Practical Garden Shed Ideas That Will Make Your Yard Charming
Whether you’re an avid gardener needing a space to organize tools and supplies, or you’re simply looking for a cozy backyard retreat, a well-designed garden shed can elevate the look of your outdoor space. For two years now I’ve dreamt of getting a shed in our side yard but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I found some practical garden shed ideas that might inspire you to consider adding one (or getting a new one) for your own yard.
This first potting shed is fairly typical of what you see at big box stores and in backyards across America. I like this one because it’s colorful and not too big. Plus it has windows to allow natural light into the shed.
A wooden shed is a great option if you’re looking for something a little more rustic. I’m looking for something that matches my house because you’ll be able to see both the shed and house from the street. You can see this post about my yard that shows the side yard (which is actually a buildable lot that we own). My pond is in the backyard.
How about a vintage looking garden shed with a hip roof? This one is adorable and practical all at the same time. It’s large enough to hold a lawn mower and gardening tools. My shed would be next to my vegetable garden.
A vine-covered shed proves that an attached patio is a must-have. When you need a break from gardening chores, relax on the patio with a glass of iced tea.
If you really want to go all out, add a formal patch to elevate your backyard shed. This one comes complete with lighting and trellises. So pretty!
If you want your shed to do double duty as a green house, choose one with lots of windows. You can start seedlings inside in late spring and then transplant them outdoors when the weather warms up. Think of the money you’d save purchasing seeds instead of starter plants!
I haven’t ruled out a greenhouse. This could be used to overwinter some of my tropical pond plants. Not to mention the mid-winter therapy it would provide!
Here’s another practical garden shed that brightens up a shady corner of the yard. You can find similar sheds at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
In my backyard I do have a shed next to the house and have thought about creating a green roof for it. But maybe I should just train moss to grow on it like this one. It’d be a lot less work. The picket fence is the perfect accompaniment!
Are any of you lucky enough to have a charming outbuilding on your property? How I’d love to have a barn-like structure similar to this one. Not too big, but big enough to house anything you need.
Do you have a favorite from today’s collection of practical garden sheds?
Be sure to check with your local codes department before purchasing or building a shed. Where I live, depending on the size and whether there will be electricity or water in the shed, you will need a permit and inspection by the codes dept. and a licensed electrician and/or plumber. Also, sheds (and garages) must be a certain distance from your property lines.
It also really helps to have a cement foundation for the shed. All those pretty vines on the shed will increase rotting of the wood and shingles.
I used a company on CA called Shed World. Great quality and they built it on sight.
We poured a concrete foundation before they arrived. We customized it with a front porch, had electrical and cable ran to the back of the yard. We installed insulation, drywall, open beams, ceiling fan and next comes a mini split air conditioner. We also had it bolted to the foundation-making it a legal “bedroom”. Overall cost about $20,000. But it added actual square footage to our home. Ours is just at the legal size limit and is placed away from property lines. We put a stone path to it and steps. We painted it to match our 1915 craftsman house. I love it! It is used as a guest room, and we plan to add a bathroom to an easily accessed porch to our house, serving as a guest bath.
That sounds absolutely brilliant!
I like the barn actually. I think it’s charming. Not sure all city neighbors would agree though. But whether barn or shed, so practical for storage in the back yard. And these are all pretty cute.