The Best Sheds for Protecting Tools, Lawn Equipment, Backyard Furniture, and More
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A shed is a great way to store all of those items that would otherwise clutter up your garage, basement, or yard while infusing some extra style into your outdoor space. These standalone structures can be placed practically anywhere you like, and come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and materials; you can find metal, wood, and plastic sheds. We’ve found them particularly valuable for storing items that take up a frustrating amount of floorspace, like lawn mowers and trash cans.
They do require some assembly, and the price and installation challenges often increase with larger models, but the added storage and organizational space you get from a good shed could be worth the time and money in the long run. That's why we've rounded up the best sheds on the market to suit your aesthetic, storage, and budget needs.
Best Sheds
Best Overall: Suncast Heavy Duty Resin Storage Shed
Best Full-Size Metal Shed: U-MAX Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
Best Dual-Door Option: Lifetime Dual Entry Double Door Outdoor Plastic Storage Shed
Best for Trash Cans: HOMSPARK Horizontal Storage Shed
Best Compact Metal Shed: GRAVFORCE Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
What to Consider
The most important factor to consider when choosing your shed is the amount of space you need. If you just try and wing it, you can end up with a shed that’s too small for your needs, and may still have storage issues. If you go too large, you’ll be spending money on space you may not use, as well as putting extra assembly time and effort on your plate.
The layout of the shed and types of items you’ll be storing are worth keeping in mind, as well. If you know you’ll be storing large items with wide footprints like riding mowers, trash cans, and snowblowers, you’ll probably want to prioritize overall floorspace. If you’ve got more small, handheld items like long-handled shovels, weed-eaters, and ladders, you’ll want to pay closer attention to wall space where you’ll be more likely to hang things up or store them on shelving. Similarly, make sure the door is wide—and tall— enough for the equipment you’ll be wheeling in. This is especially important for heavy items that cannot be tilted to fit, like riding mowers.
How We Selected
When selecting options for this list, we researched popular picks from well-respected online review sites, and used our own experience using and assembling sheds. We also cross-checked potential options with any applicable online customer reviews, to help us disqualify any potential sheds that had frequent quality control issue or design problems. Since homeowners have a variety of needs and specifications to consider when choosing a shed, we made sure to include a wide variety of sizes and materials and design to choose from. We kept pricing in mind, too, so regardless of your budget, you should find an option that works for you.
Heavy Duty Resin Storage Shed
This Suncast shed combines functionality with an attractive, classic look, and with 547 cubic feet of space, should be able to fit an impressive amount of equipment. The double doors allow you to fit items as wide as 60 inches, and their windows make it easy to see what’s inside without having to unlock the unit.
Six skylights on the roof increase visibility inside, and a pair of included storage shelves get you started organizing right away. It requires more assembly time than smaller sheds, so make sure you have an extra set of hands—or two—once it arrives.
Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
The extra-large doors on this U-Max shed make it ideal for storing large items and machines, and even maneuvering long tools like ladders and lumber. A center latch keeps the doors securely locked when the shed is not in use, and the unit comes with a pair of keys.
Users claim that assembly is fairly simple and the included instructions are straightforward, but you should still schedule 5 to 8 hours of assembly time with two people. The protective rubber screw covers are a nice touch, and should prevent any accidental injuries while assembling and during everyday use.
Dual Entry Double Door Outdoor Plastic Storage Shed
The two doors of this Lifetime shed make it more versatile than a single-door model, and make it easier to access the tools you want when you want them. The steel-reinforced ceiling makes this an especially sturdy shed, and combined with the double-wall design, greatly reduces the chances that you’ll have to deal with structural issues.
The shatterproof windows are a nice perk, too, and eliminate the headache of having to find a replacement after a broom or ladder goes through one. We especially like the fact that this model includes shelving, as well as peg strips for hanging tools.
Horizontal Storage Shed
Nobody wants smelly trash cans in their garage, but keeping them outside is unsightly and can be a magnet for pests. This small storage shed is perfect for keeping your cans out of sight but still easily accessible when you’re ready to toss your residential garbage.
The plastic material is easy to hose down or pressure wash if it gets dirty, and the beige-and-gray color scheme helps it blend into the surroundings. It’s not just for trash cans either: two integrated shelving platforms allow you to organize smaller items, like gardening supplies, if you prefer. Shelving is sold separately.
Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
Made out of sturdy galvanized steel, this Gravforce shed is the perfect size for storing gardening supplies or smaller equipment like weed-eaters or leaf blowers. Its petite footprint won’t take up much room, and the angled roof ensures that rain or sprinkler water runs off—and not inside—keeping the interior dry and safe for your tools.
A pair of vents keep the shed from getting too stuffy in the summertime, too. The 25-inch wide door might be too narrow for larger items, so keep that in mind.
Resin Storage Shed
We’re big fans of the functional design of this Craftsman shed, which strikes a useful balance between compact size and functionality. If you don’t have the need for a larger, walk-in shed, its tall profile still provides an impressive amount of vertical storage space for rakes, shovels, and stepladders. Its plastic construction is easy to keep clean, and metal hinges increase its overall durability.
Plus, a padlock latch ensures that no animals—or kids—can make their way inside. Even if you do have a larger shed, this one could be a useful complement for storing specific tool collections, like gardening supplies.
Gambrel Engineered Storage Shed
If maximum capacity is your priority, this 288-square-foot Heartland shed could be just what you’re looking for. Its engineered wooden panels are primed and ready for painting, and you can even choose from a variety of shingle colors.
The 7-foot-tall walls are convenient for hanging and storing long items like shovels, rakes, and ladders, and the wide, 64-inch doors utilize heavy-duty hinges to keep them from sagging over time. The large size of this shed makes it more likely that it will be too intensive for the average DIYer to tackle, but Heartland offers professional installation.
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