Choosing a garden shed by size is about more than finding a building that fits the available space. The size you need, what you intend to store and how much time you expect to spend inside can all influence which range offers the best value. Diamond provides the widest choice of shed sizes and excellent bespoke flexibility; Sapphire offers a higher pressure-treated specification in popular medium sizes. At the same time, Platinum Southampton and Fareham are particularly suited to larger, higher-specification buildings.
Sapphire is a useful middle ground between Diamond and Platinum. It is particularly suitable when you want a pressure-treated shed with a higher specification but do not need the larger dimensions associated with the Platinum Southampton and Fareham buildings.
The best choice is not automatically the largest or most expensive shed. Start by deciding what needs to fit inside, how much room you need to move around and whether you will spend significant time working in the building. That will usually tell you whether the flexibility of Diamond, the middle-ground specification of Sapphire or the larger Platinum range offers the best value.
Choosing the Right Shed Size for Your Garden
Choosing a shed is not simply a matter of buying the biggest building that will fit in the garden. The right size depends on what you intend to store, how often you need to get to it and whether you want enough room to work inside. A carefully chosen shed should give you useful space without overpowering the garden or leaving you wishing you had ordered another couple of feet.
If you already know the dimensions you need, use our sheds-by-size range above to narrow down the choices. If you are still deciding, this guide explains the most useful shed sizes, what normally fits inside them and the points worth checking before ordering.
What Size Shed Do I Need?
For basic garden storage, a compact 5×4 or 6×4 shed can be enough. If you need space for a lawnmower, gardening equipment, shelves and several larger items, an 8×6 shed is a useful step up. A 10×8 shed or 12×8 shed provides considerably more flexibility when you want storage and usable working space in the same building.
One of the lessons we have learnt from helping people choose garden buildings is that the usable space matters more than the number written on the price ticket. Think about the items that will sit on the floor, the shelving you may add to the walls and the clear walkway needed between them. If you intend to work inside, allow room to stand, turn around and open cupboards or drawers comfortably.
Garden Shed Size Comparison
The following table is a practical starting point. Exactly what you can accommodate will depend on your chosen shed design, door position, windows, shelving and the dimensions of your own equipment.
| Shed size | Approximate floor area | Typically suited to | Things to consider |
| 5×4 | 20 sq ft | Hand tools, garden supplies, folding equipment and compact storage | Best where garden space is tight, and large machinery is not being stored |
| 6×4 | 24 sq ft | Everyday gardening equipment, tools and smaller lawn equipment | Plan shelving carefully to preserve floor space |
| 8×6 | 48 sq ft | Lawnmower, tools, shelving, garden equipment and general household overflow | A popular all-round footprint for many gardens |
| 8×8 | 64 sq ft | More substantial storage with space to move around equipment | The square footprint can make internal planning particularly flexible |
| 10×8 | 80 sq ft | Storage plus a workbench, hobby area or practical workspace | Think carefully about door and window positions before ordering |
| 12×8 | 96 sq ft | Larger equipment, workbench, shelving and multi-purpose storage | Allow enough space around the building for access and maintenance |
| 12×10 | 120 sq ft | Substantial storage, hobbies and workshop-style use | The base becomes increasingly important as the building gets larger |
| 20×8 | 160 sq ft | Extensive storage, long work areas or several uses within one building | Plan the layout before choosing doors, windows and internal fittings |
Small, Medium or Larger Shed?
Compact sheds for straightforward storage
Smaller footprints make sense where outdoor space is limited, and the building is mainly required for gardening essentials. The important point is to measure the larger items first. A lawnmower or wheelbarrow can occupy far more floor space than a collection of hand tools, while wall shelves can make excellent use of otherwise wasted vertical space.
Medium-size sheds for versatile garden storage
Sizes around 8×6, 8×8 and 10×8 provide considerably more flexibility. They can accommodate normal garden equipment while still leaving enough space for shelving, a small bench or an organised walkway. For many households, this is where a shed changes from being simply a storage box into a genuinely useful garden building.
Larger footprints for storage and working space
Once you move into footprints such as 12×8, 12×10, 14×8 and beyond, it becomes easier to separate the building into practical zones. You might keep machinery near the doors, shelving along one wall and a bench or hobby area at the other end. If you are considering a particularly substantial footprint, it is worth planning what every part of the building will be used for before placing an order.
Should I Choose a Shed in Feet or Metres?
