Transforming Your Shed into a Shed Cabin- A 5 Step Guide
Jared Reiff - January 12, 2024
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Shed Cabin Transformation
Who doesn’t love a great cabin? Cabins are synonymous with peaceful living and relaxation, something we could all use more of. The problem is that we often believe we don’t have the means of bringing our cabin dreams to life. Cabins cost too much, right? We need land to build a cabin, and land is more expensive than ever. The list of objections goes on and on.
What if there was a way to create your own personal cabin oasis in your backyard without breaking the bank? Well, there is a way, and it’s called “shed cabins.” With a little bit of sweat and DIY ingenuity, you can transform a shed into your own little getaway. It may not be quite the same as having a full-size log cabin in the mountains, but it might just be close enough. Here’s a simple 5 step guide to help get you started on your shed cabin transformation.
Contents
Evaluate Your Shed
If you already own a shed, it’s a good idea to thoroughly evaluate your shed. Start with the floor and work your way up to the roof. Are there any rotting floor joists or soft spots on the floor? Does the ceiling leak at all? Are there any signs of moisture? If there are any of these things, consider purchasing a new shed for your shed cabin conversion.
At this step, it’s also important to get an idea of what you’ll be using the shed for. Will it be a guest quarters, or something like a reading room or she shed? Once you have an idea in mind, you can determine if your shed is big enough, or if you’ll have to purchase a new shed.
Plan and Build Your Layout
The next step is where you’ll have to start putting some sweat into the project. Get a specific idea of what you want your cabin shed to look like. If you want to add a separate room, like a bathroom or storage closet, you’ll need to build a dividing wall. You may even be able to add an exterior door or some windows if you have the skills and are feeling ambitious.
Make sure you spend time on the planning phase of this step. It’s much easier to make the changes you’d like now rather than after you have electric wires and drywall on your walls. Sit back with your favorite drink, and have fun dreaming of all that your shed cabin could be!
Install Utilities and Insulation
Once you have your shed cabin planned out and all the walls, doors, and windows framed, it’s time to add your electricity, plumbing, and HVAC. This part of your shed transformation will require some technical skills, and it may be a good idea to hire a professional to do these tasks unless you have some experience. If you’re up to the DIY challenge, here’s a video to help you with your electrical installation.
Again, it’s important to know what you want in this step since it’s much harder to add outlets and HVAC after the insulation and drywall are installed. Here’s a list of things you may want in your shed cabin for different uses:
photo credit: Shed’s Unlimited
Sleeping quarters or living room area
- Plenty of outlets for phone chargers
- Mini-split system and/or ceiling fan for climate control
- Switches and light boxes for abundant lighting
Kitchenette
- Plenty of outlets rated for appliances like microwaves and refrigerators
- Water lines and drain for the sink
- Ceiling or wall fan for ventilation
Bathroom
- Outlet rated for hair dryers
- Water lines and drains for wash bowl, toilet, or maybe a bathroom
- Wires and venting for bathroom fan and light
After you have your plumbing, electric, and HVAC in place, it’s time to insulate. This is an important step, especially if you live in an area with a harsh climate. You can choose between spray foam insulation or more typical batt insulation. Here’s a video to help you with your DIY insulation process.
Add the Finishing Materials
After all of your electric, plumbing, and insulation is in place, it’s time to install the finishing materials like drywall, flooring, or plywood. The walls can be finished with drywall, plywood, or some sort of ship-lap material. depending on preference. Drywall will give your shed cabin a more home-like feel, while plywood and ship lap is more durable. Either one can be painted.
For the floor, you can leave it with bare plywood, finish it with vinyl planking, or add carpet. There are many options and styles when it comes to flooring, so you may need to do some research. If you plan on painting the walls, it’s best to get the majority of it finished before adding flooring so you don’t drip paint on your new flooring.
Conclusion
Your cabin dream is closer than you think. With a bit of vision, sweat, and commitment, you could have your own little shed cabin in your own backyard. At DuraStor Structures, we offer sheds that are fully customizable and can be fitted with front porches, a perfect option for a shed cabin conversion. Below are the models we offer. Check them out today!
Sheds from DuraStor Structures
- The Garden Shed Max: One of our most popular buildings, this shed is loaded with useful features, as well as classic styling that fits in most environment
- The Utility Shed: If you want a shed that’s loaded with style, useful features, and value, than look no further.
- The Lofted Barn Max: This model features lots of overhead space, and is a perfect shed to convert into a workshop or other hobby space.
- The Garage Shed: With a strong, well-built floor, this shed is great for storing vehicles, small tractors, or other large, heavy items.
