Building a garden shed: everything you need to know

Generally designed to store lawnmowers, rakes and other gardening tools, the garden shed has had a facelift and is fitted out like an extra room! Well laid out, it becomes a real extension of the house for DIY and gardening in peace, entertaining friends or having a quiet reading corner. Looking for inspiration for the layout of your garden? Need ideas to decorate your cabin with style? Benefits, storage tips, interior design ideas, regulations, etc. Find out everything you need to know to set up a garden shed properly.

What are the benefits of a garden shed?

Having a garden chalet is a real opportunity and its advantages are many.

1 – Store DIY tools

The garden shed is most commonly used to store DIY or gardening equipmen. Indeed, these tools often take up space and must be well protected from the weather, especially if you want to keep them as long as possible. Ideally, furnish your garden shed with storage spaces: cupboards, shelves, etc. They make your shelter much more functional and optimize space. If the surface is large enough, your shelter can also be used as a workshop for tinkering in peace.

2 – Create an extra bedroom

When there is a little space in the house, the garden shed is very useful as a guest room. Well insulated, it is possible to convert it into an outbuilding to accommodate its guests. With maximum comfort, your guests can stay with you while maintaining their privacy. In addition, this solution avoids major expansion work in the house. A real extra room, the garden chalet can also be converted into an office, a reading corner and even a playroom for the children!

3 – Protect your plants

When winter arrives, your plants must be protected from cold and humidity. If you run out of space to house them, your garden shed is a good place to shelter them. It protects them from freezing temperatures or heavy rain and wind storms. Take the opportunity to arrange a gardening corner if you do not have the possibility of accommodating a veranda. To ensure that your plants have sufficient light, install a glazed section to create a greenhouse!

Whatever use you make of your garden shed, it is important to insulate it. If the shed is only designed for storage, the insulation serves to protect your tools from moisture. If you are planning a layout as an extra bedroom, it allows you to keep the heat for the well-being of your guests. In this case, remember to connect your shelter to electricity and water for optimal comfort.

How to build a garden shed?

Coatings

On the ground, it is recommended to secure the structure with a concrete slab. If the shelter is only intended for storing tools, you can keep it as is. If you want to make it a more comfortable corner, place OSB panels or PVC sheathing. On interior walls, also prefer OSB or plywood panels. For effective insulation, choose glass wool.

Tidying up

Accumulated tools can quickly become overwhelming, especially if your shelter is small. Properly arranging your shelter with storage allows you to optimize space while facilitating access to equipment.

  • In order to make it fully functional, place hooks to attach to the wall. They will allow you to hang your tools and other accessories to save floor space.
  • For your small DIY tools (screwdriver, hammer, spanner or spanner, etc.), equip yourself with storage boxes or a drawer unit. Effective storage will save you considerable time during your DIY sessions.
  • Ideally, place products at risk (paints, products for the treatment of plants, etc.) in a cupboard or cupboard locked and high up. They will be out of reach of children.
  • Your biggest tools (screwdriver, drill, electric sander, etc.) will find their place perfectly on metal or wooden shelves.
  • If the ceiling is high enough, install high shelves to store larger items.

The decoration

If you plan to convert your garden shed into an extra room, take care of the interior decoration. Comfort is key! Choose functional but cozy furniture, such as a sofa bed or ottomans that move easily. Don’t forget the decorative elements that will make your shelter warm and friendly: a carpet and floor cushions. Plan to install a lighting system and at least one electrical outlet.

Also improve the exterior decoration of your small pavilion. Wooden shutters bring an additional touch of charm, as does a pretty bench placed near the front door. If you have a large outdoor pavilion with enough space, set up a relaxation area or an outdoor living room with an umbrella, hammock or hanging chair. They will be the privileged partners of your summer naps.

To enhance a modern house, opt for a metal garden shed or a PVC garden shed. These contemporary materials will enhance the style of your home. Decorate them with matching furniture: PVC garden table, metal chairs, etc. Check for models at Homary! Finally, be aware that outdoor lighting transforms the atmosphere of your garden. In the evening, arrange luminous garlands and colored candle holders. For your edges of paths, solar lamps placed on the ground constitute an auxiliary lighting as much as an invitation to the walk.

DIY: how to build a garden shed?

If you are a DIY enthusiast? Find out how to build a wooden garden shed and how to make a floor for a garden shed! Before embarking on your construction project, take stock of your needs. If your shelter is only intended for storing gardening accessories, its surface area may be less than 5m2. If it is intended to serve as a winter garden, an area greater than 20 m2 will be more suitable.

Have you chosen the location of your future chalet? Here are all the steps to follow for its construction.
  1. Mark out the location of your shelter by driving wooden pillars into the ground. Use bastaings 60 cm long, which you will plant vertically. They should protrude about 10 cm.
  2. Attach joists to your pillars. Place them parallel, spacing them about 40 cm apart.
  3. To form the floor, cover the joists with wooden boards or OSB4 panels at least 18 mm thick.
  4. To build the walls of your hut, use rafters. Cover them with OSB4 panels or any other moisture-resistant siding material. Remember to provide openings for the door and windows.
  5. Finally, build the roof of your shed using rafters and weatherproof wood siding. For the cover, steel tray and zinc gutters will guarantee the waterproofness of your cabin.
  6. Install the door and windows.
  7. Are you planning to use your shed as a winter garden? Decorate it: wall paint, floor paint, potted plants, wicker chairs, wall frames, etc. Let your inspiration run wild.

Garden shed: what regulations?

In certain situations, the local town planning rules impose the request for an authorization and the payment of a tax.

What permissions are needed?

Before embarking on the construction of a garden chalet, check that your project complies with the regulations. For any new construction between 5 m2 and 20 m2, a prior declaration of work is sufficient. Beyond this surface, you must apply for a building permit with the town hall of your municipality. If your garden shed is already built, you have no steps to take for small renovations. The same goes for the construction of a small garden shed of less than 5 m2. On the other hand, if you change the use of your chalet to make it habitable, a prior declaration of work will be necessary. If in doubt,contact your town hall to make sure you comply with the town planning rules in force.