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Like many people, I have too much stuff. And there’s a good chance that you do, too. How do I know this? It’s because there are over 50,000 self-storage facilities in the United States, and that number continues to climb. These facilities hold the items that we can’t or won’t fit in our homes, but also can’t seem to part with. As of 2022, roughly 10 percent of the American population was paying for at least one off-site storage unit. The average cost per month for these units was $91.14 — and mind you, this was 4 years ago. Factoring in that all rents, not just residential rents, continue to rise, this additional expense can become a big problem for some. That’s money leaving over 30 million American household budgets every month that simply doesn’t have to.
I’m not judging anyone’s choices to store items valuable to them. However, if there’s a way to avoid monthly charges like these, it seems silly not to try to find an alternative. Unfortunately for me, I live in a small high-rise apartment, where storing items in a garage or other outdoor space isn’t possible. Fortunately for those in any other housing situation where they have a yard or patio, there’s a very good solution to the storage conundrum.
Outdoor storage sheds are a fantastic option for anyone who wants to empty out their commercial storage space and keep their wares at home instead. And you can find affordable options online that you can build yourself to avoid any construction fees. Not only does this make it far more convenient to access your items, but it can instantly eliminate one of your most frustrating and unnecessary monthly bills, saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of your annual budget. As I said above, I’m not able to take advantage of this loophole because of my living situation, but I highly recommend you do so if you can. Whether you need a large, medium, or small storage shed, it’s not hard to find what you need at a reasonable price. Read on to see what options might be right for you.
Large storage sheds
As a general rule, your current storage unit size will likely correspond closely to the size shed you choose to buy. Or, if you’re looking for a shed and don’t have an existing storage unit, look at what you’re planning to store to figure out what size would fit best. If you’re not sure, we suggest going bigger rather than risking going too small. After all, it’s better to have extra space than not enough and once the shed is set up, you likely won’t want to undo your work for a return.
I would consider a large shed to be roughly 100 square feet or bigger. That’s at least 10 feet long by 10 feet deep. A shed that size should easily fit a sofa, small patio furniture, or a riding lawn mower. It can be a great option for storing seasonal pieces that you don’t necessarily want or need to stay out year-round. Most sheds in this size range are made from galvanized steel. That means not only is it rustproof and corrosion resistant like regular stainless steel, but it has a chemically bonded zinc outer layer that adds years to the metal’s longevity.
There’s no limit to the items you can store in a large unit, and you also don’t have to worry about exposure to the elements. Virtually all large sheds have a flooring option installed, so there won’t be any contact between the items you store and the ground. That’s why large sheds are often used for storing furniture, patio, or otherwise, rather than spending the money and shouldering the hassle of lugging it to and from an off-site unit.
One of the best large storage sheds I saw recently was Amazon’s Softkiss 10 feet by 12 feet Outdoor Storage Shed. There are almost unlimited uses for a shed this size. I’ve seen people use them as an outdoor work shed for storing tools and a functioning workbench, or even placing furniture there permanently to use as a sort of outdoor shaded lounge area or pool cabana. An internet craze from a few years ago was creating “she sheds”, and this would be great for that, too, especially since it has windows.
Softkiss 10 feet by 12 feet Outdoor Storage Shed
Courtesy of Walmart
Clouddwell Double-Hinged Door Storage Shed
Medium storage sheds
I classify a medium storage shed as having approximately 25 square feet to 100 square feet. A shed of this size may be the most versatile because it’s large enough to hold quite a lot of items, but still small enough that it doesn’t take up too much space in your yard. At this size, you’ll find a good mix of sheds made from galvanized steel and others made of a weatherproof resin or plastic material. While steel is more durable long-term, resin is lighter and easier to assemble.
Medium storage sheds offer a great place to store a host of things, from pool toys and floaties to larger yard-care equipment. If you’re able to find one that has a doorway large enough, then you should easily be able to fit a riding lawnmower inside this size, too, with little difficulty. Most outdoor storage sheds, including this size, also have air vents to keep circulation to a maximum. That’s especially important if you have lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or any other equipment that requires fuel inside. This size shed is also a great option for storing e-bikes and e-scooters to protect them from the elements.
The Aoxun Lockable Outdoor Shed is a wonderful place to start if you’re thinking of buying a medium-sized storage shed. As alluded to above, it has a doorway that’s wide enough to accommodate most lawn-care equipment. At approximately 25 square feet, it has a moderately small footprint and shouldn’t take up too much precious space in your yard or on your patio. This size of shed is a great choice if it’s your first time getting a shed. It allows you to ease into the process, witnessing all the advantages of owning one without dominating your space unnecessarily.
Aoxun Lockable Outdoor Shed
Yodolla 8 feet by 10 Feet Outdoor Storage Shed
Small storage sheds
To my mind, a small storage shed is anything under 25 square feet. These sheds are ideal for those who have a small outdoor space and may only have a few small items they want to store, but don’t want something visually or logistically intrusive. The most popular uses for this type of shed are for gardening and lawn-care tools like rakes and hoes, or pool equipment, such as pool vacuums or toys. You could probably even store a regular push mower inside. That said, there are plenty of alternative uses for these handy little storage spaces.
It can also be a convenient place to keep your smaller tools, so you have easy access to them at the spur of the moment. No matter your need, the benefit of having such an unobtrusive storage option is priceless.
The Patiowell Small Storage Shed fits nicely into this category, and it’s on the more affordable side. Sheds of this size are usually made from resin, which is durable enough but not to the extent of steel, so it won’t put much of a dent in your budget. Even if you buy on the high end of the spectrum, it’s only a one-time fee, unlike a burdensome monthly storage unit fee that you might be dealing with at the moment.
Patiowell Small Storage Shed
Petcosset Outdoor Waterproof Storage Shed
Get your shed together
If you’re already paying rent on a storage unit, then you know what a weight it adds to your shoulders every month. If you don’t currently have a storage unit, then you’ll want to keep it that way. Many times, as your family or career grows, so do your possessions. With an outdoor storage shed, you can ensure that your items are protected from the elements without the albatross of monthly storage bills around your neck.
Outdoor storage sheds offer a plethora of size and trim options, but one thing remains constant among all. None of them demands a payment at the beginning of every month, and you’ll never have to worry about their contents being confiscated for non-payment. After all, the one thing none of us have too much of is money in our pockets.
