Total Sheds
Buying Guides · 7 min read
Discover the perfect garden shed size for your UK garden with our expert guide. Learn to measure, plan, and pick the ideal dimensions for your needs.
Expert Buying Guide
Finding the perfect garden shed isn't just about style; it's about making sure it fits your space and meets your storage needs. With over 40 years of experience, we'll guide you through the process.
Choosing the right garden shed size is a critical decision that will impact both the functionality of your outdoor space and your satisfaction for years to come. A shed that's too small quickly becomes cluttered and unusable, while one that's too large can dominate your garden and be an unnecessary expense.
At Total Sheds, we've been helping UK homeowners find their perfect garden buildings since 1985. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure you select a shed size that's just right, whether you opt for our Modular Range, a Bespoke Timber design, or a premium Total Composite garden room.
A well-proportioned shed maximises storage without overwhelming your garden footprint.
Consider future needs to avoid outgrowing your shed too quickly. A little extra space now can save a lot of hassle later.
Getting the size right first time prevents costly mistakes, replacements, and frustrating reorganisation down the line.
The right size allows for easy access, organisation, and comfortable use, making your shed a true asset.
Before you even dream about shed styles, you need to know the hard limits of your garden. Accurate measurements are key.
Temporarily clear any obstacles like planters, garden furniture, or low-hanging branches from the area where you plan to place your shed. If you're replacing an old shed, remove it completely.
Tip: Mark out the potential shed footprint with stakes and string to visualise the space more accurately.
Using a long tape measure, determine the maximum width and depth available for your shed. Remember to measure from fixed points like fences or walls. Don't forget to account for roof overhangs which are typically 10-15cm.
Careful: Always allow for at least 60cm (2 feet) of clearance on all sides of the shed for maintenance, painting (if applicable), and proper air circulation to prevent damp.
Measure the width of your garden gate, any narrow paths, or side passages the shed panels will need to pass through. Our <a href="/modular">Modular Range</a> comes in pre-built panels, so ensuring clear access is crucial for a smooth delivery. Minimum gate width for most deliveries is 3 metres.
Tip: Consider if you'll need access for foundation materials or if professional installers for our <a href="/bespoke-timber">Bespoke Timber</a> sheds will have clear access.
What will your shed be used for? This dictates not just the size, but the type of building you need.
Walk around your garden and home, listing every item you intend to store in the shed. Think about garden tools (spades, rakes), lawnmowers, bikes, outdoor furniture cushions, DIY equipment, and even seasonal decorations.
Tip: Categorise items: 'must store', 'would be nice to store', 'might store in the future'.
Will you buy more garden tools? Are your children getting bikes soon? Do you plan any hobbies that require storage like gardening, woodwork, or crafting? Often, it's wise to choose a shed slightly larger than your immediate needs.
Careful: Many customers regret not going one size bigger! A little extra space provides flexibility and prevents clutter later.
If your shed will double as a workshop, potting shed (<a href="/knowledge-centre/potting-shed-installation">Potting Shed Guide</a>), or summer house, you'll need ample room for movement, workbenches, chairs, and natural light from windows. Our <a href="/shop/f-f-8ft-x-5ft-pent-summer-shed-1391">8ft x 5ft Pent Summer Shed</a> is a popular choice for smaller recreational spaces.
Tip: For workshops, consider a shed with higher eaves and strong flooring. A summerhouse might benefit from full-height windows like our <a href="/shop/18ft-x-5ft-pent-summer-house-full-height-window-1457">18ft x 5ft Pent Summer House</a>.
The 8ft x 6ft shed is consistently one of the most popular sizes in the UK. It offers a good balance of storage capacity for typical garden tools and a lawnmower, without taking up an excessive amount of garden space. For example, our <a href="/shop/f-f-8ft-x-12ft-apex-shed-1331">8ft x 12ft Apex Shed</a> offers even more versatile storage.
Generally, most garden sheds and outbuildings do not require planning permission if they meet certain criteria under 'permitted development' rights. The key factor is usually height – if the shed is under 2.5 metres tall and not within 2 metres of a boundary, you're usually fine. Always check with your local council or our <a href="/knowledge-centre">Knowledge Centre</a> for more detailed guidance.
We strongly recommend leaving at least 60cm (2 feet) of clear space around all sides of your shed. This allows for essential maintenance like re-treating timber (if not <a href="/total-composite">Total Composite</a>), cleaning, and proper airflow to prevent damp and rot.
The choice between an Apex and Pent roof often comes down to aesthetics and specific needs. <a href="/knowledge-centre/apex-shed-installation">Apex sheds</a> have a traditional peaked roof, offering more headroom in the centre, while <a href="/knowledge-centre/pent-bbq-shed-assembly-guide">Pent sheds</a> have a single sloping roof, ideal for placing against a wall or fence and generally appearing more modern. Our <a href="/shop/f-f-10ft-x-6ft-pent-shed-418">10x6 Pent Shed</a> is a great example of a space-saving design.
With your measurements and needs in mind, explore our extensive range of high-quality, UK-manufactured garden sheds. From compact storage to spacious workshops, we have a solution for every garden.
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