Is your house bursting at the seams with stuff you don’t want to get rid of but can’t find a place for? Are you tired of looking at all your lawn care equipment sitting inside your garage, taking up precious parking space?
Or maybe you want a safe space to keep outdoor chemicals from curious little hands? A small storage shed for your backyard is the perfect solution to these problems and so many more!
There are so many sheds on the market it may be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve researched and found some of the best picks for you.
Read on to see the best small storage sheds for your backyard and learn more about what to look for when choosing what’s best for you!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Suncast 8′ x 10′ Heavy-Duty Resin Tremont Storage Shed
Budget Option:
Aoxun 5x3FT Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
Best for Small Spaces:
Rubbermaid Small Horizontal Resin Weather Resistant Outdoor Storage Shed
Best Overall
Suncast 8’ x 10’ Heavy-Duty Resin Tremont Storage Shed
The Suncast Heavy-Duty Resin Tremont Storage Shed wins the place at the top of our list because of its size and durability.
With nearly 550 cubic feet of storage available, this shed can do it all. You can store an average size riding lawn mower, multiple bikes, ladders, lawn tools, and shelves of miscellaneous items and still have room to spare!
The shed is made from polypropylene resin, some of the most durable materials on the small storage shed market. The floor is reinforced to stay solid under heavy objects being put on it, and the walls are moisture and pest-resistant.
The large size and heavy-duty material come with a hefty weight. This package will arrive at your house weighing nearly 400 pounds, so make sure to have help handy for building and installation!
Pros
- Spacious, with plenty of room for storage.
- Quality material that should last.
Cons
- You’ll need extra people to build and install this small storage shed.
- The average assembly time is around five hours.
Best Budget Option
Aoxun 5x3FT Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
If you need just a little storage and aren’t looking to spend much money, look no further than the Aoxun Outdoor Metal Storage Shed.
This small storage shed may not hold a ton, but what it can contain, it protects well. It’s made out of galvanized steel, which has a long lifespan and is naturally rust- and mold-resistant.
Don’t let this shed’s small size fool you. It can hold plenty of your gear. It can store a push mower, a couple of bikes, or shovels and become an organizer’s dream by adding simple shelves and plastic containers.
Pros
- Affordable for almost any budget.
- Sound quality that will last with proper care.
Cons
- Only half the shed is directly accessible from the door.
- It won’t hold large items like riding lawnmowers.
Best for Small Spaces
Rubbermaid Small Horizontal Resin Water Resistant Outdoor Storage Shed
The Rubbermaid Small Horizontal Outdoor Storage Shed is the definition of “tiny but mighty.” This may look like a glorified toy chest, but it is far beyond that.
This small storage shed is unique because every single wall opens, making it a piece of cake to reach anything stored inside! The resin walls and top are on hinges that swing wide open.
Off-season pillows, pool toys, pool chemicals, and yard games could easily find their home in one of these.
One of its best uses is as a hub for all things gardening. You can tuck bags of soil, handheld tools, watering cans, gardening boots, and more safely out of the way where creepy crawlies, moisture, and other outdoor elements can’t get to them.
Pros
- The small footprint means it can fit nearly any outdoor space.
- Hard resin walls and top are easy to clean and long-lasting.
Cons
- Shelves are sold separately.
- Won’t hold any large lawn care items.
Best for Gardeners
MCombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet
If you’ve worked hard to create a beautiful space in your backyard garden and want a small storage shed that fits in, the MCombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet is perfect!
The walls of this shed are made of a beautiful fir wood, and the top is asphalt. The sloped asphalt roof means water will quickly and easily run off the top, helping protect the cabinet’s contents from standing water.
Two shelves are included with this shed and can be put anywhere along the six-foot tall back wall, meaning you can adjust them to fit your specific storage needs!
This is also a straightforward shed to assemble and level due to the six adjustable feet on the bottom. Put a level on the cabinet floor and twist the feet until they are perfectly level. It’s much easier than pouring an actual concrete foundation, right?
Pros
- Adjustable feet make it much easier to ensure everything is level.
- Shelves are included and adjustable.
Cons
- Won’t fit large items like lawnmowers.
- Wood needs extra attention, like washing and staining regularly.
Best to Use as Garden Decor
ADDOK 60-Gallon Storage Cabinet Light Weight Resin Indoor/Outdoor Storage Unit
Nobody said a small storage shed had to be boring! Add a pop of pretty and function to your backyard with ADDOK’s Indoor/Outdoor Storage Unit.
