Everyone needs their own space in their home. Whether it’s a quiet little reading corner, a favourite spot in the lounge room or even the study, time apart from a busy household is vital.

But what happens when a man’s castle is no longer his own domain? The answer is simple: build your own space. While the idea isn’t new – men have always claimed the garage or the ‘den’ as their own – the Man Shed has recently risen in popularity.

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Can both men and women have their own space?

In the last few years, the She Shed has made a ‘colourful’ appearance. Women rejoiced as now they also had their own sanctuary. But has this been detrimental to those not of the fairer sex? Is there room for both?

The answer is yes! The Man Shed, in many cases, seems to be an extension of the garage or even a complete transformation of the place that stores the tools, the baby furniture and the old tyres. Men have reinvented the Man Cave into state of the art, Wi-Fi connected escapes complete with proper heating, cooling, plumbing and flooring.

Forget the throw pillows and scented candles á la She Shed, the Man Cave of 2015 has a comfy recliner, a handy fridge and even a pool table. The modern man wants a place to rebuild his 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, but also a space that’s not cluttered with the rest of the household’s junk.

Limited by your imagination

It’s amazing some of the transformations I have seen to the old garden shed or garage. As mentioned earlier, some men have completely gutted out the existing structures while others have built their Man Sheds from scratch. Ideas include: micro-breweries, home offices, chill-out zones complete with all the latest technology, music recording studios and even photographers studios. Each is stamped with their own unique flair, and all very masculine.

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And, it adds value

It’s not surprising an additional asset to a home will add value to your property, especially if it’s decked-out to a very high quality. Just ensure that before commencing any new building work, you check with your local council and abide by all regulations. You wouldn’t want all your hard work to be for nothing.

Will he disappear forever?

I hear many women worry that their men will retreat into this Man Shed and may never reappear! I have yet to meet a man who lived in his cave forever! When their stomachs start growling, they’ll emerge! On a serious note however, having your own space – whether you’re a man or woman ­– is important for mental health and balances the dynamics of a busy home environment.

Bronte is home to one of Sydney’s most picturesque beaches, where the lush expanse of Bronte Gully cascades down to parkland and golden sands framed by dramatic clifftops.

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Just 6kms from the city, Bronte features a small strip of trendy waterfront restaurants, many of which open only during the day. Completed in 1845, historic Bronte House is among the oldest buildings in the Eastern Suburbs.

Its formal gardens merge easily with the natural landscape of Bronte Gully to make it the embodiment of the romantic villa by the sea.

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Packed with families the instant the sun shines, Bronte retains its seaside baths which still provide a safe spot to swim, just as they have done since 1887. Bronte’s name is also synonymous with the famed ‘Bondi to Bronte’ beachfront walk.

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Architecturally it is a mix of styles, with many of the early 20th century houses and semis either refurbished to reflect the suburb’s affluence or redeveloped to take full advantage of the views. Art Deco apartments and units from the ‘60s through to the present day all vie to find their own glimpse of that magnificent ocean outlook.

Rose Bay is definitely a lifestyle address and has become the suburb of choice for those who enjoy food, golf, sailing or just a leisurely stroll along its picturesque waterfront promenade.

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Rose Bay is home to one of the country’s most exclusive golf clubs, Royal Sydney, and its public neighbour the Woollahra Golf Club. More low-key than its high-fashion neighbour Double Bay, Rose Bay offers more of a laid back café culture, with a few local supermarkets, eclectic dining and some interesting specialty stores such as Parisi’s.

Its two main shopping villages on Old South Head Road and New South Head Road are linked by a couple of main streets. The prized harbour side of the suburb plays host to one of Sydney’s most renowned waterfront restaurants, Catalina.

Top schools abound in the vicinity, with Kincoppal-Rose Bay girls’ school known as one of its most significant buildings – an ornate and dramatic mid-1800’s landmark standing proudly above the entire suburb, surveying the harbour below. Architecturally, Rose Bay is an interesting combination of eras.

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Split almost perfectly in half by the main artery, Old South Head Road, Rose Bay is a salubrious suburb just 7kms from the CBD. It’s a seamless fusion of the large-scale properties and quiet residential atmosphere of Vaucluse to its east and the cosmopolitan lifestyle and convenience of Double Bay to its west.

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Many of the area’s older substantial Federation homes and semis remain, generally renovated to perfection. Art Deco apartments are prevalent, while a number of exclusive apartments and villas have been developed along the waterfront to cater to those keen to have a front row seat among the action.

It’s planting time! Here are some tips on how and when to plant some household favourites: