Make Your Outdoor Shed Work Double Duty as a Decor Piece With This 6-Step DIY Project

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

While sheds offer the rather utilitarian function of storage, they can also act as an anchor for a chic outdoor lounge — if you give them the proper design attention. All it takes is a little sprucing up with paint, and you have the perfect backdrop to create a stylish sitting area to welcome guests for drinks or dinner.

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With a little help from ​Behr®​ Paint and inspo from the Behr​ ​Color Trends 2021 Palette, we took a previously plain cedar shed and transformed it into a stunning design feature.

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To complement the shed, we also painted a potting bench in an accent color — which functions as a bar or buffet to shake up cocktails or serve hors d'oeuvres — and added bit of lighting and decor as the finishing touches to make our outdoor space really shine. Here's how to get the look for yourself.

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Prep the Area

Lay a tarp or drop cloth on the grass and surrounding areas to protect it from paint, and gather the other necessary supplies: a ladder, paint tray and liner, paintbrush, paint roller with 3/8-inch nap roller cover, and an extension pole.

If your shed has any windows (ours didn't), you should tape those off with painter's tape, along with any hardware.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse
Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Prime the Shed

Start by cutting in around the edges and hard-to-reach areas with a paintbrush. We used the Behr ​Multi-Surface Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer because it primes the raw wood for better paint adhesion, and it also blocks out any staining or bleeding from wood knots.

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Then, roll the primer onto the rest of the shed with a roller, following the direction of the wood grain. Use a ladder or extension pole to reach higher areas. Allow the primer to dry an hour or two.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Paint the Shed

Once the primer is dry, cut in around the edges of the shed with a paintbrush. We selected the midnight gray color Broadway PPU18-20 for some drama, and opted for Behr Ultra® Exterior Paint because it's super durable and formulated to protect against damage from sunlight and moisture.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Roll the paint onto the rest of the shed with a roller. Allow the paint to dry fully, and add a second coat if needed. (FYI, Behr Ultra​ Exterior Paint is designed to require fewer coats, which means less work for you.)

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Paint the Potting Bench

To complement the dramatic, dark color of the shed, we painted a wood potting bench in Jojoba N390-3, a soft green hue, using Behr Ultra​ Exterior Paint.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Allow the paint to dry, and then set up your spiffy new cocktail station with various spirits, mixers, and other bar essentials.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Hang a Couple of Lanterns

Any outdoor lounge area needs proper lighting, of course. Hang a few lanterns on the shed, flanking either side of the bar area. We love these bronze ones because you can safely tuck flameless candles inside.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Dress It Up With Decor

Finish off your sitting area with a few pillows and planters. Simple lumbar pillows soften the space while keeping a sleek look, and a round pom pom pillow adds an unexpected touch.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Tall Italian cypress trees potted in planters on either side of the shed add a bit of symmetry (and privacy) while a hypertufa trough filled with moss acts as a posh yet rustic centerpiece.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

And just like that, with a little paint and a few finishing touches, you've created a stylish sitting area right outside your storage shed.

Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Thinking about tackling your own exterior paint project? Click here for all the details on how Behr Ultra Exterior Paint can help (and to start picking colors!).

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