Creative Shed Ideas for your Garden

A garden shed can be much more than just a storage space. Gather some unique and creative shed ideas and designs here with our lovely reader submissions.

By The Mother Earth News Staff
Updated on July 21, 2012
article image
by Barbara and James Stanley
Barbara and James Stanley Hendersonville, N.C. To build this combination potting shed/workshop, the Stanleys purchased a basic playhouse kit and added custom details using salvaged and bargain materials. Inside the shed is a creamy antique tin ceiling purchased from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. A galvanized tin and maple potting bench—complete with cabinets and drawers—was salvaged from a school cafeteria. James even installed wiring and plumbing, so the workshop has electricity and running water.

A garden shed can be much more than just a storage space. Gather some unique and creative shed ideas and designs here with our lovely reader submissions.

We received a terrific group of entries for our 2012 Garden Sheds Showoff contest. You’ll find our 11 favorite garden shed designs in this article. In the “Most Colorful/Decorative” category, the winner of the $500 gift certificate from Lee Valley Tools is Barbara and James Stanley’s charming Crickhollow Cottage in Hendersonville, N.C. In the second category, “Best Use of Repurposed Materials,” the $500 gift certificate from Lee Valley Tools goes to Sharon and Dan Clements of Mount Blanchard, Ohio, who built the beautiful, rustic-looking garden shed using numerous reclaimed building materials.

Most Colorful/Decorative Garden Shed Winner

Barbara and James Stanley; Hendersonville, N.C.
To build this combination potting shed/workshop (featured image above), the Stanleys purchased a basic playhouse kit and added custom details using salvaged and bargain materials. Inside the shed is a creamy antique tin ceiling purchased from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. A galvanized tin and maple potting bench — complete with cabinets and drawers — was salvaged from a school cafeteria. James even installed wiring and plumbing, so the workshop has electricity and running water.

Best Use of Repurposed Materials Garden Shed Winner

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