Shed superstars, garden enthusiasts and out-building aficionados are looking for the public’s support after being shortlisted for one of the most celebrated awards in the UK – the Cuprinol Shed of the Year.
Celebrating the great British shed in all its forms – from the miniature to the massive, the modern to the traditional, the cosy to the minimal and everything in between. The competition welcomes entries in all shapes, sizes and functions.
Now 21 works of art, with a true cross section of the glory and creativity of British sheds, have made the cut in the shortlist to be crowned Cuprinol Shed of the Year – the winner of which will be decided by public vote.
The judges have whittled down the entries from hundreds to just three finalists per category, who will go head-to-shed in a bid to win the coveted title #shedoftheyear.
This year a new category has been added with entrants being invited to show off their “Nature’s Haven” with designs inspired by nature – demonstrating the shift towards an unlandscaped outdoors, embracing a trend for garden maintenance that allows nature to thrive.
Research revealed that more than a third of people (35 per cent) will allow nature to run wild in their garden this summer, leaving a section unmaintained to embrace wildlife, creating a haven for nature.
Much in the same way that Cuprinol woodcare products are designed to complement the natural environment, entries have been developed to work alongside a natural habitat.
Other categories include; Unexpected, Cabin/Summerhouse, Workshop and Studio, Pub and Entertainment, Budget and Unique.
Among those reaching the final is an artist’s workshop in Bristol, a live-in shed/lorry in Hampshire and a beach bar shack based in Northamptonshire.
Also vying for the winner’s crown is a Shakespeare themed boat-come-shed, a playhouse that required planning permission and a space station shed.
Playrooms for children have been popular additions to this year’s entries, with owners keen to find a place for their offspring to get away from technology and be at one with their imagination.
This year, the panel saw the Attenborough effect emerge in the designs, with many of the sheddies showing a steer towards sustainability, using reclaimed and recycled materials for their work of art.
A winner from each category will be decided by a public vote, then an overall winner will be crowned by a panel of shed experts with a giant golden crown for the winning shed. The best shed will receive £1,000, a plaque, and £100 of Cuprinol products.
Head judge and founder of the competition, Andrew Wilcox, said: “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the incredible, imaginative and innovative sheds entered into this year’s competition. Every year there are more and more outstanding entries that take us by surprise.
“The creativity and imagination of all entrants never fail to amaze the judges. This year’s bunch are second to none.
“We’ve been really impressed by the aesthetics of the sheds – especially those that entered the brand new Nature’s Haven category with entrants really demonstrating how important it is to welcome nature into our lives and our gardens.”
Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, said: “This year has certainly seen the entrants up their game with a real noticeable shift towards sustainability and a drive towards embracing our natural environment.
“We’ve been impressed with the recycled and upcycled materials being used by sheddies and the creative designs really show just how much you can do with a small outdoor space.”
Last year’s Cuprinol Shed of the Year winner, George Smallwood, of Sheffield, harnessed self-watering technology in his Bee Eco Shed, which allowed vegetable and herb gardens to grow and insects and bees to thrive.
Paying tribute to the Bee Eco Shed, Andrew Wilcox praised the “practical, yet brilliant design that made you closer to nature.”
Public voting is now underway for the 13th annual competition and will close on Tuesday 29 August 2019. Check out all of the 21 finalists here.
Cast your vote here: www.readersheds.co.uk
This year’s categories are;
- Nature’s Haven – A new addition to this year’s competition where entrants are invited to display their carefully placed sheds taking in the natural habitat around them.
- Unexpected – Entries are unique and their owners have put time and effort into their creation often with limited funds or design experience. Whatever the unexpected nature of these sheds we can expect novelty, style and a real labour of love.
- Cabin/Summerhouse – This category lends itself to entries which could be considered another room of a home. A space to escape from the humdrum of daily life, switch off from technology and be at one with nature.
- Workshop/Studio – This category is for the sheds that are more likely to be used in a way the shed was initially intended. But the scope for this has broadened with modern living as more people take their hobbies or small businesses outside away from their home.
- Pub & Entertainment – Entrants will be the envy of all their neighbours with their very own pub in their back garden.
- Budget – A category for the thrifty – these sheds will have impressively been made on a budget. Whether it’s reclaimed wood, pallets, iron or scrap metal entrants will have foraged for materials in their local area and upcycled them to create their masterpiece.
- Unique – This is the category for the utterly bizarre to stand-out brilliance. Entrants to the Unique category should own a shed which stands out – either for its use, the way it looks or even its theme.
