The best sheds to help keep gardens and outdoor spaces organised

Looking for the best shed to keep your garden shipshape this summer? Look no further because we've sourced the best sheds currently on the market.

So what should you be looking out for when it comes to buying a shed that suits your needs?

Related: 5 ways gardens have changed since the 1970s – did you grow up with gardens like these?

Firstly plan the primary purpose of your shed will be. Is it for storing tools, garden equipment or bikes? Or do you need something bigger, with windows to act as a workshop? Whichever you need, consider the following factors first and foremost...

 Our top tips to help find the best shed for you

We've asked shed specialists, Forest, for a handy guide to help you make the right choice.

Think about materials and fittings

Think about how your shed will be constructed. The way the timber boards clad the outside of your shed are important. They all behave in different ways as weather conditions and seasons change, but there are advantages to each.

Overlap – rough sawn boards that overlap each other allow flexibility and movement and rain water to run off.

Shiplap – interlocking tongue and groove boards with a unique profile. The tight fitting nature of this method of construction reduces penetration from bad weather.

Choose robust flooring

Shed floors receive their fair share of wear and tear, so make sure yours can withstand frequent use. Alternatively, consider the appearance if you're creating a garden room.

Hard wearing sheet material (also referred to as OSB) is ideal if you’re on a budget and using the shed for general storage. If you’ll be spending more time inside – maybe a potting shed or a workshop or if you’re storing heavier items it’s always better to look for a pressure treated boarded floor to provide extra strength.

Consider security measures

Plate hasp and staple latch are a fairly standard yet essential feature of all sheds, add a sturdy padlock of to ensure items inside are kept secure.
Another option is a Rimlock door latch which offers security and ease of use.

Some sheds also come with additional features like hidden hinges (so they can’t be unscrewed from the outside) and windows fixed with security screws. If you don’t want your possessions on show consider windowless options.

Choose from pressure or dip treated

Dip treatment is a surface treatment which provides around 10 years anti-rot guarantee, Dip treated sheds offer good value but it’s worth knowing that these sheds will need annual re-treatment.

Pressure treated sheds have anti-rot preservative treatment forced into the timber at pressure – they come with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee and don’t require any retreatment so can work out more cost effective in the long run.

Choose a suitable roof

A pent roof is a single or sloping roof allowing water to run off to the rear and creating high head room at the front of the shed. These sheds are ideal for placing against a wall of a fence.

A traditional apex roof is a popular choice. With two sloping sides, it’s highest point will be in the middle of the shed. It’s always worth checking the height of the shed eaves and also the door height when you’re shopping around – especially if buying online, some sheds are shorter than others.

There are also other styles including Reverse Apex and Corner sheds so think about where you want to position your shed, where you want any windows to face and shop around to get one that best suits your space.

Felt is the traditional material or choice when it comes to sheds, green mineral felt is especially long lasting. As an alternative Onduline is a unique corrugated material that is attractive and lightweight.

Add the right windows

Polycarbonate glazing is unbreakable and won't become yellow or brittle over time. Acrylic glazing is slightly thicker, more durable and offers the closest resemblance to glass.

Browse our curated pick of the best  sheds around...

Best sheds to transform gardens

This heavy-duty, portable design is simply genius. It's the perfect buy for a temporary storage solution. The affordable garden storage shed is ideal if you are unable to or don’t wish to erect a permanent structure. Perfect for renters or those who want their shed to move when they do (with ease).

Solving all garden storage problems this quick and easy to build structure can be used as a temporary shed for storing all your garden essentials or tools, or even be used as a garage to cover a vehicle. Now that's smart!

The clever design features an Apex roof, helping to prevent the build-up of rainwater on the roof – ensuring all is safe from rain damage inside.

Garden Gear Heavy-Duty Portable Shed , £149.99, Thompson & Morgan.

What’s not to love about a shed that would like welcome inside our homes! This smart tongue and groove design at Wayfair looks good enough to have in our bedrooms.

Complete with three internal shelves this smart shed offers plenty of scope for keeping tools and more.

Despite its ample storage space, the shed is still slim and compact enough to easily fit into any sized outdoor space.

Give your garden the sophisticated storage solution it deserves with this attractive shed. 

Tongue and Groove Pent Wooden Shed , £149.99, Wayfair.

This Rowlinson Oxford Shed is a traditional design with sturdy timber cladding and a weatherproof felt roof.

Complete with the addition of a lean to this shed offers extra storage space to the side, ideal for storing firewood, garden toys, pet supplies and so much more.

Rowlinson Oxford Wooden Apex Garden Shed with Lean To, £319.99, Robert Days.

When just any old shed won't do, there's the John Lewis of sheds. This luxury design by National Trust feels more like a shepherd hut than a garden shed. The traditional design, constructed from FSC certified Scandinavian redwood, features vertical sawn boards, corrugated roofing, log store and a quaint square window.

Although the design features a timber floor, it does require a base constructed of either paving slabs laid on mortar or a concrete base no less than 10cm thick.

Inspired by National Trust properties the stylish model's available in a variety of attractive colours. From Painter's Grey to Terrace Green, this visually pleasing shed is made to be seen.

National Trust by Crane Blicking Garden Shed, £2699, John Lewis & Partners.

Metal designs offer the perfect opportunity to embrace colour. Rather than the galvanised steel stand out like a sore thumb, we're in favour of a sophisticated shade of green to help it blend in seamlessly.

This metal design is windowless and features lockable handles – ideal if the contents are valuable, therefore security is a priority. The doors are on a sliding mechanism, to save space.

Sapphire Metal Pent Shed, £225, Homebase.

For those that don't want to blow the budget, you can pick up a quality shed for not-a-lot-of-money. This new design at B&Q is a fine example. It might be at the bottom end of the market in terms of cost but it's up there with the best in terms of features.

Made with a strong construction, with additional framing and robust Double Z framed door. With a solid board roof covered in black sand felt with a decorative finial and a solid timber floor this quality wooden shed delivers big credentials on a small budget.

Forest Garden Apex Overlap Timber Shed, £171, B&Q.