An upcycled woodshed is a fantastic project! It is an invaluable storage space and can become a key feature of your garden. Below, you’ll find some basics for your building project concerning planning, foundation, and wood treatment. We’ll also focus on the functionality of the structure with tips on storage and more.

1. Start With Planning

Planning is key to ensuring that your upcycled woodshed will not only be functional and efficient, but also creative and aesthetically pleasing. There are many things to consider when planning the project, some of which require a little more attention than others.

Photo credit: Justin Brandstater

As your first step, it’s important that you make sure that you have enough space for all the tools, plants, and gear required for your gardening activities. Some objects like a mower or wheelbarrow will need more space. You could also use your shed to store your portable generator, however as the specialist from 10 Power Up notes, you need to make sure that the space is properly ventilated to prevent moisture.

It’s recommended that you measure everything you want to keep inside, ranging from tools, devices you no longer use, to old custom blankets, to determine how much storage room is required. Make sure to also account for space needed for movement. When you finally know how big a shed you want, you’ll figure out how much salvaged materials you need and where you should place it in your backyard.

Photo credit: Max McMurdo

2. Find the Right Base for your Upcycled Woodshed

The foundation of your shed will be a big part of its stability, which means that you should pay particular attention to it. What is more, as you want to build your unique woodshed with salvaged wood, you need to protect it from moisture. Aside from choosing a location that is dry, you need to create a barrier between the wood and the ground.

Many people opt for an on-grade foundation with concrete slabs that have been created for the shed, as they offer strong and long-lasting results. However for sloped terrain, it might be better to build a shed floor like a deck, with footings, posts, and a wooden frame. To make sure that your shed has no contact with soil, you should leave at least six clear inches of space to prevent dampness from wicking up.

3. Think About the Doors on your Upcycled Woodshed

The door and windows that you choose will have a significant impact on the aesthetics of your upcycled woodshed. Upcycled doors and windows are perfect for creating a unique look. For example, an old french door would be a stunning addition and would look so romantic surrounded by flowers!

Source: Sweeney Design

4. Preserve the Wood

Using salvaged wood will give your upcycled woodshed a unique character. Whether it’s the rainbow of colored panes or aged wood that you’re using, you’ll want to preserve its look to last for years. That’s why you need to treat your shed with a good quality wood preserver to protect it against mold, algae, insect attacks, and wood rot. For added protection, you can use exterior wood oils on top of the preservative; just make sure to wait for 24 and 48 hours for the treatment to set in.

5. Get Creative with Storage Space

Now it’s time for the most important aspect of creating your backyard shed: storage space! it’s also when you can show off your upcycling skills. Sufficient storage space is crucial!

If you have spare wooden crates, you can repurpose them by mounting them to the wall to create floating shelves. It’s a very easy solution, as you don’t have to build anything from scratch, and you can paint the crates any color you wish! You could also create a garden tool holder out of a wooden pallet. You need to place the pallet on the longer side and place it on the floor or mount it on the wall, so you can stick your tools between the planks. There are so many awesome upcycled organization ideas! Look around your house for unnecessary baskets, hooks, and other objects that you may further use, and you’ll find fantastic material you may further use.

Source: Our Little Acre

In Conclusion

Building your own shed will be a great and unique experience. You’ll have the opportunity to show off your upcycling skills, while also creating a durable structure that will be used for many years to come. As you don’t need any special equipment or tools, you can use the whole family, making it a fun project for everyone involved.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when planning and building your woodshed. With the right materials and a bit of hard work, you’ll soon have an attractive and functional space that will be a great addition to your garden, which is why you should definitely give this project a try!