Jeff Doubét shares Spanish shed ideas, photos, construction tips, resource links + quality info. This Spanish shed was specifically designed and built to house pool equipment.
This Spanish shed project was part of a backyard pool renovation, designed to become the focal point for the yard.
Construction photos are a great way to learn what goes into building a high quality project. Be sure to check out Spanish Courtyard Home, my post about the main house transformation.
Direct links to Spanish home and landscape product recommendations and installations.
This shed mostly houses all of the pump equipment and pool supplies. Not only does it serve a functional purpose, it was also an investment in improving the property for resale.
Scroll to see how a quality Spanish-style shed can improve your own property.
Designing a Spanish Shed For Pool Equipment in Santa Barbara
Everyone who plans to build a new pool knows that pesky question: Where do you want the pool equipment? When I design pool projects, I’m always looking for ways to get a charming pool equipment shed designed + built into the landscape.
For this fixer upper project, the run down pool and equipment were there- but plenty of room for improvement.
BEFORE photo: While on a jog one weekend, I decided to check in on the progress of the whole house renovation. There in the backyard, I kept looking at that ugly pool equipment. I thought “Hmmm… what if we built a pool shed into the hillside?”
Spanish Shed Drawing: I quickly ran home and sketched this design before my inspiration evaporated. First thing on Monday morning I brought the rough sketch to the jobsite. I shared it with the investor and his general contractor. They said… “Cool, let’s build it!”
AFTER Photos: This is how it turned out. Very close to the original vision, and we improved upon the design as it was being built.
Once the back hillside was cleared, the slope was a bit steeper than first thought. A work around was a taller retaining wall at the back of the shed. Stair stepping the decorative wall to match the retaining wall to right of shed door also helped.
This closeup photo shows how we mounted iron ring holders for the terra cotta clay pots. They add charm to the shed facade.
A Jeff Doubét recommended product for designing and building your charming, high-quality Spanish style home +landscape. A 240 page, full color Coffee Table Book.
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Different ways to build a Spanish Shed
There are many different ways to build Spanish sheds. Your specific property will dictate the choices you will have. Soil type, flat or sloped lot, neighborhood property setback requirements are some technical aspects. Desired lifespan of the shed also plays a role. Here I share a series of construction photos showing you the sequence of steps we used to build this Spanish pool shed.
DEMO Day: The cement block wall is cut where the new shed door opening will go. Digging out the slope begins, as well as moving the new plumbing for the pool. Next, a new concrete slab for the shed and cement block retaining walls for the shed.
Here, 2″ x 8″ walls were framed on top of the 8″ wide cement block retaining foundation. New cement blocks were also added to the existing retaining walls. Notice the 1.5″ thick terra cotta clay paver tiles mortared on top of the block wall as a Spanish-style decorative wall cap.
building a Spanish Shed
Framing thicker walls is a great way to achieve a classic Santa Barbara Spanish look in both custom Spanish sheds and homes.
In prep for exterior plaster, weatherproofing of the roof and wood framing is taking place. A round clay drain pipe rests on the wall. In Spanish home construction, clay drain pipe is used to make decorative vents. See and learn more in my post installing clay pipe vents in Spanish-style homes.
Here is how the vented opening turned out. Made with the same terra cotta clay pipe, the were cut in half, and then in 4″ wide pieces. Once cut with a tile saw, they were stacked and glued in place with special adhesive.
Applying Exterior Stucco to Spanish Sheds
Here a second coat of exterior plaster is applied to the shed and garden walls. Notice how the plastering team is building up a flared detail on the retaining walls. When you use a 12″ wide clay paver as a wall cap, you can make an 8″ block wall look more substantial. With this Spanish wall building technique, layers of exterior plaster are slowly built up to the 12″ wide wall cap.
A close up image of a plasterer applying a finish coat of plaster to the garden wall.
The plasterers are busy applying the final integral color coat of exterior plaster. The entire final coat needs to be applied in one pass, otherwise you will see an undesirable stop and start area in your plaster finish.
Here the plastering team continues to apply the final coat of plaster. The color you choose for your integral color plaster finish will always look darker when it is first applied. A few days after it has cured, the true color will be revealed.
Spanish-style Shed Doors
There are different shed door options available, depending on the wall height you are building. If an 8 foot wall height, a standard 6′-8″ exterior door. There are several manufacturers that make Plank Speakeasy doors, perfect for Spanish sheds.
But for this small shed, a talented woodworker builds a custom plank door. With a biscuit joiner he has made a strong + stable door. All glued up and clamped, he now attaches a 3/4″ x 6″ wood bottom support the long iron hinge will screw into.
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The craftsmen bring the door to the shed for final fitting. You can also see the integral color plaster has cured to a beautiful off white.
For a frameless shed door like this, fine adjustments are made on site. The door is being sanded and fitted to the finished opening.
Their passion and expertise for the details pay off with a beautiful result. Artisans like these have incredible integrity in their work. Investing in excellent craftsmanship produces a project that will last, and pride of ownership of course.
LANDSCAPING SANTA BARBARA GARDENS WITH LOCAL SANDSTONE
Spanish-style gardens throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito are accentuated with local sandstone. A relatively soft rock, it’s versatility can be worked into garden walls, stone facades, mailboxes, curbing and driveways.
A few days after the shed door was installed, the landscaping improvements began. This talented Santa Barbara stone mason hand chisels these local sandstone boulders into a handcrafted garden wall. If you live in Santa Barbara or Montecito, local sandstone is an excellent way to add more interest and texture to your landscape.
More Jeff Doubet Spanish-style Shed Photos
For more Spanish-style shed photos and design info, please be sure to check out Spanish Shed Collection 1. Also, this special Spanish shed attached to a home.
Here is how the Spanish pool shed is experienced from the dining room and kitchen pool view windows. The family room is adjacent to the dining room, and has a pool view as well.
Some parting shots to leave you with. This one highlights how light and shadow play off the many textures and surfaces of the build.
And a close up of the shed, as experienced from the outdoor dining table.