However, there's no reason that a shed can't be well-designed and solidly constructed--a building that actually enhances the beauty of your yard, home and neighborhood. If this is the type of backyard building you've been looking for, your search is over. Presented here are three attractive structures that offer much more than just storage space. Each building can easily be adapted for use as a potting shed, workshop, children's playhouse, home office or retreat to write the great American novel.

If you are inspired to add one of these structures to your yard, mail-order building plans are available for the Adirondack Cabin and Timber Garden Shed. The Solar Shed is sold as an easy-to-assemble kit. However, before getting started, be sure to submit the plans to the local building department and get a building permit.

The design of this cabin was inspired by the 100-year-old log buildings at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Lake Mountain, New York. It features a massive log frame and Japanese-influenced details to create a structure that's both rustic and refined.

A set of detailed building plans ($49.95) is available from Better Barns, a Connecticut-based shed-building company. The Adirondack Cabin shown here was built and installed by Better Barns for about $18,000.

Construction details. The 12x12-ft. cabin is framed with 10-in.-dia. red-pine logs. However, unlike most log- or timber-framed buildings, the exterior walls of this cabin are set inside of the log frame. As a result, the peeled pine logs are visible from both inside and outside the building.

To complement the rustic look of the large logs, the cabin's wall studs are chunky 4x4 studs (not skinny 2x4s), and the roof rafters are cut from rough-sawn, full-dimension 2x6s.

The walls are sided with rough-sawn, tongue-and-groove 1x6 cedar, which is nailed vertically to the 4x4 framing. Traditional barn-door hardware was used to create the sliding door, which glides open to reveal a 48-in.-dia. round window on the back wall. In keeping with the cabin's simple, clean lines, a pair of modest-sized decks was built leading up to the entrance. Decks are more attractive and functional than a set of stairs and they create a small seating area.

The gable roof is topped with architectural-style.phphalt shingles. But on the inside it's framed to resemble a wood-shingled roof: Spaced sheathing was nailed to the rafters and then topped with lauan plywood. After a layer of felt underlayment was stapled in place, the shingles were nailed down. It costs a bit more to construct a roof in this manner, but the results are well worth it--and totally appropriate for this unique cabin.

Talk about versatile. The Phoenix Solar Shed is part greenhouse/part storage building, and it's designed with enough flexibility to fit comfortably into any yard. The saltbox-style shed is available from Handy Home Products as an easy-to-assemble kit. All wood parts are precut, and even the nails and screws are included; you supply the paint and roof shingles. A floor-frame kit ($215), which contains precut joists and plywood subfloor, is sold separately.

The basic Phoenix Solar Shed ($1,100 to $1,200) is an 8x10-ft. building with an all-glass roof on one slope. But, you can easily enlarge the building?in 4-ft. sections?with a shed-extender kit. For example, to increase the glass area, order the glass-roof extender ($425); for more storage space, add a solid-roof extender ($225). We added one solid-roof extender to create a 10x12-ft. shed.

This flexibility lets you create just the right amount of interior sunlight and shade, while keeping the shed within your budget and space requirements.

Construction details. The numbered parts go together like a giant puzzle. The assembly will also go quicker if you erect the shed on a level spot. Our shed was built on top of a pair of pressure-treated 4x4s laid on a level bed of compacted gravel. If you live in a cold-weather region, you might be required to dig down to the frost line and pour concrete footings or piers.

The floor frame was assembled first and fastened to the 4x4s; then the plywood subfloor was nailed down. Next, the exterior walls were nailed together on the ground and raised up on the floor. The roof trusses were also assembled on the ground, then lifted into place on top of the walls.

The oriented-strand-board (OSB) roof sheathing went down next, followed by four 20x70-in. roof windows. The aluminum-frame windows fit neatly between rafters for a no-fuss installation.

This 10x14-ft. Timber-Frame Garden Shed has a rugged, yet charming style that will complement any yard or garden. Designed by New York-based architect Ira Grandberg, it features a post-and-beam frame, pine siding, dual sliding doors and a brick-in-sand floor. However, the most interesting characteristic is that you can fill any of the bays within the timber frame with a choice of materials. We enclosed the frame with tongue-and-groove pine boards and barn-sash windows. Other options include: a recessed box for firewood storage; tilt-out bins for bags of seed or fertilizer; and a hutch for trash cans.

The materials to build this shed cost $2,500, including the shingles and brick pavers. Plans are available for $50.

Construction details. The framework is built of pressure-treated pine timbers: 6x6s for the walls, and 4x4s for the roof rafters. The 6x6 posts and beams were joined with mortise-and-tenon joints, but you can save time by joining the 6x6s with metal timber-framing hardware.

Our shed was built on a sloping lot, so the foundation was made by stacking three 6x6s on top of a bed of gravel. The top course of timbers served as the mudsill. Mortises were cut into the sill to accept tenons that were milled into the bottom ends of the posts.

The only angle cuts in the entire frame were made on the roof. The 4x4 rafters are mitered to 40 degrees where they meet the 2x6 ridge board, and the collar ties, which are screwed across the rafters, are cut at 50 degrees.

