Decorating & Design
May 12, 2016
Makeover: A Storage Shed Fit For Entertaining
A neglected yard and lack of landscaping made this simple brown shed look drab and uninteresting. But it had good bones and a lot of potential. With a fresh coat of paint and smart organization, see how it was transformed into a storage superhero and the perfect backdrop for summer entertaining.
Painted a bluish grey, the newly refreshed exterior is a cool contrast to its verdant surroundings. Easy-to-add shutters and a windowbox give the shed an English country vibe, complete with fresh plantings and blooming vines (in just white and lavender for simplicity).
Display gardening tools artfully to prevent the space from getting too cluttered. Walls of white pegboard make it simple to hang — and rearrange — everything from shears to spades and inject a subtle layer of pattern. A pair of kitchen carts provides ample storage and surface space, complete with durable metal shelves and butcherblock countertops to stand up to extra messy gardening projects.
The cottagey exterior provides the perfect backdrop for summer entertaining, complete with beautiful stagecoach-style lanterns that cast a romantic glow. With the garden shed in such close proximity to the alfresco dining area, it makes for a great staging and serving area, limiting trips back and forth from the house.
A rolling storage cart does double duty here, easily moved closer to the door to serve as a temporary drinks station for outdoor entertaining. All cocktail necessities are arranged on the top shelf for easy access, while a metal tub filled with ice beside the cart helps keep drinks cool. A set of cafe curtains keeps the space from feeling too shed-like, and a potted hydrangea tree brings the outside in.
Using new or sterilized pots for nibbles and wicker trays for serving is a playful nod to the garden locale. When the entertaining is done and the glasses are packed away, the zone quickly returns to a work surface for potting
Prep cocktails and snacks just out of sight of guests in the ad hoc bar area. A simple jute rug adds a homey vibe to the space.