Backyard Shed Ideas: 13 Designs for Storage and Office
The best backyard shed ideas start with what the shed has to hold. A riding mower needs a wide door and a ramp, bikes need a roll-up door and wall space, and a home office needs windows, insulation and a dry, level floor. Below are 13 backyard shed designs, 7 for storage and 6 for offices and studios, with the real floor sizes from each plan.
If your shed is mainly a she shed, art studio or retreat, our she shed and backyard studio ideas guide covers lighting, power and permits in more detail.
How do you choose the right backyard shed?
- List what goes inside, then measure the largest item, such as a mower, a kayak or a desk.
- Pick a door that fits that item. Mowers need a wide double door and a ramp; bikes and carts are easier with a roll-up door.
- Choose the floor size with some free space to move around. Storage sheds fill up faster than you expect.
- Check local rules before you buy lumber. Many towns set size and height limits; see do you need a permit to build a shed.
- Pick a foundation that suits your site and soil, from gravel to concrete. Our shed foundation options guide compares them.
Backyard shed ideas compared
Floor sizes come from the plans. All 13 plans are rated intermediate.
| Design | Floor frame | Floor area | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Log cabin shed with mower ramp | 20' x 12' | 240 sq ft | riding mower, lawn equipment, large storage |
| Workshop shed with deck | 16' x 12' | 192 sq ft | woodworking, tools and lumber |
| Butterfly roof storage shed | 14' x 10' | 140 sq ft | riding mower, wheelbarrow, shelving |
| Pool shed with cabana bay | 14' x 10' | about 82 sq ft enclosed plus open bay | pool equipment, floats, shaded seating |
| Bike shed with roll-up door | 12' x 10' | 120 sq ft | bikes, skis, outdoor gear |
| Clerestory storage shed | 12' x 10' | 120 sq ft | garden tools, mower, bikes |
| Shed with porch | 12' x 8' plus 12' x 4' porch | 96 sq ft plus 48 sq ft porch | garden tools, kayaks, porch seating |
| Cedar studio with clerestory | 16' x 12' | 192 sq ft | office, studio, quiet work room |
| Lap siding office, ribbon window | 12' x 16' | 192 sq ft | office or studio with daylight |
| Black studio with deck | 16' x 12' plus 16' x 4' deck | 192 sq ft | office or creative studio |
| Studio with French doors | 10' x 12' | 120 sq ft | small studio or home office |
| Office with covered porch | 12' x 10' plus 12' x 4' porch | 120 sq ft | small office with porch |
| Office with two-level roof | 12' x 10' | 120 sq ft | small office or studio |
Storage shed ideas
For storage sheds, the door and floor matter more than the roof. Plan for the biggest item first, then add shelves.
Log cabin shed with mower ramp (20' x 12')
Our 20x12 log cabin shed plan is the largest storage shed here, with 240 sq ft of floor and a ramp that adds about 4' 4" in front. It is built for a riding mower and lawn equipment, with room left for garden tools and bikes.
Workshop shed with deck (16' x 12')
The 16x12 workshop shed plan has 192 sq ft inside and a deck and step that add about 4' 5" in front. It is laid out as a backyard woodworking shop with space for tools and lumber.
Butterfly roof storage shed (14' x 10')
A butterfly roof slopes in from both sides to a central valley. Our butterfly roof shed plan uses it on a 140 sq ft shed about 12' tall, with barn doors and room for a riding mower and shelving.
Clerestory storage shed (12' x 10')
The 12x10 clerestory storage shed plan brings daylight in through a row of high windows, so you can find tools without switching on a light. Charcoal board and batten with cedar-stained panels gives it a modern two-tone finish.
Bike shed with roll-up door (12' x 10')
Our bike shed plan has 120 sq ft, a roll-up door and a short ramp of about 3' 9", so bikes, carts and strollers roll straight in. It also works for skis, helmets and outdoor gear.
Pool shed with cabana bay (14' x 10')
The pool storage shed plan splits a 14' x 10' frame into a 9' 4" x 10' storage room for pool equipment and chemicals and a 4' 8" open cabana bay with shade beside the pool.
Shed with porch (12' x 8')
Our 12x8 shed with porch plan adds a 12' x 4' covered porch to a 96 sq ft shed. Use the porch for a chair and potting bench, or to keep kayaks and lake gear out of the rain.
Backyard office and studio shed ideas
An office shed needs more light and a better floor than a storage shed. All six plans below use single-slope or clerestory roofs to bring in daylight from high on the wall.
Black studio with deck and sliding door (16' x 12')
The black office studio with deck plan sets a 192 sq ft studio and a full-width 16' x 4' deck on one 16' x 16' platform. A 6 ft sliding glass door opens the room onto the deck.
Cedar studio with clerestory (16' x 12')
Our cedar studio office plan uses a reverse single-slope roof that rises to a tall back wall with a clerestory window. You get bright light from above and privacy at eye level.
Lap siding office with ribbon window (12' x 16')
The lap siding office studio plan turns the 192 sq ft floor sideways, 12' wide and 16' deep, with a high ribbon window under a single-slope roof that tops out at 11' 6".
Studio with French doors (10' x 12')
For a single desk or easel, our 10x12 studio shed plan gives 120 sq ft with French doors and a transom window under a 24" roof overhang.
Office with covered porch (12' x 10')
The office shed with porch plan adds a 12' x 4' covered porch to a 120 sq ft office on a 12' x 14' platform, with a cedar-tone front and light gray sides.
Office with two-level roof (12' x 10')
Our 12x10 office shed with clerestory plan uses a low front roof and a high rear roof with a ribbon of clerestory windows between them.
Planning to work in your shed year round? Read our backyard office shed insulation and electrical guide before you frame the walls. Compare all designs in our garden shed plans collection and office shed plans collection.
Images are illustrative renders of the plan design.
FAQ
How big should a backyard shed be?
Big enough for your largest item plus room to walk around it. Bikes and garden tools fit in about 120 sq ft, a riding mower with shelving needs about 140 sq ft or more, and a workshop is easier to use at 192 sq ft or larger.
How big should a shed door be?
Measure the widest thing you will move in and add clearance on both sides. Riding mowers usually need a double door and a ramp, while a single door is fine for hand tools.
Do I need a permit to build a shed?
It depends on your town, the shed's floor area and height, and whether it will have power. Check with your local building department before you start.
What is the best roof for a backyard shed?
Single-slope roofs are the simplest to frame and suit modern sheds and offices. Gable and gambrel roofs shed snow well and add storage space above. Our shed roof styles comparison covers the trade-offs.
Can a shed be used as a home office?
Yes, with insulation, a sealed floor, good windows and safe wiring. Check whether your town treats an office shed differently from a storage shed.
About the author: KRMPLANS designs DIY building plans for backyard structures, from chicken coops and sheds to greenhouses and cabins. Each plan is an instant-download PDF with step-by-step drawings, a shopping list and a cut list.
