Sometimes, we have more rooms than we have a specific need for. It’s a blessing to have them, but the truth is, figuring out how to decorate these bonus rooms can be a challenge. Will they be all-purpose rooms? Guest rooms? Hobby rooms? Junk rooms?
What about a man cave or a she shed?
Wait, we know what you’re thinking. What exactly are man caves and she sheds? Chances are, you’ve heard of a man cave; they’re referenced pretty frequently in prime time comedy shows. But it goes much further than that. Though she sheds are a newer concept, they’re really a variation on the theme.
And what theme is that?
Everyone needs a room of their own. Most couples (and families) figure this out early on after they start living together. Things just get tense when you don’t have a space of your own, where your passions and hobbies can live and breathe, away from other people. Bonus rooms are ideal for this purpose. They’re perfectly primed to become places where you can relax, destress, and enjoy some solitary time.
Man caves and she sheds are a huge growing trend, especially in a world where most people feel like they need to be “on” all the time. We’re connected through our smartphones, our laptops, even our TVs; these bonus rooms are meant to serve as a respite away from all the things that keep us tethered to stress.
So, let’s talk man caves. A man cave is just a slang term for a room devoted to a man’s hobbies. A lot of the time, these take the shape of home bars, garages, game rooms, or theater rooms, though they can of course come in all different forms.
And she sheds? The she shed gained its popularity as a feminine alternative to the man cave. Typically, these are small sheds or rooms constructed in a corner of the backyard, where women can go to get some coveted alone time. Sometimes, they serve as craft rooms; reading and napping nooks, baking corners, and gardening areas are also typical she shed territory.
It’s important to note that a she shed doesn’t need to be an actual shed; it can be any room where a woman can go to be truly alone. (But most mothers will know — it can be hard to find a room like that in the house when there are kids running around!)
The most important thing to remember when creating an effective bonus room is this: organization. The point of the bonus room is to be a place where a person can go to relieve his or her stress. But it’s hard to do that in a room that hasn’t been organized to serve its purpose. Think of it this way: Have you ever had an extra room that ended up becoming a container for excess stuff? Did you ever want to go in there?
In our next few posts, we’ll be getting down to brass tacks: How do you organize a bonus room? How does a man cave become a man cave? Where do you start when arranging a she shed?
In the meantime, get inspired. Take a look at some of our space planning ideas, or make your way down to our showroom to see our displays in person.