Regardless of the size of your backyard, you will need a place to keep all your tools and equipment such as your garden hose, trimmers, and lawnmower safe and secure. A flourishing garden with lots of plants and vegetables will definitely benefit from a shed. Your garden hoe, rakes, cropping tools, pots, seedlings, and other implements must also be organized. Any garden can use a shed, no matter how small or simple.
This is where shed plans come in. They will help you build the right kind of shed that your garden needs. Choosing from the wide variety of available shed plans can be quite overwhelming, with this said, it is smartest to keep your choice limited to simple ones. After all, the purpose of a "small" shed is for minor use.
The first thing you must do when building a small shed is to decide if you'd want the shed to become a permanent structure or if you'd like it to be moveable. This will determine the kind of foundation that you will need to prepare.
For fixed structures, you will need to dig out piers or concrete columns. These columns are responsible for supporting the weight of the entire shed, including its contents, so dig an appropriate depth of about 24 inches.
The ground must be leveled in order to create a straight and stable shed - regardless if it's fixed or portable. If the ground area is not even, simply grab a shovel and even it out the ground yourself.
The next task is the application of the deck. Install the deck by creating a grid that will rest on the piers that you have just laid. It would be wise to create a deck with two levels for durability and stability. The topmost layer of the deck will be the shed's floor, so install this layer accordingly.
Once the floor is done, you can start with the framework of the shed. Erect a basic framework of the walls. Do not forget to plan where the doors and windows will go. After that, install the wooden structure that will support the roof. Step back and finalize your small shed's framework.
The next thing to do is to install the walls, doors and windows. It would be nice to give your wall some space in between for insulation. Once they are installed, make sure you leave space for electrical wires. Finally, install the doors and windows.
Installing doors are can be a tricky task, especially when installing hinges. The most common mistake is not leaving enough space for the door to swing open. So make sure to leave a few millimeters in between the frame and the door. To know exactly how much you need, wedge the hinges in between the door and the frame before screwing it in place.
The next task is to focus on the interior of your small shed. Depending on what tools and equipment you will store, you should install the appropriate number of cabinets, shelves, and storage compartments. Make sure not to overdo it, as you want to maximize the space without compromising leg or headroom.
If you are not confident enough to do the woodworking yourself, then you can buy cabinets and shelves from retail stores instead.
After this, you can then install lighting or electrical outlets for your small shed by connecting the electrical wiring to your house or to the main line. A small shed does not often require a light bulb, so this is optional.
Finally, you can focus on the finishing touches by painting the interior and exterior according to your preference. You can also add other types of decorations such as window covers or doormats.
