The annual shed of the year competition has officially opened for entrants in what is set to be the most fiercely-contested year yet.
During yet another 12 months of strict Covid rules and lockdowns, homeowners across the country last year transformed their sheds into mini-bars, libraries, studios, summer houses and more – and will now battle it out to be named the best ‘sheddie’ in Britain.
In its 16th year, the contest, run by garden products company Cuprinol, invites entrants to submit their creations in one of seven categories for the chance to win a prize of £1,000 and £100 worth of Cuprinol products.
This year includes the new Lockdown category, which ‘recognises the incredible efforts seen during the challenging months of 2021’, consolidating the Lockdown New Build and Lockdown Repurpose categories introduced in 2020.
The remaining categories consist of Budget, Cabin/Summerhouse, Pub and Entertainment, Unexpected/Unique, Workshop/Studio and Nature’s Haven – with one shed to be named the overall winner.
Last year’s shed-building superstar Danielle Zarb-Cousin walked away with the coveted title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year after wowing judges with her chic, 70s-inspired Creme de Menthe bar, which she decorated using one-of-a-kind vintage and charity shop finds.
She began work on her labour of love as a way to channel her heartbreak after splitting from her fiance, Love Island’s Jonny Mitchell.
Danielle said: ‘Winning Shed of the Year felt amazing!
Ally Scott’s shed ‘The Peculiar Pear’, in Southampton, Hampshire, which won the Workshop/Studio Category in Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year competition in 2021
John Williams’ shed in Plymouth, Devon, which was transformed last year into Bungy’s Backyard Bar and won the Unexpected/Unique category at the Shed of the Year contest
John Williams (pictured left), stands next to his unassuming shed which unpacks itself to reveal a fully stocked bar complete with a dart board
A proud Mr Williams holds up his plaque after his shed won the Unexpected/Unique Category in the Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition
Shed of the Year 2021 Lockdown category winner Mark Campbell pokes his head out his shed-turned-miniature home in Chesterfield
Danielle Zarb-Cousin (pictured with her shed) walked away with the coveted title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2021 after wowing judges with her chic, 70s-inspired Creme de Menthe bar, which she decorated using one-of-a-kind vintage and charity shop finds
Ms Zarb-Cousin’s Creme de Menthe shed, which won the Pub/Entertainment category before being crowned the overall winner at the Shed of the Year contest in 2021
Wicker chairs, bright furnishings and plenty of plants made Ms Zarb-Cousin’s shed a winner in the judge’s eyes last year
Ms Zarb-Cousin (pictured in her shed) began work on her labour of love as a way to channel her heartbreak after splitting from her fiance, Love Island’s Jonny Mitchell
Natures Haven category winner for 2021 Rosemary Hoult poses with her light blue shed and plaque in Shrewsbury
All smiles: Ms Hault sits on the sofa inside her award-winning tent in Shrewsbury
‘The shed became a real focus for me during a turbulent time in my life and during the first lockdown when there wasn’t much to do.
‘It also showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to so I am really proud of myself and I’m so pleased the judges thought it was worthy of the winning title.
‘During lockdown I think it was really important for us to create spaces in our homes or gardens that gave us the opportunity to escape, unwind and relax and the shed gave me a place to sit and write my blog and to just get away from all the madness going on in the world.
‘It has also shown me that I’d like to do more upcycling and bring other old and unloved things back to life, which is probably something I never would have considered doing myself if we hadn’t gone into lockdown and if I hadn’t completed my shed project.’
Since winning the competition, Danielle has added a few more glasses, trinkets and the coveted winner’s plaque to her shed.
‘As the shed doesn’t have electricity it is too cold to sit in during the winter but once the summer rolls around again I’ll give it a little spruce up ready for summer cocktails,’ she added.
Andrew Wilcox, Founder of the competition and Head Judge, said: ‘For the past 16 years, sheddies up and down the country have been blowing us away with their brilliant and creative designs.
Ally Scott’s shed ‘The Peculiar Pear’ which won the Workshop/Studio Category in Cuprinol’s shed of the year competition in 2021
Ms Scott holds up her plaque inside the shed-turned-studio The Peculiar Pear, one of several winners at last year’s Shed of the Year contest
Ms Scott is seen using the workspace inside her shed-turned-studio in Hampshire
Shed of the Year 2021 winner in the Budget category Les Rowe poses with his plaque in front of his creation in New Brighton
The seven-sided shed comes complete with stain-glassed windows and sofas and chairs
Les Rowe’s shed in New Brighton, which one the Budget category last year, makes for a picturesque scene next to his garden pond
Les Rowe’s award-winning shed features wooden flooring and fairy lights in its ceiling
Mark Campbell is all smiles next to his shed in Chesterfield, which won the Lockdown category at last year’s Shed of the Year awards
Last year’s Lockdown category winner was a miniature style home made from wood in Chesterfield
Inside last year’s Lockdown category winner, a miniature home made entirely from wood, with tiny teddy bears, dolls, furniture and mock fire place
‘We expect this year to be no different as we’ve seen people build peaceful sanctuaries to retreat to as well as building pubs, social hubs and shops in their back gardens to bring people together after lockdown measures lifted.
‘We can’t wait to see all the imaginative and unique ways people have used their sheds over the past year.’
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol, added: ‘Every year the Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition reaffirms just how important our sheds are to us.
‘They’re so much more than just storage space.
‘Whether it’s a workshop, a place to socialise or a sanctuary away from the house, sheds provide us with a little place of our own and a creative outlet for an individual’s unique artistic vision.
‘Each year we see people push what a shed can be to its limits, so I can’t wait to see some of the most eccentric, beautiful and magnificent designs this country’s sheddies have to offer.’
Entries need to include at least two photos of their designs along with an explanation of their inspiration and what makes their shed stand out.
Joanna Van Blommestein (pictured with plaque) won the Cabin/summerhouse category in 2021 with her shed – The Bra Boss of Kent HQ
Ms Blommestein used her shed to run her bra business, with ample space for storage
Exterior shot of The Bra Boss of Kent HQ, winner of the Cabin/Summerhouse category at last year’s Shed of the Year competition
Entries opened on February 21 and can be submitted via Shed of The Year Cuprinol website until April 19.
The shortlist will then be selected by a panel of judges before the public vote opens to select the nation’s favourite shed for 2022.
Category winners will be announced in August, with the overall winner awarded with £1,000 prize money and £100 worth of Cuprinol products.
