The Stylish Future of the Storage Shed
May 10th, 2010 by Hazel
Have you ever considered using a storage shed as a stylish garden structure to heighten the fashion and function of your backyard? Many people worry that storage sheds are just cheap, composite-board structures that look clunky, uninteresting, and should only be used for storing weed whackers and lawn mowers. But, while this may have been true in the past, it is certainly not true anymore!
Storage sheds have jumped on the fabulous outdoor living trend and dolled up their appearance to be a true contender for your outdoor living space. No longer are they the simple, square or barn-shaped structures (though those are still available, of course) of days gone by. Storage sheds come in all shapes and sizes, with unexpected roof lines and eye-catching color combinations. Are you ready for the count down? Five ways storage sheds are cleaning up their image!
Storage Sheds with Porches: You love to decorate your porch with patio furniture, why not gain another porch on your storage shed? You don’t have a porch? Well, now you can have one! Complete with porch railings and posts; your shed’s porch will give you a place to pull your art or gardening projects outside, while stay within reaching distance of your tools and supplies. A porch will also allow you to keep the windows under the porch open, without worrying about a lot of rain blowing in. Even if you just use your storage shed for lawn equipment, having a small attached porch will elevate it stylistically. Passersby will assume your shed is used for something rare and unique, and you’ll never worry about it being an eyesore.
Potting Sheds Instead of Storage Sheds: Many storage sheds have made a full transformation into potting sheds. Potting sheds are specialized structures used for nursing plants in the same way as a green house, as well as a place to store all of your garden tools and do your indoor gardening tasks. Outfitted with rows of windows, as well as a large polycarbonate skylight that takes up nearly the whole side of the roof, you’ll create a veritable greenhouse that can be used for so much more! Potting sheds also feature a long work bench so you can work on your container gardens and do all sorts of outdoor projects and crafts without dragging any dirt into your home. A potting shed is a near necessity for any serious gardener, and is now as widely available as traditional storage sheds.
Storage Sheds with Skylights: So, potting sheds have skylights to create a greenhouse. But, even if you’re not interested in doing gardening work in your shed, you can still have skylights! No more dark, dingy, and mold-smelling storage sheds… imagine a world of bright and well lit storage that can be used endlessly. See your tools and supplies with a skylight in your storage shed. Just like a car is instantly more fun with a sunroof, your shed will be immediately upgraded with a skylight.
True, Screened, Opening Windows in your Storage Shed: Skylights let in light, of course. But, a window can do so much more than just let light in. New storage shed styles feature true, house-like windows. Complete with screens to keep bugs out and the ability to open vertically, these are real windows! Again, if you’ve ever been in a more traditional shed, you know that the stuffy heat can be overwhelming. But, imagine just opening up those windows to allow cooling air flow to flood the space. Not only do the windows allow your shed to look more like a little house in your backyard than just a shed, you can get them complete with shutters in any color to truly design a stylish structure. Now, that’s a place for a lawnmower!
Storage Sheds with Flower Boxes: You may have assumed that flower boxes attached to windows should be an attribute included in the sections about windows. But, I disagree! Though attached to windows, flower boxes add so much more than just window décor to your storage shed. You can add bright colors with flowers and plants that will liven up your structure. It adds a homey, cottage feel that will lend your shed to a little hideaway, instead of just a storage spot. It encourages you to do to some fabulous container gardening, right next to your gardening storage. Flower boxes turn drab storage sheds into quaint retreats, truly. Plus, if your husband needs a place to store his ATV or antique car, you can compromise on a storage shed with strong enough floors and large drive-through doors… that you get to decorate!
So, yes. It’s true. You can now create lovely little cottages like the charming wee bungalows seen in fairy tale art prints, and use it to stow your dirty lawn mower! The only downside is that now you have even more options to try to choose from when considering a backyard structure! Oh well, you’ll just have to get more than one!
Hazel.
