2024 Shed buying Guide: 5 tips

Table of Contents

1. The Purpose of Your Backyard Storage Shed
2. The Size & Shape of Your Yard
3. What You Can Legally Have in Your Yard
4. Your Budget For A Backyard Storage Shed
5. How Your Shed Will Enhance Your Home’s Appeal

While buying a backyard storage shed for your home is an exciting adventure, it may create moments of frustration as well. From the moment you dream about owning a shed to the day it arrives in your backyard, the buying process requires thoughtful consideration. Below you will find 5 key points to empower you when looking to purchase your future backyard storage shed.

key point #1: Consider the Purpose of Your Backyard Storage shed Ideas.

The first thing to do when thinking about getting a backyard storage shed is to understand why you want one. This is also the fun part! Everyone has their own ideas about what they’ll put in their shed. Finding out why you need a shed depends on what you require. Think about all the ways a storage shed can be useful and how it can help you in the future. This might include better organization, more space to keep things, or even increasing the value of your property. If it helps, you can make a list of your main reasons and all the good things that will happen when you get your storage shed. Now, let’s explore some popular purposes and the benefits of having one. These are great backyard storage shed ideas and backyard storage solutions.

Purpose 1: Need for more storage space

If you’re running out of space to store things, and your garage is really full, consider backyard storage shed ideas. A shed is a clever way to keep your stuff and stay organized for a long time. It’s a great solution when you need more room.

Insufficient Space at Home

Many times, people want a new backyard storage shed because they don’t have enough space to keep their things. It can be hard to let go of stuff, or maybe your house is just too small. Even if you’ve tried to tidy up, there’s still not enough room for all the things you need.

If you’re in this situation, consider backyard storage shed ideas and backyard storage solutions. These sheds can be a great solution. They give you extra space in your backyard, which means you don’t have to worry about having too much stuff and not enough room. Having a shed means you can keep your tools, equipment, and important household items in a stress-free way. It helps you stay organized because you can sort things by how you use them, making it easy to find what you need. This organization makes your life more flexible, and you always know where your stuff is.

Purpose 2:  Planning on Storing Non-Household Items

A backyard storage shed is like a safe and convenient extra space for your things, right in your backyard. It’s perfect for storing things that aren’t used inside your house because it’s super close to your home. This means you can easily get to your stuff whenever you want, day or night. It’s a handy backyard storage solution.

Items That Cannot Fit In Your Home

We all own large and necessary items, including lawn care equipment. When there is no room to store these types of large items, a backyard storage shed may be a great option.

A shed is a great place to keep your lawnmowers, garden tillers, and big tools safe and cozy. Some houses don’t have garages, so a storage shed is super useful. It gives you a safe and handy spot for big stuff, and it’s really close to your home.

When you use a storage shed, you won’t have to stress about not having enough room for your big and valuable things. It keeps them safe and sound. That’s why checking out a shed buying guide can be a good idea.

Items That Cannot Be Stored In Your Home

There are some items that you need that are not supposed to be stored in your home. Flammable and/or explosive items should not be stored inside your home due to their potential for harm. It isn’t worth risking accidental explosions or accidents that could result in property damage and personal injury. 

A backyard storage shed can create a safe space for you to store some of those risky items. Note: We recommend you do not store any flammable or explosive items that expand in the heat as the shed may get hot during summer weather.

For example, flammable items such as gasoline may be stored in the shed as it is commonly used for garden equipment. Just make sure to take safety measures when planning to do so.

Key Point #2: Evaluate the Size & Shape of Your Yard

When you’re thinking about how to choose a shed for your backyard, you should also think about your yard itself. The size and shape of your outdoor space can make a big difference in picking the right shed. If you have a bigger yard, it gives you more options when deciding what size shed to buy.

Factor 1: How Much Storage Do You Need?

When you’re thinking about the size and shape of your yard, an important question to consider is, “How much storage space do I really require?” It’s essential to consider your yard’s dimensions and what can comfortably fit without using up too much space. This is all part of how to choose a shed that’s just right for your needs.

How Much Storage is Enough Storage?

If you want your backyard to stay neat and tidy, it’s important to choose a shed that doesn’t spoil the look of your yard. You should look for a shed size that does its job well and also fits nicely in your yard. This is where a shed buying guide can come in handy.