10/1/2003

Going beyond the “shed” to the Stylish Backyard Shed – Get more than just storage.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by lack of storage for those mounting collections of who knows what, a backyard shed ( also known as a backyard barn) is generally the place to begin looking. Whatever the need a storage shed is the best solution. The problem that is often overlooked is aesthetics. Whatever type of storage shed you install on your property, you will be looking at for many years no matter how far of in the corner you place it. This issue doesn’t change even if you go with a storage shed plan and built your own; aesthetics count. What you build, you will see. Everyday!

A storage shed can be well-designed and well constructed, making it practical and beautiful. If you are going to invest, even a small amount in some type of storage shed –you will want to actually enhance the beauty of your property. You will be glad you did and so will your neighbors because they too will be looking at your backyard shed everyday. If this is the type of backyard barn solution you’ve wanted your search is over. Think about a storage shed that offers much more than just storage space: a backyard shed can easily be adapted for use as a potting shed, workshop, children's playhouse, home office or retreat to write or paint in peace and quiet.
Keep in mind, the word “sheds” has become a catch-all term but at one time it referred to outbuildings smaller than 10 foot by 10 foot.

The word shed then, referred to the size of the structure not the primarily uses for what it stored. Sheds have taken all manner of styles such as:
Portable shed
Metal storage shed
Machine shed
Plastic storage shed
Suncast shed
Garage shed
Utility shed
…and so on.

Today of course, yard barns such as those we build at Better Barns serve a unique range of purposes and provide property owners with all manner of storage in beautiful designs which truly capture the proportions of the classic New England barn. Yard barns serve an extraordinary range of uses such as, extra office, artist studio, meditation area, garden or greenhouse, children’s play house, writer’s studio and on it goes.

Sheds can be elaborate but generally speaking they have in the past, tended to be strictly practical, often made of metal and sold as a pre-fabricated structures delivered to one’s property on a truck. That is changing rapidly. Talk about versatile; the backyard barn is designed with enough flexibility to fit comfortably into any yard. The installation of widows, both sizes and amounts, lets you create just the right amount of interior sunlight and shade, while keeping the storage shed within your budget. In other words, you can have practicality, flexibility and a beautiful and stylish backyard shed, all in one. But you need to plan ahead.

Garages just don't seem big enough for cars, bikes, the lawn mower, the snow blower, garbage cans, recycling bins, plus all your garden tools and supplies. That's why backyard sheds have almost become a necessity. There are basically 4 styles of wooden storage sheds you can build.  The barn or gambrel shed style (also called a “Dutch Front”).  The gable end storage shed also called the Colonial style.  The saltbox backyard shed. And of course the Cabana style which is most often used in a pool setting.
The most common and popular style is the Colonial style.  It offers the most storage and versatility of any style shed you could build.  Because of the nature of the roof trusses, this barn will provide lots of storage space up above your main floor.  The gable style shed offers reasonable storage in the ceiling area. 

Perhaps the most intricate to build is the saltbox yard barn. This shed offers probably the most distinctive character of style.  The roof truss system provides for modest storage space up in the ceiling.

Pre-Planning your storage shed.
When you decide to purchase or build a backyard shed, invest some time considering what other uses the shed might serve in terms of storage and extra space. Many people find themselves in need of a storage shed to accommodate items such as a lawn mower, patio furniture, and pool supplies. However, sheds can be planned to serve as a very functional and stylish workshop or a combination of both storage and workshop.

A tractor or riding mower can be well protected from environmental elements with an outdoor shed designed to house your landscaping equipment. Heavy-duty flooring and ramps will help to properly support mowing tractors. If you are an  avid gardener you will really enjoy a backyard shed that offers enough storage space for supplies and provides an area in which you can begin to start planting bulbs or repot  plants. An optional workbench allows for easy access to garden supplies and a more comfortable potting and transplanting area.

A professional artist or avid hobby enthusiast may find an outdoor storage shed provides a great space for use as small studio. Optional shelving will help to organize and store supplies. Whatever reason you find yourself in need of an outdoor shed, it is important to think through uses.

Site Selection.
Selecting the proper location for your storage shed  or backyard shed is just as important as choosing a shed and will in part be determined by the amount of property you have to build upon and the size of the shed you want. Where you intend to place the shed should be decided before you build the shed and should be placed where it will be complimentary to the existing surroundings. The shed should also be placed where it will be convenient to access. Your backyard shed should blend nicely into the existing landscape. In addition to selecting a ground area that is flat and not prone to flooding, you should try to avoid placing your shed in the middle of a high-traffic area. You must allow enough room around the shed to maneuver equipment you store inside.

The beauty and practicality of shed windows.
When you chose your shed design and various features, carefully consider windows. Be sure to balance visual appeal with the design of your yard barn. Transom windows over a double door on the gable end looks spectacular. Windows make your backyard shed more attractive, especially if you add flower boxes.  Flower boxes make a beautiful and dramatic difference in your shed’s appearance. Flower boxes are available in a variety of sizes and materials. Some have the elegant look of cast iron are durable and attractive on any storage shed

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