Either is perfectly acceptable. Garden buildings in Britain are traditionally described in feet, which is why dimensions such as 6×4, 8×6 and 10×8 are so familiar. Some gardens and landscaping projects are planned metrically, however, so we also offer useful metric-size searches such as 2.5m × 2.5m sheds and 5m × 3m sheds.
Do not rely on a nominal imperial-to-metric conversion when space is particularly tight. Always check the dimensions given for the actual building you are considering and measure the available site.
How to Measure for a New Shed
Measure the available garden area rather than simply measuring an old building and ordering the same nominal size. Check the width and depth at several points, particularly if the proposed location is beside a fence, wall or boundary that is not perfectly straight.
- Measure the maximum usable width and depth of the proposed site.
- Allow practical access around the shed rather than filling every available inch.
- Check that doors will be able to open fully.
- Consider roof overhangs and guttering where applicable.
- Check the route from the road to the installation area for delivery and assembly access.
- Decide where your largest items will stand inside the building.
- Allow sufficient space for a suitable, level base.
If you are unsure about preparation, our garden building services and base information can help you plan the site before your new building arrives.
Think About the Shed Layout as Well as the Size
Two sheds with identical external dimensions can feel very different inside depending on the position of the doors and windows. This is why we recommend thinking about the internal arrangement at the same time as choosing the footprint.
For example, a workbench usually benefits from natural light, whereas tall shelving needs an uninterrupted wall. Large machinery may require generous door access, and frequently used equipment is better positioned near the entrance rather than behind items that are brought out only once or twice a year.
Before choosing a size, ask yourself:
- What is the largest individual item I need to store?
- Will I need to wheel machinery in and out?
- Do I want shelves, cupboards or a workbench?
- Will I regularly spend time working inside?
- Could my storage requirements increase over the next few years?
- Where should the doors be positioned for easiest garden access?
- Which walls need to remain clear for shelving or benches?
Apex or Pent Roof: Does It Affect the Size I Need?
The floor dimensions may be identical, but roof style can affect how the space feels and how easily the building fits its location. An apex roof rises towards a central ridge and gives useful headroom through the middle of the building. A pent roof slopes in one direction and can work particularly well where the shed needs to sit neatly alongside a boundary or where a more contemporary profile is preferred.
Rather than choosing a roof solely by appearance, consider the height at the position where you intend to stand or install shelves. Overall dimensions and individual product specifications should always be checked before ordering.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Shed by Size
Buying a shed that is only just big enough
Customers naturally measure what they own today, but garden equipment has a habit of multiplying. Shelves, pots, tools, chairs, lawn equipment and seasonal items soon use spare capacity. When space and budget allow, a little extra room is normally more useful than squeezing everything into the smallest possible footprint.
Looking only at external dimensions
The footprint tells only part of the story. Door openings, internal framing, windows, roof shape and your planned shelving all influence usable space. Check the actual specifications of the individual building rather than assuming every shed with the same nominal size will be identical.
Forgetting about access around the building
A shed that technically fits between two boundaries may still be awkward to install, treat or maintain. Leave sensible working room around the building wherever possible and consider how rainwater will be managed.
Not measuring the items going inside
Measure bulky equipment before choosing the building. Pay particular attention to the width of machinery, handlebars, wheels and other projections, and make sure the chosen door opening provides adequate access.
Choosing the building before planning the base
A good garden building needs an appropriate supporting base. Do not order a particular footprint and only afterwards discover that the proposed area is unsuitable. Establish where the shed will stand and how the base will be prepared during the initial planning stage.
Ignoring door position
A badly positioned door can waste otherwise useful space. Think about how you will approach the shed from the garden and where large items will be positioned once inside.
Forgetting future use
A building bought purely for storage today may later be expected to accommodate hobbies, DIY projects or additional equipment. You do not necessarily need to buy an enormous building, but thinking a few years ahead can prevent an expensive replacement.
Popular Shed Sizes to Consider
There is no single best shed size because gardens and storage requirements differ. Some dimensions are particularly useful starting points, however.
- 6×4 sheds – compact storage for smaller gardens.
- 8×6 sheds – a versatile footprint for everyday garden storage.
- 10×8 sheds – useful when storage needs to be combined with some working room.
- 12×8 sheds – a substantial footprint suitable for larger equipment and multi-purpose use.
- 20×8 sheds – extensive floor space for larger storage requirements and long working areas.
