Recent years have seen some really unique contemporary shed designs and ideas. As a shed retailer, or as anyone in the business of steel sheds and structures, providing your customers with the latest and greatest in shed designs and concepts will set you ahead of the pack.
Provide unique, awesome designs that improve the outdoor lifestyle of your customers and your word of mouth referrals are sure to skyrocket — as impressed friends and family members continually ask the question: “where the heck did you get this!?”
We take a look at 5 different contemporary shed and structure designs that your customers are sure to love.
#1 — The Man Cave
Man Caves have been a popular addition to many Australian homes for a number of years, and the lockdowns of recent years have only grown these contemporary sheds in numbers, as people look to add more space and enjoyment to their properties.
As the name suggests, a man cave is a retreat that can be escaped to, to enjoy a space that is entirely ‘your own’. Man caves tend to be focused around the males of the house (we get to ‘She Sheds’ and ‘We Sheds’ shortly), and are designed around providing the perfect ‘dudes sanctuary’. This isn’t to say that man caves are exclusive to the boys in the house. But it’s a space dedicated to celebrating all the things they love.
Design considerations
Think pool tables, darts boards, comfortable couches in front of big TV screens for watching sports and playing video games, and space for a bar fridge or even a home bar.
The best design for these contemporary sheds is going to be one that allows for all of these elements — or, even better, if this specifically fits the purpose of the dudes in question — avid fishermen may want a big wall of fishing lures and tackle on display, handy dudes may want space for a workbench, and crafty dudes may like space to finesse their art.
Contemporary shed design ideas
Here are some contemporary shed design options and ideas to help you design the perfect steel shed man cave.
- For the boxing or MMA enthusiast, work in a strategically placed, extra-strong additional steel beam across the roof that allows for boxing bags to be hung.
- Gym enthusiasts may enjoy this option as well, allowing them to hang gym equipment like rings and bars for pull-ups and all of the oh-so-impressive workout routines.
- Solid beams along the top of the roof allow for multiple items to hang — including decorative items or unique down lights.
- Extra-wide, or extra-long frames maximises the space for enjoyment, especially when your customers are hoping to add pool tables, darts boards and space for other activities.
- Extra-wide frames work well for those who want a lot of workbench space or a large display on the wall.
- A high roof will help to make the space feel big, spacious, and less cave-like.
- Allowing for windows and either air conditioning or ceiling fans to be added will help with airflow and the general feeling of the shed — however, there is always the option of a standing fan.
- Positioning the entry door on the side of the man shed (or at least not opposite where a TV would be placed) allows for the door to be opened comfortably without creating glare on the screen at those important gaming moments or sporting plays.
#2 — The ‘She Shed’
Much like the man cave, a ‘she shed’ is a contemporary shed that is dedicated to the enjoyment of the lady, or ladies of the house.
Design considerations
Think open, airy and welcoming. She Sheds are often a great space to chat with friends, host morning teas, escape from the children (and the husband) for a bit, be creative, meditate, relax with a good book and a warm cuppa, and/or create or craft something beautiful. The use of this space will of course depend on the lady in question — so discovering the purpose of this space is the first step to ensuring that all of the right design considerations are taken care of.
Contemporary shed design options
- Working in spaces for large windows to be added for airflow and natural light will help make the space feel open and airy.
- Allowing for ceiling fans, downlights and air conditioning to be installed is ideal where possible. Failing that, working in space for portable fans would do the trick.
- Allowing space for storage would be a fantastic move for those who would like to use the space for art and craft.
- For She Sheds that are placed out in the garden, designing the placement of the doors and windows to face the most visually pleasing parts of the garden would optimise relaxation. For those with children, providing a line of sight to where the children like to play is even better.
#3 — The ‘We Shed’
The ‘we shed’ is the more inclusive contemporary shed version of the man cave or she shed. Rather than having separate spaces dedicated to the celebration and enjoyment of the ladies and mean of the house, a ‘we shed’ can either be a combined enjoyment and escape space that allows a retreat for both, or it can be a space with two separate areas, that are joined or connected in some way — promoting togetherness as well as dedicated enjoyment spaces.
Design Considerations
The biggest design considerations here will be how to incorporate the elements that everyone in the household will love into one space.
Contemporary shed design ideas
- A ‘we shed’ could be one big structure with a bunch of features that everyone will love scattered throughout.
- It could be one big space with two ends that each have specialist ‘she and he’ features that come together in the middle,
- Or the design could be two separate enclosed shed structures, with space for big, open windows, joined together with a central space to sit and enjoy together.
- If option one or two, a great design option would be to have a large, open space that is wide enough to incorporate all of these features.
- If taking this third option, the central meeting space could be a patio in between the two structures joining them together, a canopy structure over the ‘middle ground’, or could even be a third enclosed segment with large doorways that joins the two together and acts as an entry point for all.
#4 — The garden retreat
Not all sheds and steel structures are the traditional four steel walls. This is particularly true for contemporary sheds. A garden retreat can be created that provides protection from the elements while incorporating greenery and growth.
Design Considerations
Garden retreats can resemble greenhouses, with plenty of space for large, open windows or open sections (without the glass) for even more connectivity with nature. They could also be in the form of open-side awnings – providing a structure for climbing plants to grow from while presenting a stylish outdoor dining space.
Design options for contemporary sheds
- Build the shed structure and roof strong enough (with plenty of support beams) to allow for a garden bed to be built on top of it, accompanied by a ladder for access.
- Alternatively, create an open-top design — either with gaps designed into the roof structure, or with plenty of windows for natural light.
- Open-side awning structures are another fantastic option, either in the style of a pergola (without a solid roof, but a structure that allows climbing plants to grow from to create shade), or with a roof and plenty of greenery placed around.
- Designs based around providing a space for outdoor entertaining, outdoor dining, or greenhouse-style planters can incorporate a range of different open-spaced options.
#5 — The Micro Shed
With housing sizes across many locations getting smaller and smaller, many in suburban areas simply don’t have the space for a large shed. Enter the micro shed — the contemporary sheds making maximum use of minimal space.
Design Considerations
The biggest consideration here is to look at the space that is available, including both horizontal and vertical space, as well as the intended use.
Contemporary sheds design ideas
- Consider building up if the space allows it.
- For minimal space alongside the side of a house, a very wide shed can compensate for minimal depth.
- Allowing for shelving to be built into the design provides ample storage opportunities.
- Open sides may be a good option for those micro sheds that hold bikes and a lawn mower, allowing easy wheel-in and wheel-out access where a doorway may otherwise be narrow and difficult to get items through.
