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The Spruce / Amelia Manley
Outdoor storage sheds provide additional space to stash things, such as garden tools, lawn care equipment, off-season patio furniture, trash bins, firewood, and pool toys. "Almost anything that can handle a fluctuation in temperature and humidity can be stored in an unheated or -cooled shed," says Danny Lipford, host and executive producer of the nationally syndicated home improvement TV show Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford.
With guidance from Lipford in mind, we researched shed designs of various sizes and materials.
Best Overall
Rubbermaid 7 ft. x 7 ft. Resin Storage Shed
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Exceptionally durable
Weather-resistant and rustproof
Can be painted any color
Ultra-strong roof
Interior features sold separately
When it comes to outdoor storage, it's hard to go wrong with Rubbermaid. This shed is made of exceptionally durable, weather-resistant, rustproof resin. The material is super-easy to clean and can be painted any color, so you can ensure a perfect match with the siding on your house.
This sturdy shed boasts an ultra-strong roof that stands up to torrential downpours and heavy snowfall. Built-in ventilation provides year-round airflow, and strategically placed upper windows help illuminate the interior for better visibility.
Interior features, such as shelves and hooks for organization, are sold separately, but Rubbermaid has lots of compatible accessories for customizing the inside. With minimal tools and individual parts that need to be connected, the medium-large shed is easy to assemble by yourself. All things considered, we believe the price range is right on point.
Price at time of publish: $1,100
Best Budget
U-Max Outdoor Metal Storage Shed with Single Lockable Door
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Amazon
Reasonably priced
Strong and weather-resistant
Built-in door lock
Sharp edges
Intricate installation
Generally, metal storage sheds are easier to assemble, sturdier, and more durable than wooden sheds. They're also more cost-effective, which is why, if you are on a budget, the U-Max Outdoor Storage Shed is an excellent choice that shouldn't break the bank. We note that the interior is large enough to store large outdoor equipment, such as a snowblower or a large lawn mower.
This unit is available in four sizes. The smallest (5 x 3 feet) costs less than $110; the largest (8 x 6 feet), under $400. It's made of incredibly strong and weather-resistant steel and features a user-friendly sliding door with a built-in lock. The slanted roof ensures that water and snow don't build up on top.
The instructions require at least two people to set this up, and assembly can take several hours. (Be mindful of the sharp steel edges.) Note that the roof is assembled in one direction only: We strongly recommend not placing this shed adjacent to your home, because water can run off into the foundation. Also, it includes a perimeter upon which the walls rest, so select a flat location, such as an existing concrete slab, to prevent critters invading from underneath.
Price at time of publish: $170
Best Compact
Keter Manor Resin Outdoor Storage Shed Kit
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Amazon
Waterproof and fade-resistant
Paintable, wood-like texture
Air vent and window
No shelving
For something compact, consider the Keter Manor Shed. Ideal for small outdoor spaces, it's just 4 feet wide and 6 feet long, with a 133.2-cubic-foot storage capacity—about the size of 10 tall wardrobe boxes. (There's also a larger version, if you need something bigger.)
It's made of steel-reinforced resin, so it should hold up in any climate, during all four seasons, for years to come. The resin is waterproof and resists fading, with a wood-like texture you can paint to match your siding.
We like the lockable shed's ventilation vent at the roof's peak, which helps circulate air to keep excess moisture from building up in hot weather, and the built-in window, which you can position on either side wall. We would have preferred that this shed kit come with interior shelving, but you can add what you need after assembling it.
Installation mostly consists of driving screws into plastic, so a power drill or screwdriver can come in handy. Expect putting it together to take three hours or more.
Price at time of publish: $599
Best Extra-Large
Handy Home Products Majestic Do-It-Yourself 8 ft. x 12 ft. Outdoor Wood Storage Shed
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Walk-in design, with headroom
Additional overhead storage
10-year warranty
Alternatives can cost less
Shingles and flooring not included
If you need a larger shed, Handy Home Products is the way to go. The Majestic measures 8 feet wide and 12 feet long. It offers 768 cubic feet—almost the interior of a school bus—of storage space, with an additional 48 square feet (larger than a king-size bed) of overhead storage.
