Let’s be honest—buying a garden shed should be simple. You pick one, stick it in the garden, and call it a day. Except… it’s never that easy.
Too small? You’ll be cursing yourself in six months when you’re playing Tetris with the lawnmower and garden tools. Too big? Your once-charming garden now resembles a storage depot. Buy cheap? It’ll be leaking and leaning before you even get to the first frost. If you don't know where to start, or you're unsure what types of garden sheds are available, take a look at our collections page.
To save you from these common pitfalls, here’s what you really need to consider before making your purchase.
Langley Double Door Security Apex Shed (8' x 6')
1. The Material Dilemma—Choose Wisely or Regret It Later
Not all sheds are created equal, and the material you pick will make or break how long it lasts. The main choices? Wood, metal, and plastic. Each comes with its own quirks:
Wooden sheds are the classic choice. They look great, blend into the garden naturally, and can be painted or stained to your liking. But be prepared for a bit of upkeep—Norfolk’s damp winters aren’t exactly kind to untreated timber. We see countless people who have bought a budget wooden shed, skipped the weatherproofing, and by the next summer, it was growing more mushrooms than his vegetable patch. If you’re going wood, get pressure-treated timber—it’s worth it.
Metal sheds are the tough guys of the shed world. They’re secure, fire-resistant, and won’t rot. However, they can be a nightmare for condensation. Picture this: you store your tools inside, come back a few weeks later, and everything’s rusted. Not ideal. If you live near the coast where salt in the air speeds up corrosion, invest in a galvanised steel model with rust protection.
Plastic sheds are the low-maintenance option—no rust, no rot, no repainting. They’re lightweight and easy to assemble, but they’re not the sturdiest. A storm last year sent a plastic shed halfway across the garden of a King's Lynn homeowner. If you go for plastic, make sure it’s UV-resistant to avoid fading and cracking over time.
2. Size Matters – Don’t Underestimate Your Storage Needs
Shed size is one of those things people always get wrong. You might think, I just need a small one for a few tools. Fast forward a year, and suddenly, that ‘small’ shed is overflowing with bikes, garden furniture, and boxes of stuff you swear you’ll sort out one day.
A rough guide:
Small sheds (6x4ft): Great for a lawnmower, some tools, and a few bags of compost.
Medium sheds (8x6ft): Good if you’ve got bikes, garden furniture, and maybe a workbench.
Large sheds (10x10ft and above): Ideal for full-on workshops, big storage needs, or even a mini man cave/she shed situation.
If you’re in a built-up area, check your local council’s planning regulations before going for anything large—getting a complaint from the neighbour about your ‘eyesore’ shed isn’t fun.
3. Security—Because Sheds Are a Burglar’s Dream
You’d be surprised how often sheds get broken into. A mate of mine had his bike and pressure washer nicked last summer—turns out, the only thing securing his shed was a rusty latch that could’ve been opened with a firm shove.
If you’re storing anything valuable, here’s what you should do:
✔ Get a solid lock. Some sheds come with built-in locks, but for added security, fit a heavy-duty padlock or a hasp and staple lock with concealed screws.
✔ Reinforce the door. Flimsy doors are an open invitation to thieves. Look for sheds with reinforced panels or upgrade it yourself with a solid wood board.
✔ Fix the shed to a base. If it’s just sitting on bare ground, a determined thief can move it. (Yes, really.) A solid foundation makes it much harder to tamper with.
✔ Install motion-sensor lights. Nothing makes a burglar reconsider their life choices like a sudden floodlight turning them into a garden feature.
If you’ve got expensive tools, consider CCTV—even a dummy camera can work as a deterrent.
4. A Shed is Only as Good as Its Foundation
A shed without a solid base is like a house with dodgy foundations—it’s only a matter of time before problems start.
EcoBase Shed Bases
Concrete slabs offer bulletproof stability (best for big sheds).
Gravel is excellent drainage; it prevents damp.
Paving slabs are cost-effective and decent for medium sheds.
Timber decking is good for wooden sheds but needs maintenance.
We know what is required. Maybe because we have recommended the solutions for many years. There have been too many examples of where someone has purchased a shed and plonked it straight onto the grass (big mistake). Within months, the floor will start to rot, and everything inside will be constantly damp. If you’re in an area with heavy rainfall (like, say, Norfolk), drainage is key.
5. Making It Your Own – A Shed Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
A shed doesn’t have to be just a dull storage box—you can make it something that actually adds character to your garden.
Choose a shed with windows, like the Lewis Professional Stroage Apex Shed, if you plan to use it as a workspace. Ventilation is a must (trust us, a damp, musty shed is grim). Shelving and wall hooks will save you from the dreaded ‘shed clutter pile.’
Paint or stain it—natural wood looks great, but a fresh coat of colour can completely transform the look. If you’re into sustainability, go for a shed made from FSC-certified timber or even install a green roof with plants to boost insulation and attract wildlife.
Goodwood Bison Workshop (14' x 8') Professional Tongue and Groove Apex Shed
Final Thoughts – Make the Right Choice Now & Save Yourself the Hassle
A shed might not be the most exciting purchase you’ll ever make, but getting the right one will save you a ton of hassle down the line. Think about what you need, where it’s going, and how much effort you’re willing to put into maintenance.
If you take away one thing from this, let it be this: Don’t go cheap. The phrase buy cheap, buy twice exists for a reason. A well-chosen shed will last you years—possibly decades—so it’s worth investing in something solid from the start.
Looking for the Right Shed?
At Norfolk Sheds, we’ve got a range of high-quality, weather-resistant sheds that can handle the unpredictable British climate. Browse our collection and find one that actually works for your garden—no regrets included.