Be the first to know!
Join our list to be notified of new buildings and other discounts.
(*You can unsubscribe at any time.)
Backyard Art Studio Sheds: The Complete Guide
At Sheds Unlimited, we understand that thriving creativity depends on more than just talent; it depends on time and space. The right environment can bring order, focus, energy, and inspiration to your work.
With a few thoughtful upgrades, a simple backyard shed can become a light-filled personal artist retreat designed to support the way you create.
From weekend projects to daily studio work, the space that supports your creativity might just be waiting to be built.
Can You Turn a Shed Into an Art Studio?
Yes, and it’s easier than you might think. A well-built shed can be upgraded with windows, insulation, and electric to create a functional, year-round workspace.
Start with a quality structure, then customize it for how you work: natural light for painting, ventilation for sculpting, or built-in storage for supplies. Whether you’re converting an existing shed or ordering a prefab design, the result can be a quiet, creative space just steps from home.
For many artists, it becomes a she shed art studio, a garden art studio, or simply a personal artist studio shed designed to suit their medium, habits, and needs.
Read our step-by-step guide: How To Convert A Shed To An Art Studio for tips on how to build your art sanctuary.
What Type of Shed Works Best for a Studio?
The best artist studio sheds offer open layouts, natural light, and the flexibility to support your creative process. Look for models with high walls, ample windows, and a layout that allows for work surfaces and storage.
A well-built prefab art studio gives you a strong foundation to customize with windows, taller walls, or added storage. Prefab sheds work especially well; they provide a solid starting point and can be customized with features like double doors, transom windows, or even dormers to bring in natural light. A larger size (like 10×12 or 12×16) gives most artists enough space to move comfortably and stay organized.
Choose a shed that matches how you work, then customize it to fit your creative process.
How much does an art shed cost?
Basic studio-ready sheds start around $2,800 – $28,239+ depending on size. Fully finished studios with electric and insulation can range from $12,000 to $25,000+, depending on size, layout, and custom features like lighting, climate control, and interior finishes.
Can I Use a Shed for a Studio Without Major Renovation?
Yes, especially if you start with a shed built for creative use. Many prefab models can be customized during the ordering process with windows, skylights, and higher walls to reduce or eliminate the need for major renovation later on.
Basic upgrades like insulation, a finished interior, and electric can be added over time or installed right away. This makes it easy to turn a shed into a ready-to-use studio without taking on a full construction project.
Design Tips for a Functional Backyard Studio
A great studio starts with natural light. You can achieve this with window placements that match the time of day you work. Add insulation and a climate control option for comfort, and plan storage to keep your workspace clear and organized.
Use vertical space for shelves or hanging tools. If you work with messy mediums, consider a waterproof floor or utility sink. And don’t forget personal touches. This space should feel like your own. Even a tiny art studio can be highly functional with the right layout and storage solutions.
art studio shed inspiration & ideas
See how some of our customers have turned simple sheds into inspiring art studios. These stories highlight the creativity, personalization, and possibilities that come with building a space of your own.
Why a Backyard Studio Shed Might Be Right for You
A backyard studio offers more than just convenience, it gives you a space that’s dedicated, private, and always available. There’s no commute, no monthly rent, and no sharing space with others.
If you’re a full-time artist or just need room to explore your craft, a studio shed gives your creativity room to grow. Many artists are already using Sheds Unlimited structures to create beautiful, functional studios. See how one Connecticut artist brought her vision to life in a quiet corner of her yard.
Build the Space Your Creativity Deserves
Creating art takes focus, freedom, and the right environment, and sometimes, that means building it yourself. A backyard studio shed offers the privacy and flexibility you need to create on your terms, just steps from home.
At Sheds Unlimited, we offer a range of customizable shed designs that can be tailored for creative use. Whether you’re starting with a simple structure or planning a space built around your workflow, we’ll help you take the next step toward your own backyard art studio.
FAQs About Backyard Art Studio Sheds
Can a shed be insulated for year-round studio use?
Yes. Insulation, drywall, and climate control options make year-round use easy and comfortable. Some customers find it a worthwhile investment that helps them get the most out of their art studio shed.
What Is The Best Size Shed For A She Shed?
The best size for a she shed largely depends on what you plan to use it for. For example, a small art studio may only be a 6×6 foot or 8×8 foot shed while a large two-story she shed used for your small business could be as large as a 16×36 foot shed or a 16×48 foot shed. With Sheds Unlimited, the shed size possibilities are endless. Simply reach out to us and we’ll work with you to design a shed with enough space for what you plan to use it for!
What makes a shed a good fit for an art studio?
A good art studio shed starts with the right structure; tall walls, natural light, and enough space to move and store materials. Features like transom windows, double doors, or an open floor plan can make a big difference in how the space feels and functions. Most importantly, it should be a space to support and inspire creativity and focus so you can do your best work.
Do I need permits to install a shed studio?
Possibly. Local rules vary based on size, electrical use, and foundation type. Check with your local building department before starting your art studio project.
How much space do I need for a backyard studio?
Most artists do well with 10×12 or 12×16 shed sizes. Smaller sheds work too if you’re tight on space or supplies. Take a look at our available shed sizes to see which one is right for you.
Can I add electric or plumbing to a backyard art studio?
Yes, homeowners add electricity for lighting, outlets, and climate control. Plumbing is possible but usually more involved, depending on local codes. If you’re planning to turn your backyard art studio into a fully equipped workspace, it’s best to check with your municipality for specific permit requirements in your area before adding these features to your shed.
