- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- AmericanFun
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 5
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏡
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day arrives every May 5, inviting us to appreciate the often-overlooked backyard shed. These versatile structures, from tool storage to creative retreats, deserve our recognition. Snap a selfie with your favorite shed, share its unique purpose, and inspire others to celebrate their own!
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History of Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day
Our early ancestors built their homes and sheds from whatever local materials were available in their area. Egyptians built underground silos lined with reeds to store grain. Europeans used mammoth skins and tusks for shelters. Eskimos built igloos from blocks of ice and snow. Cave dwellers used smaller alcoves within caves for storage space. The Anasazi people lived around 1 A.D. to 1300 A.D. in the American Southwest.
They occupied natural and man-made caves made from soft volcanic rock and also made use of storage alcoves within them. As free-standing shelters emerged, they extended their cave homes by constructing living, storage, and religious spaces from rock and clay. In Southern Italy, excavators found remains of an ancient shed’s collapsed roof on a collection of lumber used to make furniture. The pieces were identified as maple, olive, willow, and poplar wood. Maple wood was used in Roman times in the making of fine furniture, indicating that the storage shed was part of a workshop that made furniture for rich clientele.
Just like their Roman counterparts, wealthy English aristocrats were also able to afford to build extra structures aside from their main house. During the 17th century, those who had made the Grand Tour of the continent wanted to recreate the ancient landmarks and ruins they saw right in their very backyards. Most were as extravagant as their own homes, but aside from looking fabulous, they were useless. That’s possibly why these opulent buildings were called ‘English Follies.’
Today, you don’t have to be rich to own a shed. You just need to have space in your yard for one. Large or small, old or new, sheds are a convenient space to hide clutter, store items, or even become a space to retreat to.
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day timeline
Evidence of old bronze tablets with detailed instructions on how to build ‘a shed for storing straw’ is found in Greece.
A farmer builds the ‘Walig Hut’ for cows with a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps, now considered to be the most expensive shed in the world, estimated to cost over a million U.S. dollars.
Gordon Thorburn writes about interesting shed owners in the U.K.
Englishman Kevin Nicks’s motorized garden shed breaks the world land speed record for the third time since 2015, clocking in at 106.123 mph.
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day FAQs
When is Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day?
In 2027, this fun observance takes place on Wednesday, May 5. Mark your calendars to celebrate the versatility and charm of sheds across the nation.
How many sheds are there in the U.S.?
The prevalence of sheds continues to grow, with new construction and home renovation trends driving demand. Industry reports suggest that the outdoor storage market, including sheds, maintains a steady growth rate, reflecting their essential role in home organization.
What is the average cost of a backyard shed?
Looking ahead to 2027, prices are expected to remain stable, though material costs can influence fluctuations. Many homeowners view sheds as a valuable investment, adding functional space and increasing property value, making them a worthwhile expense.
What is the difference between a shed and a garage?
While some larger sheds might accommodate small vehicles like ATVs, their fundamental design and zoning classifications usually differentiate them from garages. Garages often have concrete foundations, electrical wiring for vehicle charging, and wider doors, reflecting their automotive purpose.
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day Activities
Strike a pose
Organize your own photoshoot. Dress up and take photos by your trusty old shed.
Repair the shed
Show some love to your outdoor shed by cleaning it out. Go ahead and organize items, put on a fresh coat of paint, or make a few repairs.
Use its contents
Make use of whatever is inside your shed. Take the lawnmower out for a spin, plant a new rose bush or set up the inflatable pool.
5 Things You Shouldn’t Store In Sheds
Canned food
Corrosion, rust, and fluctuating temperatures can affect the contents of canned food, making it unfit for consumption.
Electronics
Screens of electronic devices or appliances will go bad when exposed to radical temperatures, aside from rust destroying the internal wiring.
Photos
High temperatures, as well as humidity, can cause photos to stick together and that’s not something you want happening to your memories.
Important documents
Unless you want your important papers covered in mold, don’t keep them in a shed.
Clothing and bedding
Insects can ruin your clothes and they may smell musty after prolonged storage.
Why We Love Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day
Sheds are useful
Probably no other structure has served a multitude of uses as the simple shed. We need to celebrate this dependable structure.
Sheds are given importance
The lowly shack that houses things we don’t want lying around is given a well-deserved day of recognition. No more taking it for granted as we have always done.
Sheds increase a property’s value
Property buyers usually include storage as part of their checklist. Having a shed on your property can be an advantage.
