1. The amount of shed space needed; The shed should be large enough to house all your garden tools and equipment, as well as, provide workshop space to do small jobs indoors like building, repairing or painting small projects and therefore, keep paint odors and dust out of the house. The extra space you free up in the garage can then provide room for the car. Remember also, that the size of the shed must conform to local building regulation set by the local authorities.

2. The size of your land or yard; In a small yard there may be only enough room for a small shed, but in a large area the maximum shed size would be determined by building codes. In the country, this may not be a problem. A larger shed can provide more room for shelving, work space and additional equipment.

3. Blend in with other buildings and landscape; The appearance of the garden shed, it's shape, size and color should blend in with other buildings on your property and perhaps those of the neighborhood so it will not stick out like a sore thumb. The landscape including trees, lawn and slopes can also influence your decision.

4. The size of your budget; If you don't have enough money to purchase the garden shed you really want, consider two smaller garden sheds purchased at different intervals then join them together. Start with a basic shed and design it so that windows, sides, trims and electrical wiring can be added later as your budget allows.

5. Weather conditions in your area; To build an attractive and long lasting shed, the kind of weather, heavy rainfall, depth of frost or snowfall and high winds, must be considered. In a generally wet area, sloping ground, deep frost, high wind zone you should consider a concrete foundation with the remainder of the shed well anchored to it. On level ground and moderate weather, a foundation of tanalised treated timber on a gravel base may be satisfactory. This may also lower the cost.

Further tips on how to construct a solid garden shed base, please read our tutorial guides.

With the large number of shapes and designs of garden sheds and building plans to choose from, you should be able to select one that fits perfectly into your Garden; One that is both practical and attractive. Therefore, planning a garden shed should bring you much enjoyment and satisfaction years to come.

While planning to purchase you're garden shed, you first need to decide how large it can be when placed within your garden, as well as, the type or shape. There are many different shed designs to choose from such as, a workshop, rectangle and large, a square type with gable roof, a diamond shape to fit into a corner or a lean to shape.

Five tips to help you make the correct decision.