Purpose

We’ll start with why having a wooden shed is important. Sheds are an excellent way to store the overflow of items that won’t fit in your garage or is keeping you from being able to park your car where it should be.

Beyond simply storage, wooden sheds can be made for a wide variety of purposes. If you have a pool in your back yard, a shed can be made for the purpose of being a pool cabana. Pool cabanas can be used for storing pool equipment, pool toys, snack, drinks, etc. It can also be used to store away your pool chemicals that are otherwise dangerous to keep near your main house.

Wooden sheds are also commonly used as garden sheds for use near or in the garden area. No more going back to the garage to grab your gardening tools.

Some other common purposes for sheds are playhouses for the kids, retreat or small guesthouse, woodworking shop and artist studio. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Construction

Now let’s discuss how wooden sheds are made. Perhaps the easiest method is to build one from a kit. There are several companies that offer many different styles of shed. Some of these kits come with the walls and roof components already made so all you have to do is bolt them together. Others come with all the pieces cut to size so you’ll have some more assembly to do for yourself.

Another option is to build from scratch. The best starting point is to look online for a good set of shed plans. Once you find the set of plans that fit your requirements, you’ll need to take the materials list to the supply store and purchase all the pieces for your wooden shed.

You can build your shed on a concrete slab or build a wooden frame for your foundation. Wooden frames have the advantage of being able to move the location of your shed easily. They also come as an option that you can purchase from the wooden shed kit manufacturer.

These are just some of the basics to get you started. You’ll find there are a lot of advantages to having your own wooden shed and hopefully this article has inspired you enough to start researching more options.

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Ramp

A simple wooden ramp is probably the best accessory you can buy or make for the money. A ramp can be placed as a permanent part of the shed or made to take out and put in only when you really need it. Ramps are very helpful and almost a necessity for wheeling large objects into your shed. And just think how much pressure your back is exposed to if you try to lift large items instead of wheeling them up a ramp.

Organizer Kits

Most organizers for sheds tend to be a workbench that is on steroids. They include not only the bench, but also plenty of storage space and a pegboard to hang tools from. Kits can also contain any number of shelves to help get your organizing off the ground (so to speak).

Water Barrel

For those of us who like to conserve our natural resources, a water barrel is a perfect fit for a shed. Even though most shed roofs don’t have much area, they can still produce a fair amount of water if caught correctly.

Solar Lighting

Solar lighting is a good option for those who don’t want to run electricity out to your shed just to light it. And, even if you do have electricity already, solar is becoming more affordable for conservative-minded people.

Alarm

Chances are, your shed already has a lock on the door. But, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a simple battery-powered alarm added as well.

These are just some of the many options you have for accessorizing your wooden shed. There are many more (especially products used for organizing) available that can help you get the most out of your shed.

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Using wood over other materials (like metal or plastic) has many advantages. They blend into the environment better and have a very natural and comfortable feeling to them. They also provide better insulation which, in the winter months, protects you and the items you store in it.

Size is one of the first things you should think about when you are considering a wooden shed. Knowing what you are going to put in it will help you make this determination. Leave a little extra room to grow for some more items you may not even be thinking about right now. Just don’t use the extra room to store a bunch of junk you will probably never use in the future. That’s what the garage is for – just kidding.

When you are planning your shed, think about the height you will need as well. You may want to add shelves higher up or put items in the rafters for less frequently used items. See Organizing Your Wooden Shed.

Some garden sheds come with more than one room, which is perfect for use as a retreat, pool cabana or playhouse for the kids. However, its not necessary to have a multiple room wooden shed if you plan to only use it for storage.

Next, another important consideration is the type of floor your shed is going to sit on. Many garden shed kits have an optional wood floor that you build on a frame. The frame or “skid” allows the shed to be moved quite easily to other locations by simply sliding it.

Just like a house, you can pour a concrete slab for your shed. This is a much more permanent option, of course. Once you are finished with your shed, you have the option of staining the concrete, covering it with a flooring product such as carpet, painting it or leaving it bare.

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of design options available to you today on the internet. And, the best part, they come in a wide variety of sizes. But if you really want a custom shed then you’ll have to start with a good set of garden shed plans and at least one solid weekend of time. It won’t be long until you have a new shed building in your own backyard.

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1. For Storage – Storage Sheds

Storage sheds are, by far, the most basic type of shed. To keep out potential thieves, they usually don’t have any windows – just four walls, floor, roof and door. These sheds can have either a floor made from wood that is built on a frame or a floor made from poured concrete. Its really important to have a well organized shed since there isn’t much space in a small shed to begin with.

2. For The Garden – Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are one of the most convenient items you could have for your garden – especially if your garden is a healthy distance from your main house. It becomes crucial to have a place to store your gardening tools so you can easily find them when you need them most. Garden sheds are also a great place to keep a potting bench and all your extra gardening supplies.

