be somewhat handy,” Nova says. “It’s not putting together an IKEA coffee table, but it’s not like building a home, either.”

Lee’s husband, Lenny, an engineer, custom-designed and built everything (except for the concrete foundation) in his downtime over the space of a few years.

Balassy’s handyman husband, Soeren, built her she den.

“It took him weeks to get it done. It was so much work done with so much love that is very much appreciated by me.”

Constructing a she-quarters in five steps

Photo by: Wade Vandervort

For the daring DIYers, here’s the easiest way to construct your very own she shed, with tips from Lowe’s home improvement store manager Gary McCoy.

Step 1 Prep To get started, consider the size, style and location of your shed. Pick a flat spot so it’s easier to lay the foundation. Then, clear the area of any debris and rocks. Keep in mind you need government permits for electrical outlets, heating, AC, plumbing, or building a structure more than 200 square feet in size.

Step 2 Build the foundation McCoy says the foundation is the most important component of building a level shed that will last. Use concrete slabs with sill plates for larger sheds, or four-by-fours on masonry blocks for a smaller structure.

Step 3 Build your kit Kits come with detailed instructions on how to build the walls, adding the roof, installing doors and windows, adding trim and finishing with shingles. It’s helpful to read them and follow them closely.

Step 4 Customize Once your shed is standing, make it your own. Are you making a yoga studio, a meditation space, a music room? It’s time to add the accoutrements.

“Prioritizing natural light and strong ventilation will help a she shed feel more like a personal oasis and less like a storage space, typically meant for tools and gear,” McCoy says. “If you want to make your she-quarters feel even more bright and airy, you can switch out the standard windows and doors for expansive skylights and larger French doors.”

Step 5 Add a patio or deck McCoy says outdoor upgrades like lattice skirting adds extra personality. You can also make a deck with a small platform on masonry blocks to create an outdoor area and extend your she-shedding activities to outside.

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