Best Sheds for Outdoor Storage

Choose between types of sheds based on how you plan to use your shed.

• Garden sheds refer to any type of shed designed to store gardening supplies such as seeds, soil, rakes, pots, shovels, hoses and standard lawn mowers. Some larger garden sheds may have an entrance ramp and be able to store a riding lawn mower.
• Tool sheds are smaller sheds designed to organize and store power tools and other hand tools. Typically, they’re not as spacious as other types of sheds and aren’t intended as workshops.
• Corner sheds are a type of tool shed or garden shed made to fit into the corner of your yard. This design works well with fenced-in yards.
• Vertical sheds, sometimes called outdoor storage cabinets, are small tool sheds that typically measure 5-feet tall and 4-feet wide. They are taller than they are wide or deep.
• Horizontal sheds are small tool sheds that typically measure 3-feet tall by 5-feet wide. They are wider than they are tall or deep.
• Lean-to sheds are tool sheds that have a sloped roof. They are designed to have their back wall against another building, giving the appearance of “leaning” on it. When you need even more outdoor storage space, install a lean-to shed against another larger shed.
• Insulated sheds are any type of shed that has insulation to help control the interior temperature. An insulated shed is a good option for workshops or for when you need to store temperature-sensitive items, such as flooring or other construction materials.
• Garage sheds serve a dual purpose as a storage shed and a detached garage.
• Barn sheds or farm sheds are large sheds designed to store agricultural equipment such as tractors and animal supplies.

One of the first questions you should ask yourself when buying a shed is “what size shed do I need?” Plan for all the items you need to store, including those that will be hung or placed on shelves, and leave extra space for future storage needs. Storage sheds typically range from small 3-feet by 7-feet DIY kits to 18-feet by 36-feet professionally installed two-story structures.

• Small sheds measure up to 7-feet wide and 3-feet deep. They are ideal for tools, gardening supplies and small lawn equipment.
• Medium sheds measure up to 10-feet wide and 10-feet deep. They keep garden tools and larger outdoor power equipment readily accessible.
• Large sheds measure over 101-square feet. They accommodate a wide range of storage options.

Tip: Purchase a shed with a large enough doorframe if you plan to store large equipment like a riding mower. 

Sheds can have walls made from wood, resin, plastic or metal.

Wood sheds: 

• One of the most common types of sheds, and are the best sheds for customization.
• Offer a large variety of siding options.
• Can be painted or finished to your preference.
• Durable and typically built like houses, meaning they have stud-framed walls and shingled roofs.
• Wood is the most popular material to use when building a shed yourself, but you can also purchase wood shed kits, which have the wood pieces pre-cut.
• Wood has more upkeep than other shed materials. It is susceptible to mold, mildew and rot in damp climates and will need to be repainted every few years.

Plastic sheds or resin sheds: 

• One of the best sheds to buy as a shed kit.
• Typically made from vinyl, resin or PVC.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Require the least amount of maintenance of all types of sheds.
• Their color is inherent to the material, so they do not have to be painted. However, you cannot customize them as much as you can customize a wood shed.
• Resistant to bugs, rot, mildew and mold.
• Typically cannot be insulated.

Metal sheds: 

• Commonly sold as DIY sheds alongside plastic sheds.
• Made from rust-resistant steel.
• Light and easy to assemble.
• Siding is pre-painted or vinyl-coated by the manufacturer, so there is no need to paint or repaint metal sheds, but you have fewer customization options than wood sheds.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Resistant to bugs, rodents, rot, mildew and mold.
• If its protective paint or coating is scratched or damaged, the siding may corrode and require replacement.

The best sheds for outdoor storage should have plenty of organizational features and keep accessibility in mind. Consider these features and shed accessories when reviewing the best sheds to buy:

• Shed shelving and racks will help you keep your tools and supplies organized and easy to find. Plus, shelves will keep fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals off the floor and away from pets and children.
• Use pegboards and hooks to hang rakes, shovels and hand tools. Heavy-duty hangers keep ladders and garden hoses off the floor.
• Add a ramp to make it easy to roll wheeled items in and out.
• Install lights so you can use your shed after dark. Wireless, solar and motion-sensor lights are available.
• Install or choose a shed kit that has windows to help with lighting and airflow.
• Add decorative details such as window boxes, shutters, French doors and cupolas.
• Double doors can ensure you have a large enough entryway for all your equipment.

When adding a shed to your yard, you have the option to build a shed yourself or hire professional shed installation services. Buying a shed and having it professionally installed will be the fastest and easiest option, but also the most expensive, since you are paying for both the shed and the labor involved in building it.  

When you build a shed, you can either build it from raw materials or from a DIY shed kit. The shed kit comes with pre-cut materials and detailed installation instructions, making the process quicker and easier than building a shed from scratch. You will also need fewer tools, since you won’t have to measure and make the cuts yourself. Building a shed from a kit is less expensive than getting a professional installation, but it's more expensive than creating a design plan and gathering the materials yourself. 

Building a shed from raw materials is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming option, but it is also usually the most budget friendly. However, if you don’t already have all the power tools you need, you will need to account for the expense of buying or renting the necessary tools.