Craft Room Sheds

hey all, I hope some of you lovely ladies might be able to advise me, me and my husband might be moving within the next 9 months to a new build 1 bedroom bungalow, now at the moment I have a craft room in the spare room (in 2 bed private rent house right now) but if we move I will lose this space, so I'm thinking il have a new craft shed instead, which if I'm truthful I'm kinda excited about :lol: I don't want my craft space in the living room as I don't like clutter iynwim just my personal choice!

So my question is do you have a craft shed? does it work? was it really expensive to do? The new bungalow comes with a brand new shed for tools etc so i will buy another one, what size is yours? do you have insulation? flooring? sorry so many questions. Could you link me up with some photos please? i have my desk, expedit etc.

many thanks for taking the time to read and i look forward to your replies.

Katy :wub:

Oh my days ... A craft shed??? I want one too!! But what about finding a spider in your 12x12 paper box? Not sure I could cope with that!

I have just moved out of craft shed into the box room cos my older son moved out. I used my shed for about 5 years and it worked well for me. It was a summer house that cost us about £300 back then. Hubby used loft insulation in the walls and covered that with hardboard and boarded the floor and then we used some carpet tiles. There is a greenhouse heater in there was worked on a timer and kept everything from getting damp and when that was on, it was pretty warm in there with the door closed even in winter, but did have a fan heater if I needed a boost.

Mine I think is about 7 x 5 and I had a huge table along one wall and then old chest of drawers along the others, it was a snug fit, but it worked

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Originally Posted by Craft Island

Oh my days ... A craft shed??? I want one too!! But what about finding a spider in your 12x12 paper box? Not sure I could cope with that!

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I know I'm seriously excited, how cute it will be :lol: and a added bonus is i like spiders so i will be just fine in there :D :wub:

I have a craft den down my garden, it was built for us and the man who made it brought it in sections and when we he erected it we had it lined and all the electric put in before they lined it and the one thing we where told was to have a double floor put in to stop any damp rising, we have a oil filled radiator on frost setting during the winter and I have never had anything get damp so far.

I think mine is 12x10, we fitted it out with kitchen worktop to the front and down one side and I have drawers underneath the worktop, the other side I have 2 large book cases I had from Argos, at the bottom end I have 40 of the 12x12 racks that I had from a craft store that was selling them off.

I am very happy with mine which I have had for 3 years.
I just cant stand clutter and so it was a must to have something just for crafting.

I am sorry I cant post any photos, but I hope that helps you. Where in Norfolk do you live? as we are on the Norfolk/ Cambridgeshire boarder.

Since it was put up we have had both windows replaced with double glazed window.

Oooh, that's what I want, too. I would insulate it, install under-floor heating (should be inexpensive for that) and give it plenty of power outlets. Our garden is fairly secure but I would still find some way to reinforce the security.

I figure that all this would cost around £9K. Is that realistic?

We were hoping to do this when we move, mainly as there is no space in the house for me to scrap. I saw these advertised in a local magazine and thought they looked ideal: http://www.insulatedbuildings.co.uk - they are only based down the road from us at the moment but do deliver nationwide. Unfortunately we won't have any budget for scrapping shed due to way things have worked out with our move, but I can still dream!

I have also downsized into a (fairly) new house so space is at a premium and I am also a neat freak. I bought a summer house ( photo in my gallery) but didn't like working in there so I have had a large cupboard on my landing converted to scrap space instead. Maybe it depends on when you scrap. I tend to have crafty moments very late at night after OH has gone to bed so working in the garden was too spooky for me.

Thing is I wouldnt want to traipse (spell?) down the garden when its wet, snowing, cold etc. It would have to be attached to the house, spider proof or not!

And a kettle, sink, small fridge is a must have!

I had a craft shed years ago in my old place. I bought a summer house from a place in Essex (near Stanstead) it was a hexagon shape and had huge windows and glass double doors. It was very light and is the only thing I really miss about the house:(

I bought the slightly more expensive insulation from Wikes, it comes in slab form and is a lot easier to install. I then covered all that with plastic sheeting and then screwed plasterboard over the top and papered it. Due to electrical regulations you will need a separate fuse box for it.
I did much of the work myself and I think in total it came to about £900 (including the building).

