IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT GARDENERS LUST FOR,

it is a garden shed – one that is not only functional but fancy! Today’s sheds are really tiny houses that hide away the “nuts and bolts” of gardening on the inside, even as they shout to be noticed on the outside.

A shed can be a major focal point in the garden and add value to your home. The hottest trend in sheds is the “She Shed” – not so much a place to store garden equipment but a retreat where a woman can relax, do crafts, paint or just sit with friends and a glass of wine or iced tea and enjoy the garden Some sheds can even be outfitted as a children’s playhouse

If you want to add a garden shed to your backyard, you first need to decide how you want to use the space, so you can determine the type of shed to purchase or build Do you just need a small place to store basic tools? Then a small tool shed will work for you If you are going to store large equipment like wheelbarrows, wagons, or a lawn mower, you will want to consider a bigger storage shed Next, you need to decide the kind of building materials to use for your shed There are options for any budget, including wood, plastic, resin, metal and vinyl Then consider the features you want to include: windows, shelving, potting bench, electricity, flooring, vents, and/or a water source.

A few years ago, my husband, Dan, spent weeks building a wooden garden shed with vinyl siding. He drew a simple diagram for a 12 x 12-foot pole barn design, then got approval and paid for a permit from the Peachtree City Building Department. Yes, you will probably need a permit! We added shelving for supplies, a potting bench, hooks for tools, and filled the remaining open space with our riding lawnmower, wheelbarrows and pots. We added double doors on the side and a ramp to easily move the riding lawn mower in and out of the space Make sure at least one door in your shed is large enough for your oversized equipment! And if you are going to be working in the shed, i e using a portion of it as a potting area for your plants, make sure to include windows and have a light source I hung an LED battery-operated lantern in the shed for lighting.

Even though the interior of our shed is strictly functional, we decided the outside should have an English cottage look to make it a pleasing focal point in the garden I added the “bling” – colorful paint, garden art, window boxes and a raised bed around the shed, filled with shade plants. Even if you don’t take the time to build your own shed, a utilitarian, store-bought shed can be enhanced to look custom when you add a little personality on the outside!

Enjoy these photos of delightful and functional garden sheds that can inspire you to add one to your own outside space You will be the envy of all your gardening friends!