The Man Shed

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.

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