Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

$200 Black Shed Exterior Makeover

Kevin had a couple days off this week, the kids are still in school so we couldn’t go anywhere fun. In the back of my mind was a FUN project. Always. A little shed makeover! And the way Kevin works it took a day, it would have been less if we didn’t have kids and other things going on. I took a poll on Instagram asking what color we should paint the shed, either black or white. The entire time I had wanted to do black. But then I thought….hmmmm maybe white would be better to match our house. You want to know what everyone voted for?? It was basically SPLIT in half! And I just want to preface this with I appreciate and LOVE all of you that take interest to vote! I don’t always ask for a vote because I don’t know what I want to do. I do the vote to see what YOU like! It is always interesting to compare what I want to do verses the 10,000 people who generally participate in my polls!

Let’s look at the voting results and the shed BEFORE…

Black or White Shed Voting Results- 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Shed BEFORE-

BEFORE- Black Shed Makeover

I had no idea it looked THIS bad! Geesh! Take a picture. A picture does not lie! 

Black Shed AFTER-

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Can you believe the difference! And what $200 will do for you? Go ahead, scroll back up to the BEFORE!! I went to the gym and the grocery store and when I came home Kevin had it done (and was watching Finn). I didn’t tell him that I wanted to paint the trim and everything black. So I took another poll on Instagram. Asking if we should paint it ALL black or leave the white trim and 8,500 people said LEAVE the trim white. While 4,4500 voted to paint it all black! As you can see we went against the majority. The white trim just felt to country/farmhouse to me, not really my style. If you are curious as to what it looked like, it basically looked like the BEFORE photo. Here it is again….

BEFORE- Black Shed Makeover

What we did- 

  • Took off broken shutters and window box
  • Repaired the molding around the window (we did this last, but should have done first. We didn’t know if we were going to do shutters.)
  • Painted the shed in Exterior Glidden Premium Black Paint
  • Painted the ramp to the shed
  • Spray painted the downspout
  • Hung window box and added flowers 
  • Removed rose bush
  • Planted climbing hydrangea plant (I already had this in a pot)
  • Installed the No Dig Edging 
  • Put down black tarp over the grass and secured with plastic spikes
  • Added 35 bags or medium size marble rocks over tarp and in flower bed by shed

Cost breakdown-

  • One Gallon Exterior Glidden Premium Black Paint $25 (just asked for the color black)
  • Spray paint $5 (for downspout)
  • Medium Size Marble Rocks $120 (35 bags @ $3.50 each) covered 60 square feet
  • White Flower Box $10
  • No Dig Edging 20 ft $15
  • Black Tarp $10
  • Vigoro Spikes $7 (for the black tarp)
  • 1 Board of wood for window repair $9 (Kevin used the saw and cut at Home Depot)

 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Here are some photos of the process-

$200 Black Shed Makeover

 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

 

Black Shed Makeover- Backyard Update

 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

$200 Black Shed Makeover

$200 Black Shed Makeover

We decided to leave the very top trim white to tie in the house. Then added just a white window box. I thought about painting the window trim white, but I like that it just blends in (for now). Also the white rocks really pull it all together. 

$200 Black Shed Makeover

$200 Black Shed Makeover$200 Black Shed Makeover

Pretty happy with our time spent on this little shed! And it only cost about $200! We will change out the roof when do our new roof (eventually). I love the contrast and the way it ties everything together outside our home and inside our home! And the pink flowers are a little nod to our pink front door! 

Outdoor String Lights and Hanging Art Outside Back Deck

Black Shed Inspiration Pics-

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Black Shed/Garage (source-Most Lovely Things)

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Black Shed with amazing topiary (source)

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Black Shed with gorgeous potted plants (source- Bobedere)

$200 Black Shed Makeover

Black Shed (source- art of doing stuff)

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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    Oh I love this! A wicked addition would be some gold exterior lights on either side of the roor, maybe solar lights? Just a thought!

  2. Cindy says

    What a difference. Did you consider putting white trim around the window and on the door to break it up a bit? Just a thought. I would have thought one of your options would have been pink to match your front door! 🙂

  3. Nataliya says

    Dear Brook! I LOVE everything you do, but this black shed kind of startled me. I try to figure out why. May be because sheds usually look like tiny houses…..and I would not imagine a black house 🙂 May be dark grey would be not that screaming especially with the weathered fence on the background . Also, very soon it will show every single speckle of dirt, grass, other particles, even dust settled after heavy rain…… We had painted a fence Dark grey around pool heater and filter and it shows everything. That is just my point of view. In no way I am criticizing your work. Just my opinion……
    With love,
    N

    • [email protected] says

      ha! No worries at all. We LOVE it sooooo much! It looks so great from looking off our deck. I personally love dark houses and love the sharp contrast with our house. But totally understandable that it is not your style.

