Sheds

Sheds have been around for years but they have never been fully utilized. They come in vinyl, metal and wood but only the wood material holds up to weather. Vinyl types tend to warp in extreme weather and the metal type can be completely ripped apart in nominal winds.

If your going to install one of these structures the way to go is wood. There are many prefab wood kits available at local home improvement centers. You can even build your own from scratch with a little work. The best way to anchor them is to a concrete slab, between the weight of the slab and shed, the wind will not affect it.

Always check with local codes since most areas have requirements for the anchoring, location and type of structure installed. Most areas require at least footings for anchoring and set backs from lot lines for placement.

Wooden forms can be an attractive addition to the yard with a few simple options like windows, skylights and flower boxes. You can hang chimes and wind spinners from the eaves. Plant a beautiful garden bed around it and provide a winding walkway to it. Think about getting one a bit larger than you need for storage and using part of it for the kids. Most kids love to have their own private space. Make a separate entrance on the side and the kids can use as a fort. Instead of purchasing the playhouse kits, buy a basic kit and make it a playhouse yourself. Adding a few features and calling it a playhouse just allows them to up the price.

There are many things that can be added and done to these structures to dress them up and make them an interesting a attractive site within the yard. Imagine having a cute cottage style with a large pond on one side, surrounded by flower beds. The structure has now become an focal point rather than just a storage unit.

Consider a garden shed when thinking about your overall landscape design. It can be functional, attractive and fun for the whole family.