All prices are displayed inclusive of VAT.

Garden Buildings Ipswich - The Best Spot for Your Shed

Garden sheds are a staple of the British home – it’s reported that over half the homes in the UK have one. You can use a garden shed for storage, and not just for garden furniture and equipment but also for any outdoor toys and home DIY materials.

You can also use a shed as a hobby space (particularly for ‘messier’ hobbies such as art or crafts) and some have been converted into makeshift offices, as the pandemic increased the need to work from home.

However, one question which all new owners need the answer to is – where exactly should you put your shed in your garden? Here Lumberjacks, who can supply a wide variety of sheds, summerhouses and other garden buildings from our Ipswich base, identify four factors which should be a factor in its final location.

 

  1. Identify Why You Need A Shed

The positioning of your garden shed may be determined by what use you intend to put it to. If it’s just for storing garden equipment, such as lawn mowers and hand tools, then you may want to position it reasonably close to flower beds and lawns for ease of access.

However, if you have a lot of garden furniture and outdoor cooking equipment for the patio and need somewhere to store it in winter, or whenever it’s not in use, then it may be more convenient to put your shed somewhere relatively close to the house.

 

  1. Consider Accessibility

You also have to think about how easy your shed will be to get to – is there a path up to it? If there isn’t, the ground around it could easily get churned up if there’s a lot of footfall (which could be a nuisance during periods of heavy rain).

If it’s too close to a boundary, there may be accessibility issues anyway – particularly if you ever want to extend your shed in any way or keep something else close to it. You may also need plenty of room if you are manoeuvring large items in and out of the shed, such as patio tables and lawn mowers.

If you leave a little bit of space spare around your shed, you can also keep weeds under control more easily. You will also have room for any ongoing maintenance your shed or garden building needs.

 

  1. Don’t Forget the Weather

Avoid any temptation to put your shed in the middle of the garden, as it will be exposed to wind and rain – particularly if your outdoor space is north-facing. You also need to avoid installing it on an area that floods easily – you want a stable structure for whatever base you have underneath your structure.

You also have to consider water run-off – it may be worth adding a gutter to it to avoid any problems – and you may be able to attach this to a water butt. With Apex sheds the water run-off is in two places, whereas with Pent sheds (flat roofed) it’s all in one direction.

If you are buying a summerhouse rather than a shed and want to get the full benefits of the sun, it should be facing east/southeast for the morning sun, or west/southwest if you mostly enjoy your garden in the evening if you’ve been at work all day. Then again, particularly if you are working in your shed or summerhouse, it may be more comfortable if you structure is in partial shade in the summer months.

However, remember that your plants need sunshine too – so don’t position your shed or summerhouse where it casts a daytime shadow on any prized flowerbeds.

 

  1. Boundary Issues

Sometimes, planning regulations can be a determining factor when it comes to where you put your shed. Although you don’t need planning permission generally, provided it isn’t a self-contained living space or the floorspace is less than 15square metres, putting up a new shed is allowed under what are known as ‘permitted development rights’.

However, you aren’t allowed to erect a new shed less than 2metres from the boundary of your property if the shed is 2.5metres high (or taller). This will help avoid any overlooking or privacy concerns from neighbours.

 

Garden Buildings from Ipswich-based Lumberjacks

At Lumberjacks we stock a wide selection of garden sheds - not just Apex and Pent, but also corner/potting sheds, heavy duty structures, and adaptable buildings.

Note we also currently have some ex-display models with 40% off – for more information check our special offers page - but move quickly as they are selling fast!

If you need any more advice on where to put your shed – as well as the type that’s best suited to your needs (and garden) – then feel free to call us on 01473 461394.