When choosing your garden shed, the first thing to consider is what you want to use it for, from simple storage, to a hobby or craft workshop, to an outdoor games room. And remember that needs change over time as the family grows or you retire.

Next, you need to consider what size of shed you need, how long you want it to last and should it be wood, metal or plastic. Metal garden sheds are often cheapest, with wood mid-priced and plastic usually dearest, but remember that costlier sheds can be cheaper overall because they can last longer and need less maintenance.

Remember too that a garden shed offers many important extra benefits like a secure place to keep cleaning materials and chemicals away from kids and pets ?and steel or plastic sheds often come with stronger walls and locks for added security.

The size of garden shed you choose is dictated by your needs and available space, but you may also want to decide between a Pent roof or an Apex roof - which gives you extra headroom. Also ask yourself what size of door or doors you need for access and working and whether you would benefit from having fixed or opening windows.

A garden shed makes an attractive focal point for the garden. It can be fitted into a landscaping or planting scheme or covered with trellis and climbing plants, both to make a striking feature or to hide an unsightly area or view. A wooden shed is more environmentally friendly with a nice rustic appearance, whilst the clean modern lines of a metal or plastic garden shed may be better for urban or contemporary settings.

Whilst an experienced carpenter or joiner may build their own shed, for most people it makes sense to choose a self-assembly model or have it erected by the supplier. Most garden sheds are supplied as a kit with all materials including roofing felt and fixings and assembly is not difficult as most can be rapidly constructed with normal DIY tools and equipment.

Metal or plastic garden sheds are usually offered a range of colours, whilst wooden sheds are either pre-finished or left natural for you to treat, stain or paint as desired. Metal and plastic garden sheds require little or no maintenance apart from occasional cleaning, whereas wooden sheds will benefit from periodic re-painting or staining.

Finally remember that all tools and machinery last longer when protected from the elements and that you can get the most out of your garden shed by fitting appropriate shelves, hooks and brackets, arranging tools in order and incorporating a work bench.