I had a small electric heater in there but as the others have said, it was more than enough to warm the place in winter and only needed to be on in short blasts. My only advice would be to have decent lights outside that can be operated from the house/shed as it can be pretty dark coming out in winter.

Chrissie

we downsized mega 18 months ago and I lost one of my spare rooms, as I am a reflexologist also I have to have a treatment room - so the spare room here (on top of my treatment room) doubles as computer room, dressing room, store room, craft/scrapping room, junk room etc etc etc - as I craft very late at night too it'd be difficult to be out in the garden unless the scrap shed was very close the house or attached in some way. AND I too absolutely hate spiders but you can get them indoors anyway !

Let us see what you come up with though...............I do love the look of scrapsheds.

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Originally Posted by Scrappy Pat

Thing is I wouldnt want to traipse (spell?) down the garden when its wet, snowing, cold etc. It would have to be attached to the house, spider proof or not!

And a kettle, sink, small fridge is a must have!

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I thought that, too, but then I think that once you got into the 'craft cabin', you'd feel so snug and cosy that you wouldn't want to leave....fewer distractions and just some 'me' time and space. I don't spend every day in my craft room now, anyway, and it's IN the house.

I've got a craft shed - hubby put it up last summer and i've survived a winter in it. Its fantastic - I go out after the kids are in bed and scrap in there till about 10pm - I've been out there pretty much every night for the past year. I detest spiders but am using lemongrass oil in the water when i wipe surfaces - and they seem to have stayed away this year (for the time being).
There are pics in one of my albums - that was moving in day last year - its changed a fair bit and will try to get photo's taken this weekend (after a good clean hehehe) and post it in the same album if anyone is interested.
It's 3m x 3m - we bought it off ebay and it was classed as a workshop. Hubby laid down slabs then wooden pallets a waterproof membrane then the actual structure on top. The walls were insulated with Kingspan this was then covered with plywood sheets - which he has put lining paper on so the walls are smooth inside. We insulated the windows by adding sheets of perspex over the original windows which was far too thin ... I put privacy frosting on the inside as didn't want the neighbours watching me lol.
There is electric and I use a thermo controlled heater in the winter ... my papers are fine as there is no damp - oh most important is having 2 air vents by my door.
And for security I have a shed alarm - so have to punch a code in when I unlock the padlock - we have no back entrance but I'm a paranoid sort.
I love my little studio - my boys are still young (5 and 1) so I got something to look forward to when they play up.
The only issue I really have is having to run across the garden to get to the loo ... lol but I think a portaloo would just be a step too far!
hth,
Fae x

wow fae your scrapshed is LOVELY yes lets see updated pic's please

where can we see pics Fae ?

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Originally Posted by welshscrapqueen

where can we see pics Fae ?

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click on her name and then view profile, then over on the right you can see all fae's albums scroll to the shed

Oh heck i want your craft shed Fae its lush :) Mine wont be that big though :( Keep them coming and if i move il be sure to post pics once done :) xx

Thanks stressed ... I didn't know how to direct PinkLady :)

Fae x

Ooh, Fae, it's very nice! Now I really want one. DH is suggesting we kit out the garage now, however. Ours already has power, a concrete floor, and is about 10' x 20', so good size, but no insulation or ceiling (you just look up to the roof.

Has anyone ever done that with their garage?

Yes I did my garage up (2 car garage) as a treatment room for reflexology & other alternative health therapies at my last house - it did cost about £6000 though but I had a radiator put in and sectioned it off so there was a waiting room and separate entrance and had to have a ceiling put in and flooring and a loo at the back....................it was lovely, would have been ideal as a scrapping room as it was nice and big too.

