A Beginner’s Guide to Storage Sheds

Storage sheds are the ideal, multi-use space. In addition to providing loads of storage space for anything from gardening supplies to Christmas decorations, they may serve as an workshop or private getaway.

The great thing about storage sheds is that they provide additional living or storage room for your home, yet cost a fraction of what a home addition would.

Storage sheds can be wired for lights, heating and cooling, and can serve as the ultimate catch-all for your household goods, especially if you don’t have a usable shed or garage. Storage sheds may be constructed of wood, steel or vinyl, and may be sold as a kit, may be built on site, or may be delivered in one piece.

Wood storage sheds may be built of cedar, redwood or pressure treated wood. Although wood sheds provide an aesthetic quality to your backyard space, they do require maintenance and sealing to maintain their color and look. Steel sheds are durable, as are vinyl sheds, and both are relatively maintenance-free.

You may choose to build your own storage shed by purchasing a kit. Although building a storage shed is not a difficult project, it is tedious and may require a few weekend’s worth of work. Another option would be to have a fully assembled shed delivered, or to hire a shed company to build your shed on site.

Sheds come in a wide variety of shapes and dimensions, and may be used as a playhouse, a hobby or craft hut, a workshop, a private getaway or simply a storage space. Your shed can be shaped like a gazebo, as a lean-to, or as a traditional shed-style structure.

Some of the many features of today’s gazebos include skylights, windows, lofts, shelves and workbenches. Many homeowners decorate and style their storage shed to coordinate with their home, and many add decorative touches, such as landscaping and outdoor lighting, to accent their storage shed and better integrate it into their backyard space.

You may want to consider incorporating a loft for additional storage space, or a workbench for additional work space. You can transform your storage shed into the private space of your dreams with just a few accessories and design features.

Before building your storage shed, it is important to build a secure foundation for it. The most durable type of foundation is a concrete one. You should also consider building a ramp to make getting in and out of your shed, especially with large garden tools, such as lawn mowers and wheelbarrows, easier.

Consider accessorizing your storage shed with shutters, window boxes and a weather vane, for starters. Use your home and the surrounding landscape as inspiration and view the shed as an extension of these things when designing it.

Your shed can be as big or as small as you would like it, and can even be built to suit, if desired. Like any other home improvement project, check with your local township, city or municipality for codes and ordinances regarding outdoor sheds.