If you have enough space in your garden, the addition of a shed can offer you great benefits. For one, a shed can be an extension of your home. You can use it to store some household items that you don’t use very often or simply have no space to keep inside. If you love making things with your hands, a garden shed can become your private DIY workshop. But one of the main reasons people choose to get a shed is for storing and organizing their selection of garden equipment.
Maintaining a beautiful garden requires the use of lawnmowers, trimmers, fertilizers and other garden supplies. By keeping all these things stored neatly in a shed, you will reduce the risk of tripping from a hose on the lawn or your children getting hurt from playing with a hedge trimmer or some other tool. Not to mention, how all that expensive equipment will be kept safe away from potential thieves.
But a garden shed can be more than just extra storage. When chosen right, a shed can also serve as a decorative accent to your garden. Here are some tips on how to pick a shed that can match your needs, safely keep your belongings and boost your curb appeal at the same time.
The Material Matters
Keep in mind that the shed is going to be exposed to rain, UV rays, snow, insects and all kinds of outside factors. That being said, you’d want to invest in a shed made of materials that are weatherproof and can resist a variety of factors. A colorbond shed can be a very smart choice. Colorbond is essentially coated steel. The coat adds another layer of protection to the steel, making it rustproof and UV resistant. In fact, colorbond is a roofing material used in many Australian homes , so it makes sense for it to be suitable for sheds as well.
Colorbond is a very strong material that can endure strong winds while also being termite resistant and non-combustible. But despite being very tough, this material is also lightweight. This makes transporting and installing the shed super easy. It’s also a low-maintenance option as the paint is bounded to the material, which means repainting is not required.
Wood is also a popular shed material, especially for homeowners who want a more traditional look. However, note that wood can be prone to rot and damage from rain and humidity. It also may be a target for insects such as termites. It also needs to be repainted often as the paint can chip and fade over time. So, in order to prolong the life of your wooden shed, you will need to waterproof it and repaint it regularly.
Design Considerations
Garden sheds aren’t merely for storing things away. The design of your shed can affect the overall look of your property, and as such, is just as important as its usefulness. Considering this, the design of the unit you choose should complement the style of your home. For instance, you can match the colour of the shed with that of your home. This way, the shed will blend in beautifully with the surroundings and become a visual extension of your house. If you decide to get a colorbond shed colours can range from red to green, beige and even black, which means you’re bound to find something that matches your home.
Besides matching colorbond shed colours, you can also try to match other features about your house, like for instance an arched window or door. If you have a country-style house, pick a shed with a more rustic design, like for instance one with board and batten siding. Besides picking a shed design that suits your property, you can also try blend the unit with your landscape. For instance, you can try installing trellises up against the wall and mask the shed with luscious vine plants. You can also establish garden beds around the shed and plant them with colourful flowers.
Pick the Right Size
Obviously, a shed will take up a considerable amount of space in your garden, So, when buying a shed, you need to have clear idea of how you want to use it and how much space you have available. Is it going to function simply as a storage unit for your tools or perhaps you want to use it a garage for your vehicles or bikes? Or maybe you’re looking for a shed that you can transform into a gym or perhaps a hobby room?
A small shed that’s 2×1 meters in size can offer enough room to fit basic garden equipment such as a lawn mower, a garden hose or a wheelbarrow. And then, there are sheds as large as 6m x 5.5m that can fit up to two vehicles and function as a garage if your house lacks one. A helpful way to determine what size shed you need is to gather all the items you want to fit in your shed at the spot you plan to install the shed. Then, add some extra space so that you can comfortably move inside the shed.
