When this Hobart homeowner bought their house at the base of Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), it was love at first sight. Surrounded by garden and mountain views, the home had everything they wanted, except one important thing: an extra bedroom.
Rather than extending the house, they began exploring what could be built easily in the backyard, a space that could serve as a study while offering flexibility for everyday life. The answer came in the form of a SheShed Coastal cabin, a light-filled, versatile design that could adapt to many uses at once.
“I wanted the space for sewing, work, gardening and a second living space,” they explained. “It took some hard work to get the interior layout right, but I managed to fit everything in, and now it’s an absolute delight to be in.”
Choosing a SheShed for Flexibility and Natural Design
The decision to choose the SheShed Coastal Cabin was driven by both design and performance.
“We chose a SheShed because of the natural materials, the number of options available, and the double-glazed windows and doors,” they said.
Those features made it possible to create a space that felt warm, functional, and comfortable year-round, an important consideration in Hobart’s famously changeable climate.
Site Preparation, Slopes and Serious Groundwork
The build began with careful site preparation, starting with a new concrete slab and a path connecting the cabin to the back patio. This approach ensured the cabin would be as accessible as possible, while also being a cost-effective option alongside other concrete work on the property.
But the groundwork came with its challenges.
“I had to hand excavate into a slope for the slab and extract enormous volcanic boulders in the process,” they laughed. “If only we could have gotten a digger into the backyard! It took six weeks, but I definitely got fit doing it.”
The effort was worth it. Taking the time to properly install the slab, retaining walls, and subfloor made a huge difference.
“I’m really glad we gave that part of the build the attention it deserved, it made everything else much smoother.”
Built by a Team, in True Hobart Weather
This was not a DIY build, and support played a big role in bringing the cabin to life.
“The SheShed team were so helpful, making sure the shed arrived exactly when we needed it and answering all my questions about the build,” they shared.
Construction itself took place in classic Hobart spring conditions which is full of snow, rain, wind and sunshine all in a single day.
“There were lots of muddy boots and plenty of hot coffee to keep us going,” they said. “I learned a lot, made some hilariously stupid mistakes along the way, but we got there in the end.”
Designing a Multi‑Purpose Interior
Inside, the cabin was carefully designed to support many different uses without feeling cluttered. The interior is painted white, with stained ceilings and floors, creating a bright and calming base.
The exterior is finished in Monument, chosen to blend the cabin into the surrounding garden and make the foliage and flowers pop.
“I wouldn’t recommend this colour if you live anywhere other than Hobart, especially if your windows face north like mine do! It gets warm,” they noted.
To manage comfort, a reverse-cycle system was installed for heating and cooling, with future plans to train a wisteria vine over the cabin for extra shade and seasonal flowers.
Thoughtful, Practical Fit‑Out
The interior fit-out is intentionally simple and practical. Plywood shelves and a custom-built sewing bench form the heart of the space.
“I started by designing the biggest piece of furniture first, the sewing bench, and then fitted everything else around that,” they explained. “Standard 60cm benches aren’t deep enough for cutting fabric, so I made mine 80cm deep. That’s the luxury of DIY.”
A wall-mounted, fold-down standing desk allows work to be packed away when not in use, helping the cabin shift easily between work, hobbies and relaxation. The monitor doubles as a TV, while a compact two-seater couch provides a cosy corner for reading or watching a movie.
The floor is finished with a washable rug, a practical choice for gardening projects, cycling training, and the occasional muddy boot.
Lighting is kept simple with floor lamps, task lighting and fairy lights, avoiding ceiling fixtures due to height considerations.
A Space That Truly Does It All
Power runs overhead from the house, with external conduit feeding three internal power points and an external outlet ready for future festoon lights.
Now complete, the SheShed has become an extension of both home and garden, a place to work, create, exercise, relax and simply enjoy being surrounded by greenery.
“Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out,” they said. “It’s lovely to be able to work or relax while feeling really embedded in my garden. It’s so many rooms in one.”
A Versatile Backyard Retreat
This SheShed Coastal Cabin at the base of Kunanyi proves that one thoughtfully designed space can serve many purposes. From sewing studio to home office, second living room to guest retreat, it’s a cabin that truly does it all, whatever the season, whatever the weather.
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