That homely metal shed used for storage and weekend woodworking projects has had a serious makeover with the advent of the she-shed: a tricked-out, curated outbuilding tailored to the hobbies and desires of the women who occupy it.

Looking for some incredible she-shed inspiration and some ideas for your own future digs? Erika Kotite’s eye candy She Sheds: A Room of Your Own features an array of outrageous outbuildings suited to a variety of interests. Fitted out in modern, classic, rustic and romantic styles, Kotite’s highlighted sheds include ultra-functional potting sheds stocked with gardening supplies; painting, jewelry-making and floral design studios; guest rooms and cozy getaways perfect for digging into a great book or just daydreaming. Many of these shed owners DIY'd their sheds, converting old, rickety buildings into backyard paradises.

Along with the merits of DIYing your own shed, and some practical advice on hiring your own shed builder, She Sheds offers a wealth of visual inspiration for how to approach the design and features of your shed-to-be.

Take a peek inside some of these functional-to-glam outdoor spaces and start planning your own backyard getaway now. 

The Gardening Shed

Pennsylvania shed-owner Judy Weiss revamped an existing shed with her husband at the DIY-frugal cost of just $500. The result, a wonderfully neat and organized way to store all of Judy's gardening tools. 

The Metal Shed

With no building experience but a can-do attitude, artist Melanie Van Houten turned an existing metal shed in her Florida backyard into an art studio using scrap wood for the shed floor and walls. Her recommendation for building a she-shed in Florida: air conditioning.

The Painting Studio

I would take up painting if it scored me a she shed as adorable as Queensland, Australia resident Tamara Armstrong's studio. The former teacher turned full-time painter often holds workshops in her shed.

The Jewelry Maker's Space

Sonoma, California jewelry and clothing maker Anne Freund brings charm and a touch of romance to this cozy shed that includes a workroom and storage area.

The Photo Studio/Sleeping Cottage

La Casita is the clever, dual-purpose invention of Dallas, Texas resident Paige Morse. Paige uses the clean-lined space with a Scandinavian influence as a photo studio. But she makes extra money by renting out her home on Airbnb, so when guests are booked, she just retreats to her backyard getaway which includes a functioning kitchen and bath.