Due to the substantial size, this outdoor shed is costly, and the price doesn't include roof shingles and flooring; you have to buy and install those materials separately. Still, the 10-year warranty can give you peace of mind.
Expect to devote a long weekend to assembling this outdoor storage shed. Professional installation may be available from The Home Depot.
Price at time of publish: $1,999
Best for Garden Tools
MCombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet Garden Tool Shed
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Removable shelves
Adjustable feet
Sloping asphalt roof
Easy assembly
Small capacity
Not walk-in
As the name suggests, the MCombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet is more like a cabinet than a walk-in shed, but you should have plenty of space for trowels, rakes, pruners, gloves, watering cans, and the like.
This unit is made of solid fir, polished to a rustic appearance. A waterproof sloping asphalt roof is designed to prevent water accumulation on top. The unit comes with two interior shelves, which you can remove or adjust as needed. The floor can keep critters out, and you can anchor the structure to the ground with included pegs. The kit also includes six adjustable feet to ensure stability on uneven ground.
We like that assembling this attractive outdoor storage shed takes only a few hours, but we also note that you may wish to apply some type of finish to the wood to maintain it, just as you would any other wooden structure exposed to the elements.
Price at time of publish: $370
Best for Lawn Equipment
Lifetime 8 ft. x 5 ft. Outdoor Storage Shed
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Five shelves included
Skylights and vents
10-year warranty
Alternatives cost less
For lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers, sprinklers, and other lawn-care equipment, we recommend the plastic Lifetime Outdoor Shed. The large-capacity design offers nearly 500 cubic feet (about half a school bus) of interior storage space, and unlike many similar units, it comes with five shelves, plus peg strips and tool hooks.
We were wondering about the sturdiness of the floor, but the manufacturer says it can safely bear 35 pounds per square inch—that should be enough for any typical lawn or garden machine. As for wind resistance, the manufacturer says it can withstand up to 65 mph.
This feature-rich storage unit also has hinged doors, as well as two skylights and two vents to ensure natural lighting and ventilation. You can place the built-in window, which opens halfway, on either side.
Owing to its size, the manufacturer recommends a site measuring at least 8 x 8 feet. Professional installation is available.
The price is steep, but we think it's worth it considering the size and ample features. Plus, it's backed by a 10-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $1,400
Best for Patio Furniture
Duramax Building Products Woodbridge Plus 10.5 ft. W x 8 ft. D Plastic Storage Shed
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Double lockable doors
Generous capacity
15-year warranty
Lock not included
Lacks floor
If you're storing patio furniture, you need a larger enclosure, like the Woodbridge Plus. This outdoor shed is 10.5 feet wide and 8 feet long, with an interior capacity of 481 cubic feet (a little less than half a school bus). The double doors open outward, making it easy to move out-of-season furniture inside, and the handles are lockable to prevent theft. The manufacturer claims the structure, when properly anchored, can resist winds up to 100 mph.
Built-in ventilation encourages airflow. (There also are three windows, but they don't open.) Depending on the furniture material, TV host Danny Lipford recommends adding a dehumidifier to prevent moisture damage. The vertical columns between the panels can accept hooks for additional storage capacity.
Just a heads up: You need to install your own plywood floor, or another sturdy foundation material. The manufacturer also suggests that you design your foundation not only to elevate the shed but also to help with water flow.
Price at time of publish: $1,429
Best for Waste Bins
Homspark Horizontal Storage Shed
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Waterproof and fade-resistant
Easy-access, lockable lid
Easy to assemble
Too small for some purposes
Not walk-in
Whether your homeowner's association requires it, or you just prefer to keep your trash and recycling bins out of sight, Homspark's Horizontal Storage Shed is a great choice. We should note that the 26-cubic-foot capacity (smaller than a single-size bed) is likely too small to fit larger bins, but it's just the thing for compact curbside cans.
