What the Heck Is a Shouse? (And Why Is Everyone Talking About Them?)

Have you ever heard of a shouse? Yeah, me neither—until now. Shouse—also known as shome—is a portmanteau combining shop and house—it’s essentially an add-on workplace for you home.

Let’s talk more about what shouses are, why they’re the new thing being talked about so much right now, and how they can be beneficial to you.

What Is a Shouse?

Shouses are an alternative housing option for individuals who want a working space or wood shop connected to their house—similar to a barndominium. The working area and living area are simply connected through a wood or metal pole frame. This gives workers and carpenters the benefit of having their office or workshop space right next to their home.

Shouses can also be used as primary residences, vacation homes, or rental spaces thanks to it’s endless customizing potential.

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How Much Does Building a Shouse Cost?

While a traditional home costs a pretty penny ($100-$155 per square foot) luckily, shouses are much less expensive, ranging from only $50-$120 per square foot.

The most expensive part of building a shouse is the materials for the exterior, like the sliding glass doors, windows, and more.

What Are the Pros of Having a Shouse?

Firstly, a shouse is a business owner’s dream, whether you’re a carpenter, woodworker, crafter or simply someone who needs a large space for working in. Gone are the days of having to drive somewhere else to do your work, you can simply have it in your house instead—but still have it in a completely separate space.

Another great reason to have a shouse? The ample amount of space you will have compared to a traditional house. Compared to a traditional workshop that’s tiny or crowded, a shouse offers you high ceilings and ample amounts of space, which allows you to store everything from your bikes to tractors to even campers and your cars.

What Are the Cons of Having a Shouse?

While there are a ton of great things about living in a shouse, there are obviously some drawbacks. First, there aren’t a lot of locations that will permit a shouse to be built there, because it’s such a new and innovative housing concept. It may be hard to obtain a loan to build it where you want it.

Another con is trying to balance your work and life balance. When your workshop is also in your home, it can be hard to balance the two in a healthy way.

Lastly, when your shop is connected to your home, it could get noisy for your family and loved ones. No one wants to be woken up at midnight to the sound of drilling right next to their bedroom wall.

So, what do you think of shop houses? Would you ever want to build one? Would it be beneficial to you for your work? Or do you think it’s a waste of time and energy? Regardless, it’s a super innovative and cool concept that we will surely be seeing more of!