Today's Versatile Sheds
A shed can serve many purposes—storage, workshop, home office, or playroom. If the initial financial investment is the only thing keeping you from creating a stand-alone hobby space of your own, you’ve come to the right place. The 16 DIY sheds here, starting with this structure made from four salvaged doors, won’t break the bank and, in most cases, take just a few days to build.
Fence Me In!
With reclaimed wood a hot commodity these days, it might seem extravagant to squander the coveted material for an outdoor shed. This resourceful homeowner-architect, however, found an abundant supply of reclaimed redwood at a local yard and parlayed it into a stylish, economical two-week project.
Related: The Beauty of Reclaimed Lumber
Drawn to Perfection
Freestyling from a sketch, the husband-and-wife team behind this supershed included all the bells and whistles they could think of. By rigging a hose across the lawn, they even managed to incorporate a sink into the shed’s interior. Builders beware: This extensive project required a full summer to complete.
Reduce, Reuse, Relax
Although it's constructed of nearly 75 percent salvaged material, this shed still presents a cohesive look. The unique windows allow a bounty of sunshine to stream indoors, creating a serene setting for the shed’s primary role as a yoga studio.
Greenhouse Barn Shed
If a potting bench or shed is not enough to scratch your gardening itch, then maybe this barn-styled greenhouse will satisfy you. It’s designed to use 12 foot tin roofing panels for the walls, as well as 12 foot corrugated plastic panels for the roof. Almost no cuts required, saving time and scrap waste. How many tomatoes will you grow this year?
Salvage in the Garden
The creators of this sweet garden shed also incorporated salvaged materials in its construction. The recycled materials yielded not only economic but also creative benefits. A lattice awning at the entrance gives the building a feeling of permanence and thoughtful design.
Related: 5 Things to Do with...Lattice
A-Frame Hideaway
This A-frame mini cabin design can work as a shed, office, or studio. Its roof opens up and stands on dropped down legs to offer another 30 square feet of space— with a view, of course. The loft can accommodate one to sleep, and mosquito nets roll down to create the ultimate artist’s retreat or man cave.
Thoroughly Modern
Seattle couple Ahna Holder and Ryan Smith’s modern DIY shed was so popular with friends that they packaged it as a kit available for purchase through their company, Modern-Shed. A cement-based siding gives the shed clean, contemporary lines and adds durability to the structure.
Related: Fiber Cement Siding 101
Green From the Roof Down
Two eco-friendly projects in one: A shed built of reclaimed materials is also topped by a green roof. It’s hard to choose a favorite element—the sedum-covered rooftop or reused fence gate door and windows. Small in stature, it's big on charm, and possibly the cutest shed on our list.
Related: The Benefits of Growing a Green Roof
Cozy Cabin
This West Virginia styled log cabin is home to a riding mower, and was built from scratch by the homeowner’s son, on a concrete slab that was once a dog run. Double doors on the side allow easy access in and out. It’s decorated to wild perfection— with water pump and a wood stove from the original home site.
Cedar Picket Fence Lean To
If you don’t have enough real estate for a free-standing shed building, a lean to model might be the right option. This plan makes use of cedar fence pickets, and is simple enough for a beginner to tackle in a weekend. Wide double doors give you easy access to all your gear, and the large black iron hardware offers real bucolic charm.
Ana-white.com
Pallet Palace
We’ve seen pallets reused everywhere—as bed frames, chairs, and even vertical gardens—but this shed might be the grandest use yet. Coming in at 16’ x 16’, this elaborate structure required roughly 100 pallets, an ambitious use of a material that may be the DIYer's new go-to resource.
Related: 5 Things to Do With...Shipping Pallets
Rubber-Made
While a tire-wrapped shed may cause some to scratch their heads, the upcycled castoffs lend this garden office and shed a distinctive look. We bet the rubber-faced building also benefits from extra heat retention on sunny days!
Related: 5 Things to Do with...Old Tires
Cordwood Construction
Cordwood construction is a natural building method in which 12 - 18 inch pieces of debarked tree are laid masonry style between a mixture of mortar and insulating materials, like sawdust or spray foam. It offers creative expression and visual appeal. This example was built by a husband and wife team in Wisconsin, and utilized almost exclusively reclaimed/recycled materials.
Window Box
Another case of transforming trash into treasure, the shed shown here was built primarily using old windows that had been replaced during a renovation. In addition to the creative reuse, we love that this shed is a place to spotlight, not just store a lawnmower and yard tools.
Clad in Stone
A tedious undertaking that might be best conquered over a long period of time, a stone shed can transform your backyard haven into a Medieval retreat. The owner of this beauty covered an inherited tin shed with stones left over from various other projects. The final result speaks for itself.
thinking-stoneman.blog spot.com
For More...
If you are interested in more outdoor structures, consider:
10 Outdoor Showers to Cool You Down
10 Smart Storage Solutions for Your Deck, Porch, or Patio
Weekend Projects: 5 DIYs to Improve Your Outdoor Space
Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
