How can I repurpose a Playhouse/treehouse remodel?
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How can I repurpose this significantly sized playhouse on stilts for my use and to be more attractive in our yard? I can climb the vertical 7’ ladder, but no one else can nor can I easily bring up items. It is 8’ high inside, 8’ x 6’ on side (under roof) and 8’ wide x 8’ at peak by door. It is about 7’-15’ off the ground (slope), by our pool. OR how do I take it down? Quotes are so high!! I love to garden. The inside just has studs, no drywall, but the roof has asphalt shingles. I wish that I could make it look like a Japenese zen tea house (not colonial nor “cute”). Thank you!
Suggested Project Book
Turn it into your own she cave.
Mount pillars as supports and put in stringers and stairs.
Hi Gretchen,
I wished I had this project to take on as it looks amazing. I would definitely keep and make it a usable space such as a reading nook, quiet space, etc.
Some thoughts for outside are:
Change the ladder to a staircase.
Add shade loving hanging plants to the bottom of deck.
Add solar lighting to give it a unique look in the evening.
Add trim and paint to give it a pop more of color.
Clear a path to it that leads to the new oasis.
For inside:
Finish 3 walls to a paintable surface. Could be paneling, waterproof drywall, shiplap look etc.
4th wall - leave studs but paint same color and add 2x4 shelving at varying heights for bookshelf, knick knacks to sit, photo frames, battery operated candles etc.
If room and electricity, add a low hung outdoor ceiling fan.
Add a window seat for a reading nook near the bookshelves :)
Paint the floor to look like a fun carpet.
I looked around for some photo backup and found a few
So glad that you liked them!
Home Depot or Lowes sells premade stair stringers and if you measure the distance from the deck to the ground; I bet someone there will tell you how long of one you need. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Lumber-Composites-Decking-Deck-Stairs-Outdoor-Stair-Stringers/N-5yc1vZbqlk
You could even add a landing if you don't want to do the height all at once. Support posts would have to be placed and they also would help with that too. (usually a 4"x4" or could use a metal post ) setting both in concrete. I always like the guys 'at this old house' as they are pretty detailed and there are lots of other videos out there.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-build-deck-stairs
If you paint it all black forest green, it may disappear in the trees? I like doing two colors with contrast myself.
Maybe submit your project to Hometalk Team Up and see if it is selected and they send you some help :)
Can't wait to see what happens!
I have not done anything yet, and I truly appreciate all of the ideas. I thought of an idea..what if I were to remove the front and add glass doors/or “glass front”..more of a Japanese tea house look or at least a perch to look over the back yard? Love these photos..may be impossible, unless one started from scratch. But I would get more use out of it, if I could look out at the pool..Thoughts?
Thank you so much, Miranda, for taking time time to write and to provide such thoughtful ideas! Since I last wrote, I finally successfully removed the treehouse! My kids didn’t use it, and they are 16 & 19, so it was more of an aesthetic issue. I loved the idea of involving them in the planning, which would have been a great idea years ago! They used it often, when they were younger so it was nice to have providing great memories. I tried to plan a “she-shed”, but it was raised up about 8 feet from the ground with a sketchy vertical ladder. It would need so much work (and no electricity), that I just wanted to have plants there..since gardening is my hobby. I hope that your suggestion helps others. The link is great! Thank you, again!
On Maine Cabin Masters they used a machine and picked up the cabin and moved it to a new location. With some modification you could make this into a greenhouse or playhouse for a child. Of course it would make a good storage shed. LOL of even better man cave since it would get them out of the house.