When you’re deciding on how to choose a shed, go for one that suits your needs and can hold all your stuff, plus some extra space. It’s smarter to go for a shed that’s a bit too big than one that’s too small. You never know what you might need to store in it later on. You can use LP Shed Size Calculator to find the right size of shed that will fit all your estimated storage needs.

Find Your Ideal Shed Size

Don’t worry about how big your shed should be. Just get a tape measure or something to measure with, and figure out how much storage space you need. While you’re at it, measure your yard to help you pick the right shed size that fits well in your yard. And don’t forget to think about where you want to put your storage shed. It’s all part of your Shed Buying Guide.

1. Decide how much storage space you need. 2. Choose a proportionate size of shed in relation to your backyard space and storage needs. 3. Ensure that your desired location for your shed works best with its the ideal size you are leaning towards.  As stated above, a storage shed that fits your needs without crowding out your yard is the ideal storage shed.

We will give more detailed guidance and considerations on the proper sizing further down with Factor 3. 

Factor 2: Foundation For Your Backyard Storage Shed

Now that you have found the size you will need for your backyard storage shed, it is time to focus on the foundation for the shed. Working on the foundation is one of the simpler parts of the shed buying process. Finding a contractor to do the foundation is as easy as contacting a local foundation business, or partnering with the shed building company where you plan to purchase your shed.   

Consider the following when thinking about a foundation for your outdoor shed:

Beware of Irregular Yard Slopes

You will want to avoid preparing your shed’s foundation on irregular yard slopes. If a foundation is set on irregular yard slopes, the process will require more extensive preparation and digging of the allotted area. It is best to place your foundation on an even piece of land in order to avoid the extra prep work. 

If you cannot find a flat space in your yard for the foundation of your backyard storage shed, you can contact a contractor who prepares foundation sites to excavate the site on your property. Excavation is the use of heavy-duty equipment used to remove the dirt from the ground in order to make room for the foundation that is set to be prepared.

Backyard Storage Shed Foundation Preference

Deciding on the foundation for your storage shed is simple. Typically a smaller, more standard shed would receive a gravel shed pad, however, there are some instances that a concrete pad is necessary for larger buildings.

Generally speaking, a gravel pad is better for a shed than a concrete pad for multiple reasons. One, gravel contains a better drainage system which results in less rotting and decay. Two, gravel prevents water from gathering underneath your shed and causing exterior damage to the shed. Three, gravel is much cheaper and easier to install and remove than concrete. 

Factor 3:  Make Sure The Shed Size Fits Property Size

Like we mentioned earlier, something you will want to guarantee before purchasing a backyard storage shed is ensuring it can coexist well with your current property. You do not want an oversized shed stealing the show in your backyard.

Determine the Right Size For Your Yard

Let’s nail down the right size once and for all! In a typical, small to medium-sized yard, an 8×10 shed would suffice. However, in a larger yard, a 12×12 storage shed would not be a bad idea. You do not want a shed that takes up too much of your yard’s space. Oversized sheds take away from the natural beauty of your yard and may even be illegal, depending on your town’s zoning laws.

Judging the size of a shed in your yard can be based on how it looks to the eye. A small shed is not mandatory for a smaller yard, but it helps with the overall aesthetical appreciation of your yard and how appealing others find the combo as well. For best results, get recommendations from a couple of shed builders and even friends or family to ensure the best possible shed size for your yard.

Key Point #3: What Shed Size and Placement Restrictions Apply To Your Property?

Something you may not think about initially when looking for a shed is whether or not it will fit within the regulations of your local ordinances, or HOA rules.

Know the Zoning Laws and HOA Rules

The law that may or may not allow you to add a backyard storage shed is called zoning laws. This law dictates whether the land can be divided into zones on the property.

Restrictions & Building Permits

There are three easy steps to follow to ensure your desired backyard shed’s approval.

1. The town inspector will make sure the shed you want is built to code to avoid any possible sinking into the ground, a possible roof collapse, or being damaged from mother nature.
2. The next step requires the town officials’ approval or denial as to whether your proposed building’s location is on your property line, is not near wetlands, or not sitting over sewage chambers.
3. Finally, if you have your shed placed or built on a site that has not obtained a building permit, the town can either move or take down your shed entirely. For building permit answers in NY, read our article.

Key Point #4: Your Budget For A Backyard Storage Shed

Figuring out how much money you want to spend on your backyard storage shed is the simplest step in learning how to choose a shed. Once you’ve already picked the right shed size, sorted out the best foundation, and understood the zoning rules in your area, it’s time to plan your budget for the backyard storage shed.

