If you think your indoor storage is running over, it is time to look for an alternative way to store your belongings. The best way would be to go for a custom storage shed. These storage shed kits come in various shapes, designs, and sizes, so you can easily find one that suits your needs and budget.

Purchasing an outdoor storage shed comes with a lot of benefits. It will provide you with extra storage space to store your stuff, it can help improve your backyard's overall aesthetic appeal, and it can also help increase the value of your property.

While purchasing a custom storage shed is a great choice, getting the right one may be challenging. But we are here to help you ensure that you buy a storage shed that is not only aesthetically appealing but long-lasting and will give you a higher value for your money. Let’s get started.

Before you purchase an outdoor shed

To ensure you receive the perfect outdoor storage shed for your belongings, you should consider a few factors before purchasing. How big is the shed, and where will you put it? What are you going to keep in the shed? What will it be utilized for? Lawn care supplies, bicycles, tools, and outdoor toys for the kids are items that can be kept in outdoor sheds.

What kind of material would you like it to be made of? Do you have a specific layout or look in mind? How much money do you have to spend on an outdoor storage shed? As you begin your shopping, ask yourself these questions. Finding the shed that will work best for you might be aided by deciding what you plan to use it for.

Before purchasing outdoor storage shed kits, confirm that you may install one on your property based on zoning regulations in your area and with your HOA association. Some jurisdictions have size restrictions.

Considerations when purchasing a storage shed

Here are essential factors you need to consider when buying a storage shed

1. Size

Size is one of the most critical factors you need to consider when purchasing an outdoor storage shed. The size of the storage shed you get will depend on your storage needs. If you have plenty of stuff you want to store in your shed, you’ll have to purchase a bigger shed.

In addition, the amount of space you have in your yard will also determine the size of the storage shed you buy. You can go for a bigger shed if you have a bigger space. Remember that bigger sheds cost more, so be ready to dig deeper into your pockets.

2. Design

Outdoor sheds aren’t just for storing items. An outdoor storage shed’s aesthetics can be just as significant as its functionality in terms of how it affects the look of your home—the unit you pick needs to, ideally, fit in with the design of your house. If your home is in the country, for instance, your shed should be rustic in appearance, possibly with board and batten siding.

Choose an outdoor storage shed with formal characteristics if your home has a more traditional design. Alternatively, you could mimic specific elements of your home—like an arched window or door—and extend the same design to your outbuilding.

3. Access

Make sure your largest piece of tool, such as a gas snow blower or a lawn tractor, can fit through the unit’s entrance. Additionally, there should be plenty of space inside once it is there. Double doors are a common feature of outdoor storage structures that are at least 8 feet by 10 feet in size, which often all but removes this worry. Will you require a ramp or steps to enter the shed if it will be elevated?

4. Pest protection

You should consider pest invasion if you’re considering purchasing an outdoor storage shed. Consider purchasing a shed constructed from materials that do not draw pests if you have a few on your property. If you would rather avoid dealing with pests, invest in a long-lasting, high-quality shed. For instance, vinyl sheds are a great option because they are pest- resistant and easy to clean.

5. Cost

A quality outdoor shed can cost anything from $2,000 and up. The type of material used, the size, and the style will all affect how much an outdoor storage shed costs. For instance, the cost of a shed with a cottage style will be significantly higher than that of a simple shed with a door.

6. Enhancements

Small touches on your outdoor storage shed can have a big impact. There are some outdoor storage structures with cupolas or French doors. Additionally, you might add distinctive elements like window flower boxes, shutters, weathervanes, etc. Remember that you will be looking at this outdoor storage facility daily for the foreseeable future.

A few aesthetic elements could make the difference between something being dull and boring and something being eye-catching.

7. Zoning laws and HOA rules

Call local city officials to find out about shed zoning law limits before purchasing storage shed kits or deciding on shed size. Zoning regulations normally allow sheds up to a specific size—often 120 square feet—without prior clearance in many locations, although placement limitations are frequent.

Check the bylaws regarding sheds if you are also a member of a homeowner’s association. For instance, you might have to maintain a certain distance between your shed and your property line. Some local zoning regulations mandate that a shed be at least 3 feet away from the property line. Another zoning concern is the overall height of a shed. If you spend a lot of money installing a shed, you don’t want to find out later that you violated the law.

Check out more blogs such as “how to choose a quality garden shed” or “building vs. buying backyard storage sheds: which is cheaper?“