Recent Articles:
Recent Customer Stories:
Ready For More Space In Your Life?
Create the building of your dreams by customizing a design in 3D. You can also call us at 717-442-3281. We're here to assist you!
testimonials
sheds unlimited
customer reviews
See what our past customers have to say about us! (You can also check our third-party Google reviews and Facebook reviews.)
Our Sheds Unlimited experience began on their informative website. We used their on-line design tool to create our shed, and the project flowed smoothly from design to delivery. Our site is very steep, and I
…
Our Sheds Unlimited experience began on their informative website. We used their on-line design tool to create our shed, and the project flowed smoothly from design to delivery. Our site is very steep, and I truly doubted they would be able to deliver our 12’ X 14’ shed. They committed to delivery after reviewing pictures of our narrow street and steep hillside yard. Nate is a master equipment operator. He had our shed sitting perfectly level on our pad about 30 minutes after arrival. I was amazed by what he could with their specialized equipment. Fantastic work Sheds Unlimited!!
Matt
Duncannon, PA
August 12, 2024
What can I say about Sheds Unlimited that hasn’t been said? The process to design what I wanted could not have been easier, the delivery was spot on time and the installation crew (Gideon, Joshua
…
What can I say about Sheds Unlimited that hasn’t been said? The process to design what I wanted could not have been easier, the delivery was spot on time and the installation crew (Gideon, Joshua and Leroy) was awesome! I could not say enough good things about Sheds Unlimited, I highly recommend them!
Jonathan Golding
Howell, NJ
September 12, 2023
I started this process of building a garage 2-3 years ago. I called local builders. Two of them never returned my calls, and one guy chewed me out for finding his number on the web
…
I started this process of building a garage 2-3 years ago. I called local builders. Two of them never returned my calls, and one guy chewed me out for finding his number on the web and calling him without being referred by someone. I’m not kidding, this is how the building contractor experience is right now in New England. My web searches always turned up Sheds Unlimited and I saw that they had stories from folks in New England who had used them to build garages even though they are in Pennsylvania. I decided to go through the quote process. There was a similar shed & garage company closer to my home in New England so I got quotes from both of them for similar garages. The New England company quoted me a number that was 2 1/2 times higher than Sheds Unlimited quote. I decided to go with Sheds Unlimited. I worked with Sergey in sales over many emails on exactly what I wanted. There was never a moment when he seemed bothered or impatient by my questions and my changes. Everything was possible and everything had a clear dollar amount, the sale never felt rushed. I finally decided on a design and paid the deposit. The local permit process went smoothly with the plans I purchased from Sheds Unlimited. The process of getting a foundation and pad from a local contractor was probably the most difficult part of the process. Contractors that do concrete work, are used to working with builders, not private homeowners. But I found a guy and gave him the plan and I eventually got a nice pad and foundation. I told Michael from Sheds Unlimited the pad was ready and I expected to wait 10+ weeks since it was now summertime. I got the call only 5 weeks later from Gideon the project manager that they were ready. On the scheduled day Nathan and his crew of 3 young, hard working Amish carpenters arrived and discovered that my driveway was the worst-case scenario. They could not get their very long and heavy trailer up our driveway due to the tightness of the turn and narrowness of the driveway. So they had to unload everything from the trailer at the road to my build site which is about 900 feet from the public road. They dealt with local vehicle traffic, and unhelpful local police. The young crew had to run back and forth the 900 feet to walk alongside the forklift to make sure the preconstructed structural members did not swing into trees. Not once did they show any frustration or anger. Nathan was still positive and smiling when I talked with him about it later. So after all this arrival difficulty, when they finally starting constructing the garage, it went up incredibly fast. Every worker knew their part. There was no question about what they should be doing. They practically got the whole 2-story 2 car garage up in one day even after the delay from the driveway issues. They only stopped for the day when torrential rain finally started. They showed up at 5:30 AM the next day and finished the job. I can’t say enough great things about what I witnessed with this construction crew. Like I said, I have never seen anything like them in 26 years of hiring various contractors for home projects.
If you are considering a garage or shed, don’t even think twice. Contact Sheds Unlimited today. I guarantee you have never worked with any company as satisfying as them.
If you are considering a garage or shed, don’t even think twice. Contact Sheds Unlimited today. I guarantee you have never worked with any company as satisfying as them.
Eric C.
Eliot, ME
August 15, 2023
Our experience with ShedsUnlimited was the best experience we have ever had with a construction contractor. From the initial estimate through the final product, they were great to work with and went above and beyond
…
Our experience with ShedsUnlimited was the best experience we have ever had with a construction contractor. From the initial estimate through the final product, they were great to work with and went above and beyond on several things. When our local county had questions on the design for permitting, ShedsUnlimited worked directly with them, answering all their questions and moving the project forward. When the county decided (after the fact) that one window needed safety film added, ShedsUnlimited took care of that as well at no cost to us. The overall process went exactly as the website describes, and our 54×24 building was exactly as promised, with the efficient, friendly team completing the assembly in just 2 days! The materials and construction quality were excellent. A large, well-constructed building for significantly less money than a local contractor would charge! I highly recommend ShedsUnlimited for any size building project.
Philip Fawcett
Marshall, VA
August 15, 2023
The driver Sam JR did an outstanding job in maneuvering the shed to my foundation pad. The workmanship on the shed was excellent from ordering to delivery it was seamless From Joe calciano
Joe Calciano
Yonkers, NY
November 4, 2022