Build Your Own She Shed, Tiny House

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Build your own DIY Crafting Cottage, She Shed or Garden shed. This is a sweet tiny house design to fit your backyard. A link to downloadable plans included.

The She Shed movement is growing faster than you can imagine. There are kits you can buy and many are investing in the pre-made sheds then fixing them up into sweet little backyard getaways.

If you added a bathroom you could even use this as a tiny house.

I looked into buying a pre-made shed then converting it. Want to know why I didn’t?

Want to build one yourself?

Download and print the 30-page ebook plans with the supplies list.

Yes, please!

Why we built my She Shed

My husband convinced me he could build the little cottage for much less than purchasing a pre-made shell of a shed.

Yep, he convinced me for the cost of that shed and the improvements I wanted to make that he could design exactly what I wanted and do it less expensively.

So that is how this little gem of a She Shed came to be. 

In summer it is surrounded by flowers and my garden.

she shed in flower garden

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

Would you like your own little space like this?

I don’t blame you!

I love mine and use it nearly daily.  It is placed behind my house and is convenient to get to Summer and Winter.

she shed in winter, Flower Patch Farmhouse

I confess to being inside it in winter more, that is when I do more painting and doing videos for my art website: Pamela Groppe Art

With heat and running water it is a snug little spot to create in.

winter she shed Flower Patch Farmhouse

Cheryl’s She shed dilemma

When I saw the State Farm commercial with Cheryl’s She Shed burning down I checked into making sure our homeowner’s insurance covered my sweet little cottage. 

Thankfully it was easy to get it added and the cost was well worth it. So if you build or get a She shed for yourself be sure to call your homeowners insurance and make sure it is added to the policy!

Would you like to build your own sweet She Shed? 

She Shed DIY Studio Garden Cottage studio, FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com

My husband created full plans for anyone who wants to build their own and the link to purchase is right here and I will link it again further down in this post. 

Press here to get the full plans.

Note: These plans are over 30 pages, it is detailed with a supply list and dimensions.  You may wish to have it printed at an office supply rather than at home. 

It may be more cost-effective than printing at home. 

I actually was able to help build this and we had a wonderful time. We built it in 2005 and it has paid for itself ten times over. 

get the detailed building plans

3o Printable Pages

Just imagine having a space to create, think, or just relax! You can with these plans.  Make the porch larger, add a bay window, or whatever you can dream up. 

Yes, I want to build one!

If you haven’t seen that post where I share a photo step by step of the building process you can find that here.

Another photo of my She shed in summer.

late july at the She Shed

When we first set up my little cottage She Shed there were only tall trees surrounding it.  No garden, lawn, nothing!

Once the trees came down I had a clean slate to create a garden to accent my space and make it even better. 

brandspankin new

So I did. I planted and planted until it is a blaze of color all summer long. I can paint with the French doors flung wide open and enjoy my garden. 

Inside my little cottage she shed

Are you wondering what the inside looks like?

You can take a peak here….


The photo below was when I had a lawn.  That area is now my Secret Garden filled with flowers, paths, and a DIY birdbath fountain.  It is very popular in Summer with Hummingbirds!

DIY Studio Garden Cottage to build, link to plans to build yourself a fabulous place to create, FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com


Did you know that my space was featured in a best-selling book? You can see it here. 

It’s called She Sheds: a Room of Her Own.

Now that you have seen my sweet little She Shed it is time to share how you can get the plans to build one for yourself.  

This little cottage measures 12′ x 12′ outside dimensions, not including the small front porch. 

My handsome hubby worked long and hard trying to make the plans simple as he can while being comprehensive.

The plans include a supply list, list of tools needed, graphics for each step with measurements for this 12′ x 12′ cottage.

It includes 31 pages of step-by-step instructions with diagrams and links to helpful resources.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

Want to build one yourself?

Download and print the 30-page ebook plans with the supplies list.

Note: this is a digital product, nothing will be mailed to you. Download to print. Personal use only. 

Happy Building! 

Share a photo if you build one, I would love to see it

Feel Free to Share!

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113 Comments

  1. Have you done the blog on your she shed? Mine is 14 x 14 and I love it! I donโ€™t have the open gable on the front roof.