      • Sara says

        I really love the contrast of the crisp black shed with the weathered cedar fence. They are a perfect compliment! We’ve been talking about painting our barn black (house is white) and this totally sealed it for me. Great job!

  5. Amy says

    Did you guys have to sand down, power wash or prep the shed in some way before painting it?

  6. Julie says

    To each its own for sure……..way too much black – looks like a large black box sitting in the corner. The flowers break up the black……..instead of laying all that white stone, I would have covered the area in perennials, but again I’m a Master Gardener and do that kind of thing…….like any of us who paint/decorate when you tire of it you’ll do something different……….

    • Nesting with Grace says

      We have a huge flower bed to the right you can’t see and a huge yard. So that is why we decided on the rocks. But we not a master Gardner’s at all.

      And it is basically a small black box. If it was all white it would look like a white box. Pretty basic.

    • Pilotwife says

      Not all comments need to actually be typed out. Sheesh! Brooke is the epitome of class and positivity. Why would you pour your negativity on a post where she is sharing something she loves?

  7. Erika says

    Woah so pretty! Amazing difference just with the marble chips! Now If I can just talk my husband into painting our entire house black! Lol

  9. Amanda says

    Love it, just like everything else you do! I feel like it needs white stripes up the ramp like your front porch stairs. 🙂

  10. Lisa Zahn says

    I love it! I was one who voted for all black for that modern look, and I’m so glad you went with it. You introduced me to Most Lovely Things and I adore her style. Great inspiration!

  11. Brenda says

    I Love it!!! I’m going to be painting my shed soon as well. And it’s white so this gives me a great idea. I love everything you do. Your home is gorgeous and very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. You guys do and awesome job!!

  12. Patrice says

    The thing that impressed me was how handy your husband is. Having someone like that as a partner is pure gold.

  16. Kayleigh says

    I love it. Gotta get some marble rock now 😍
    Question. What do you think of black fences?! I’m debating painting ours but I know the popular color is white 🙄

  17. Marty Oravetz says

    Oh wow, this is totally amazing. I love it all. Such a fabulous transformation.

  18. Deb Pelton says

    Hi Brooke, I voted for white but in retrospect the black is way better. Now it doesn’t become a back yard feature but rather blends in and is quietly unobtrusive-Nice. The little pings of white and the pink geraniums make it the perfect compliment to your home. Tell Kevin he did a nuce job!

  19. Beckie says

    Cute little shed ! Love the flowers in the window box!
    But I have to tell you your hubby was a distraction 😉lucky girl for having a handy guy 😊

  20. Sara Brinker says

    Looks SOOOOOO good, Brooke!! WAY TO GO, KEVIN!! Three cheers for YOU!!!
    I actually voted to paint white on the trim and shutters, but I REALLY like it this way. It looks very fresh and modern!! So fun!!!

    Always enjoy your posts. You are by far my FAVORITE blogger and source of inspiration!!!

    Sara

  21. Erika Lauren says

    Legit trying to understand why anyone comes here to say they don’t like something?! I think it’s fab just like everything you do, but if I didn’t like it, I just wouldn’t leave a comment! Have a wonderful day chick! – Erika from @peonyandhoney

  24. Chrissy says

    I like the black but think the doors need some contrast. Maybe a pop of copper??

  25. Kendra says

    Wow! That is fabulous! I love that you aren’t afraid of color. It’s only paint right.

  26. Ashley says

    Some brass handles and a brass latch on that black would be 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼! Great job!

  27. Laurie @ Laurie Jones Home says

    Perfection! 10/10!! I love how you ask for opinions and enjoy discussing design but most of all how you always follow what you love best! I was hoping you’d go wit the all black! It ties in with house so darn good!!!

  28. Kim says

    I love it. I wish I could have a black shed, but living in Australia I want to be able to see the spiders before they see me😀

  29. Heidi says

    It looks fantastic! I’m curious if there is some college level course that you can complete in order to earn the Master Gardener designation or is it just a self certified title? I ask because every single person in my area who says they are a master gardener inevitability has their lawn burning up halfway through July and flowers that have never been fertilized or dead headed etc. I would think anyone who cares enough about landscaping to talk about being a master gardener would encourage all the hard work you did to really improve your yard. 😁

  30. Andrea says

    The only thing throwing me of with the shed is the window with the window box, did you paint the glass black also? I think it would look more natural if you could see in a bit.

