She Sheds and Backyard Bar Sheds Take Category by Storm

BY Courtney Huckabay
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"As women report feeling worn out at home and stressed out at work, they're turning to new ways to escape — in their own backyards," according to an NBC News report. "Across the country and around the world, women are transforming their backyard potting sheds and structures into "She Sheds."

"From a restored metal shed that cost $500, to the "room of glass" in rural Oregon, the She Shed trend is building in popularity."

"Author Erika Kotite wrote a book on the movement: "She Sheds: A Room of Your Own" — documenting everything from the restored 10-​by-​25-​foot "La Casita" in Dallas, Texas to the "Sewing Sanctuary" in Chichester, England with walls covered in quilts. "This is a place they've designed that is just theirs, that they can do with it whatever they want, and I think that really is a modern woman's prerogative," Kotite told NBC News.

Shed dealers can run away with this trend! The new AudienceSCAN survey showed 4.7% of U.S. adults intend to buy sheds or outbuildings during the next 12 months. Promoting "she sheds" could increase this potential customer base!

"Jenny Karp is a wife, mom and small business owner. She built her backyard She Shed with a local shed designer and builder, using recycled and salvaged materials. "This is my little shed, my little escape. My little vacation," said Karp, who uses the shed for her paint business and art projects."

"They definitely are appealing, I think, to human beings," said Kotite. "Human beings who are overexposed, over stimulated, have too much technology going on. Have too many commitments. It's a retreat."

Shed sellers can feature she shed ideas in ad campaigns. The new AudienceSCAN study found 44% of Shed Purchasers took action after receiving ads/​coupons in their mailboxes in the past month.

DIY bar sheds are popping up all over the place too. With a wide array of different options, backyard warriors are doing DIY versions as well as hiring creative teams to design and install the backyard bars of their dreams.

"The fun thing about bar sheds is that you can get as creative and elaborate as you’d like," Kathryn Mallari writes. "Plus, it gives you a place to put all of those beer mirrors and bar games you’ve been storing in your garage since your college days. Get inspired to transform your own basic shed into a mini-​backyard pub that’s sure to impress."

Beer/​Wine festivals and home/​garden shows are great venues to showcase these trends! According to AudienceSCAN data, 25% of Shed Purchasers plan to attend beer/​wine festivals, and another 25% will go to home and garden shows during the coming months!

Some bar sheds are created by adding some new doors, a bar, seating, a little porch and some fun pub games. Or, simply cut an opening in the side of the shed and add a couple of bar stools to create a place for guests to lounge. On the outside, one bar pub looks like your standard backyard shed, but when you open it, you’re all of a sudden looking at a 1950s-​inspired bar. Customers could try a rustic backyard bar uses string lights and a pop-​down bar top to create a welcoming watering hole.

AudienceSCAN data is available as part of a subscription to AdMall for Agencies, or with the SalesFuel API. Media companies can access AudienceSCAN data through the AudienceSCAN Reports in AdMall.


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