You can also return to our main garden sheds range when the style or intended use is more important to you than selecting by dimensions.
How Much Space Should I Leave Around a Shed?
Where the garden allows, leave enough room to reach the external walls safely for inspection and maintenance. The precise allowance depends on the building, boundary, roof and surrounding landscaping, so there is no universal gap that suits every installation. What matters is avoiding a situation where a wall becomes permanently inaccessible or where vegetation and retained moisture sit against the building.
Also consider nearby trees, fences, gates, drains, changes of ground level and the direction in which the shed doors will open.
Choosing a Shed Size for a Workbench
If you want a workbench, measure the bench depth first and then add comfortable standing and movement space in front of it. Remember that cupboards, shelving and stored equipment may reduce the walkway further. This is why a footprint that appears generous on paper can become crowded surprisingly quickly when fitted out.
For combined storage and practical working space, sizes around 10×8 and upwards are often worth considering, although the right answer depends entirely on your equipment and intended layout.
Before You Order
Once you have shortlisted a size, compare the actual buildings rather than choosing on dimensions alone. Look at construction, framing, doors, windows, roof covering, floor specification, treatment options and what is included in the quoted price. Our garden building buying tips explain other points worth considering before making the final decision.
You can also check our delivery areas and, if seeing buildings in person would help you judge their proportions, find information about our garden building display sites.
Shed Size FAQs
What is the most popular garden shed size?
There is no single size that suits every garden, but 6×4 and 8×6 are common choices for straightforward household and garden storage. Larger 10×8 and 12×8 footprints become useful when you need to combine storage with a workbench or hobby space.
Is an 8×6 shed big enough?
An 8×6 shed provides 48 square feet of nominal floor area and can be a very useful general-purpose size. It may accommodate a lawnmower, garden tools, shelving and other equipment, but you should measure your largest items and plan the layout before ordering.
Is a 6×4 shed big enough?
A 6×4 shed can work well for compact garden storage, hand tools and smaller equipment. It is less suitable if you require extensive floor storage or intend to spend significant time working inside.
What size shed is best for a lawnmower?
The answer depends on the mower. Measure its overall width and length, including handles or other projections, and check that it will fit comfortably through the chosen door opening. Allow additional room so other stored items do not have to be removed every time you need the mower.
What size shed is suitable for a workbench?
A workbench can be incorporated into many sheds, but comfortable working room is easier to achieve with a medium or larger footprint. Measure the bench depth, add standing space in front and then allow separately for storage and access.
Should I buy a shed bigger than I currently need?
If your garden, budget and intended location allow it, some spare capacity can be useful. Storage requirements grow over time, but the aim should still be to choose a proportionate building rather than simply buying the largest shed available.
Do shed dimensions include the roof overhang?
Dimensions and measuring conventions can differ between buildings, so do not assume the nominal size describes every external projection. Check the detailed measurements of the individual product when fitting a shed into a restricted space.
Can I put a shed close to a fence?
It may be physically possible, but leaving useful access around the external walls is preferable where space allows. Consider maintenance, roof overhangs, rainwater, neighbouring boundaries and any applicable planning requirements before choosing the final position.
What size base do I need for my shed?
The base must properly support the particular garden building you are buying. Establish the required base dimensions from the building specification rather than estimating them from the nominal shed size, and make sure the finished base is firm, level and appropriate for the building.
Are metric sheds different from imperial sheds?
Metric and imperial descriptions are simply different ways of expressing dimensions, but nominal sizes do not always convert exactly. If the shed needs to fit a precise space, use the stated measurements for the individual building rather than relying on approximate conversions.
How do I decide between two shed sizes?
Mark both footprints on the ground with string, chalk or temporary markers. Then place or measure your largest equipment within the marked area. This simple exercise often makes it obvious whether the smaller building will be comfortable or whether the extra space of the larger option will be worthwhile.
Should I measure my garden before choosing a shed?
Yes. Measure the proposed site, access route and any nearby restrictions before ordering. Then measure the largest items you want to put inside. Choosing the building from those measurements is much safer than selecting a nominal shed size first and hoping it will fit afterwards.
Find Your Shed by Size
The easiest way to choose is to start with the space available, decide exactly what the building needs to do and then compare the suitable sizes above. Shortlist two or three footprints rather than concentrating immediately on one dimension, and consider the doors, windows and internal layout as part of the decision. That approach normally produces a shed that remains useful long after the first load of garden equipment has been put inside.