  31. ASHLEY LEE says

    Drooling! I too voted white, but I LOVE moody and this came out AWESOME!!!!!! We just painted our barn. It was plain red barn paint before and I went with something in a bolder red (I don’t like plain red barn paint). It’s so nice and cheery but now I’m like, “Why didn’t we do black?!??!?!” It would have been amazing! Good job, girlie! And good job, Kevin.

  33. Lynne says

    Okayyyy . . .you know what I am going to say…you need your magic lights on each side of the door . . . or maybe only one will do!
    It’s your signature, girl!
    I LOVE the black! (Love Annie’s garage for your inspiration.)

  36. Susan Smith says

    Amazing! Good call with the black color. I think the white would have been too distracting from your lovely yard and deck. Kevin is a treasure!

  37. Heidi @cloverlycottage says

    I would have never guessed how AMAZING all black would look 🖤🖤🖤 or how fantastic the white marble sets it off. The addition of the window box & plants is the perfect finishing touch. Your vision & your husband’s execution resulted in a shed that looks like it belongs in your space. It’s not a “she shed”….,it’s a “chic shed” 😉

  38. Abigail says

    So I voted for white shed…the voted for white trim and shows what I know 😂 I LOVE IT ALL BLACK! Looks great!

  39. Aleesha says

    Wow I like it a lot! Reminds me of Louisa May Alcott’s house!! Very pretty and poetic.

  41. Alyson says

    I have to say that voted FOR white trim. I could not picture exactly how it would look painted all black. BUT, I LOVE IT!!! Such a change. Very modern but classic and I am glad you didn’t keep the white trim!!

  44. Katie says

    I enjoyed this post and find your projects inspiring. Such a fun before and after. I know most of the comments are about the color which I really like, but I couldn’t help but notice how much you cleaned it up with the plants and window box and how that made such a difference too. It’s fun to see how little things can make a big difference. Currently our landscaping is lacking in some spots and really overgrown in other parts. I wish we had a budget to completely redo but after reading this I thought I should just clean up the weeds and overgrown bushes and it would make all the difference. Thanks for the inspiration! 😍

  45. Jillian says

    I think it looks AMAZING!! I love seeing how you bring your visions to life! Thanks for all the inspiration!

  46. Vicki S says

    Absolutely the cutest shed ever! Love all the choices. You make home and outside decor so fun and inspire me to try new things. You and your family are precious!

  48. Kaitlyn says

    Yay!! I voted all black! So glad y’all stuck with what you love, it’s so different and I thinks that’s why everyone is freaking out. But it just looks so good there against the white rock! If anyone can rock a black shed its y’all!!!

  49. Sara S says

    I love it. I think you just need a gold sconce with a little magic light trick on it somewhere! Great job!

  51. Grace Askew says

    I’m picturing some of these people leaving negative comments , sitting in a lawn chair in their living room eating a bag of Doritos , and wiping their cheesy fingers on their jorts. WHO DOES THAT?! You are literally like a rainbow, puppy, and bowl of sunshine all wrapped up in one. People need to recognize. Oh, and the shed is beautiful, you are beautiful, Kevin is meh. 😂 (can’t let his ego get too big)

  52. Denese says

    Looks great to me. I don’t even remember what I voted, but why are people so bothered? It’s not like your housing your kids in a windowless black shed in your backyard. It’s a shed people! Come fall, it will probaby be a different color. 😉 I love it. Maybe you Should paint your shed door pink and do a magic light trick. 😄

  53. Ashley says

    Eek! Looks so good! I love how you aren’t scared to just do it! The only way I could ever pull the trigger is to see it done by someone else!! So thanks for that…LOL. Where did you get the window box? I need to add those to my husband’s shop. It’s on the struggle bus 😆. Once again…you are the bomb 😘

  54. Deirdre H. says

    Positively LOVE IT! But even more, love the energy and enthusiasm that you and Kevin have together. It is infectious and inspiring! Recently painted our front door, garage door, two back doors and shed door from this terrible Smurf blue color that came with the house when we bought it 17 years ago to Benjamin Moore hazy lilac. We have a very small Cape Cod style house with tan vinyl siding. Most people have loved it but they are always haters. When they start paying the mortgage, then maybe I’ll listen! 🙂

  56. Bella says

    LOVE!!! It reminds me of the adorable “face vase” that you have in your kitchen. I loved the vase so much – I ordered one for myself 🙂

  57. petalandplum says

    I didn’t think I would like it with the trim black too (I also voted for white trim) but I really do! You always amaze me with all your fearless projects and I’m so impressed with your hubby that is such a willing partner! I love the plants and the marble rock (is that what it’s called? Too lazy to scroll up…ha.) I vote for some magic lights! Thanks for your inspiration!! I need to paint my shed soon too.

