The Older Home: Breathe new life into outdoor structures

Some homeowners in our area are fortunate enough to have picturesque older structures on their properties that preserve a sense of rustic history. Letting these sheds, shacks, chicken coops or outhouses sit idle, though, often means they'll deteriorate and eventually be demolished.

PHOTOS BY BURKE BUILT CONSTRUCTION, INC.

This old outbuilding, on a property in New York State, may have started life as a chicken coop.

Burke Built Construction, Inc., turned the structure into a very livable cottage. The cozy interior features beamed ceilings and built-in cabinets and bookcases.

Such buildings, with their weathered wood and tarnished hardware, can do more than just add a charming focal point to your yard. They also have the potential to increase your storage and living space. With some cosmetic touchups, or the installation of new siding and flooring, you can give these previously ignored fixtures new life.

Simple vs. Elaborate Updates

A smaller outdoor structure can be transformed for a new use, such as:

A playhouse or cabana

A workshop, hobby shop or art studio

A compact greenhouse or gardening shed

Read more from the original source:
The Older Home: Breathe new life into outdoor structures