What Size Storage Shed Do I Need?
Sheds for outdoor storage come in a variety of sizes to accommodate your needs, whether you want a basic garden shed or a large shed for lawn equipment. Here are the common shed size ranges and examples of how you can use different options for storage.
Check with your homeowners association and local building department for any restrictions or requirements for sheds in your area.
Small Storage Sheds
Small sheds are under 36 square feet. These outdoor units make great backyard garden sheds. They’re good for hanging tools and storing lawn and garden supplies such as a push mower and bags of fertilizer. Their smaller footprint can give you more options for placement in your yard.
Medium Storage Sheds
Medium-sized outside storage sheds are approximately 37 to 100 square feet in size. For example, an 8-foot-by-10-foot and 10-foot-by-10-foot storage shed would both be considered medium sized sheds. They can hold larger garden equipment, such as a riding mower and a tiller, as well as bulky tools. Even if you don’t have a lot of items to store, this size can give you more room to move around for easy access to your supplies and tools. It’ll also allow you room for adding to your outdoor equipment as you take on more projects.
Large Storage Sheds
Large sheds of 100 square feet or more, like a 10-foot-by-12-foot shed, offer more space. They can handle anything from large pieces of lawn equipment to recreational vehicles. If you’re feeling creative, turn your shed into a workshop, greenhouse or hobby space. Make sure you have adequate space in your yard not just for the shed itself, but room to easily move equipment in and out.
Other Shed Size Considerations
When calculating the storage capacity for a yard shed, plan for about 25% more space than you need to ensure there’s room to access your items and to add more in the future. If you plan to store garden tools, you’ll probably need wall space. Large or heavy items, like bagged fertilizer and equipment, mowers, snow blowers, wheelbarrows, etc., require floor space and an open surrounding area. Some shed manufacturers offer expansion kits you can add to a shed for even more storage space.
Check the shed design to see if the layout will work with the items you need to store. Make sure the doorway easily accommodates the largest item you plan to store. For example, if you have a riding mower or a large snow blower, double doors will make it easier to get your machine in and out of storage.
Some sheds include a floor, but others don’t. Some foundations can function as floors. You can purchase floor kits for certain sheds, which allow you to assemble a floor.
Shed Material Choices
Metal Sheds
Steel sheds are economical storage buildings. They’re available in a variety of colors and feature vinyl-coated steel or galvanized steel with an enamel finish to resist scratches and rust. Metal sheds come in a variety of colors and offer years of maintenance-free service.
Pros
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Rot-, mold-, fungus-, insect- and fire-resistant
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Sustainable
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Prone to corrosion and rust
- They’re not easy to transport
- Not easily customizable. Difficult to modify or repair
- They can get extremely hot in the summer
- Utilitarian in appearance
- Noisy
Vinyl/Resin/Plastic Sheds
Vinyl sheds and resin sheds are made of different types of plastic and are the easiest sheds to assemble. They're also easy to clean and resist rust, insects, mold and rot. Double-wall panels create solid construction. Many vinyl/resin sheds come with steel-reinforced doors for extra security and long service life. You can also find models with windows and skylights to help illuminate the interior. These sheds can endure practically all weather extremes, are easy to clean and virtually maintenance-free.
Pros
- Rot-, insect-, mold- and rust-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Durable and strong
- Easy to assemble
- Portable/easy to relocate
- Doesn’t need painting
Cons
- Not easily customizable
- May not do well in adverse weather conditions, especially strong winds
- The sun can fade them or make them change color
- Prone to break or crack with time
Wood Sheds
Wood storage sheds are sturdy and stylish. Lumber framing provides strength to withstand loads from wind and snow, and can support multiple shelves and hangers. Engineered wood siding resists termites and rot. You can paint these sheds to match your home or to blend in with your landscape and customize them to create an attractive building. Many models include windows. Do-it-yourself kits may not come with roofing materials, such as shingles, underlayment and drip edges, but if installation is available, it may include the materials. Wood sheds require maintenance. You'll need to repaint or restain them regularly and keep the roof, siding, etc., in good repair.
Pros
- Customizable
- Aesthetically pleasing; rustic
- Durable and strong
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent for year-round storage
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Prone to rot, mold, mildew
- Can be expensive
- Not as strong or durable as metal
Before you choose a shed or convert a shed for a use other than storage, check requirements for your area, such as zoning ordinances, building codes and homeowners' association covenants. Some areas may not allow certain types of sheds, and building or converting a shed may require a permit and inspections. There may be limitations on how you use the shed in addition to restrictions around size, foundation type, distance to property lines and structures, etc.