  2. This is such a cute shed! I have a she shed of my own, love love love it! Didn’t have time /capacity to build one from scratch but it’s kind of a DIY too – I got a shed kit online. It’s really beautiful, pure wood, super cozy, no plywood or plastic stuff, so once the time comes, can just turn it into mulch or something, LOL
    Can’t add photos here, but I got it from https://solidbuildwood.com/ a few years ago. Check out their gallery, really pretty garden sheds!
    If anyone is considering a shed kit, I definitely recommend it! At least mine was a breeze to build and it looks fabulous! All the neighbors are jealous ๐Ÿ˜€

  3. You are most welcome, Shirley. It is a great investment no matter how it all turns out.

  4. I ordered this plan and want to build it for my beadwork I’m getting involved in. It’s so hard to get a second income coming in but if I don’t make any money at my new found hobby at least I’ll have something to show for my efforts and they will look so lovely in this little cottage. Thank you so much for the plan.

  5. Best of luck on the clean-up! I enjoy doing my crafts projects and making gifts for loved ones, but I also enjoy organizing and cleaning up afterward. It always feels good to see everything all clean, neat and in its place, even though it may not stay that way for long! Here’s wishing you enough energy to tackle the job!

  6. Rattlebridge Farm says:

    So adorable!

  7. The paint is Behr by Home Depot and the color is Moonlit Yellow. I have had it on my house and studio cottage for 10 years now and still love it.

  8. John Marzy says:

    You may have mentioned it, (I did not read all the replies) however can you share the brand and name of the yellow paint that you used? Thanks in Advance.

  9. I am not sure how to clarify the design for you, sorry. And all the drawings I have are included in the set. I think changing the pitch of the roof will work just fine, we had it taller to add the loft for storage.

  10. Cute house. Been looking a small building to turn into a hot yoga studio and ballet barre room for my three ladies. I bought the plans. They are great but I need to modify just a little for the uber insulation. I could use a little clarification on the rafter blocking and the top plate. Pics would work or if you have drawings, that would be great.

    Also, thinking about reducing to a 10/12 pitch on the roof to match the main house. I can figure out the rafter design but and interested in your opinion of the aesthetics of the slightly less aggressive roof?

    Thanks, I’ll send pictures when I’m done in about a month, or a year!

  11. It is the BEST little hideaway. It needs a bit of cleaning and redoing inside right now but that is just plain fun!

  12. Hi Karen, you should’ve been sent and email with a link to download them. Check your Spam box. If you cannot find the email just let me know and I will resend it to you. Kind Regards, Pamela

  13. Pamela,
    I paid for the plans to build the shed, but could not figure out where and how to download them.
    HELP!!!!!! Karen

  14. thank you so much, I need to hop on over and see! It is a fun place to be.

  15. Congratulations for being featured on this weeks DIY Sunday Showcase! Love your studio/cottage!!

  16. Thank you so much Marie! I appreciate that. I will be back to link again. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for hosting.

  17. This is so lovely and look similar to the play house my girl used to have even same color! I miss it! Before we moved I would of loved to turn it into a craft room. You did a lovely job! Found you today via the Wake Up Wed Party!

  18. Truthfully, it is worth it’s weight in gold. I love my little ‘getaway’ cottage!

  19. It is a fabulous place to create and relax. I can’t express how much I enjoy my little cottage!

  20. Loved the crafting cottage. Great inspiration!

  21. What a pretty little cottage. I would love to have one some day. But I guess for now I’ll have to stick with my craft room. But I’m grateful that I at least I have a room of my own and not a corner somewhere. We’ve recently moved so my craft room is still a work in process. I want it in order not like my old craft room. It looked like 10 tornados hit it LOL. I do have a large closet and I bought lots of clear plastic tub to get it in order. So for now that will do and I’ll have sweet dreams of having a cute little crafters cottage like yours.
    Oh and I love all your pretty flowers!

  22. Oh my gosh I love this garden shed idea. Building a new one is on our Summer of 2015 Must Do List. I’m definitely pinning yours for inspiration – thank you!

