Landscaping and Gardening.info

In the words of the comic book character “The Tick”, “You can’t blow up the world! That’s where I keep all my stuff!” Keeping your stuff from overflowing your house, your yard and your garage is the function of a storage unit, or shed. There are a range of sizes from tiny 5×6′ units up to moving trailer sized 14×31′ units, plus what people build on their own after visiting Home Depot.

Each person has their own need, and their own tolerance for clutter. People with lesser needs, say those trying to do storage for a small lawn or garden, only need a small shed. Larger plots of land will need larger sheds for their tools and other items. Some people make a habit of getting the ‘next size larger’, on the idea that their needs will grow over time.

Sheds for renters have different boundary constraints. They have to talk to the landlord and find out what is and is not permitted, and any shed that they install will need to move with them, so future portability is important. You should talk to your zoning commissioner or other agent of the county or city government to see what’s allowed, including clearance on a property line. It’s also good to talk to your neighbors before putting up a shed, just to coordinate efforts.

Plan and coordinate before you buy. This means measuring the plot of land the shed will be put on, and then measuring the length, height and width of the objects to be stored in it. Draw out your packing plan before buying the shed.

Before you select a storage shed that is too small or too big for your needs, here are some tips that may help. Can your furniture be stacked in a pile or row, or can your goods be arranged in a more compact fashion? This can save a lot of space. Will your biggest item of storage fit through the entry doors? You will also need to leave some room to spare as a walkway or alley for gaining access to the extreme ends of your unit. Many sheds of at least 8 by 10 feet have double-doors to address this.

Another innovation would be to supplement your main, existing storage unit with a smaller model such as a corner shed, a horizontal shed, a vertical shed, or one with a loft.

When you take into perspective the simple truths that not only should the bulk of your storage fit into your functional shed but that your storage shed should also be in proportion to the dimensions and design of your home, then size does indeed matter.

Tags: landscaping, gardening