Pleated shades can help transform a shed into a home office

When San Diego resident Brian DeHamer's growing family took up the space he needed for a home office, he looked outside for what he needed.


DeHamer told LifeHacker.com he found that space behind his garage, where a small shed could be constructed and outfitted with the phone and electrical wiring he needed for his software design job.


"I called one of the local 'shed' dealers and had a pre-fab, 8x15 foot shed delivered and installed a few weeks later," DeHamer said.

With the same finish work needed for a basement overhaul - insulation, drywall, carpeting and paint - DeHamer was able create a comfortable, energy-efficient home office with two windows for natural light.


Pleated window shades can be installed for an attractive window treatment in a shed upgrade like DeHamer's office. They stack tightly when raised to let in light, but can be adjusted to provide the same privacy as regular shades. Pleated shades come in a variety of materials, colors and finishes.


Their popularity has also led to a wide variety of shapes and sizes for non-rectangular windows or those designed to fit an unusual space such as a renovated shed.