Everyone needs a place to relax. Man caves are where men play games, watch sports and hang out with friends. She sheds are where women craft, scrapbook or — if you’re like Chelsea — build things. If you want a she shed, but you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas to create the perfect getaway.
But first, it’s important to understand more about man caves and she sheds, and why we need them.
About Mancaves and She Sheds
Men and women thrive on spending time alone in their personal space with relaxed rules. This relieves stress, fosters creativity and improves mental health, according to clinical psychologist Dr. Libby Watson.
That’s just one reason why man caves and she sheds — which, typically, couldn’t be more different in appearance and function — have become popular ideas for modern homes.
From the furniture to décor, a man cave often looks nothing like the rest of the house. It may have a pool table, putting green and full-service bar. It may have antlers mounted on driftwood and framed jerseys and trophies on display. And you can bet there’s a huge flat-screen TV.
That’s all by design.
Man caves are more than a place to drink beer and watch sports, according to psychologist Sam Gosling, author of “Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You.” These spaces — which may resemble a dorm room or bachelor pad compared to the rest of the house — are necessary for men to express their identity.
Women usually influence the home’s design and decor, which leaves some men feeling restless. So, creating a space to indulge in their hobbies meets men’s emotional needs, according to some psychologists.
They’re not alone — professional women and stay-at-home moms also need a place where they can relax, unwind and pursue their pastimes without interruption.
The she shed usually is outdoors, but it could be a converted garage or even a spare room — anywhere a woman can be alone, or with friends, to craft, read, scrapbook, sew or garden.
Women, like men, have different pastimes, but here are some she shed ideas that should work regardless of your interests.
