A beginner’s guide to sheds

Gardens and sheds really do go hand in hand, and one without the other doesn’t seem right. However, the days of only being able to purchase the traditional wooden, square-shaped shed for your yard are long gone and today there’s a wealth of choice.

No matter if your garden is large or small, whether you want a compact shed for storing your tools in or a big one that can double up as a home office, you’ll find something suitable. However, to make your decision a little simpler, read our guide to the most common models out there.

Traditional sheds

The well-known phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” could certainly be applied to the most traditional shed design. This has been a popular staple up and down the gardens of the UK for generations.

Typically, these products are made of wooden boards slotted together in a tongue and groove style to create a sturdy property with a single door at the front. There is also a gable proof to keep it watertight and stop rain pooling.

If you are simply after somewhere to store all your garden tools and the lawnmower, this is the perfect solution for you. While left in its original state it will look great, you could also paint your shed to make it more of a feature of your garden, or you may wish to fix trellis to its walls so you can grow climbing plants up it.

Sheds with windows

Come rain or shine, a keen gardener won’t be put off from attending to their flowers, fruit and vegetables. However, when it is raining, the experience may not be the most enjoyable.

For this reason, a potting shed can prove incredibly useful. You can work in here and be warm and dry, even if the weather outside is the opposite. Purchase a small workbench to put inside and you will have a great space for cultivating cuttings and growing seedlings.

Because you have invested in a shed with windows, your young plants will still get all the sunlight they need to thrive, without having to be outside where they could be eaten by slugs or birds. Often, the windows are made of a plastic alternative to glass, which means that not only are they safe and strong, but also shatterproof.

Metal sheds

Not all sheds are made from wood, and you will also find numerous designs made from metal. The advantage of these structures is that they require practically zero maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about the upkeep of this and your garden as well.

These are perfect if you want somewhere safe and sturdy to secure your belongings. Depending on what size you opt for, you could stash everything from your gardening tools and a bag of compost to your outdoor furniture, BBQ and bicycle in here.

Corner sheds

Not every homeowner is blessed with a large garden and you may wonder if you even have room in yours for a shed. Luckily, there are clever solutions, like buildings designed to fit snugly into a corner of your yard.

Because the structure tapers at the end, it is shorter than a traditional shed, but still offers the same head room, meaning there is plenty of space for your tools. Use the building efficiently by fixing hooks to the walls where you can hang your utensils so you are saving as much floor room as possible.