Wooden Garden Shed

A wooden garden shed is a wonderful addition to your back yard. This type of garden shed runs the gamut of styles and costs. The most common type of garden shed is the model that looks like a little barn. It is generally 5 by 7 or 6 by 8 feet and generally has a single swinging door. There are a number of variations on this theme, however, the general style remains the same. In this post I intend to discuss the less common models along with elements of the more common models.

The first thing to consider before building any type of garden shed is the intended purpose fo the shed. Make a list of everything who want your shed to be. Be creative! Later you can cross some items off your wish list. It's possible that your garden shed will have very little to do with store garden tools and bags of grass seed. These days garden sheds are used for diverse purposes. A good looking wooden garden shed can be used for many non conventional purposes including:

1. A childrens play house. A garden shed can be transformed into a perfect and safe play area for children. With the additional of commonly available child size furniture and tables the play house is complete. It is a great way for children to play outside during the rain. It can provide a quiet and shaded spot for kids to read or do crafts. Make believe games are so much more fun when you have your own personal play house. Your child will mature as he or she takes responsibility for tidying and cleaning their own play house.

2. A hobby area for adults. A wooden garden shed can make the perfect place for a hobby room. Whatever your hobby, having a distinct area that doesn't have to be shared with other activities is a real plus. Do you work with stain glass? A garden shed is the perfect place to store and cut the glass. It is also the perfect place to lay out your patterns without having to worry about them being in the way or getting moved by others. The same general idea apply to most hobbies. Perhaps your hobby is gardening. If so, a potting table can be added and designated drawers can be added to store seeds.

3. Private getaway. Garden sheds can be set up as an inexpensive detached addition to your house. With the addition of some comfortable furniture, you can transform a wooden garden shed into a personal oasis. It can be a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of your family. Whether it is for relaxation ie. to read a book or listen to music, or for a place to concentrate, ie. a home office, a garden shed might perfectly suit your needs

The appropriate size of the garden shed is the next thing to consider. As the size of the shed increases so does the cost of the shed. However, in most cases bigger is always better. No one is disappointed if the shed is 1 foot too big but many are dissapointed if their shed is 1 foot too small.

Is it intended to be simply a storage building? What items do you intend to store? Often people find that their sheds once built are not large enough to store everything they intended to store. Will the shed be called upon to store garden stools, a lawnmower, patio furniture, and 3 bicycles? If so, then you would be well suited to gather those items to together to get an idea of what size would be appropriate. Things can always be hung on hooks and placed on shelves but make sure you get the minimum floor space right.

Another thing to consider when building a garden shed is the type of floor that will best suit your needs. Generally speaking garden sheds have 3 floor options. There can be a wooden floor, a poured cement floor or a dirt floor. Each different type of floor has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The most durable but most expensive is the poured cement floor. In areas that are subject to freezing weather extra care must be taken when pouring a cement floor. In addition, the post upon which the entire shed sits must be made deeper to withstand the heaves of the ground freezing and thawing.

Also think about the outward appearance of your garden shed. Some people are fine with a shed that looks like 100 other sheds in their neighborhood. However, a wooden garden shed can reflect the character of the owner. There are square garden sheds, whimsical garden sheds, and crooked garden sheds. Search the internet or go to your local book store to peruse different garden shed designs. Adding your own unique characteristics does not add very much expense but can really add to your final satisfaction with your shed.

Once you have determined the purpose, size and flooring of your wooden garden shed, you can start to think about garden shed features. With a little bit of creativity you can make your garden shed perfect. The following are some examples of features that could be included in your garden shed design.

1. A Ramp. A set of good quality ramps are helpful for moving wheeled power equipment into or out of your shed. Any type of heavy item whether it's a fridge or an armchair will be easy to move into the shed if there is a ramp option.

2. Natural lighting with windows or skylights. Natural light increases visibility and makes the space more inviting. This feature is very important if the garden shed is intended to be used in a non-conventional manner. You can add window boxes to the windows which will further enhance the aesthetics of your wooden garden shed.

3. A Loft. Lofts vastly increase the usable space in your garden shed. A loft can be designed to allow good storage or a reading nook underneath while providing a storage area overhead. The incorporation of a loft into your garden shed is a very effective way to utilize available space.

4. Shelving and Hooks. With well thought out shelving and hooks you can organize your tools and materials. Tip: try to determine what you will be using the shelves and hooks for before installing them.

5. Work benches. If you plan to use the garden shed as a gardening or hobby shop, a good sturdy workbench is mandatory. Various items can be secured directly on to the work bench like a vice or clamps.

A properly thought out and carefully designed garden shed can give you years of satisfaction. Garden shed plans are easy to find or you can design your own. These sheds can serve many different purposes or functions. With a little thought and planning you can make a perfect wooden garden shed.