14 Straightforward, Simple Shed Designs Anyone Can Build at Home

14 Straightforward, Simple Shed Designs Anyone Can Build At Home

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IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING about building a shed in your backyard, finding just the right design can be a bit challenging. There is more to a good shed than you might think. What might look good in someone else's yard or fit their needs perfectly, might not be of any use to you whatsoever.

There seems to be an endless array of complex shed designs for you to choose from, but in most cases, it is the simple shed designs that seem to work the best. Take a look at these simple shed designs and see if one of these is just the ticket for your storage needs.

1. Reclaimed Wood for the Win

Making the most of wood that could have ended up in the dump

Recycled Wood Shed

Image courtesy of DIY Outdoor Storage Shed

When it comes to building a shed on a budget, one of the best ways to save money is by using reclaimed or recycled wood for every part of it you can. Depending on where you live, (at least in my area) there are always old homes being torn down. Most of this wood is still perfectly usable and is more affordable than buying new. Not only this, but you are doing your part to reduce the number of trees being cut down.

2. Create Your Own "Grow" House

Metal siding, cute windows, and a glass roof, what could be better

Simple Shed

This simple shed design features steel building siding that comes in wide sheets. These sheets allow you to cover large areas, are typically easy to put up, and are incredibly strong. You can buy new sheet metal or seek out one of the many used building material vendors in your area to help keep costs under control. Note the clear plexiglass roof and extra-large windows for additional light.

3. Pure Corrugated Simplicity

Apparently, Ruffles are not the only thing with ridges

Simple Shed Design

Image courtesy of Michigan Home Design

If you have a potting shed in mind, clear corrugated fiberglass offers you a less expensive option to glass. One reason I like this particular material is its durability. Branches can hit it, even the odd football or baseball and it won't break. At the same time, it lets plenty of light in to give your spring seedlings a chance to grow before planting season.

4. Side Storage and More

More room on the outside

When your shed is too full of tools to park the mower inside, it's time to rethink your strategy. This shed features an extended roof on the left side that creates an outdoor storage area for things like your riding mower, your tiller, or your push mower. Not only does this type of roof add more much-needed storage space, but you can use this shady spot to work on your power tools. The long slope of the roof will easily shed rain, snow, and ice, helping to keep your equipment out of the elements all year long.

5. True Tongue and Groove Beauty

Tongue and groove planking is used to great effect in this shed

dschang simple shed design

Image courtesy of DropDDesign

Simple shed designs like this one feature tongue and groove planks that are typically reserved for flooring or indoor paneling. The boards are designed to interlock along the long edges, making for an exceptionally sturdy structure. The best part is you can buy this type of lumber at your local discount hardware superstore in different lengths and a variety of different types of lumber.

6. Create Your Own Outdoor Reading Room

Your very own outdoor getaway

Reading Shed

Image courtesy of 100 Things To Do

Clear plexiglass has been used extensively throughout this shed to provide the level of natural lighting needed to create a private reading shed. Plexiglass is extremely durable and makes the perfect choice for this particular use. Not only does it let in plenty of light, but it will keep out the odd wayward softball. Although plexiglass can be a little on the expensive side, you should find the investment more than worthwhile when you see how long it lasts.

7. Convenient Lean-To Storage

Perfect for those who don't have a lot of room to spare

Simple shed design - Convenient Lean-To Storage

Image courtesy of BobVila

This lean-to shed features clapboard style siding which is not only easy to install but provides exceptional resistance to rain, wind, and snow. While you can build your shed from brand-new lumber, you could also opt to save money by building your shed from used lumber. The doors appear to be made from tongue and groove lumber but could also be made from pre-grooved plywood sheets that give the same appearance for far less money.

8. Create Your Own Outdoor Dining Room

Not all sheds are made for storage

Simple Shed - Dining Room

Image courtesy of Tree Hugger

This interesting cube-shaped building is definitely not a shed. Not the way the builder used slats on three sides to provide plenty of ventilation for those evening meals in the great outdoors. Note that the entire back wall is solid to help keep the weather out, you could add outdoor curtains to help block any excess breezes and keep out the rains. What a great way to create your own outdoor family room!

9. Just Big Enough

Slightly bigger than the average phone booth

This tiny shed looks a little more like an old English phone booth than a shed thanks to the glass door. But it definitely looks bigger on the inside. If you look closely, the walls of this shed appear to have been made from exterior grade doors. Not only can this save you a lot of money in supplies, it looks very cool and should be very strong. You can pick up used doors at any building salvage store or your local Habitat for Humanity Store.

10. Give Your Loved One A Studio Shed

Private studio space with plenty of light for the artist in your family

This shed features plenty of glass to let the sun shine in. Note that it even has windows in the end gables for even more light. The use of both metal and clapboard siding gives this outdoor shed the look of a tiny home, which may help it blend into your backyard more easily. The double glass doors are perfect for letting in more cooling air or large items. This shed would make a great outdoor studio for the artist in the family.

11. Plywood, Studs, and Portability

Simple materials, a simple concept, a great shed

Cheap and affordable storage shed

Image courtsey of The Self Sufficient Living

This simple shed is framed using 2 x 4s and then covered in sheets of pre-grooved plywood to help keep costs under control. When all you are doing is building a tool storage shed, a design such as this is strong enough to handle snow and ice, yet light enough that you can move it around your yard. Note that the owner used the framework to install tool hangers and that he added a single window for light.

12. An Outdoor Place to Relax

Sliding doors, a fiberglass roof, a little plywood, and suddenly space

varnaworkshop simple shed design

varnaworkshop simple shed design

It's obvious that the designer who created simple shed designs like this one wanted to create an outdoor place to relax out of the sun and weather. The simple 2x4 framing and plywood sheathing add an interesting and low-cost touch. But, it’s the owner's use of a pair of sliding glass doors that make this shed so special. Here again, you could save money by sourcing many of the materials such as the doors from a local salvage dealer.

13. A-Frame Bunkhouse

Perfect for the kids to "camp out" in the backyard

Simple A-Frame Shed

Simple A-Frame Shed

This "A" frame style shed features clapboard style roofing that will help shed rain, snow, and ice with equal ease. Instead of placing the shed flat on the ground where the wood frame could end up staying wet and rotting, the designer built a raised floor that would not only stay drier, but keep anything you store on it drier as well. When not being used for a summer camp out by your kids, it could double as a place to store your firewood.

14. Create a Great Playhouse for Your Kids

The ideal place to host the perfect tea party

Kids Indoor Playhouse

Image courtesy of The House of Wood

Of all the different simple shed designs, this one uses simple stacked lumber siding in which each length of board is laid edge on to the one below it and nailed in place. While this design can be quite strong, unless you seal the gaps between each board with some form of caulking, it might let the rains come in. Once your little girl grows out of it, you can turn it into a dog house, or add plexiglass windows and a door to turn it into a storage shed.

Just a Few More of the Incredibly Cool Shed Ideas I Have Found in My Travels

It seems like everywhere I go, I end up running into amazingly cool shed ideas. The simple fact is, no matter where I go, I always have my eyes open looking for great ideas to share here.

There are so many simple shed designs out there, I may never stop adding to this collection of images. Try following my example and keeping your eyes open wherever your travels may take you. You just never know what you might find.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these simple shed designs as much as I continue to collect more of them no matter where I go.

If you liked the simple shed designs I have put together for you here, please let me know. Let everyone know you enjoyed reading this on Facebook and Pinterest.

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