Building a garden tool shed: plan for a small wooden shed
Between the lawnmower, the rakes, the bags of soil and the paint cans, garden equipment quickly takes over the garage. Building a garden tool shed, on the model of a small wooden shed, lets you group everything outdoors for a few hundred euros of materials. This plan of about 200 × 150 cm with a sloping roof suits a beginner DIYer, in one to two weekends.
The dimensions and the location
A 200 × 150 cm shed offers about 3 m² of surface, enough for a lawnmower, tools and a few shelves. The ridge height reaches about 200 cm so you can stand up. Choose a flat, well-drained, accessible spot, away from traffic areas. Before you start, check the local rules: depending on the municipality and the surface, a prior planning declaration may be required for this type of construction.
- Floor area: 200 × 150 cm
- Ridge height: about 200 cm
- Sloping roof: a single slope toward the back to drain the rain
- Ask at the town hall about the formalities before building
The wood and materials
The timber frame structure (45 × 45 or 60 × 60 mm joists) is clad with boards or planks. Everything must be in autoclave-treated wood class 3 or 4, or protected by a stain: exterior wood in contact with moisture rots quickly without treatment. Budget about 300 to 450 euros of materials depending on the quality of the wood.
- 60 × 60 mm joists for the structure and corners
- 18 to 22 mm thick boards for the walls
- Roof boards or corrugated sheets for the covering
- Bitumen felt for the roof waterproofing
- Stainless steel screws, metal brackets, hinges and a door lock
- Concrete slab or paving blocks for the support
The construction steps
- Prepare a stable base: a concrete slab or terrace blocks laid on compacted soil
- Assemble the rectangular base and the 4 corner posts, checking the plumb with a level
- Attach the top rails that receive the roof frame
- Lay the sloping roof joists and the covering (boards or sheets)
- Clad the walls with the boards, leaving the space for the door
- Hang the door on its hinges and fit the lock
- Apply a stain or oil to all faces before putting it into service
Waterproofing and ventilation
The shed's main enemy is stagnant moisture. The roof must overhang the walls by at least 15 cm and be covered with bitumen felt if you use wooden boards. A gap or grille in the lower part of the walls provides ventilation and prevents the condensation that rusts tools. Raise the shed a few centimeters above the ground so the water drains away.
The budget and tools needed
For this project, budget 300 to 450 euros of materials depending on the quality of the wood and the covering chosen. The tools remain those of the basic DIYer: there is no need to invest in professional equipment. If the frame is cut in-store to the exact dimensions, the site work is greatly reduced.
- Circular saw or jigsaw
- Drill/driver and spirit level
- Tape measure, square and chalk line
- Hammer and crowbar to adjust the boards
- Brush or roller for the finishing stain
Organizing the inside of the shed
Once the shed is built, its interior layout makes it truly useful. Fix shelves and hooks on the walls to hang rakes, shovels and pruners. Store hazardous products (gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides) up high, out of reach of children, and in their original containers. Gasoline mowers store better with the tank almost empty to avoid odors and leak risks.
The mistakes to avoid
- Placing the shed directly on the ground: the wood rots from the bottom up
- Neglecting the roof slope: stagnant water seeps through the covering
- Only treating the wood after assembly: the cut ends remain exposed
- Forgetting the ventilation: moisture condenses and rusts metal tools
Building a garden tool shed takes one to two weekends and a budget of around 300 to 450 euros, for a structure that will last years if the wood is treated. The keys to success: a stable, well-drained base, a sloping, watertight roof and proper ventilation. You free up your garage and group all the garden equipment in one place.