The idea of a garden shed started as a room built in the garden for storage purposes. Recently, it has developed into a place for recreation and enjoying one’s hobbies, like art or photography. Building a garden shed has become a hobby in itself in a way that several publications, like the Australian magazine ‘The Shed,’ started to address this new interest.
As garden pavilions can significantly vary in size and complexity, you can build your own small, simple garden shed or opt for a larger one with windows and electricity. The garden shed can be constructed from various materials like metal, wood, and sometimes plastic.
Check out our selection of gorgeous garden sheds that you will definitely want in your back garden:
1) Woodland Community Garden Shed / Brendan Callander + Jason Pielak + Stella Cheung-Boyland (Vancouver, Canada)
©Dave Delnea Images
Constructed at Woodland Community Garden Club by UBC architecture students, this garden shed is a public gathering place for educational courses. It was designed such that the structure would not cast a shadow on other areas in the garden while being the venue’s center point. The designers used wood for construction, further treated and protected by charred cedar.
This natural means of protection was chosen over chemical treatment for a more eco-friendly approach. Charred cedar also acts as a blackboard for kids and tutors to write on with chalk. The design permits natural light to penetrate the structure deeply and supports the vines, further cooling the shed’s interior.
2) Garden House / Caspar Schols (Eindhoven, the Netherlands)
©Jorrit’t Hoen
The innovative design of this garden shed features wood and glass walls that glide over to cover up or expose the interiors. The owners wished for a place in the garden to invite friends to come over. In addition to that, they wanted to have a suitable place for their grandchildren to paint and play freely. This shed comprises two structures; the inner one is made of glass, and the outer one is made of wood.
The walls can also be moved and relocated to form various layouts for the shed. The pavilion, which contains a bed and a fireplace, utilizes wooden walls to enclose the place in winter, providing warmth. On warm days the wooden walls are left open to reveal the glass walls beyond and let in more light.
3) Garden Shed of Zegenwerp Mansion / DeBossa Architects (the Netherlands)
©Thijs Follet and Joost Pijnenborg
The shed is located in the garden of the historic residence ‘Zegenwerp Mansion.’ The owners wanted a sheltered place in the garden for receptions, feasts, and artistic shows. The design comprises two sections: the first is an open space for socialization, while the second is smaller as it is designated for storing hardware. Both units are mainly built from wood and separated by a firewood storage area. Steel cables and angled beams are used to support the whole structure.
4) The Shadow Shed / Neil Dusheiko (London, UK)
©Agnese Sanvito
The grand black shed has an area of 12 sqm and encompasses a workspace, a kids’ playing area, and a space for yoga practice. The pavilion’s exterior is made of charred cedar, treated to resist fire and mold. The shed’s rich color, texture, and square shape blend well with the landscape and surrounding trees.
The façade facing the garden has two big windows which reveal the lit interior at night like a glowing torch against the dark walls. Additionally, there are shelves, seats, and a desk embraced by the light-colored interior walls, contrasting with the black walls outside.
5) AJ Pavilion / Abraham John Architects (Mumbai, India)
Courtesy of Abraham John Architects. ©Alan Abraham
This garden shed was a pump room built over an underground water reservoir before being revamped into a film production studio lounge. The renovation includes using glass panels for the walls and the ceiling to provide views of the trees above and the surrounding landscape. The 32-square-meter pavilion also comprises a wooden door and other wooden elements that enrich the interior’s aesthetics.
In a Nutshell
As you can see from the examples, constructing a garden shed on your property can be helpful and is not particularly difficult. A garden shed that has been thoughtfully designed can serve as a functional storage area, a pleasant place to work, and a visually appealing setting for your most treasured plants.
You can keep trying, and you may even be able to get a few things done despite the inadequate conditions. The weather may not cooperate, but you still don’t want to spend the day holed up inside your home. A garden shelter is a great way to do outdoor work without getting soaked by rainwater.
