How to convert a shed into a tiny home?

Are you on the lookout for a tiny house? Is the process taking too long, or are you finding the prices beyond your affordability? If yes, we may just have the solution for you, given that you own a shed or a barn. There could be many reasons why one would want to convert their shed into a tiny home besides the fact that it is less expensive and more hassle-free.

Regardless of why they decide to do it, the question, ‘how to convert a shed into a tiny home?’ is quite popular among the members of the tiny living community. If you are also sold on converting your shed into a tiny house and are looking for a guide that will enlist all the things you need to take care of – you have come to the right place.

1. Think about drainage

The foremost thing you need to consider is how the water will flow around the shed. In some cases, people may have a drainage system in place but think carefully before jumping into the shed conversion if you are not one of them.

You may need to grade for drainage and layer your shed with 4-6 inches of gravel. If water is pushed toward your shed, then consider installing French drains. If you have gutters, see where the water will fall off the roof and trench a drainpipe so the water can flush away from the shed.

2. Make utility connections

Another critical thing to consider when converting your shed into a tiny house is to see if it is connected with the grid. Take care of water, electricity, and other necessary utility connections before getting anything finalized. If your shed already has these connections, test them out.

3. Give your shed a new floor

Usually, sheds do not have proper flooring and even if yours do, look into whether it will work for your tiny house. It should be durable and comfortable. The most commonly used materials for the flooring of the shed are cork, tiles, and carpet. You may also use wooden flooring to turn your shed into a tiny house. If yours already has a wooden floor, it can be restored. However, do take care of moisture and mold treatment in this case.

4. Install outlets

Even though it may be too early to tell, try figuring out where you will need electrical and other necessary outlets. Since sheds are usually pretty small, you want to be precise with how many places you will need an outlet in and where you will be charging your devices, connecting to the internet, etc. You should also consider putting outlets outside for converting your shed into a tiny house.

5. Install windows (if needed)

Often, sheds have few windows, and to turn a shed into a tiny house, you need ample natural light sources. As the house is already small, natural light plays a massive role in making it look roomier and airier. For this reason, consider installing more windows and doors in the shed if needed.

6. Seal up any cracks and openings

Once you are almost halfway through the shed conversion, you need to check for any cracks and openings in your shed and seal them. If your shack is rickety – you may have to completely replace the walls (look out for this beforehand!)

Use silicone caulk to seal all the junctions, transition points, and seams, especially the space where the top of the walls meet the roof. This point is crucial because you want to keep your house bug free and away from other such problems.

7. Insulate your shed

The next super important step to turn a shed into a tiny house is to insulate it, as this is something most sheds are missing. Your tiny house has to be more comfortable than a shed. The best options you have here are bat insulation or spray foam insulation. While you can get the right-sized bats to fit the cavities inside your walls, we recommend spray foam because it is also a great air and vapor barrier.

Similarly, you will also want to insulate your shed flooring to prevent your feet from staying cold. You can place a foam board on the floor and top it with a new layer of plywood. If your flooring isn’t already wooden, you can insulate at the bottom of the shed, under the flooring.

8. Heating, air conditioning, lights

While insulation is usually enough in regions with moderate climates – you may need heat and air conditioning if seasons get harsher where you live. Sometimes, it can be the distinctive feature between a shed and a tiny house!

Ensure there is a proper wiring system to install a small heater or air conditioner (that would do for small space). Also, look at where you will be installing these in the house. Similarly, see where you would like to install lighting both inside and outside the shed.

9. Make it look like a tiny house – paint

Perhaps the most prominent step in the shed conversion will be to make it ‘look’ like your new abode. The easiest way to do that is by painting both its inner and outer walls. Even if your shed is pre-painted, consider giving it a new coat of color. While you can get as creative with the exterior as you want, neutral and muted colors are a solid standard choice for the inside.

10. Make some finishing touches

As your process of converting your shed into a tiny house is almost complete, you can now add final touches to the home – these can include a myriad of different things such as installing cabinets, counters, closets, or even a toilet and bathtub. This bit of the shed conversion will be highly subjective as per your personal preferences and affordability.

Our Final Thoughts

Converting a shed into a tiny house can be a slightly complicated process and requires thorough planning. While you can put your own building and DIY skills to use, we suggest not diving into the shed conversion all on your own as there can be many steps where you need professional help. Regardless of how long the transformation takes, the final product will be worth the time and effort. Many people have successfully converted a shed into a tiny house, and with this guide, you can be one of them!