Shed Sizes: How to Choose the Right Size? 

One of the best things about getting a new shed is the increased space you’ll have. You may want to use the shed as storage, a work studio, or as a getaway space. You’ll need to decide on a size to ensure that you have a shed to meet your needs. However, the answer to your question, “What size shed do I need?” is more complicated than you might think. Consider the following factors when choosing a shed size for your yard.

Available Outdoor Space

The biggest constraint on the size of your shed will be the amount of free area you have in your yard. You will need to have enough space for the location of your new shed plus room near the door to allow for opening the doors and moving equipment into the shed. Wood construction buildings typically come in standard sizes ranging from 8 feet by 8 feet to 16 feet by 24 feet.

If you have a small yard, you may not be able to fit a large 12 feet by 20 feet or 16 feet by 24 feet shed. However, most yards can accommodate small sheds, such as those that measure 8 feet by 8 feet or 8 feet by 10 feet. Take measurements of the free space available in your yard to narrow down your options to see if you can accommodate a small, medium, or large shed.

Room in Your Budget

How much space is in your budget? Bigger sheds typically cost more due to using more building materials in their construction. Opt for a smaller shed if you only need a little extra storage without breaking the bank.

However, in some cases, you may have a specific need for a large shed, such as storing ride-on lawnmowers, keeping recreational vehicles, or using the space for a recreational room. In these cases, consider other ways to help you afford a more oversized shed than you can immediately pay cash for. If you don’t have as much room in your budget to pay for a large shed, consider a rent-to-own plan or financing your shed to reduce your monthly payments.

Local Restrictions

Check with your town building regulations and homeowners’ association (HOA) to see if you have building restrictions. Some standard rules you may see include restrictions on the size, height, proximity to property lines, or location near utilities. You have full responsibility with your local government or HOA to ensure your new shed meets area requirements.

Additionally, check with your area’s property tax assessor to see if utility buildings add to your total home square footage for tax purposes. Depending on your location, use of the shed, and size of the outdoor structure, you may have to pay extra on your taxes.

Application for the Shed

How will you plan to use the shed? Do you need it to store out-of-season sports or lawn care equipment? Or do you want an outdoor space for your hobbies? When considering how you plan to use the shed immediately after construction, consider whether it will be large enough for the future. With sheds that include a five-year service warranty from Barnyard Utility Buildings, your structure should have room to grow.

Storage

What you want to store in your shed will determine the size you need. For example, if you’re going to keep large equipment, such as ride-on lawnmowers, ATVs, or snowmobiles, you’ll need a more oversized shed with at least 120 square feet. However, if you only have a push mower and family bicycles to store, a small shed under 80 square feet should suffice. The more you need to store, the larger your shed should be.

Hobby Space

Some people use their sheds as spaces for their hobbies, such as woodworking or crafting. You’ll want a larger shed measuring at least 120 square feet to give you space for your equipment and supplies. Your hobby will also help you to choose a shed size. Pick a larger shed like a 12 feet by 12 feet, or 12 feet by 16 or 20ft feet long if you do woodworking and furniture in your building. Consider adding a Light Loft that allows you to store additional items above the wall height. This is a very economical way to create extra space for storage. Even if you have a hobby that does not require extra space, you may still want a larger shed to combine storage and recreational use.

Size Is Not the Only Thing That Matters

Square footage is not the only thing to think about when choosing a shed. The amount of interior storage you have will also depend on the type of roof design on the shed. The roof style will also heavily influence the appearance of the utility building.

You should also consider how you want to use it and the type of roof you want. For example, a mini barn has a different exterior appearance than a gable shed.

Mini barns have four-sided roofs that have a steeper lower pitch topped by a shallower upper roof pitch, which allows for more vertical storage on the interior sidewalls of the shed. This type of shed provides a good option if you need more vertical storage or want to add a loft storage space in the shed.

Gable sheds have A-shaped sloped roofs with a 5/12 pitched roof, which can easily be increased to a 9/10 or 10/12 pitch to match the roof of your home. These designs more closely resemble the roofs on many homes, making them a better option for outdoor hobby rooms or recreation spaces.

Remember to consider both square footage and vertical storage space when looking for the right size shed for your property.

Some Common Sizes for Wooden Storage Sheds

Wooden utility buildings come in various sizes. A sample of some of the most common sizes for mini barns and gables found at our Barnyard Utility Buildings includes the following:

• 8×10
• 8×12
• 10×12
• 10×16
• 12×12
• 12×16
• 12×20
• 16×24

If you need another size, ask us about the availability of other sizes.

Contact Barnyard Utility Buildings for a Quality Wood Construction Building on Your North Carolina Property

Do you want to increase storage on your property or have a new space for your hobbies? Contact us at Barnyard Utility Buildings to find your closest location for quality wood construction buildings. We can help you to answer the question, “What size shed do I need?” Our locations have multiple sizes available that you can customize with various features. Get the shed you need in your yard with a high-quality, long-lasting wood shed from us at Barnyard Utility Buildings.