A garden shed means something different for each member of the family.
For Dad it is perhaps just a storage box for all his gardening tools.
Or it could be a precious retreat where he can do his pet woodworking projects away from the noise and pressures of everyday family life.
For Mum it could be somewhere to pot her plants, or do her painting in peace and quiet.
Or write that novel without disturbance.
For the kids it might be a place to keep all those garden toys, inflatable swimming pool, tennis nets and other bits and pieces between games in the garden.
Or it might be an exciting den where adventures are plotted.
So a shed is joy and an inspiration for all.
OK, so sheds are great.
Enough poetic praise for now.
But would you like to know how to build a shed that makes you smile? You have to start off with the basic shell, which is a very simple structure.
Four walls and a roof, usually rectangular in plan.
The fun part is in the design after that.
Windows?Of course.
Door? Also of course, but it can be an interesting design, with a window in it, or special hinges and handles.
What about the roof?Apex, flat, overhanging the door or windows, perhaps sloping on to a porch? You see, already there are lots of decisions that will have an important effect on the eventual structure you decide to build.
Then there is the inside.
Are you going to furnish this shed with curtains, rugs, maybe a woodburning stove (if so weatherproofing and insulation will be critical), or is it going to do a more utilitarian job - lots of shelves, racks, concrete floor? Boring but necessary decisions need to be made about electricity supply (probably), water (possibly), planning regulations (sometimes apply).
And of course the vital matter of choosing the site, convenient to the house but away from distractions, good drainage, privacy - all that sort of thing.
How is your shed going to fit into your garden and the landscape?You might want to hide a fairly ordinary utility shed but, on the other hand, if it is to make a happy addition to the garden - and we think it should - why not paint it an interesting color, use good shingle tiles, cut pretty friezes to edge the roof, have decking around it, flowers climbing over it? There are so many things you can do to make your shed stand out, be something really beautiful and a place all the family (perhaps not all together!) want to use and enjoy.
Notice that we are assuming that you will build this shed yourself.
If you just go down to the local shed store, or buy a flatpack kit, you will not be able to design it exactly the way you want it.
It will also, incidentally, cost a lot more as well.
Since sheds are so easy to build, why not do it your way?Even novice woodworkers can build a shed, and it is also great fun.
You will need a good set of plans if you want to avoid lots of mistakes and waste of materials.
These plans must include full, three view assembly drawings and a complete list of all materials needed.
Step-b y-step building instructions for a diy shed are also very useful, to avoid doing things in the wrong order and having to undo and do all over again.
Very frustrating and often costly as well.
So, if you want to know how to build a shed, get a good set of plans, then enjoy the design process to adapt the building to your own ideas and desires.
This in itself is a whole lot of fun but the real pleasure will come when you finish your shed and start to use it just the way you dreamt.
Go on - build a shed that makes you smile!