3. For All Your Tools – Tool Shed

Are all your tools piling up in the corner of your garage – and your wife tired of looking at the mess? Tool sheds are a place where you can keep all your tools in one spot. And, just like a storage shed, they should be as secure as possible. All you have to do is add some pegboards, shelving, some cabinets and a workbench and you’ll be all set. So now the only complaining you will hear is maybe, “are you out there in the tool shed again?”

4. From One Use To Another – Converted Sheds

Since sheds are so easy to convert from one purpose to another, this type of shed is my personal favorite. To convert your storage shed into a mini retreat, simply add some paint, a nice rug and some cozy furniture. You can also change it into an artist studio or a pool cabana, and so on.

5. For The Kids – Playhouses

You could either build a playhouse for this specific purpose or you can take an existing shed and make it into a playhouse as described in the above paragraph. Its just as easy to convert back once it has been outgrown by the kids.

This is a basic overview of the five most common purposes for sheds, but there are certainly many more. Hopefully, you will be inspired enough to go build your own wooden shed. You won’t be disappointed.

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Kids

Let’s start with the kids. You probably think that a wooden shed is simply used for storage. You’re right – they are commonly used for storage. But, with some imagination, a wooden shed can be converted into a playhouse. Just cut out some windows (doesn’t even need to be glassed in), apply some brightly colored paint. Maybe add some fancy trim and you’ve got a nice playhouse for the girls in your family. For the boys, build your shed up on some poles, add a ladder and it becomes a fort.

Woman Of The House

Women who like plants will benefit greatly from having a wooden shed added right next to the garden. Garden Sheds are commonly used for potting and storing your garden tools. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that it is located in such closet proximity to the garden so there is no need to lug your tools back and forth from the garage.

Wooden sheds also make wonderful mini retreats. They can be set up so they are secluded from the main house. Add in a relaxing chair to just sit and read a magazine. If you are into yoga, sheds are usually big enough to accommodate a couple of yoga mats.

Man Of The House

Most sheds are used to store lawn equipment, which makes perfect sense. But for men, a shed can be turned into a woodworking shop or, better yet, a man cave. A true man cave requires electricity for a refrigerator and flat screen TV, of course.

The Whole Family

Your entire family can benefit from sheds as well. One of the ways, is to build one next to the pool (if you have one). This comes in handy as a pool cabana where you can store pool toys and supplies.

So, there you have it. These are just a few of the many ways you and your family can enjoy wooden sheds.

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The best part is, wooden sheds can be converted fairly easily from one use to another. If done correctly, a garden shed can be used for a couple of purposes at the same time. For example, a pool cabana is not only used to change into a swimsuit, but is also a great place to store the pool supplies and any chemicals that should be stored away from the main house.

So, why build one, anyway? Besides their versatility and storage capabilities, wooden sheds are fun to build and they can be a great starter project if you aren’t that handy with tools. And, it should only require a weekend’s worth of time to complete.

You know what you want a shed for, but WHY a wooden shed? Once you have built a wooden shed, you’ll notice right away the long-term value you have over a plastic or even a metal shed. They may cost more up front, but they are more pleasing to the eye and if you build from a set of good shed plans, you have way more options.

Plastic and metal sheds are actually harder to modify or add additional space to than wooden sheds. And, as far as repairs go, they are much quicker, easier and cost less for wooden sheds. If you have ever tried to fix a plastic shed, you know what I mean.

The best wood to use for sheds is cedar. Cedar contains oil that occurs naturally. This oil is what gives the wood its distinct aroma and also protects it from insects and rot.

Another option you have is to buy a wooden shed kit that comes already cut to size. And, depending on the manufacturer, a lot of the assembly is already done. This makes for a fast and easy way to get a shed put up in your backyard.

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Strength and Reliability

Although they are both durable and reliable, plastic and metal sheds do have their weaknesses. In warmer climates, metal sheds can get blistering hot. And, plastic (or vinyl) can be damaged over time if exposed to extreme heat. If wood is treated, wooden sheds can last for years even if overexposed to heat and sunlight. A real plus for all three types of materials is that they can all be painted to add protection.

Imagine how unsightly your shed would look with a few good sized dents in it. This is exactly what can happen to your shed if it is made from metal. Wooden sheds, on the other hand, are pretty easy to repair if they are nicked by filling in the hole with wood filler and simply painting or staining over it. Wooden sheds can also handle extreme weather conditions quite nicely since they are framed very much the same way that houses are.

Wood Gives You Options

It can definitely be overwhelming when you start to shop for sheds simply because there are so many choices. All of these shed types – whether they are metal, plastic or wood, come in many different styles and sizes. Perhaps the biggest advantage of using wood over the other two materials is that you are able to construct a custom shed from scratch.

