With guidance from Lipford in mind, we researched designs of various sizes and materials. Our top choice is the Rubbermaid Resin Storage Shed, a large-capacity walk-in enclosure that stands up to year-round weather. This sturdy shed boasts an ultra-strong roof that stands up to torrential downpours and heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, built-in ventilation provides year-round airflow, and strategically placed upper windows help illuminate the interior for better visibility. Interior features, such as shelves and hooks, are sold separately, but Rubbermaid has lots of compatible accessories for customizing the inside. With minimal tools and individual parts that need to be connected, the medium-large size is easy to assemble by yourself. All things considered, we believe the $1,000 price range is right on point. Price at time of publish: $1,095 It’s made of incredibly strong and weather-resistant steel and features a user-friendly sliding door with a built-in lock. Also, the slanted roof ensures that water and snow don’t build up on top. We note that the interior is large enough to store large outdoor equipment such as a snow blower and/or a large lawn mower. Having said that, you can pay more for a metal storage shed that’s easier to assemble: The instructions require at least two persons to set this up, and assembly can take several hours. (Be mindful of the sharp steel edges.) Note that the roof is assembled in one direction only: We strongly recommend not placing this shed adjacent to your home because water can run off into the foundation. Also, it includes a perimeter upon which the walls rest, so select a flat location, such as an existing concrete slab, to avoid critters invading from underneath. Price at time of publish: $150 It’s made of steel-reinforced resin, so it should hold up in any climate during all four seasons for years to come. The resin is waterproof and resists fading, with a wood-like texture you can paint to match your siding. We like the lockable shed’s ventilation vent at the roof’s peak, which helps circulate air to keep excess moisture from building up in hot weather; and the built-in window, which you can position on either side wall. We would have preferred that this shed kit came with interior shelving, but you can add what you need after assembling it. Installation mostly consists of driving screws into plastic, so a power drill or screwdriver can come in handy. Expect putting it together to take 3 hours or more. Price at time of publish: $599 Due to the substantial size, this outdoor shed is costly, and the price doesn’t include roof shingles and flooring; you have to buy and install those materials separately. Still, the 10-year warranty can give you peace of mind. Expect to devote a long weekend to assembling this outdoor storage shed. Professional installation may be available from The Home Depot. Price at time of publish: $1,999 This unit is made of solid fir, polished to a rustic appearance. A waterproof sloping asphalt roof is designed to prevent water accumulation on top. It comes with two interior shelves, which you can remove or adjust as needed. The floor can keep critters out, and you can anchor the structure to the ground with included pegs. The kit also includes six adjustable feet to ensure stability on uneven ground. We like that assembling this attractive outdoor storage shed takes only a few hours. But we also note that you may wish to apply some type of finish to the wood to maintain it, just as you would any other wooden structure exposed to the elements. Price at time of publish: $370 We were wondering about the sturdiness of the floor, but the manufacturer says it can safely bear 35 pounds per square inch—that should be enough for any typical lawn or garden machine. As far as wind resistance, the manufacturer says it can withstand winds up to 65 mph. But that’s not all. This feature-rich storage unit also has hinged doors, as well as two skylights and two vents to ensure natural lighting and ventilation. You can place the built-in window, which opens half-way, on either side. Owing to its size, the manufacturer recommends a site measuring at least 8 x 8 feet. Professional installation is available. The price is steep, but we think it’s worth it, considering the size and ample features. Plus, it’s backed by a 10-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $1,130 Three windows (which don’t open) and built-in ventilation encourage airflow. Depending on the furniture material, Lipford says, “Many homeowners use a dehumidifier to prevent moisture damage.” The vertical columns between the panels can accept hooks for additional storage capacity. Just a heads up, you need to install your own floor with plywood or another sturdy foundation material. The manufacturer also suggests that your foundation should be designed not only to elevate the shed but help with water flow. Price at time of publish: $1,449 This unit is made of high-density polyethylene, a super durable, waterproof, fade-resistant thermoplastic. The waterproofing