  23. Yes, my Twitter link is in my social buttons of the side bar. ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
    I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

  25. Thank you, most of the credit goes to my husband, he is the brains behind this build.

  26. I have just started looking at small, or micro houses, including shed plans that I can convert into livable space. Your design is well thought out and looks very nice. Congrats on a nice build!

  27. Oh, thank you so much Nancy. What fun! I do love to share my special little place. ๐Ÿ™‚

  28. I love sharing my ‘little getaway’ spot. It still looks like a tornado struck inside and my goal of getting it cleaned out continues on the back burner. We have talked about putting in a “water closet” out the back with a composting toilet but that is still just talk. The exercise running in to the house to use the bathroom is good for me anyways. Thank you so much for taking the time to share and let me know how much you enjoyed my little cottage.

  29. LOL – I can SOOOO relate. If it’s not real estate keeping me busy, my grandkids are over or my senior mom and I have to do something or blogging is screaming, “I need your attention.” ๐Ÿ™‚ And those are all so much more necessary (and fun) ๐Ÿ™‚

    I love your cottage! When I first saw it, I thought it might be a granny cottage / mother-in-law suite. Even though it’s not, it could certainly be handy for a multigenerational family in one home – giving some quiet respite to one who is working out there. I’m sharing this on Pinterest and Facebook and Twitter – it’s just so cute! Thank you for sharing it with all of us ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. I love it too, having your own space is never crazy. ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. I absolutely love it! I really like that the inside is not pristine and picture perfect – It shows that you actually create!!!! I LOVE IT! We have two sheds in our back yard, I am forwarding this to my husband so he’ll see that turning it into a “studio” is not crazy. Trisha

  32. Pingback: Bye, Bye, August
  33. We always figured we could live in it if we just added a ‘loo’. ๐Ÿ™‚ I think that would be a great business. Get the costs down by doing it in bulk and you have a winner.

  34. I am frothing at the mouth to start my first outdoor building like this! I want to make my first one into a ‘guest cottage’ and then go from there, since we have 42 acres. They sell these pre-fab wood sheds all around here, complete with porches, front doors, etc (you can pretty much choose the layout, size, number/style of doors windows, size of porch, type of roof, etc. – they start at around $3500 and go up a bit more. They even do 3 year, ‘no credit check’ financing on them. This type of outdoor space is HUGELY popular for all sorts of things like guest accommodations, crafting, potting, etc. My real dream is to start a business designing and selling these tiny outdoor buildings. I’ve already collected some vintage appliances and kitchen sink bases for when I finally get my first building, which will be a ‘studio’ apartment type building with a Murphy bed. Still trying to figure out which way to go with the ‘plumbing’….but maybe for now, people can just come inside to use the loo.

  35. The inside is slowly coming together again, it goes in waves, messy then a bit tidied up. I am getting my sign orders shipped out so that helps to eliminate what looks like clutter.

  36. What a beautiful little house! I loved seeing the inside, too (it’s so real!). Nice to have stumbled upon your blog!

  37. There is a link in my side bar, it is the photo of my studio. That will take you to the file to download. Your little house sounds fun.

  38. I am so into tiny spaces. I had a tiny home built that is 8 feet wide by 18 feet long. There is an attached 6′ x 8′ covered front porch making the total of my tiny house 24 feet long. It is on wheels so it can be moved anywhere. I would love to see the plans on your tiny garden shed but am not able to locate where I can obtain them. Thanks for sharing this darling little space. I especially love the gingerbread work. It adds a lovely touch.

    http://www.ShabbyChicTinyRetreat.blogspot.com
    Tonita

  39. We built this 8 years ago so it is hard for us to estimate by todays prices. But for reference, with it completed with the interior done too it was approx. $5000.

  40. Rachel Reddick says:

    What would you say is the average cost to build?

  41. Despite the ‘untidiness’ I know exactly where everything is. Though I have been working on tidying it up a little each day as signs ship out.

  42. Everybody needs one of these. ๐Ÿ˜€

  43. This is my dream home in a smaller version, right down to the color and the color of the trim. Dear Hubby has got the floor plans and plans to give them a look. That would be such an awesome little space to call my own crafting spot;) Love your
    Cottage Pamela. Creativity isn’t always tidy (at least that is MY story and I’m sticking to it).

