Backyard Storage

Are you longing for extra storage space, is your garage filled with bikes, gardening tools and decades-old clothes, do you dream of a get-away gardening spot? Perhaps it’s time to find a little area in your backyard to install an accessory structure that can be used for many purposes ranging from a small playhouse to additional storage to a gardening shed.

Before you buy the 2x4s and cut the plywood, take the time to plan your accessory structure and consider the following:
 
Purpose: How are you going to use your accessory structure? For storage, a playhouse, a gardening shed or a small get-away office? Once you’ve determined the purpose of your shed, you can determine the size.
 
Planning: Most jurisdictions have several restrictions regarding the location (out of your set back, for example) and size of your structure (height and total floor area coverage). Check with your city and obtain the necessary permits before you start.
 
Character/Style: Consider whether you want the garden structure to match the architectural characteristics of the main house, or have a distinctly different style. Do you want the building to be a focal point or be tucked away into the back corner? Your new structure should proportionally fit your yard and your other buildings. Determine whether you’d like a shed roof (one slope), a gable roof (a double sloping roof with a ridge in the middle) or another style of roof. Your windows, doors and the type of roof (asphalt shingles, metal or wood shakes) will also greatly influence the style of your accessory structure. For an exterior wall material, you may want to consider horizontal or vertical siding, wood shakes or a newer “green” and long-lasting fiber cement material.  
 
Embellish the Building: To dress up your backyard structure you can add features such as window and door trim, flower boxes, weathervanes and brackets or corbels at the
roof overhang.
 
Building the Structure: Not ready to build your own structure? Consider one of several companies who offer pre-fabricated shed kits. All pieces are pre-cut and ready to assemble.
 
Lisa Sten, CID, CGBP is a Senior Designer at Harrell Remodeling in Mountain View. To learn more about Harrell Remodeling and our monthly workshops, visit  http://www.harrell-remodeling.com. For a list of Certified Interior Designers in your area or to view the CID Pages (a visual directory of CID’s), visit http://www.ccidc.org/cidpages.