A shed can be a great hardscaping feature to enhance your yard and garden. It can create great storage opportunities, aesthetic potential, and even support for plants. However, it’s easy to make mistakes you’ll regret. Don’t let careless planning, execution or maintenance compromise the integrity and longevity of your shed. With careful planning, a few sensible backyard shed ideas can help you maintain a garden feature you can be proud of, which will keep going strong for years.
From size and location to materials and preparation, there are a lot of decisions that can go awry as you begin sifting through garden shed ideas. Whether you’re building an entirely new structure or just need to spruce up your shed, here are a few common errors you need to watch out for – and how to make sure your shed lasts for longer.
Backyard Shed Ideas for Better Storage
A shed is an investment – both of money and of time – so make yours wisely. Instead of impulsively purchasing a shed online or in the DIY store, consider all the important factors, read reviews, and set yourself a budget. You’ll need to think about size, location, and how you’ll use the shed. Careful planning is essential to avoiding these common mistakes. You’d be amazed how easy it is to forget about adequate foundations or ventilation, or to miscalculate size or location. Check these mistakes and make sure your shed has the Gardening Know How seal of approval!
1. Choosing the Wrong Size
Size is one of the most important factors in selecting or building a garden shed. It needs to fit your space and other backyard landscaping needs without causing any practical or aesthetic issues, but also have enough space for your needs. Even a contemporary small garden can work with the right kind of shed – unfortunately, it’s often tempting to think at a scale that is at odds with the space you have available.
Many people make the mistake of only considering outside dimensions to ensure a shed fits in the yard. Don’t forget interior space, which is impeded by wall thickness and roof design. Before you buy, measure the exterior footprint (and height) available. This will give you the maximum exterior size you can have.
Then, consider how much interior space you’ll need, whether for storage or as workspace, before choosing a shed that fits both criteria. Most people find they need more space than they planned for, so go as big as you can. This isn’t a cheap or easy fix to make later if you get the wrong size now.
To help you determine the best size for your needs, use a good measuring tape that can both check existing garden and hardscaping measurements, and help you monitor shed measurements as you construct it or add it to your space. Our team loves the Stanley FatMax 25-Foot Measuring Tape from Amazon.
2. Choosing the Wrong Materials
As you’re looking through wood shed ideas and noting how attractive they are, consider how the material type will affect the structure, its durability, and maintenance needs. Wood sheds look nice, although they will need a lot of upkeep and there is a risk they will deteriorate more quickly than other types of sheds. You can get Rust-Oleum Coppercoat Wood Preservative from Walmart to protect against mold, mildew, termites and other weathering issues.
Regardless of the type of material you choose – wood, metal, composite, plastic – don’t make the mistake of going with the cheapest. Cheap materials won’t last long, and they’ll look bad after just a season or two. Invest in higher-quality materials to avoid future upgrades.
3. Selecting an Inappropriate Site
Once you build or place your shed, moving it will be a big job. Don’t make the mistake of rushing to choose a spot. Take some time to consider where it will be most convenient and aesthetically pleasing in the garden. Where there are issues like tricky rocky terrain or slopes, take time to factor in what you can do to prep the ground before laying anything on top of it. Rush through this step, and you find yourself faced with a collapsed or sliding shed, a lopsided roof, or a door that doesn't open properly.
Also consider factors like property lines such as fences and hedges. Check your local government’s requirements for setbacks, which is the distance any structure must be from the property line. Also consider the height of your shed, and its placement near large trees or power lines.
4. Not Preparing the Base
Once you have a shed picked out, or a plan for building one, you’ll need to prepare a base for it. An improper or unstable base can lead to sinking, tilting, warping, and doors and windows that don’t align. Sheds that are not stable don’t resist weather as well. It’s hard to walk back from poor base preparation. You’ll need to move the entire shed and redo the base. So this is worth doing right in the first place.
Instead, use expert shed foundation ideas. Start with a strong, stable foundation. Take the time to level the surface, and improve the drainage if there is any chance water will pool under the shed. You can also add a membrane under the shed to reduce moisture penetrating the shed from the ground. To help you check that your base is straight and flat at all times, make sure you have a good spirit level. You can buy the WorkPro Torpedo 3-Piece Spirit Level from Amazon.
5. Forgetting Ventilation and Other Details
Ventilation is particularly important if you’ll be working in the shed, rather than just storing equipment and materials. A shed can get hot and stuffy, especially on sunny or dry days. If it’s too uncomfortable to work in, you’ll never use it or end up spending more to fix the problem.
It’s also bad for tools that can get damp and rusty. Include windows that open, vents, or small gaps in strategic places to improve airflow. For a shed in which you’ll be working, include a door and one or two windows. You can also get shed organizers to sort out larger tools and keep the space clear. We love the TidyMe Tool Organizer Wall Mount with Adjustable Hooks from Amazon.
In addition to a comfortable temperature, a working shed needs lighting. Natural light may or may not be adequate during the day, and lighting allows you to use the shed at night. Finally, don’t forget security for your garden shed. Does the shed lock to protect your valuables? You can get Qanvee’s highly rated Shed Door T-Handle Lock Kits from Amazon. These aren’t the most difficult fixes after the fact, but you’ll be glad to have a ready, working shed by getting these details right initially.
6. Dismissing Shed Kits
There are two primary ways to get a new garden shed: build it yourself or buy a kit or finished shed. If you have the time and ability to build a custom shed, that’s great, but don’t assume that kits won’t meet your needs. Look through finished shed ideas and kits for easy builds. You might just find something that meets all of your needs and that will save you a lot of time.
There are a lot of good shed ideas from which to seek inspiration, but don’t get carried away by looks. Think of the practical details and make a plan before building or buying your garden shed. One highly rated shed kit definitely worth considering is the EZBuilder 50 Structurally Stronger Truss Design Shed Kit from Amazon (wood not included).
Don’t forget to check your tools are up to scratch. The Hyper Tough Tool Set for Home Repairs from Walmart is highly recommended and includes a claw hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers.
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