  44. Thank you so much. What a privilege. ๐Ÿ™‚

  45. What an adorable little cottage creative space Pamela. I love that you have shown her in all seasons too.
    Thank you for sharing this post at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m featuring it at today’s party.

  46. It is a great addition to anyone’s property, I dreamed a long time before I got mine but here is the dreams coming true!!! Keep on dreamin’.

  47. It is a pleasure to work here. I just came in from a day in the studio and it was pure heaven. ๐Ÿ™‚

  48. Amazing! Just amazing! I am so pinning this for one day in the future for I don’t know when, lol. Thank your husband so much for making up these plans. I would love to make this some day.

  49. Thank you so much Maryann, I am happy to share and I hope to see many more little cottages pop up in backyards everywhere. ๐Ÿ˜€

  50. It is very lovely to be in when the snow is falling and rain, for that matter, the rain makes the most melodious sound when hitting the tin roof.

  51. Thank you so much, I love it here too. The garden and my cottage are my ‘get aways’ in a crazy world. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  52. It is a great place to create, everyone needs one.

  53. Yes he is, and I love him dearly.

  54. That is adorable!! It looks like a minature dollhouse in the one picture where it is covered in snow! What a great space to create in!!

  55. Visiting and pinning from the Sabbilicious party. Love your cottage and your backyard! Thanks for the inspiration.

  56. Wow! That is the cutest little studio I have ever seen! I love it!!! Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚

  57. I know, hard to believe I can accomplish much but amazingly enough I do. I need to share some of the signs I finished just this week, just need to find the time. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  58. it’s very adorable but how can you get anything done? It looks like a doll house, how much fun to have your very own private creative space!

  59. Thank you Jann. I have a greenhouse too that my hubby just finished moving (he says it is the last time) for me. I love that space too. Oh and thanks for the feature too. ๐Ÿ™‚

  60. Great idea. What a great grandpa! We had a playhouse at our grandparents house, it was a simple little thing but we had more fun in it.

  61. Pamela, I love your happy space! I have a craft room, but a potting shed is on my wish list. I have the perfect spot set aside up on a hill. This is so darn cute. Love it! A place like this would make anyone smile. Have fun creating. The cleaning will wait! Thanks for sharing with SYC. I will be featuring you this coming week.
    hugs,
    Jann

  62. Looks like my craft room inside! ๐Ÿ™‚ What a cute little crafting cottage. My dad has been building a huge playhouse out back for my two girls, but now I think I might take it over when they grow up!

  63. Welcome Romy, I agree, it is a fabulous spot to create.

  64. Oh, just fell in love:) This is absolutely adorable and goes on my wish list immediately! We do have the space in our garden, but my man has two left hands:( hmmm…. will have to find someone to set this up. I do have a favorite place in the house that is my creative oasis but this would definitely be heaven with great light and a door to close with a big “don’t disturb, magic at work” sign:) thank you so much for sharing. now off to explore the rest of you lovely blog:)

  65. Thanks Paola, and for the compliment and for stopping in. ๐Ÿ™‚

  66. Bummer about having a too small of a lot but living on the beach almost makes up for it….right???

  67. You are more than welcome. I love sharing it.

  68. I am sure your husband would love to build you one. And it is so nice to be able to leave the studio cottage, shut the door on the work in progress when you have to go back to the house.

  69. I dreamed for a good long time too…so here is to dreams come true!

  70. It is well worth the wait. I hope you get your house and more. ๐Ÿ™‚

  71. One day, when I have a house, I will do this. Consider it pinned.

  72. Adorable,….um yes downloading and pinning! I’ve been dreaming of having a little cottage space in my yard for years!

  73. GORGEOUS! Wow, I would cry if my husband built that for me. He has a shed, but I would love a little house like this right beside his. Plus it would get all of my crafting stuff out of the house!

    Jenny

  74. It’s darling, and I can see why you love it. Thank you so much for the free plans!

  75. A long time dream of mine is to have a little cottage just like yours. We live in a little cottage at the beach where the lots are super small so there is no room.

