DESIGN IDEAS FOR A GREAT BACKYARD SHED

Introduction• Today’s lawns, gardens and landscaping are more

innovative than ever before.

• There are so many things you can do to make a backyard shed a beautiful, useful part of your home.

Check Local Restrictions on Unattached Structures• One thing to be aware of, before you start to remodel or

build any unattached structures on your property, is to check for details on your local building codes.

• Most codes are there for a reason and often are meant to protect you, your family, your neighbors and guests.

• You will find information on limits for heights for fences and walls.

Check Local Restrictions on Unattached Structures• There will also be details on how far setback a backyard

shed should be from your property line.

• Codes cover wiring, piping and sometimes the type of things that can be put in the shed.

• Remembering that normally these codes are meant to be helpful, make sure you get all the details to avoid problems in the future.

Ideas to Consider For Including a Garden Shed in Landscaping• The wonderful thing about a well designed garden shed is

the fact that it can be much more than a helpful and needed workspace.

• Properly designed and built, it blends into your landscape and becomes part of the overall decoration of your home.

Ideas to Consider For Including a Garden Shed in Landscaping• During your landscape and garden design process, the

garden shed should be the first thing placed on the plan.

• Then you can plan other sections of the garden, yard and pathways in between.

• Remember to include integrated avenues of access to all parts of the yard.

Ideas to Consider For Including a Garden Shed in Landscaping• The cost of a shed can fit almost any budget, without

sacrificing great looks and usability. For example, putting lights in a shed can be much less costly than you might imagine.

• This is because inexpensive solar lighting requires very little, if any special wiring. Adding the lights is a great way to turn a simple shed into an architectural plus for your yard.

Ideas to Consider For Including a Garden Shed in Landscaping• Simple short benches look great near a shed. They can

blend into both the design of your shed, as well as provide a shaded place for some rest.

• If one side of your shed seems plain and tall, remember the possible use of some large containers for vertically growing plants.

• This would save garden space and highlight an area of your garden while shielding view of a part of the shed.

Ideas on Materials for Construction of Your Shed• Garden sheds can be built from any type of material. The

design possibilities can let your imagination run wild.

• Even materials from vintage old buildings can be turned into a magnificent shed.

• Old doors, carved cornices, old stained glass panes and shuttered windows, all could have a place in your shed.

Ideas on Materials for Construction of Your Shed• If you found some old windows that, at first, seemed to

large, remember large windows could eliminate the need for interior lighting.

• If you found an old cupola, to place on the roof of your shed, it will add character and ventilation to the interior of your shed, at the same time.

Conclusion• Whether designing or redesigning your garden and yard,

including a backyard shed is the most important part.

• Well designed, it is the keystone that binds the entire design and use of your yard and garden spaces.