  59. Robin says

    This is so awesome! It turned out great. I love the clean contrasting look with black shed/white marble rock!. I think I’ve said it before but can you clone your husband for me and send him my way 😉 !!!

  60. Danielle says

    Wow! I may be biased, since I votes for this exact option, but I think it lolls fantastic! So modern and fresh with the whie stones and plants. You house is all charm in the front and modern out back. 🖤

  61. Mary Smith says

    I didn’t see the original survey. I’ve never seen a black shed, so the reveal kinda shocked me! Lol! You’re definitely right to paint the trim black, too. It would have looked like a tiny barn and not your style at all. With all the marble rock and the window planters and flowers, I think it looks amazing! I loved your inspiration photos too. You always show me something new.

  62. Julie says

    Looks amazing! I voted for black and black trim cause I’m kinda biased as we have a graphite gray house and pool house with no contrasting trim colour. People told us we were crazy when we were doing it and now everyone asks for the paint colour! I love your house, great job thinking outside the box……my husband always says the same thing…..it’s just paint.

  63. Nicole says

    I absolutely love it!!! I can be timid when painting and don’t often leave my comfort zone. The black would have been something I was too nervous to try. Very inspiring!

  64. Lea says

    LOVE IT!!!! wouldn’t change a thing! the flowers really pop against the black. can’t wait to see how the climbing hydrangea fills in

  65. sharon says

    Your shed is amazing. I love the simple effect of it being all black. I think you made great choices on everything about your makeover. It was economical, somewhat easy, and looks great! Could you add things? Sure. Could you have done purple with pink polka dots? Sure — but you designed it to reflect what you love to look at everyday out your window and did a great job. That is what matters and I am happy for you — and not a little bit jealous that I have no shed to paint black and stare at 🙂

  66. Ashley Pullen says

    I am one of the minority “all black voters”. This is so chic and modern!! I love it. I never would have thought to paint a shed black. Our shed is in desperate need of new paint, and my wheels are turning now. Our house is tan and I just painted our door navy blue. Maybe an all navy shed.. Hmm.

  67. Wanda says

    Gorgeous! I like how the door just blends in… We’re starting our shed project in a month and I’m planning a yellow front door to match our front one, but I hadn’t actually put that much thought into it yet! I swear you are always two steps ahead of what I’m personally doing, and it is SO helpful! Thank you for all of your posts!

  68. Celia Gerish says

    It looks good. I voted white but now that I see the black I like it! So lucky to have such a good helper!!!! I was thinking it might look cute with a light like on your deck. You could use your light trick?? Would add a cute touch.

  70. katie says

    So adorable!!!! But of course now I’m also picturing stripes on the ramp, pink doors, and your signature magic light. But then it would be too adorable to be just a shed and would obvisouldy need to be converted to a fun She Shed! Thank you for the daily inspiration you provide me to make my surroundings beautiful too. It provides such a boost of happiness.

  71. Cassidi says

    Holy moly this looks amazing!! I voted white but was a dummy because this black shed looks so crisp and sharp! The flower box is an adorable add on.
    You are a constant inspiration! Great job

  72. Becky Couch says

    I think it’s spot on perfect! Not sure I’d spray the hinges??? I don’t think it needs that gold. It’s an industrial space. Gold is great everywhere else…..just not sure on the shed. You’ll make the right decision. FUN SHESHED….jealous!

  74. Elma says

    I find it so sad why anyone feels they can leave a not to nice comments. Gosh if you do not care for.something keep your comments to yourself. I personally think it looks very rich and amazing!! I tell you your my favorite couple here on Instagram and love your love how you show your love for your amazing hubby and kids. Love.your home and all the tips you so share.

  75. Tanya says

    It looks AMAZING, Brooke!! Wow! Who knew I could love a shed so much!!😉. Love love the black. Nicely done!

  77. Julia says

    Wow. I LOVE this. I would never think a shed could be so next level, AND it’s affordable! You’re amazing!!!

  78. Julia says

    Who would think a shed could be so next level amazing! And so affordable. As always, you ROCK! So inspiring, especially to us folks with smaller spaces (and funds)!

  79. Teresa Woodard says

    My husband and I love the shed makeover! The use of the rocks is brilliant. We can’t wait to see the painted hardware! You have great ideas! ❤️

  80. VOL25 says

    It looks so good Brooke! We have the paint for my studio, and we are going with an all black look as well. I am almost just as excited to see it all black as I am to just get moved in! 🙂

  81. Emily says

    Love your shed makeover! You have inspired me try to give our tiny shed a makeover this summer. One reason I hate using it is bees. We spray the nests after they are already there but do you have any advice for preventing them? Didn’t know if this was an issue you have dealt with in your shed. Thanks!

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