Maybe you don't think about your backyard shed very often except for those times when you notice the eyesore in the back of your yard. Or when you contemplate doing a project in your shed, but there's just not enough space for anything but storage.
Maybe it's time to spruce up your backyard shed so that it looks better and blends with the rest of your fabulous yard. And, while you're at it, why not make it more functional? A makeover could transform your shed into an attractive building that has more purpose than just storage.
What can you do to help your shed fit your backyard aesthetic? You can paint, add shutters and flower boxes, improve the landscaping around it, and maybe even hang some outdoor lights. As for the interior, why not run electricity, upgrade your interior lighting, add a workbench, or even a loft?
In this article, you'll find some helpful ideas to get you started. Stop feeling frustrated by your shabby, outdated shed. Create a plan to spruce it up and choose a weekend to conquer it. It's time to get more of your backyard shed!
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint and a few decorative trimmings to breathe new life into an old shed. Choose a couple of ideas from our list below or come up with your own creative, budget-friendly ways to add color and pizzaz.
If you have wood siding, it's good to repaint it regularly. Painting your shed's wood siding not only protects it but can make it look new. Bright colors will bring vibrancy to your backyard. More neutral shades such as olive green will make your shed less prominent and help it blend in. If you paint it a dark color, such as black or deep blue, it will seem further away, helping to make a smaller yard feel bigger. We use and recommend Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint® Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint and PPG TrueFinish AQUACRON™ waterborne liquid primers and topcoats.
If your shed has windows, simply adding window shutters or window boxes can immediately improve its visual appeal. Consider choosing colors that contrast your shed siding for a pop of color. For window boxes specifically, decide if you want lots of colors and textures, low-maintenance plants, or vegetation that will help keep pests away from your shed. Here's a quick list of plants that are known for their insect-repelling properties:
While you shouldn't have much vegetation around the perimeter of your shed (it can attract and encourage mice and other pests to nest here), landscaping done right can make your shed look great and help incorporate it into your backyard. There's no need for your shed to feel like an afterthought. Here are some landscaping ideas, from simple to more involved.
Adding outdoor lighting to your shed can accomplish a couple of things. First, it can illuminate the perimeter for security purposes; second, it can create a warm ambiance that may compliment your patio, fire pit, or other outdoor living areas. Here are some lighting options to consider.
While updating a shed on the outside will make it look better and help it fit your backyard ambiance, imagine how great it would be if it were also more functional. There are ways you can update the inside of your shed, too, making it more practical and valuable.
From running electricity and updating indoor lighting to adding a workbench and a storage loft, there are many things you can do to make the most of your shed’s interior space.
If you don't already have electricity in your shed, adding it would be a significant upgrade. It would allow you to install light fixtures, use corded tools, and more. To provide a dedicated circuit to the shed, hire an electrician to make the connection in your main electrical panel. Otherwise, you can connect to an existing circuit if it has enough capacity and the box has enough volume for the additional wires.
Natural light is best, but realistically, it's sometimes not enough. On a sunny day, it's great, but at night or on overcast days, it just doesn't cut it. So, having artificial lighting in your workshop is ideal. Types of artificial lighting vary, but here are a few options.
Adding a workbench gives you a dedicated space to work on projects or fix things. No good shed is without one. Whether you build one yourself or buy a pre-fab version, it should have a thick top and stout legs, plenty of surface space, and be compatible with your height. The ideal workbench height should be the distance from the floor to your first thumb knuckle, with your arms hanging relaxed at your sides.
Shed lofts provide storage in often unused or under-utilized space. This helps to make storage organization easier and more effective. You can either hang an overhead storage rack, create a DIY loft, or hire a handyperson to build one for you. But, the benefits of having one are many. For instance, a loft can:
You may have had high hopes for your shed's ability to be revived. But, after reading this post and considering your shed's current state, you might feel that these updates couldn't save your shed. If that's the case, it might be time to consider a replacement. It might be a scary idea since a brand new shed is more expensive than cosmetic changes, but buying a new shed gives you a clean slate — an opportunity for you to get exactly what you want.
Take our Backyard Shed XL as an example. It’s big enough to store all your storage items and lawn equipment and has room left over for work space. With a built-in loft for out-of-the-way storage, a sturdy built-in workbench, and a wall storage kit, you’ll have more storage space than you ever imagined.
With windows for natural light, attractive window shutters, low-maintenance siding, and attractive color contrast trim, your shed will match the rest of your backyard.
You can even customize this shed's size, siding color, and more to make it exactly what you want. When you use our online shed configurator tool, you can save as many variations as you'd like and get a quote estimate for each. So, when you're ready to buy, all you need to do is check out. It's that easy!
Learn more about our Backyard Shed XL and other shed options that have built-in storage.
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