Let’s be honest. Have you ever seen anyone make such a big deal out of a storage shed?
It’s not even a cute one. There’s no windows or sweet little window boxes. There’s no adorable cupola or even pretty flowers around it. And there isn’t even super cool organizing systems inside.
But, I admit it. I’m more than a little obsessed with this space.
The story of our shed started nearly two years ago when we decided we were going to add a deck to the back of the house.
I had plans. Big plans.
Plans that included a gazebo on the deck, and a portion of the deck to be a screened in porch for bug free dining, and a fully functioning workshop directly underneath, complete with electricity and direct home access. After receiving estimates that would require I sell a kidney, we scaled back.
Waaaaay back.
We first ditched the gazebo idea, which was just as well because it would have looked too bulky for the space. Next came the screened in porch. I let go of that idea kickin’ and screamin’. We decided to just make the most of the space under the deck and called the contractor who built it last year to complete the work. After two unanswered phone calls and emails to him (that’s pretty typical behavior around here), in the spirit of true DIY’ers, we decided to tackle it ourselves.
We found someone to level the area and spread about 3″ of pea gravel down, and then we got to work. After installing 14 boards of OSB and staining them, we went from this…
to this. Don’t worry, this is Phase 1.
At about 1/3 the cost of standard plywood, OSB is a great budget friendly choice when aesthetics aren’t important, which is exactly the case here except for the outside which we covered with vinyl lattice.
Once the area was built, we got to work sorting through the tons of stuff Fisherman had. Let me tell you, it’s a miracle he was ever able to find anything, and in fact I know he purchased things over the years that he already had because he couldn’t find what he was looking for. Drove me crazy!
The room above, aka the ‘Man Cave’, is where we also had two very small storage rooms where all the stuff most people would store in their garage, attic, basement, shed, etc. had to reside.
It was horrendous.
See what I mean?
That workbench took up way too much space. I might have started a conga line the day we moved it into the shed. Yup. Pretty sure I did.
Moving all this stuff outside where it belongs freed up this space for MY stuff. Stuff that wasn’t getting used regularly in my craft room but that I still needed/wanted, so I’ve been busy getting all that organized. I even put a curtain in front of the ugly furnace. Yes. I. Did.
Take note of the ceiling in the pic below. That’s plastic, grooved panels readily available that were installed when the deck was constructed to keep water from infiltrating the ‘future’ shed. We still have some water coming in, especially when it rains really hard, and we’ll address that somehow, but for the most part it stays pretty dry. We put some tarps down because we quickly realized they would help keep the moisture build up at bay, then spent some time critter proofing it as best we could. One day I was in the shed and saw what I knew was a mouse under the tarps, trying to get out from under. He finally found his way out, looked up at me, and disappeared. Two seconds later I jumped when he crossed paths with a mouse trap.
Life in the country :/.
We picked this console up off the curb, and received nearly 15 linear feet of laminate counter top from a neighbor for free. (See below)
We purchased another console from Craigslist for $20 (solid walnut!) which was just the right height to work alongside some existing tables that we had and it gives us plenty of counter space to store stuff. We didn’t want to make holes in the house and the framing isn’t super sturdy so we opted to just use freestanding shelves for our storage needs.
We have one small light in the center, which isn’t nearly enough but we will add to that in the future.
See the garbage pail? We didn’t have a secure place to store it but now we do. Definitely a major consideration when you’re in bear country!
We needed to order the lattice. All they had in stock were dark brown, which looked way too dark, and white, which wouldn’t have worked at all.We were able to install the lattice fairly quickly, and called it a day.
Some of you know our house is a log cabin, so you may be wondering why this portion of the house is sided. The previous owners added on, and when they did so they did it this way, instead of logs. 🙁
I’m planning on softening up the lattice a bit with some vines, and am open to suggestions if you have any other ideas.
Now, it may not be what I had initially hoped for, it’s not going to get ooooohs and ahhhhhs (but feel free to do so), and it’s certainly not going to get pinned a hundred times, but I’m very, very, happy to have it! You can imagine what it was like having most of this stuff in two very tiny storage rooms in our basement for this self professed neat freak.
If you’ve got some dead space under a deck, seriously consider doing something like this. The entire cost for this storage space, which measures approximately 32×12, was just under $1,200. It’s not perfect, but I got to keep my kidney, and that’s a good thing.
In other news…
I’ve mentioned recently that I’m posting just once a week now on Sunday evenings, but I’m thinking for the next few weeks I might up the anty. Lots of you are busy planning your holiday menus, and I’ve got some awesome recipes that will make your friends think you’ve morphed into Giada DeLaurentis. Well, at least the cooking part. You’re on your own with the face and body. And the teeth? Don’t even get me started!
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Before I let you go, here’s one more picture I want to share. Can you guess what this is????
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cathy@my1929 Charmer says
For DYI’s your both doing a good job, I think the lattice added a finished look too. Is it a mushroom, or a dead fox or a fish?
