I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love crafts. My personal favourite is knitting, but painting, sketching, making jewellery and sewing are just a few of those popular with my friends. It has recently occurred to me that, no matter what craft you’re into, the garden shed (if properly taken care of, of course!) is the perfect place for these kinds of hobbies.

Why? Well, there are lots of reasons actually – I’ve outlined what I think the top factors are below.

1) It’s ok to make a mess

One of the best reasons to practice a craft in the garden shed is that it’s a rare space where it’s ok to make a mess. For instance, you might not be comfortable letting loose with a large canvas and a selection of colourful paints in the middle of your lounge, but splattering paint in the shed is another matter.

Yes, if your house is large, you could dedicate a room in your home to your hobby – but it’s unlikely that you will feel as carefree about the chance of making a mess as you would in the shed. Plus, it can simply be nice to have somewhere to practice your hobbies away from the main house, which brings me on to my next point.

2) It gives you a dedicated space for your hobbies

If you live in a house with your family or several friends, having your own space where you can enjoy your hobbies is a real advantage. By using the shed, you will have a room where not only can you get on with your craft uninterrupted – and therefore be better able to concentrate – but you’ll also just have somewhere you can go to get away from it all and relax.

3) It can be great for storing big projects and materials

Of course, devoting your garden shed to crafts has another advantage, in that it can act as a place to store larger projects, as well as materials. That said, I feel compelled to add that if you do want to keep bits and bobs in the shed, it’s vital that said shed is in good condition (you don’t want your paper getting damp, for example, do you?) and that it’s secure.

While you should always make sure any outbuildings are secure, the level of security you need can also depend on what you’re storing inside. For instance, if you are keeping pricey equipment or prized finished projects in there, you’re likely to want to invest in higher-quality hasp and padlocks, as well as security lights and alarms from online companies like Livewatch.com.

4) The more the merrier!

There are other ways you can use your shed to enjoy your craft. For instance, if you like crafting with other people, you could use the space as a place where you can get together and all work on your individual projects – or perhaps a collective one.

Of course, this depends on the size of your shed, how many friends you’d like to invite and how much space your chosen craft takes up. For example, two or three people painting on large canvasses are likely to need more room than six people getting together for a spot of knitting and a glass of wine.

5) Thoughtful additions can make your space more functional

Transforming sheds into ideal craft spaces can be achieved through thoughtful additions. Incorporating Electric Awnings or canopies at the shed’s entrance, for example, can ensure protection from rain, keeping the interior dry and enabling uninterrupted creativity. Alongside this, installing rain gutters diverts water away from the shed’s foundation, safeguarding it from potential damage.

Furthermore, the introduction of skylights brings in abundant natural light, creating an inviting and well-illuminated workspace for your craft projects. Add a veranda or porch to the front of the shed to create a cozy outdoor space and add to the shed’s overall aesthetic appeal. These thoughtful enhancements elevate the shed’s functionality, making it a perfect sanctuary for pursuing artistic endeavors and unleashing your creative potential.