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Originally Posted by cantstopstampin

Yes I did my garage up (2 car garage) as a treatment room for reflexology & other alternative health therapies at my last house - it did cost about £6000 though but I had a radiator put in and sectioned it off so there was a waiting room and separate entrance and had to have a ceiling put in and flooring and a loo at the back....................it was lovely, would have been ideal as a scrapping room as it was nice and big too.

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That sounds promising. I'm definitely going to consider that option. I think I'd like a small walk-in storage cupboard at the back of it, too. We've already got a small frig out there.

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Originally Posted by JaneH

Ooh, Fae, it's very nice! Now I really want one. DH is suggesting we kit out the garage now, however. Ours already has power, a concrete floor, and is about 10' x 20', so good size, but no insulation or ceiling (you just look up to the roof.

Has anyone ever done that with their garage?

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having had to give up my craft room for an ensuite shower room DH has promised he will convert 1/2 the garage. he converted a neighbours garage into a large office which works really well. trouble is he was paid to do that so I am at the bottom of the pile to get mine done..... I think if I leave stash all over the dining room table more often it might start happening :lol:

I actually found I scrapped more when I could escape to my shed at the bottom of the garden, than I do since I moved into the house

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Originally Posted by linda b

having had to give up my craft room for an ensuite shower room dh has promised he will convert 1/2 the garage. He converted a neighbours garage into a large office which works really well. Trouble is he was paid to do that so i am at the bottom of the pile to get mine done..... I think if i leave stash all over the dining room table more often it might start happening :lol:

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clever

remember too that you may have to apply for planning permissions, and/or building regulations (& permission if leasehold), we didn't do any planning etc just 'did it' and when we moved we had to have retrospective planning permission and building regs certificate as we'd created rooms & get & pay for permision from the Leasehold company - it ended up quite costly !

Hi everyone,

For those that's interested ... I semi tidied the studio ... and taken some pics (studio updated - in my albums) ... the net is a baby's cot net to stop the flying insects coming in.

Fae x

Fae, your studio is beautiful,
i think i would lock myself away and never come out, xxx

Thanks Debbs - :)

looks absolutely brilliant - you have so so much stuff - I wouldn't go to work, or go to bed if it were mine !

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Originally Posted by Fae

For those that's interested ... I semi tidied the studio ... and taken some pics (studio updated - in my albums) ... the net is a baby's cot net to stop the flying insects coming in.

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It's lovely, Fae! How do you keep it warm in the winter? How do you keep the damp out? I like the netting! In America, all the houses have window screens and I've never seen them here in the UK. Wonder why??

I contacted a garage conversion company but no one bothered to get back to me.....sigh. Same story, same song. Every time we need something done, we have to chase up over and over to get anyone to do anything. People (tradesmen) just don't care! If I could do the electric myself, I would. Unfortunately, neither DH nor I are very handy with DIY.

Love your studio Fae. I would imagine it's a lovely hidey hole away from everyone :)

My girlies have a den/shed in our garden and it is surprisingly dry and damp free. They have an electric radiator for when it's chilly but nothing smells fusty in there :) They keep their keyboard and karaoke machine as well as their craft stuff in there.

Thank you for the lovely comments ladies ... I do spend as much time as possible in it. My boys are like all boys, very busy - so its nice and quiet when I'm in there ... mummy time :)

JaneH - I have a small timed portable heater in winter - so if the temp. drops below a certain degree it clicks on and heats the air - when it reaches the right temp it will switch itself off - OH got it for me so not sure what the right name for it is .. will check with him when he gets back from his mums. The walls and floor is insulated - but its the two small vents above the doors that keeps the air flowing in the shed and this eliminates the damp issues.

I researched for a good year online on what materials would be best to use and what cheaper substitutes would also work etc ... got lots of info on a site called Shed Heads ... its a forum for people building workshops .. so loads of info on how to keep things dry (some of the people are artists and keep paper and paints in theirs etc.)

OK going totally off topic - but really love creating in the studio and am so proud of OH who put it all together for me ... right going to stop now lol

Fae x

Looking really good! I also have one in plan this summer. I'm considering the studio to be put in a shed from Summerwood. Does anyone have any experience with their sheds?