How Much Are You Looking to Spend?

There are many aspects that go into the pricing of a shed. The prices can fluctuate depending on the size, materials, style, customization options and features, and if it is built professionally or DIY. 

Factor In Size

Size is an obvious reason why a shed might be more expensive than another. It is simple, the larger the shed, the higher the price. If you are shopping on a tight budget, a smaller shed would be your financial ideal.

If you are looking for the right sized backyard storage shed, chances are you already calculated how it will fit and look in your yard. Plus, if you are more flexible with your yard space, then the more space for future storage the better. (Building codes regarding legal sizes can be confusing. So, if you’re living in CT, check out our article on shed permits.)

See below our selection of different workshop shed sizes:

Your Ideal Exterior Shed Material

Choosing the right siding for your backyard storage shed idea is important. It affects how long your shed will last and comes with extra advantages. Some types of shed siding can keep your shed safe from water damage over time. Your siding choice also adds to how your shed looks. It can make your shed really stand out or fit in nicely with your home. 

The materials used on a shed can also differentiate the price. So if you are looking for an economic shed for your backyard, then a more budget-friendly siding would make sense. Below you can see the examples of 4 popular sidings that can be used for your shed:

Different Shed Styles

The different shed styles also have an influence on the price of the storage shed. If you are going to go for a basic economy workshop shed, you are more likely to pay less than a premier workshop shed. Each specific backyard storage shed style offers its own features and options for aesthetics and even more storage space.

Below you can find the different styles of backyard storage sheds:

Additional Options / Features

Something to consider while looking for a backyard shed is the additional options available to your shed. The additional options and features can be really helpful if you are searching for specific customization for your dream storage shed. For example, if you are looking for a smaller shed, but your afraid space may become quickly limited, a loft option may be the right addition for you. 

The additional options incorporated into your shed can increase its value and functional capabilities. Lighting is another option you can build into your storage shed with the addition of electrical outlets which allows for optimal use of your shed, day or night.

DIY or Professional Installation?

The last factor in determining the budget for your backyard storage shed is its installation. In this situation you have two options. One, you can purchase a DIY Storage Shed Kit and bring it back to your home and install it yourself, or you can purchase your desired shed and have it shipped and professionally installed.

If you are searching for the cheapest option for your storage shed, then the shed kit is the most ideal route for you. However, your time and labor will be required to build and install your backyard shed kit.

Key Point #5: How Your Shed Can Enhance Your Home’s Appeal

While you are settling on the shed that is right for you, let’s turn our thoughts once again to its perfect fit into your backyard. You want a very appealing look to your backyard and that will only come by obtaining a backyard storage shed that feels like home, and is maintained like your home. The style of the shed is an important part of choosing the right appeal, with sheds ranging from single slope sheds to cabin sheds.

Match Your Shed with Your Home

To make your shed feel cozy and look just right, you should think about how to choose a shed color that matches your home’s appearance. When you’re deciding on the color, style, and other things for your shed, keep in mind how your home looks now. When looking to match your shed with your home, consider the siding material. The siding material is crucial when trying to match your shed with your home. 

If you want your shed to complement your house, choose the same color. If your home’s exterior color is grey, you will want your shed’s color to be grey as well. Matching the exact siding, options and colors of your shed and your home creates a storage shed that can look like a “mini” version of your home. Adding options like cupolas for your shed can bring style to your property if you like a classic look. Prepare to hear many compliments for how well your shed coexists with your home.

Landscape Around Your Shed

Adding a landscape design post shed delivery can dramatically improve your backyard storage shed’s look and feel. Incorporating your shed into the landscape and layout of your home offers the ultimate combination of outdoor beauty!

Landscaping along with a new backyard storage shed improves your home and its surrounding property. Plus, it has the potential to improve the value of your home. Yes, landscaping along with your new shed can improve your property value because of the amazing look that is offered with tasteful flowers beds etc. and a stunning backyard structure.

As mentioned, landscaping really improves the overall look of your backyard and home. So, why not spruce things up in preparation for your storage shed’s arrival!

We hope you found these 5 key points helpful as you naviagate the process of choosing a backyard storage shed that fits perfectly with your outdoor space. If you have any additional questions that may have not been answered, please feel free to contact us. If you feel like you are ready to take the next steps towards owning your own backyard storage shed, request a quote today. 

Begin having space to do more, and obtain your Space For Life.