    What kills me is that at our old house, we had a shed where a former owner had birds. It had electricity and running water. Boy, if I still lived there, it would be the absolute cutest little cottage for crafting.

  76. I love your cottage! It’s wonderful! Kisses from Italy. Paola T.

  77. This is beautiful. Love it. Such a lovely colour too.

    Kelly

  78. What a fun cottage. Love your flower garden near it. No wonder its a favorite place.

  79. Yes, I do work in it in winter. I have a little radiant wall heater that is 400 watts that runs 24/7 in mid winter and if I need extra heat on super cold days I have another little heater to turn on. My studio is well insulated so it does well. It costs me about $40 a month in winter to keep it heated. Our lows in winter average in the low 30’s sometimes lower.

  80. Too cute. I love it! The fact that it survives even cold seasons is good news! Do you work in it in the Winter? How do you keep it warm in there?

  81. You are more than welcome, send me a photo of your studio once you get it done. I would love to see it.

  82. Absolutely gorgeous! It’s the perfect size for my glass studio. Thank you so much for generously sharing the plans also!

    Trish

  83. Small House Swoon…I like that! ๐Ÿ™‚

  84. I know what you mean, I have not had time to really enjoy my space this year but it is always there for me when I do get a slip of time. Tea and crumpets on the porch sounds heavenly. ๐Ÿ™‚

  85. Love your darling lil shed, and it is hard to have everything looking great when you are busy creating………….

    It looks great in all seasons, and what a blessing.

    Blessings, Nellie

  86. Your flowers make the cottage even more special! Like a lovely old English setting- All you need is tea and crumpets on the porch! I just turned a room in my home into a craft/sewing/painting space and love it- added a big window for lots of light- now if I just had time to get in there and “do my thing”! LOVE your spot!

  87. Lucky, lucky girl! This is adorable! You must be so proud of the fabulous job you’ve done. Your wee cottage is a Small House Swoon!

  88. This is precious! What are the approximate interior dimensions? Thank you all so much for posting these free directions!!

  89. I have big plans on getting the inside whipped into shape and will blog it! For sure!

  90. HI Ida, the building is 12′ x 12′

  91. Pamela, I love it! So much charm…on the outside:D. You will get the inside to match the charm on the outside soon.

  92. Ida Houston says:

    How big is this space; what are the dimensions?

  93. I have not noticed that it raised the tax assessment. And the assessor has been here in the last year for our refinance. So far, so good. I don’t think she went inside so maybe she thought it just a garden shed. ๐Ÿ˜›

  94. Yes, that is a sign I want to make myself…it reads “creativity is messy, and I am very creative”. Honestly, it is not normally this bad but I have been working long hours this summer when usually the cabin cleaning is slow. The pay out is good so I am not complaining but I have had to fit in working in my studio after hours. For some reason that makes my messier than usual. ๐Ÿ™‚

  95. LOL, you are so right, I do know where everything is and can put my hand on it within seconds of needing it. ๐Ÿ™‚ I had a grand time painting yesterday and I will do more this afternoon.

  96. Great! I hope the plans help you get your studio/cottage built. Send me pictures when you get it done, I would love to see it!

  97. It is a great space and well worth waiting for. If ever I have to move from this house I will have to take it with me. Somehow, someway!

  98. Oh this took my breath away! This is going on my bucket list. It would be so nice to have the clutter out of the house. And the beauty this adds to your property, not to mention the value. I am curious, did this really raise your tax assessment? Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Being Me

  99. Barb Rosen says:

    Cute as can be! This is the perfect little studio, workshop, office, et al! Thanks for keeping it real too on the interior – creativity can be messy : )

  100. Barbaralilian-infrance says:

    What a cute little cottage to hide away in, doing all the things you love. Even as you say …. is in a mess . I’d love to have a haven where I could just leave everything I was working on ready for the next time. I’m sure you know where everything is ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy painting.

  101. What a beautiful little studio. You bet I am printing off the plans! About five years ago my husband started to build me a little studio cottage. I should have been suspicious when it was built so close to the chicken coop. Turns out it was to be a house for new chicks – so much for my studio!

  102. I have been wanting one of these for so long! Great space!
    Dee Dee

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