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Garden Sheds · Guide

How to Plan a Garden Shed: Size, Base, Permits and Layout

Most shed regrets come from decisions made in a hurry: too small, in the wrong corner, on a base that sinks, or without checking the rules. An evening of planning avoids all of them, whether you build the shed yourself or buy a kit.

By the DIY Outdoor Builds editorsUpdated Planning guides
Top-down plan of a garden with the shed position, a work area and an access path
Top-down plan of a garden with the shed position, a work area and an access path. Our own illustration; not to scale.

What you will build

This guide walks you through the decisions in the order that matters: what the shed is for, where it goes, how big it should be, what it will stand on and which rules apply. At the end you will have a simple plan on paper with the size, position, base type and door side, ready to price a kit or a build.

It does not give structural designs or legal advice. Rules for outbuildings differ a lot between countries and even between municipalities, so the most important step is to look up your own local rules before you spend money.

Real-world examples

Photos of similar builds by other people, shared under open licenses. They show the idea in practice; the details differ from this guide.

A shed floor being built: timber bearers over a gravel bed, with the walls already up
A shed floor being built: timber bearers over a gravel bed, with the walls already up. Photo: Guywall, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)
A timber garden shed with a double door
A timber garden shed with a double door. Photo: Florent Pécassou, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Materials

  • Paper and pencil, or a free garden planning app
  • A long tape measure (at least 30 ft / 10 m)
  • Pegs and string to mark the footprint on the ground
  • A list of everything the shed should hold

Tools

  • Tape measure
  • Pegs, string and a hammer
  • A phone or camera for photos of the spot at different times of day

Step by step

  1. 1List what will go inside

    Write down everything the shed must hold: mower, bikes, tools, garden furniture in winter, a workbench. Measure the big items. Then add about a quarter more space, because sheds always fill up, and you need room to move.

  2. 2Choose the spot

    Look for level, well-drained ground that does not collect puddles after rain, with space to walk all the way around for maintenance. Think about the route from the shed to the garden and the gate, and keep it clear of tree roots and overhanging branches.

  3. 3Check the rules before anything else

    Find your local rules for outbuildings. They often limit the floor area, the height and how close to the boundary you may build, and may require permission or a notice to neighbours above certain sizes. Check also for underground pipes and cables, easements and any rules in your deed or housing association.

  4. 4Mark the footprint on the ground

    Peg out the shed's outline with string, including the overhang of the roof. Open an imaginary door, walk around it and look at it from the house. This is the moment to discover that a 10 × 8 ft (3 × 2.4 m) shed is bigger than it looked online.

  5. 5Pick the right base

    Small sheds can stand on a timber frame on paving slabs or concrete blocks. Larger or heavier sheds usually need a level slab of paving, a compacted gravel pad with a timber frame, or a concrete slab. Whatever you choose, it must be level, slightly larger than the shed and raise the floor above wet ground.

  6. 6Decide door, windows and layout

    Put the door where you will approach from, ideally sheltered from the prevailing wind and rain. Plan a window for light if you will work inside. Sketch the inside: wide items near the door, long tools on one wall, shelves above a bench.

  7. 7Decide: build or buy

    Kits are quick and predictable; building from scratch lets you choose the exact size, better lumber and thicker cladding. Compare like with like: wall thickness, floor and roof materials, and what is included. Either way, your plan now tells you exactly what to ask for.

Tips for a better result

  • If you will store bikes or a mower, a double door or wide single door makes a big difference.
  • Leave at least 2 ft (60 cm) on the sides you need to reach for painting or repairs.
  • Take photos of the spot in the morning and evening; a shed casts a long shadow on the vegetable garden.
  • Plan power early. Any electrical connection to a shed should be designed and installed by a qualified electrician.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Buying the shed first and checking the rules afterwards.
  • Choosing the size from a picture instead of pegging it out on the ground.
  • Putting a timber floor straight on soil or grass, where it rots within a few years.
  • Building tight against a fence or wall, leaving no way to maintain the back.

Safety

  • Before digging for a base, find out where underground cables and pipes run; in many countries there is a free service to mark them.
  • Do not plan a shed under trees with dead or overhanging branches.
  • Store fuel, paint and chemicals according to their labels, out of reach of children, and never next to a heater.

General guidance only. Follow the instructions for your tools and materials and your local rules, and use a qualified professional for electrical, gas and structural work.

Finishing up

With the size, spot, base and rules settled on paper, the shed itself becomes the easy part. Keep the plan: it is also what you show a supplier for a quote, a neighbour who asks, or the authority if permission is needed.

About this guide: written by the DIY Outdoor Builds editors from general, widely used building and gardening practice. Text and illustration © DIY Outdoor Builds. Photos are by the people credited under each one, used under their licenses. Found an error? Let us know.

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