Welcome, friends, to week 1 of our very first One Room Challenge!
Over the next month and a half, we’ll be tackling this renovation as a guest participant in the One Room Challenge, which is a 6-week room makeover challenge hosted by Linda of Calling it Home. Every Spring and Fall, bloggers from all over the internet take part and document their progress along the way.
I was a little hesitant at first to take on such a short deadline since we haven’t officially finished our master bathroom, which, by the way, has taken way longer than we expected. I went back and forth between choosing two different renovation projects. We could either take the easy route and add the finishing touches to the downstairs half-bath or we’d dive headfirst and tackle the 110 square foot garden shed and make it a guest cottage shed.
So which project did we decide to take on? We chose the guest shed, the more difficult and expensive remodel. Of course! Makes complete sense, right?
Why did we choose the garden shed?
Well, one reason is out of necessity. My stepdaughter needs a place to hang out when she comes to stay with us that feels like her own space away from the boys. It can also be a place for our parents to stay when they come into town. They usually stay in a room upstairs but as they get older, the stairs will be more difficult to navigate. The other reason…we love a challenge, especially ones that motivate us to get a project done by a certain date.
So, usually, there’s part of the “before” where we all cringe when we see the before pictures and this is no exception. This was how the garden shed looked the first day I went and looked at our 1915 bungalow and after we cleaned it up last summer. It still needs much TLC.
The inside remains untouched. I wouldn’t ever use it as a garden shed because I have black thumb syndrome.
I wondered why the shed sat awkwardly at the side of the house close to the front porch until I got some history from a neighbor. He told us that the house used to be owned by the town’s loan officer. He would give out personal loans and used this building as his office.
Design Inspiration for the Cottage Shed
The vibe I’m going for is modern farmhouse meets cozy bohemian cottage. It’ll have a mix of vintage, modern, black, whites and creams. Wood elements will be mixed with some metal. The only request my stepdaughter, Juli, had was that I add some blue which I’ll do with fabrics and the dresser.
Dresser Inspiration // Similar Black + White Art // Wooden Hanging Plant Holder // Wood Slice Coffee Table // Blue Medallion Quilt
(affiliate links are included for your convenience)
To keep the room bright, we’ll put white shiplap on the walls and ceiling. The floors will be covered with either wood-look vinyl planks or tile. A seating area for eating will be placed below the window.
Tall cabinets will flank a built-in trundle bed. The cabinet on the left side of the bed will house a kitchenette with a refrigerator, coffee bar, and sink.
The cabinet on the other side will be for Juli’s clothes.
Before we can do all of the things that make the room functional and pretty, we have a list of projects that must come first such as:
- Replace the leaky roof
- Replace some walls that have been water damaged
- Remove the single pane windows and switch to more energy-efficient double pane windows
- Close the back wall once the window is taken out
- Add more electrical outlets
- Add insulation
This should all add up to a lot of fun! I may or may not have added a sarcastic tone to that last sentence.
And if time allows, we’ll improve the landscaping, replace the steps with a small porch, add some exterior lighting, and a window box. I’m keeping my fingers crossed we can get it all done in 6 weeks since we’ll be doing all the work ourselves. Wish us luck!
P.S.
If you aren’t already familiar with Hometalk, check them out here. We’ll be doing a time-lapse video for them of the whole renovation process that we’ll share on reveal day.
Thanks so much for following along! Please follow us on Instagram so you can catch some sneak peeks of the cottage shed renovation. 
P.P.S.
If you love small spaces and built-ins, then you’ll love seeing how we added a built-in bed and dressers using stock kitchen cabinets in my oldest son’s bedroom.
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Debi @ Add Value To Your Home says
Good luck! That is going to be a great space when you’re finished! Looking forward to see the reveal.
Tricia says
Thanks so much, Debi! We’re gonna need all the good luck we can get. It’ll certainly be a challenge but it should be worth it.
Brittany Goldwyn says
What a cute little space! I am really looking forward to seeing the progress on this one. I love small spaces.
Tricia says
I love small spaces too! Even though they’re more difficult to design, they really make you use your creativity.
Yohanna says
It is looking great! Did you have to get permits for this?
Blessings ?
Tricia says
Thanks, Yohanna! Our county doesn’t require a permit on pre-existing structures as long we don’t change the footprint or foundation of the structure nor the electrical panel service previously installed.