The Property Brothers Show Us How To Transform A Shed Into A Stylish Living Space

Drew and Jonathan Scott have impressed fans with spectacular renovations in 14 seasons of HGTV's "Property Brothers" and various spin-off series'. But throughout their history of HGTV remodels and renovations, there's one renovation worth mentioning for the sheer creativity and uniqueness of the undertaking, and the fun and playful result. On Season 8, Episode 6 of "Brother vs. Brother," the Scott twins went head-to-head designing competing outdoor spaces in different homes. Drew Scott took outdoor living to another level by creating an outdoor shed and converting it into an extra living space that he termed a "designer studio."

Since about one in three people find their home too small and 76 percent of homeowners say they would take on a DIY renovation project (according to a study conducted by Home Advisor), Drew Scott's shed-to-studio renovation might be just what homeowners need to make the most of a shed in the backyard. Having a stylish outdoor shed with the prime purpose of lounging and entertaining can add an element of everyday retreat to your home, and increasing functional and usable space on your property can help you raise the value of your home too. "Every square foot around this home will be maximized to secure top dollar," said Drew Scott as he shared the plans for his decked-out shed. Below, we break down how the "Property Brother" pulled off the project and share what to consider before adding extra living space by creating a shed-to-studio oasis of your own.

For this HGTV project, Drew Scott had a large outdoor space to work with and decided to construct a studio out of a backyard shed to inspire a quiet escape for future homeowners. "It's all about the value that we add," said Drew Scott, describing his DIY shed project as "an incredible shed that will be fully decked out, almost like a whole other living space on the property." On a hilltop, there were three tiers of outdoor spaces. The third tier, farthest from the home, is where Scott DIY-ed his shed. He utilized luxury French doors, lots of windows, a high ceiling, and colorful pink wallpaper for the studio. To decorate, he furnished with a green velvet couch, pink velvet stools, and a white fur rug. Also used were black and white striped chairs and black and white marble-finish side tables for an art-deco look. 

The eclectic room that could easily seat five or six also had lots of floral and butterfly prints on the wall, plus a bar cart, chandelier, wall sconces, and lots of lamps. The use of wired lighting indicated that Scott was able to run electricity out to the shed, which likely means he applied for a permit and was granted permission from the local government to do so. And, although the "Property Brothers" might make it look easy, there's a lot to consider before adding living space with a DIY shed of your own. 

If you're interested in stealing this "Property Brothers" idea for your own home, you'll likely have to apply for a permit from your local municipality. The code enforcer will want to ensure your shed is the right size and distance from the property line and that it's structurally sound. Like Drew Scott, you'll also want to apply for a permit to run electricity to your shed to make it a useful living space. Without electricity, your shed won't be of much use come nightfall or when the weather is too hot or cold. Keeping the room temperature controlled will be good to ensure longevity of the space and all the furniture and decor inside. 

If you're already budgeting for the above work, and you have the extra backyard space, you may also want to look into whether your municipality allows building mother-in-law units to take your DIY to the next level. If you can legally convert your shed into an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) by bringing plumbing in and adding a kitchenette, this will truly expand the square footage footprint of your house and add living space to your property. The "Property Brothers" both created ADUS for their "Brother vs. Brother" home renovations knowing that these are huge value-adds. Whether you stick with a shed studio, or you choose to pursue an ADU, we also recommend ensuring that you have extra space somewhere on your property to store items like lawnmowers, tools, and gardening equipment.