Garden Sheds Are Not Just Functional, But Stylish As Well

A trend that I’m seeing this year with respect to backyards is a return to vogue for backyard garden sheds. And it seems that the run of the mill pre-built wooden and metal sheds are not what most customers have in mind. No, the new trend this year is custom garden sheds – storage buildings with style are what people want this season.

Homeowners who are shopping for garden sheds this year are looking for something to make a statement, something to continue their landscaping theme, or a shed which custom fits their backyard hobby. The simple shed-in-a-box with four walls a roof, and a window with nail on shutters is no longer sufficient.

Some of my clients want to make their garden shed into a design element that carries on an old English garden cottage theme, some want a rustic hunting lodge theme, others are looking for a zen garden contemporary style. On the other end of the scale are clients who want to install a totally green eco shed, made with recycled materials, and customized to take advantage of all off-grid components possible – a solar panel and backup batter to run the lights, and a multi barrel rain water system to collect runoff from the sheds roof and gutter system.

One call I received was for a particularly whimsical style of shed, recently made popular on the reality series ‘Jon and Kate plus 8′. The 3 little crooked houses that they had built struck a chord with many people, and that is the new most popular request – adding some whimsy and imaginative style to backyard sheds is on the top of the list.

The other clients that are looking for customized backyard sheds are concerned about functionality more than style. The green thumb house owners are looking for a place to store all their gardening tools and landscaping supplies, as well as provide a space to do some potting and start seedlings in the spring. There are many others with different hobbies that would like a custom built studio for such things as stained glass, pottery, and painting. All of these are ideal uses for a cute backyard garden shed.

Even though they are pretty small investments compared to your house and even the expense that many people invest in their landscaping, garden sheds can add an incredible amount of style and function to your backyard. Though the popularity has ebbed and flowed over the years, and utility versus style have also flipped back and forth as to primary focus, there is no question that garden sheds will be a popular backyard fixture for years to come.