Lavender Dreams says
Can I guess? No I can’t! heehee! It looks weird but hopefully it’s just funny! I love your ways of maximizing your space and getting organized. It feels great to have a place for everything! I can’t believe we bought a house that doesn’t have a place for a shed or a basement…we miss our sheds! Enjoy your week! Happy blogging! Sweet hugs, Diane
Angela says
WOW! You two have really been busy! I think it looks awesome! The lattice really completed it! I have no idea what that weird thing is!!?!! Something for dinner?? LOL!! ~~Ang
Nana Diana says
That looks good, Doreen!n I actually like the looks of the lattice on it. Did you see what I did with the side of an old garage that abutted out property at one of our houses? Here’s a linkhttp://thenanadiana.blogspot.com/2012/11/backyard-makeover-you-wont-believe.html.I put junker windows on the sides of an old garage -after painting the inside of them black. I put window boxes under them and it changed the looks completely…it actually looks like real windows and dressed it up beautifully.
I know you will love having the storage space and it doesn’t have to be beautiful but it does have to be funcitonal. Hope it works great for you.
Looking forward to your recipes! xo Diana
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Is it something dead ? I can’t tell.
The shed story was great. You don’t need pinned…it’s normal life. The lattice looks great and once you have some greenery and flowers there or what-have-you down the line you will be an even happier camper 🙂
Feral Turtle says
That turned out awesome and I love the lattice!! All that storage!!!! I can’t even begin to imagine what that is but I will take a wild guess and say a piece of wood???
debbiedoos says
Oh that is fantastic and you must feel so great! What a great way to utilize unused space.
Jane says
This is fantastic, Doreen, that’s a lot of space. The lattice looks great, it makes a big difference. You might try clematis to grow as a flowering vine. I would have a field day with that space for gardening!
Whenever someone reveals a storage space, such as your original rooms, I cringe when I realize our basement is so much worse. And there really is nothing worse saving. Hopefully next summer we can rent a dumpster. Ugh!
Jane xx
Ceciia says
Yay for storage! I think the lattice is a brilliant idea! It doesn’t have to be pretty to be functional and that’s all that matters.
As for the thing…no idea. Do I see a bird face there at the bottom? Do tell!
Oh, I’m looking forward to your recipes. Can’t wait. :o)
hugs,
Cecilia
SharonFromMichigan says
Doreen – Wow, that is a huge area to use for storage – I’m jealous! I like Nana Diana’s idea about hanging old windows and putting flower boxes under them to dress up the lattice. Maybe add some climbing roses to help deter any wildlife from poking around the walls? The thorns might make them think twice. As far as the last picture, I’ll go with something dead or some type of fungus (as in mushroom).
andi says
Pssht. Like you need BOTH your kidneys. It’s not like they were trying to take your only liver. Wimp. I think your shed is bloody brilliant. Especially since you don’t have to walk outside to get to it. Phil couldn’t find his ass with both hands (which is a miracle in itself)…he loses everything because he never puts anything away. Then he blames “the house.” “It’s the house that swallows everything!” ….Uh…NO….it’s the guy who refuses to exercise the most basic organization skills….
Wow. I’m testy for a Tuesday morning. What the heck IS that picture???
-andi
Poppy says
It is truly amazing how much can be done with a little imagination, some elbow grease and TWO kidneys! Kudos to you and Fisherman for the fabulous team work and creation of a new shed! The lattice will look lovely with some sweetly scented flowering climber, perhaps honeysuckle or roses?
Now, as to the identification of that mysterious specimen in the last photo, I seem to have spotted some kind of beak, bottom left, extending from a flat headed creature who could have frozen from fear while trying to fly off with what appears to be a mangled mushroom! I nailed it, right?
Have a good one, girlfriend!
xx
Poppy
kelly says
That is a great way to add extra storage to your home! My inlaws did something similar with their house years ago. Our back deck is too low to use it for storage. Your husband has a lot of fishing gear like mine. Does your husband fly fish? Mine does and goes fishing in the North Ga mountains, and Smokies as often as he can. I have no idea what’s in that last photo.
Vicky Hunt says
Your shed looks great and I love the size. It will hold a LOT of stuff! I think vines are a great idea. I have no clue what that last picture is of. Very strange! Have a fantastic week…..Vicky
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
Have no idea what it is? I like the lattice on the outside! I wish we had some unused space or a shed. We bought a small storage shed that we have to put together this weekend just to have some place to put the lawnmower and other yard stuff. But my two car garage is still packed almost to the ceiling with stuff from our last house!
Alycia Nichols says
The sound of that mouse trap going off would have sent me into la-la land for a week!!! ugh! I’d fight a bear, but mice make me scream and cry like a girl!!! 🙂
I can’t tell what that thing in the last photo is. It looks like….well, I’m not exactly sure WHAT it looks like! Something alien or something dead, that’s for sure!
We have a “dead space” beneath our deck that we’ve contemplated on for years. I’d love to use it as storage, but our Homeowners Association is so picky about what you can and can’t do. I think you guys did a great job with it!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
You must be thrilled to have that space now…especially when winter sets in…and is that a petrified dead rodent?..
Amy @ StowandTellU says
I’m guessing that’s a mushroom, or should I say, I’m hoping that’s a mushroom?? LOL. I’m so glad you finally have your shed complete and filled. You have found some really inexpensive ways to not only pull your shed together, but to make shelving, as well. Kudos to finding a way to create more space, Doreen!!
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says
we are finishing up a storage area pretty similar to what you have done…about half your size. Looks great