Garden Shed Plans

Whether you have a small kitchen garden with a few herbs and vegetables, or a large landscaped yard, there are tools and supplies that you need to keep handy.

Consider building this storage with a good set of garden shed plans. Before you start the process, consider a few things.

Location of Your Shed

Consider any views you don't want to block. Check clearance around your shed placement to avoid areas for debris to accumulate or animals to live. Will the shed cast shade on gardens or play areas?

If you have a sloped yard, you may need to level an area for the shed and possibly include a ramp for a ride-on mower or hauling heavy tools. And if you live in a region that requires it, get a building permit.

What Are You Storing?

Before selecting the type of shed you'll need, consider who will use it and what will be stored. Will it be small garden hand tools, rakes and shovels? Will there be larger power tools, like movers, blowers, and tillers?

Don't forget things like heavy bags of growing mediums, fertilizers, and mulches.

If you need a place to store outdoor furniture, grills, and play equipment over the winter, these can take a lot of floor space.

Anticipate growth, of both your landscaping and your family. You want to build a shed that will be functional for a long time.

Consider Size

When thinking about the size of your shed, consider overhead space as well as floor space. With a high enough roof line, you can add rafters to store things like lumber and rolls of landscape fabric.

Shelves can be added for potting equipment, gas cans, and any miscellaneous chemicals. (Don't forget to include a lock if there are children around.) If you don't have a lot of yard space, adding height can increase your storage space significantly.

Selecting the Type of Shed

There are many different styles of garden shed plans available, made from various building materials. You can use wood, metal or vinyl for the frame.

Select what works best in your landscape and with your house style. Scale is important. A large shed in a small yard will be overwhelming. Look through several plans to find one that works for you.

What Garden Shed Plans Should Include

In addition to the blueprints for the plans, be sure there are easy to follow instructions, based on your expertise and how much help you'll have.

Be sure there is a list of tools required and that they are available to you. Is the cost within your budget?

Are there options for rafters, windows, floors (concrete slab or treated timbers), and shelving? With these features and a few pegboards, you're on your way to an organized shed.

Selecting the right garden shed plans for your needs can be a fun project for everyone involved, and will result in storage that will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

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