In the words of the comic book character "The Tick", "You can't blow up the world! That's where I keep all my stuff!" Keeping your stuff from overflowing your house, your yard and your garage is the function of a storage unit, or shed. There are a range of sizes from tiny 5x6' units up to moving trailer sized 14x31' units, plus what people build on their own after visiting Home Depot.
Different people have different needs. Logically speaking, owners of a small garden or lawn will need only a smaller type of shed, while those with a bigger land area to work with may require a larger shed to accommodate all their storage needs. However, some people may prefer to buy a larger storage shed as they anticipate or prepare for their own personal and work-related needs along with their family's escalating accumulation of goods with each passing year; such people perceive a long-term investment through making a smart, one-time purchase which is absolutely worth it.
On the other hand, those who are renting have to confer with and gain permission from the house owner prior to making a clear-cut decision and actual purchase of a storage shed. Considering that you are entitled to take the shed with you when you move, you may even buy the largest allowable shed, provided that it would possibly fit into another rentable space if and when you do move again.
No matter what shed you get, you need to obey your local zoning ordinances. Talk to your county or city commissioner about what's allowed and what permits are required, and how close the shed can go to the property line. It's also worthwhile to take your neighbors into consideration.
As to getting the right size of shed, here are some tips to keep in mind; your limiting factor is floor space. Put emphasis on things that can be stored vertically, like couches and other furniture. Look at ways to nest things for stacking to conserve floor space. If you have to get at your belongings, make sure there's a walkway in the storage area, also make sure that your biggest item will fit through the doorway to the shed (consider one with double doors if possible).
Also look at modular storage solutions, like internal shelving units, or "corner sheds" that wrap around an existing one, or lockers that can be added to the interior or exterior to help organize belongings. An extreme solution is a mezzanine or deck over your shed to get a double layer of storage.
No matter what your storage needs are, getting your lawn and other tools organized is a big part of spring cleaning. Take the time to plan around what you've got to store and make sure you get the shed that meets your storage needs.
Different people have different needs. Logically speaking, owners of a small garden or lawn will need only a smaller type of shed, while those with a bigger land area to work with may require a larger shed to accommodate all their storage needs. However, some people may prefer to buy a larger storage shed as they anticipate or prepare for their own personal and work-related needs along with their family's escalating accumulation of goods with each passing year; such people perceive a long-term investment through making a smart, one-time purchase which is absolutely worth it.
On the other hand, those who are renting have to confer with and gain permission from the house owner prior to making a clear-cut decision and actual purchase of a storage shed. Considering that you are entitled to take the shed with you when you move, you may even buy the largest allowable shed, provided that it would possibly fit into another rentable space if and when you do move again.
No matter what shed you get, you need to obey your local zoning ordinances. Talk to your county or city commissioner about what's allowed and what permits are required, and how close the shed can go to the property line. It's also worthwhile to take your neighbors into consideration.
As to getting the right size of shed, here are some tips to keep in mind; your limiting factor is floor space. Put emphasis on things that can be stored vertically, like couches and other furniture. Look at ways to nest things for stacking to conserve floor space. If you have to get at your belongings, make sure there's a walkway in the storage area, also make sure that your biggest item will fit through the doorway to the shed (consider one with double doors if possible).
Also look at modular storage solutions, like internal shelving units, or "corner sheds" that wrap around an existing one, or lockers that can be added to the interior or exterior to help organize belongings. An extreme solution is a mezzanine or deck over your shed to get a double layer of storage.
No matter what your storage needs are, getting your lawn and other tools organized is a big part of spring cleaning. Take the time to plan around what you've got to store and make sure you get the shed that meets your storage needs.
About the Author:
Florin Ciobanu enjoys gardening and being outdoors and shares a site that offers ideas and solutions to your various wood storage shed needs at OutdoorsStorageSheds.com