This unit is made of high-density polyethylene, a super-durable, waterproof, fade-resistant thermoplastic. The waterproofing is enhanced by drainage grooves on the lid along with moisture-resistant resin.
We also like that the product has sliding doors for easy access, as well as an easy-access, lockable lid.
It's a breeze to assemble, with minimal tools, and requires no foundation or slab, although we always recommend placing this on level ground. We also note that the lid hinges may not last.
Price at time of publish: $299
Best for Firewood
Suncast Modernist 6 ft. x 5 ft. Plastic Vertical Storage Shed with Floor Kit
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Easy-access double doors
Floor kit included
10-year warranty
Alternatives can cost less
May leak more than alternatives
For firewood, consider the Suncast Modernist Shed. The compact yet spacious vertical design boasts a capacity of 200 cubic feet (about the capacity of eight hot tubs), while sturdy double doors allow easy access to your logs and kindling. The door handles are conveniently lockable, but you have to buy the lock separately.
This outdoor storage solution has a steel frame, with multi-wall resin panels for reinforced strength and long-lasting durability. Large transom windows let the light in, and vents circulate the air.
Unlike many others, the kit comes with a floor, so you have all the necessary materials to assemble it. However, adding the weather stripping tacks on an additional hour or two. Even with the weather stripping, we've noted that this shed may leak after heavy rainstorms.
Upwards of $1,000 is a lot for the size, but Suncast backs it with a 10-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $1,270
Best for Pool Toys
Kinying Outdoor Weather Resistance 4 ft. 2 in. W x 2 ft. 5 in. D Resin Vertical Tool Shed
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Durable and weather-resistant
Lockable French doors
Paintable exterior
Lock not included
Shelves sold separately
A cabinet-style storage unit is ideal for pool toys. We like the Kinying Vertical Tool Shed, which, as the name suggests, takes advantage of vertical space while minimizing its outdoor footprint. It's 51.5 cubic feet (about the volume of two hot tubs) and it can store plenty of inner tubes, noodles, and anything else for water fun.
This mini shed's double wall resin panels ensure long-lasting stability, waterproofness, and resistance to all types of weather, and you can paint the material to match your siding or pool house. We like that the door hinge areas are lipped to keep water out, and that the unit comes with its own floor.
Though you have to buy your own lock, we appreciate that the French doors have lockable handles. Also, we would have preferred that the unit include shelves instead of you having to purchase them separately.
Price at time of publish: $487
Best Portable
YardStash The YardStash IV: Heavy Duty, Space Saving Outdoor Storage Shed Tent
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Courtesy of Amazon
Budget-friendly
Tear-resistant and weather-ready
Carry bag included
Not walk-in
Small capacity
Interested in something you can move around your yard or take on the go? The YardStash shouldn't disappoint. This portable, tent-like storage solution folds up compactly and comes with a carrying bag for easy transport.
Its tear-resistant, weather-ready vinyl is designed to safeguard garden tools, bicycles, lawn mowers, pool toys, and other medium-size items from water, sunlight, dirt, and pests. Fabric flaps cover the zippers to ensure that they last.
Although you can purchase the YardStash III with a similar storage capacity, we recommend this model because of the tougher tarp, which is designed for more extreme weather. We recommend staking it to the ground for maximum stability.
For under $200, we think the high-quality design is a steal.
Price at time of publish: $190
Our number-one pick is the Rubbermaid 7 ft. x 7 ft. Resin Storage Shed. The large-capacity design is made of waterproof, rustproof, and paintable resin, and you can customize it with the brand's shelves, hooks, and other interior accessories. If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with the steel U-Max Outdoor Storage Shed, which comes in four sizes.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Storage Shed
Type
Some of the best storage sheds come pre-assembled, but many options that you can buy online are available in kit form, like the Keter Manor Resin Outdoor Storage Shed Kit. That means you have to put it together at home.
Beyond that, you can find larger walk-in units and cabinet-style solutions, as well as storage buildings with pointed shingle roofs and vertical options with sloping covers, like the Suncast Modernist Vertical Storage Shed.
