How to Choose a Shed That Compliments Your Backyard
We’ve all seen it. Old and forgotten, run-down buildings hiding shamefully in someone’s backyard. This is often what we think of when we hear the word “shed”. But what if I told you this is not how it has to be?
A shed doesn’t have to be the building hidden away in your backyard with the hopes of keeping it out of site from the dreaded HOA police. With proper planning and execution, a portable building can bring your landscape to life and enhance the beauty of your home. I’m going to provide you 10 simple ways to create the backyard building of your dreams and become the envy of your neighborhood!
10 Ways to Make a Backyard Building Compliment Your Home:
Pick the Right Style: The first and probably most effective decision to make when deciding what building will best compliment your home is choosing the right style. Decide whether a shed, barn, cabin, or portable garage matches your needs and design. All 4 have their own advantages in design and function.
Paint!: Paint can change everything! Whether you are building a new portable building or bringing life back to your old shed, the right colors can make a world of difference! Decide whether you want a Urethane Finish that shows off the wood grain or if you would rather have the cleaner seamless look of fresh paint. Next choose colors that complement your house or even create an exact match to your home to unify your landscape.
Roof Type and Color: It is estimated that nearly 50% of the curb appeal for your home is affected by your roof. The same logic holds true for your shed. When deciding on roofing options, first choose whether you want shingles or metal roofing. Next, choose an accent color that not only improves the look of your building, but also compliments your home’s colors. Pay attention to the warranties provided for your roof to ensure established beauty long term.
Doors: It may sound unimportant, but designing your shed with the proper door options plays a major roll in creating your desired backyard aesthetic. While this doesn’t have to be complicated or elaborate, you want to make sure you’re selecting a door or doors that add charm and get the job done. Decide for your backyard whether a barn door, 9-lite door, or even garage door is what you need.
Windows: While adding windows does add to the overall style of your building, this effect is ten-fold if you plan to spend any amount of extended time inside your shed. Introducing natural light and the option for increased air flow creates a more inviting environment visually and helps improve your building’s overall comfort.
Size: It’s very important to choose an appropriately sized portable building. A building too small can be unnoticeable and unhelpful. An oversized building for your backyard can seem like you’re trying to build the next ark :). Shoot for that sweet spot to compliment your home and fill your needs.
Aesthetic appeal: By carefully selecting a building to match your specific design tastes, you not only gain a convenient storage unit, but also improve the overall look and feel of your landscape.
Features: Improve your portable building by adding aesthetic features. Options like shutters, window boxes, lights, and decorations can drastically improve the look and feel of your shed.
Surrounding Landscape: Landscaping plays a major roll when building a cohesive backyard. Look for ways to add landscaping elements around your shed like a pathway, mulch or pine straw, bench, or even a rock border.
Keep it Clean: The simplest way to keep your backyard building appealing long term is by keeping it clean. Spending just a few minutes spraying it down with the hose and knocking down some cobwebs can go a long way.
Overall, the best way to make a shed compliment your backyard is to make it your own! Get creative and have fun. Life is too short to have an ugly shed.
If a you decide a shed is what you need to improve your backyard, check out Hirsh Backyard Buildings to learn more. With a no-pressure approach, our goal is to help you find the best solution for your backyard building needs.