Backyard Retreat - With home-brewing taking the nation by storm, it makes sense that more people would want to have a special place to invite a few friends over for a drink in an atmosphere that didn't feel like a living room. But a shed? Absolutely! Throw the double doors of a barn-style shed open, walk in, see the flat screen TV on the far wall, and sidle up to the bar for a tall cold one. A larger shed could even provide a cigar-friendly poker-night hangout.

Pool Cabana - A pool is a wonderful thing, but having to run in and out of the house to fetch the things you use while enjoying your pool can get old. Why not outfit a shed with a ceiling fan, a mini fridge, a stack of fresh towels, sun block, and the usual floatation devices, and you are set for some fun pool-side!

Kid's Playhouse - Sure, to you or me, it looks like a shed. But to an imaginative group of siblings and their neighborhood friends, it's a castle, a fort, a dungeon, a spaceship and a private kids-only clubhouse. One building with so many creative possibilities!

Office - You'd love to work at home, but how, with a house full of young children who need more than their fair share of space? A shed can be insulated, heated and cooled inexpensively, and decked out with hardwood floors or carpet, bookshelves, a desk, comfy chair, computer with internet and a nice view of the garden. What more could you ask for? How about a 35-foot commute from door to door?

Meditation Retreat - Peace and quiet. No distractions. A place to find your center and really enjoy the intended benefits of meditation. You could actually do that in a dedicated space for this purpose, couldn't you? Even if you just wanted to get away from the phone and TV for an hour, a shed could be a real haven to the stressed.

Gym - There's something delightfully stereotypical about a weightlifting workout in a shed. Names that jump to mind for such a structure: Dad's Fitness Temple. Shed a Few Pounds. I could go on. While this use for a shed is not all that uncommon, come to find out, it certainly is practical and useful.

Author Bodie King - There are some great vinyl sheds to help you with your storage and fun home solutions. You can also find vinyl garages as well at http://www.bevoworks.com