Size and Capacity
When browsing options, think about what you need to store and how large a unit you need. Shed capacities range from roughly 25 cubic feet (about the capacity of a hot tub) to 500 or more cubic feet (roughly half the interior of a school bus), as with the Lifetime Outdoor Storage Shed.
The best backyard sheds for patio furniture, lawn mowers, bicycles, and other sizable items are on the larger side. On the other hand, if you're storing gardening tools and pool toys, a cabinet-style or tent-type unit should do.
Material
If you're looking for a permanent solution, we recommend metal outdoor storage sheds such as the all-steel U-Max Outdoor Storage Shed. Metal sheds tend to be the most durable and weather-resistant. However, they tend to be difficult to assemble, taking many people and time.
A more affordable, though permanent, solution is a storage shed constructed of resin, as with the Rubbermaid Resin Storage Shed. This synthetic material is waterproof, rustproof, and paintable in any hue to go with the siding on your house. "It's always best, in my opinion, to match the exterior of the home," says our consulted expert, home improvement expert and TV host Danny Lipford. So if your home is a rustic wood style, you could opt for an all-wood product such as the MCombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet.
In any case, year-round weather resistance and long-lasting durability are key.
Assembly and Additional Materials
Pay attention to the assembly requirements. As noted, most sheds that you order online need to be put together at home, though some are more complex and time-intensive than others. Many include floors and can be positioned on level ground without an added foundation, but some manufacturers strongly recommend at least a concrete slab for maximum stability.
Some sheds include all of the necessary parts to assemble and anchor the product but may require the use of power tools. Some kits lack key structural components. For instance, the Handy Home Products Majestic Shed doesn't include roof shingles or a floor, so you have to buy and install those materials separately.
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What is the best material for an outdoor storage shed?
According to Lipford, the best materials are low-maintenance, weather-ready materials such as resin, vinyl, or stainless steel. "The foundation is always better if it's concrete instead of wood," he says. "If wood is used, it needs to be weather-resistant, like pressure-treated wood."
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What size outdoor storage shed should you buy?
A shed should be big enough to fit everything you want to put inside, with some wiggle room for additional items you may want to store down the road. "Consider what you will be storing in your shed, and think realistically about the space needed; then, make it bigger than you think you need," Lipford says. "You will find that the items you store in your shed will tend to increase over time."
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How do you level an outdoor storage shed’s foundation?
A pre-leveled foundation saves you time and effort. You need a level tool used in construction. Depending on the material, you also may need to know how to mix and pour concrete.
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How important is ventilation in an outdoor storage shed?
Air flow becomes more necessary in a large walk-in shed, since heat and condensation can build up and cause problems such as rust, or volatility with gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment and chemicals. If you plan to use your shed for this purpose, look for buildings with windows or venting that allow for a cross-flow of air. Sheds with windows help you locate your stored equipment.
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What should you not store in a shed?
You can store most outdoor-intended materials and tools in an outdoor storage shed. However, if you live in a cold-weather climate, take a few extra steps with gasoline-powered tools, such as draining the gas at the end of the season or adding a fuel stabilizer.
Keep potting mixes and fertilizers tightly closed. If you overwinter bulbs or seeds, store them in sealed bags or in containers with tightly fitting lids.
Organic materials, such as straw, and soft materials, such as padded cushions and furniture coverings, attract small rodents. If you can't secure those in plastic bins, plan to store them elsewhere.
Check labels for chemical herbicides and pesticides. Most manufacturers recommend a temperature range for storage and may require a warmer or cooler location.
Finally, we strongly recommend that you not overwinter your living plants in an outdoor shed. Store them in a heated garage, basement, enclosed porch, or greenhouse.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and editor who has written about outdoor products for The Spruce since 2019. For this article, she interviewed home improvement expert and TV host Danny Lipford of Today's Homeowner, who offered buying tips and insight into sizes and materials. After considering dozens of units from various brands, Holland narrowed the list down to durable, functional, easy-to-assemble sheds with notable features.
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