By Erin Callahan
Do you crave a little “me” space in your home but donʼt have the square footage to spare? You may be surprised to find that a perfectly appointed she-shed or studio offers the ideal solution without forcing you to buy a bigger house. Pop your head over the fence. Your neighbor may have already caught on to this trend that appears likely to stay. New companies, such as Some Elbow Room, are right here in San Antonio building fully customizable tiny structures.
Who would want to spend their time in a shed? This is where things get interesting. “Our clientele is seeking a retreat for work and play,” says Amy Moody, COO of Some Elbow Room. “They want the comforts of home in a space that’s beautiful.” Some Elbow Room outfits their buildings with an air-conditioner, electrical wiring, insulated walls, LVP flooring, sheathing, house wrap, siding, 30-year shingles, exterior and interior trim, and a pier and beam foundation on blocks. It’s sort of like a tiny home without plumbing.
These super-sheds allow you to transform some of your unused outdoor space into an extra room for whatever purpose suits you. One of the most popular uses for these backyard buildings is a classic she-shed (or mancave): a little retreat steps from your back door where you can keep busy with whatever youʼre passionate about. Whether it’s jewelry making, gardening, or painting, people create incredible works of art in their very own studios. It’s an amateur artist’s dream come true. “Weʼd never tell you how to use your she-shed, because, in our experience, most people donʼt have any question in their minds as to what they would do with Some Elbow Room!” says Moody.
The modern slant studio pictured here is covered in a white smooth fiber cement lap siding. A stained wood screen plays off the single door painted Superior Blue. The shaded lounge is a great place to read or watch the kids play while safe from Nerf pellets and soccer balls. The interior is transformed into a gardening oasis. Huge windows allow for light to grow almost anything. And it’s brimming with pots, plants, and gardening tools.
Inside the bold exterior of the mid-century modern inspired studio is a bicycling gym complete with sea grass wallpaper and floor to ceiling mirrors. Some Elbow Room showcases another backyard beauty affectionately nicknamed “Jeff’’s Zoom Room” by the owner who uses the space as a home office. The 8×16 rectangular box is popular with the stay-at-home workforce that’s decided to permanently end their commute.
Find a little backyard space for a shed and you’re all set to join the masses who know the secret to living large through these small rooms!
Erin Callahan is CEO of Some Elbow Room, LLC., a woman-owned accessory structure construction and pre-fabrication business based in San Antonio. A wife, mother, educator, hobbyist, and businesswoman, Erin branded her solution to the “newnormal” to share with the masses.
