The best garden shed ideas for a beautiful and functional space

Most yards have a classic garden shed. However, it doesn’t need to be a crusty old frame full of spiders, hard-to-reach corners, and unused equipment. In fact, a garden shed can be a stylish and functional addition to your home. Why not show off your design personality with one of these creative garden shed ideas?

What can I do with my garden shed?

There are many ways to use your garden shed—from housing your lawnmower to providing a fun spot for the kids to play in. The options are limitless! But to kick-start your shed-building project, here are some popular DIY shed design ideas in Australia to transform that empty grassy space in your backyard. 

Idea #1: Log cabin shed

A rustic log cabin shed, ideal for storage or as a cozy workspace in your garden, combining functionality with natural charm.

Our first idea is to create the look of a log cabin as an adorable way to introduce some rustic charm into your garden. A log cabin shed will store all your garden tools while adding a feature piece to your yard. The natural wood colour will suit every outdoor look!

Idea #2: Open-concept shed

An open-concept shed that blends utility and relaxation, offering a bright and airy space for gardening, hobbies, or quiet retreats.

Open-plan can also apply to the shed. Remove the door and a wall of your shed to create a look that feels like an open bar. You can hang your tools neatly and create easy access. An open-concept shed is a unique take on the modern garden shed aesthetic.

Idea #3: The backyard barn

This robust steel backyard barn by Easyshed is designed for houseowners needing ample space for stables, storage, and shelter (Source: Easyshed)

A backyard barn-style shed is a fantastic choice for those with ample garden space, offering both functionality and charm. It provides plenty of room to store essentials, just like a traditional farm barn, and can serve as a practical addition to your outdoor area. 

Even if you don’t need extensive storage, a scaled-down version can still be an eye-catching feature that adds character to your property. For smaller outdoor spaces, you can customise the size to create a compact yet stylish "mini barn" that perfectly suits your needs.

Idea #4: The keep-it-small shed

This small but versatile garden shed by Easyshed is perfect for storing bikes, toys, and outdoor essentials (Source: Easyshed)

This small backyard shed brings a minimalist approach to your outdoor oasis. Still a handy storage facility, the classic design is not only functional but also a great element to have in your backyard. Keep the shed sleek and modern to disguise it from looking like a normal shed.

Idea #5: A shed with a matching fence

A charming shed with a matching fence creates a cohesive and stylish look for this backyard.

We're huge fans of matching wood elements in any form of design. A matching fence around your shed is a great way to create storage in a space without making things look like an obvious storage shed. This garden shed design idea can double as a playhouse for the kids; Just make sure you aren’t keeping any sharp or dangerous gardening tools in there.

Idea #6: The old wooden shed

An old wooden shed surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers, adding rustic charm to the garden.

Leaning into the old wooden shed look can be a great decorative element and standalone feature piece. There is still enough space for storage, and things aren’t so degraded that they become an eyesore. Striking the line between stylishly worn and decrepit is the goal here!

Idea #7: Garden shed bar

A creative garden shed bar setup, perfect for hosting outdoor gatherings and enjoying a relaxing drink in a backyard.

There’s nothing better than a cold beer on a hot Aussie summer day, and not all garden sheds need to be for storage and gardening equipment! You can create something like this fun shed that’s been converted into a bar. This makes an enjoyable spot to pop out to with some friends when the kids are asleep or a quirky addition to your entertaining set-up.

Idea #8: Workshop shed

Have you recently gotten into woodworking or painting and would love a personal space to enjoy your hobby fully? Consider building a workshop shed! You can turn this into your very own creative studio, where you can deep-dive into your work without disturbing your family. 

Just make sure to select a durable and spacious workshop shed to house all of your daily tools and crafting materials. Look for options made from sturdy materials, like Easyshed’s Workshop Sheds. They’re made from long-lasting, galvanised steel, designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.  

A durable and spacious workshop shed from EasyShed, made from long-lasting, galvanised steel (Source: EasyShed)

How do you paint an old shed? 

If you want a great DIY way to improve the look of your shed, consider a paint job! When painting an old shed, start by sanding it down to remove any old and flaky paint or broken bits of wood. Sand in the direction of the wood grain, then treat the wood to ensure it lasts a long time.

Here are some beautiful garden shed paint colour ideas for inspiration.

Garden shed paint colour ideas

1. White trim

A vibrant red shed with white trim adds a striking focal point to a garden while offering functional storage space.

The colour of this shed is quite subtle, but the white trim makes it pop! Adding trim is a classic idea popular with modern design. As a result, you get a timeless look that will last for years and look good in every garden. You can change the trim colours if you want to get more creative.

2. The little red house

This is another approach to the trim look. Red is a bold choice in the world of garden shed paint colours, but it creates a striking, playful look in any yard. Almost like something from a fairytale, the extra elements in this example help turn the shed into a fun little cottage that will be a cute addition to your yard.

3. A pop of blue

A charming blue shed nestled in a lush garden, offering a pop of color and functional storage space.

Blue and green are two colours that instil the idea of nature, thanks to the sky and trees. A blue shed is a playful and bright yard feature that fits an outdoor setting without being too bold. This makes your garden shed something exciting to view without it being a burden on the rest of your exterior design.

4. Clean, classic white

Create a clean, minimal look with an all-white paint job. Now, we know what you must be thinking: “How is white a good idea for an outdoor shed paint? I keep my dirty garden stuff in there!” And yes, white is not the most practical colour for the outdoors, but you can buy some durable exterior paint. This type of paint will be easy to clean and keep stain-free to avoid any major issues.

Small garden shed ideas 

Garden sheds are one of the most customisable things you can add to your home, and there are no rules! They come in all shapes and sizes to suit the size of your particular garden. A good garden shed is small enough to hold whatever you need without being intrusive in a yard space, much like the following ideas.

1. The tucked-away shed

A tucked-away shed surrounded by lush greenery, blending seamlessly into the natural landscape for a discreet storage solution.

This is a great way to ensure your shed doesn’t take up a lot of visual space in the yard. Pop it against a fence and under a tree. As garden sheds are customisable, you can feel free to tuck your shed into whatever pockets of space you have available. You can even blend the shed by using the same materials as your fence to create a less-invasive look.

2. The single-use shed

Less of a shed and more of an outdoor cupboard, this small single-use design is perfect for tool storage. You can opt for a door for weather protection and security or leave the front open to have the tools themselves be the display feature.

Setting up your garden shed

Now that you have some ideas for your garden shed, it’s time to start bringing your vision to life. You may want to consider connecting with a professional if you need help with the building and installation process. Garden shed installers can help set up your shed and ensure your new shed is stable and looks great. 

Don’t let the thought of building a garden shed overwhelm you - with the right help, you can enjoy this functional and stylish addition to your garden in no time.