Weather Ratings for Outdoor Sheds
In addition to looking for weatherproof materials, you can also pay attention to additional features and ratings that’ll help ensure the items you store are protected from the elements. Waterproof sheds and waterproof shed floors will provide the most protection from water damage. Weatherproof sheds and water-resistant sheds may not be completely waterproof but are designed to provide protection from damage caused by ultraviolet rays and moisture.
Some sheds will have snow and wind ratings. These are key factors to look for, particularly if you live in a part of the country that receives a lot of snow or high winds.
- A snow rating, usually measured in pounds per square foot, helps you gauge how much snow the shed roof can take. Consider both the type of snow that’s common for your area (light, heavy or icy snow) and how much might accumulate over a period of time before melting. Regardless of the snow load rating, it’s a good idea to remove as much snow from a shed roof as you can if you can do it safely.
- A wind rating is measured in miles per hour and tells you the force of wind the shed is designed to withstand. Some areas may mandate a wind rating for storage buildings, so check with your local building department.
Keep in mind the ratings are intended only as a reference to give you an idea of the adverse weather the shed is designed to handle. Factors including assembly, installation, anchoring and more may change how a shed handles weather and the elements.
Shed Accessories
If there's something you want to add to your storage shed, chances are it's available as an accessory. Here are a few examples:
- Ramps: A sturdy set of ramps is a must for moving wheeled power equipment, wheelbarrows or hand trucks into or out of your shed.
- Windows and skylights: Natural light increases visibility and makes the space more user-friendly. In some cases, you can even order shutters and window boxes to accompany your windows and further enhance the aesthetics of your shed.
- Shelves: Organize your tools and materials on handy shelves designed by the manufacturer specifically for your shed.
- Anchors: Shed anchors help protect your shed from strong winds. Some manufacturers require their sheds be anchored.
- Roof strengthening kits: These additional supports may be necessary for a metal shed in an area prone to snow accumulation.
Building a Shed
Vinyl and resin sheds are the simplest do-it-yourself storage buildings, but you can also build a metal or wood shed yourself. Once you've chosen from the available shed kit designs and types, follow all manufacturer's instructions for constructing. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Build your shed in a level area that will allow convenient access, and avoid low areas where water drainage can cause problems.
- Call 811 to check for underground utilities before beginning any excavation.
- A solid, level foundation creates a more usable, longer-lasting shed. Different areas have different requirements for shed foundations. Foundation types include masonry blocks set on a gravel bed, sill plates resting on a concrete slab and in areas where the ground freezes, a frame on concrete footings that are set below the frost line.
- Depending on your shed floor and foundation, you may need a vapor barrier. Check the shed instructions for details.
- Before beginning to assemble or build your shed, make sure you have all the parts.
- Shed components can be heavy and unwieldy so get help. Even if you're working on a small shed, a helper makes the job easier.
- If you're building a wood shed, you may be able to take advantage of natural light by installing skylights or French doors.
- Once you've built your shed, add planting beds or trellises with vining plants to help the building blend with the landscape.
Shed Installation
Some sheds offer easy assembly for do-it-yourself (DIY) installation. If you don’t feel like taking on shed installation as a DIY project, let Lowe’s help you get your shed installed. Creating the perfect outdoor storage solution is easy with Lowe’s shed installation service.
Shed Alternatives
Sometimes you don’t want or need an entire standalone structure in your back yard, or maybe you’re budget-conscious and getting a shed isn’t in your plans but you still need some type of structure to store your tools. A lean-to shed is the perfect structure. It’s a cost-effective structure supported by an existing structure (like a house or garage). It’s simple solution that provides extra storage space.
Beyond Outdoor Storage
Barns and sheds are great storage solutions for everything from mowers to motorcycles. However, their spacious design, high durability and easy assembly make them excellent choices for some other uses you might not have considered.
Playhouse
You can order windows and partitions to add to most outdoor storage. Paint them bright colors and use your imagination to make a garden shed the perfect playhouse for children of all ages.
Hobby or Craft Hut
No matter what your hobby is, you're sure to find a barn or garden shed that's just the right size for your needs. Just think, you could have a room to spread out all your materials and a private workspace all your own.
She Sheds
Similar to a man cave, the she shed is where a woman can get away from it all. Take one look on social media to see the creative ways that sheds are being used. Beautiful windows and French doors are added, as are window boxes, Dutch doors and even front porches with twinkling lights. Some are turned into mini-greenhouses, writing nooks or simply used as a calm oasis away from the chaos of everyday life.
Office Shed or Gym Shed
If you need some extra work space or workout space, a converted shed can be the perfect extension of your home. See our ideas on converting a storage shed into a home office or home gym.
If you don’t have the time or skill needed to install a new storage shed yourself, Lowe's has you covered with our shed installation service.