There are hundreds of shed plans online that you can purchase and download for minimal cost. This is a great starting point for those who have some basic carpentry skills. You can even alter your plans to fit your particular needs. For instance, if you need to fit a riding mower and a snow mobile in your shed and you need to add extra room to accommodate both of them, simply add on the extra space while your building.

Appearance

The overall appearance of a wooden shed can’t be touched in comparison to plastic or metal. Take advantage of the wood’s natural beauty (especially cedar) by simply sealing the wood with a high quality water sealant or stain. Place your garden shed in a place where you can easily see it from your house. Metal and plastic sheds are better placed farther from view are even off to the side of the house.

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Strength And Durability

Although they are both durable and reliable, plastic and metal sheds do have their weaknesses. In warmer climates, metal sheds can get blistering hot. And, plastic (or vinyl) can be damaged over time if exposed to extreme heat. If wood is treated, wooden sheds can last for years even if overexposed to heat and sunlight. A real plus for all three types of materials is that they can all be painted to add protection.

One of the negative aspects of metal is that it can be dented pretty easily since the metal is thin. This doesn’t make for a pretty site if there are a few good sized dents in the walls of your shed. On the other hand, wooden sheds can be easily repaired if nicked or dented simply by filling in with wood filler and painting. Since wooden sheds are framed the same way that larger structures are, such as a house, they are quite sturdy and can handle extreme weather conditions.

Wood Gives You Options

With so many styles to choose from, shopping for a shed can be pretty overwhelming. And, though they all come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, their cost can vary greatly as well. The main advantage of constructing a wooden shed is that you can start from scratch and build a completely custom shed.

You can purchase (for a minimal cost) and download shed plans online. There are literally hundreds of shed plans to choose from. If you have basic carpentry skills, this makes a great starting point. Building from plans gives you the extra freedom to alter it any way you need. So, if you need more space for your riding mower or quad, just add the extra to accommodate them.

How Your Shed Looks

The overall appearance of a wooden shed can’t be touched in comparison to plastic or metal. Take advantage of the wood’s natural beauty (especially cedar) by simply sealing the wood with a high quality water sealant or stain. Place your wooden shed in a place where you can easily see it from your house. Metal and plastic sheds are better placed farther from view are even off to the side of the house.

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You probably prefer to build from scratch if you have not only the carpentry skills, but also the tools and time it takes (though relatively small) to build a wooden shed. The time it takes involves the planning and the execution of the project. An important first step is finding a good set of shed plans. Since you can find so many wooden shed plans online, you should be careful in making your selection. The shed plans you select should include plenty of illustrations or photos and clearly written instructions. A materials list is important as well since you will need this when going to the supply store to purchase all the materials.

With a good set of plans in your hands, the proper tools, and basic carpentry skills, you should be able to easily build a shed in a matter of only a couple of days. If you decide you want to build your wooden shed on a concrete foundation instead of a wooden “skid”, you should allow extra time and labor. You may even wish to hire a professional do this part of the job.

Not confident in your carpentry skills? Then a wooden shed kit has a lot of advantages over building from scratch. For most shed kits, all the pieces are already cut so the only thing you have to do is the assembly. Some kits even come with the walls already framed so assembly is easy and quick. So really, waiting for the kit to arrive is likely to be the most time you will spend on this project.

Since you may not have to buy or rent all the tools you need for building a wooden shed kit, you can also save some money.

As you can tell, either building from scratch or from a kit has its advantages and disadvantages. But, once its built, you will soon realize the potential this structure has.

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Everyone has their own reasons for making their own retreat but for our purposes here, this will be for solitude and relaxation since garden sheds are usually pretty small. You’ll have to have electricity though – this is a MUST. I would recommend hiring this out to a licensed electrician (if it isn’t already wired).

Plan your space well by putting it down on paper. Draw everything to scale. Place your flat screen TV (yes, this is a must, too) somewhere where there isn’t going to be sunlight bouncing directly off of it. From there, it will be easy to place your viewing chair. Personally, I like recliners but they do require more space.

Once you have the necessities planned out, start with a clean slate and remove everything from the shed. It is still a shed after all, so shelves and even a fold up work bench are perfectly acceptable. Shelving between studs work great for a your smaller items and it saves on a lot of space since the shelves don’t stick out.

Adding an area rug is also a requirement (for me, at least). Not only do they give your shed a more finished look that you would want to actually spend time in, but also it helps deaden sound. I like to have a rug that leaves about a foot of space all the way around to the walls. It gives the room a look as if it were carpeted. Your lighting should not be overlooked. I try to keep as many items off the floor as possible so I hang lights from the rafters.

Since function is really important in smaller spaces, you shouldn’t go overboard with decorations. There might not be much room left once you have your TV up, your recliner in place and your space saving refrigerator put in. Now you can enjoy that game (I mean, shed). So sit back, relax and enjoy some solitude.

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