Shedding inhibitions

Mon, 17 May 2010 | By Lynda Relph-Knight

If, like me, you aspire to living in a shed, but don’t think you could fit in all your stuff, then ‘shedworking’ could be the answer. Rather than convert the loft or basement into a den, build yourself a garden shed and get on with it.

By doing so you’d be joining ‘an alternative workplace revolution’, according to journalist and shed aficionado Alex Johnson, whose book of the same title is due out next month.

Shying away from the usual, if inappropriate coffee table approach to the subject (could you even fit a coffee table in your shed?), Johnson’s book is billed as ‘an illustrated handbook’ for shedworkers. It is packed with historical anecdotes and handy tips, as well as great case studies - with imagery - of people who’ve adopted this route to privacy.

And there are loads of images, but be ready to be amazed. If your image of a shed is a rectangular flat-pack timber number from Homebase or MFI then you might have to think again. Sheds come in all shapes and sizes - some so elegant they even merit the ‘lifepod’ tag.

Painted Pavilion