This resin beauty is perfect to sit poolside and hold all the pool gadgets and gizmos you don’t want sitting out. You could also fill it with your favorite outdoor hosting gear for dining al fresco on a beautiful summer night.
The included shelf is perfect for personalizing the inside of this cabinet to fit your unique needs.
Pros
- Gorgeous front doors make it a piece of decor.
- Slim profile works well in tight spaces.
Cons
- Made of thinner material and can be flimsy.
- Difficult to assemble on your own.
Small Storage Shed Buyer’s Guide
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a small storage shed for your backyard.
Material
There are pros and cons to every material used to make sheds.
Wood sheds are beautiful and can be personalized with paint or stain to match your house. However, they must also be painted or stained regularly to protect the wood from outdoor elements. They’re also prone to rot, unlike other manufactured materials.
Metal sheds are low-maintenance with long lifespans. They may be quick to rust in humid conditions and can also be incredibly hot if placed in direct sunlight.
Resin sheds are typically easy to assemble and keep clean. They won’t rot or rust over the years. On the other hand, they’re also not as pretty as wood or metal.
Size and Capacity
When getting a small storage shed, it’s better to get one a little bigger than you need than to end up with one that won’t fit everything.
Don’t think about the floor space alone; be ready to use vertical space, too. Standing shelves, wall shelves, or hooks all help maximize the space available and increase the capacity of your storage space.
Assembly
Not all small storage sheds are created equally regarding ease of assembly. Before committing to a shed, do your best to fully understand what’s required—tool-wise and manpower-wise—for assembly.
Extras Required
Don’t look at a picture online and assume everything in the picture is included. The storage shed you’re buying will often be empty, and things like shelves and hooks must be ordered separately.
Some listed above include shelves, but just read the description before purchasing.
Small Storage Shed Frequently Asked Questions
How can I keep items in my shed dry and mold-free?
After you’ve spent time researching, money buying, and effort assembling a storage shed, the last thing you want is to open the doors and find your belongings wet and ruined.
There are a few simple things, outside of proper shed installation, you can do to prevent that.
- Keep items elevated off the shed’s floor with shelving.
- Store delicate items in watertight, plastic storage bins.
- Regularly check the shed for moisture and work to eliminate it quickly.
What size storage shed should I buy?
The size of the small storage shed you use depends on the space available and the items you plan on storing.
To help figure that out, list everything you want to fit inside the shed and include possible future items. Take the list and categorize the items based on their general dimensions.
Then, make sure the shed you choose has enough space for everything.
Remember, it’s not necessarily about the number of items as much as the size. A small storage shed that could fit hundreds of tools may be too small to hold your lawn care equipment.
What’s the typical lifespan of a storage shed?
Vinyl and metal sheds have the most extended lifespan, between 15 and 20 years, because they’re naturally rot-, mold-, and moisture-resistant. They’re also not as appealing to pests, so they don’t get infested.
Most low and mid-range quality storage sheds you can find and order online to assemble yourself will last somewhere between five and 10 years before needing to be replaced.
Do I need a permit to install a small storage shed?
While having a permit is typically unnecessary, it’s a good idea to double-check with your local government office.
A few scenarios increase the potential for you to need to meet some sort of criteria in the size or style of your shed.
If you live in a historical district, there are usually strict guidelines on what extra buildings you can add to your lot, especially if visible from the road.
Homeowner’s Associations are notorious for having strong opinions on what you can and can’t add to your yard. Check with the association to see if there are any guidelines you should follow when choosing and placing a shed.
Wrapping Up the Best Small Storage Sheds for Your Backyard
With the proper knowledge and a little research effort, you’ll soon have the perfect backyard shed to organize and contain everything it takes to have a great backyard.
Whether you need a functional space to store your lawnmower or a beautiful cabinet to store diningware for eating under the stars, there is a perfect small storage shed for your backyard.
Want more inspiration on goodies to fill your new storage shed? Check out our page all about gardening tools!
- About the Author
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Stephanie Lamberth is a writer who gained most of what she knows about gardening from summers spent on her family’s farm tending, picking, and storing the produce they grew.
Her family started and ran a thriving farm that fed hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the community with fresh, naturally grown produce. She learned the effort and the reward of growing your own food!
Stephanie now lives in Tennessee with her husband and three kids. Their schedules don’t allow for a large garden, but she loves incorporating herbs from their flowerbeds in her kitchen and using her knowledge to help others.
Stephanie can be reached at stephanielamberthwriting@gmail.com