is enhanced by drainage grooves on the lid along with moisture-resistant resin. We also like that it has sliding doors for easy access, as well as an easy-access, lockable lid. it’s a breeze to assemble, with minimal tools, and requires no foundation or slab, although we always recommend placing this on level ground. Also, we note that the lid hinges may not last. Price at time of publish: $299 This outdoor storage solution has a steel frame with multi-wall resin panels for reinforced strength and long-lasting durability. Large transom windows let in the light, and vents circulate the air. Unlike many others, the kit comes with a floor, so you have all the necessary materials to assemble it. However, adding the weather stripping tacks on an additional hour or two. Even with the weather stripping, we’ve noted that it may leak after heavy rainstorms. Upwards of $1,000 is a lot for the size, but Suncast backs it with a 10-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $1,160 This mini shed’s double wall panels are made of resin to ensure long-lasting stability, waterproofness, and resistance to all types of weather, and you can paint the material to match your siding or pool house. We like that the door hinge areas are lipped to keep out water, and that it comes with its own floor. Though you have to buy your own lock, we appreciate that the French doors have lockable handles. Also, we would have preferred that the unit include shelves instead of you having to purchase them separately. Price at time of publish: $487 Its tear-resistant, weather-ready vinyl is designed to safeguard garden tools, bicycles, lawn mowers, pool toys, and other medium-size items from water, sunlight, dirt, and pests. Fabric flaps cover the zippers to ensure they last. Although you can purchase the YardStash III with a similar storage capacity, we recommend this model because of the tougher tarp, which is designed for more extreme weather. We recommend staking it to the ground for maximum stability. For under $200, we think the high-quality design is a steal. Price at time of publish: $190 Beyond that, you can find larger walk-in units and cabinet-style solutions, as well as storage buildings with pointed shingle roofs and vertical options with sloping covers, like the Suncast Modernist Vertical Storage Shed.
Size and Capacity
When browsing options, think about what you need to store and how large a unit you need. Shed capacities range from roughly 25 cubic feet (about the capacity of a hot tub) to 500 or more cubic feet (roughly half the interior of a school bus), as with the Lifetime Outdoor Storage Shed. The best backyard sheds for patio furniture, lawnmowers, bicycles, and other sizable items are on the larger side. On the other hand, if you’re storing gardening tools and pool toys, a cabinet-style or tent-type unit should do.
Material
If you’re looking for a permanent solution, we recommend metal outdoor storage sheds such as the all-steel U-Max Outdoor Storage Shed. Metal sheds tend to be the most durable and weather-resistant. However, these tend to be difficult to assemble, taking many people and time. A more affordable though still permanent solution is a storage shed constructed of resin, as with the Rubbermaid Resin Storage Shed. This synthetic material is waterproof, rust-proof, and paintable in any hue to go with the siding on your house. “It’s always best, in my opinion, to match the exterior of the home,” says our consulted expert, home improvement expert Danny Lipford. So if your home is a rustic wood style, you could opt for an all-wood product such as the Mcombo Outdoor Storage Cabinet. In any case, year-round weather resistance and long-lasting durability are key.
Assembly and Additional Materials
Pay attention to the assembly requirements. As noted, most sheds you order online need to be put together at home, though some are more complex and time-intensive than others. Many include floors and can be positioned on level ground without an added foundation. But some manufacturers strongly recommend at least a concrete slab for maximum stability. Some sheds include all the necessary parts to assemble and anchor the product, but may require the use of power tools. Some kits lack key structural components. For instance, the Handy Home Products Majestic Shed doesn’t include roof shingles or a floor, so you have to buy and install those materials separately.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and editor who has written about outdoor products for The Spruce since 2019. For this article, she interviewed home improvement expert Danny Lipford of Today’s Homeowner, who offered buying tips and insight into sizes and materials. After considering dozens of units from various brands, Theresa narrowed it down to durable, functional, easy-to-assemble sheds with notable features. Keep potting mixes and fertilizers tightly closed. If you overwinter bulbs or seeds, store them in sealed bags, or in containers with tightly fitting lids. Organic materials, such as straw, and soft materials, such as padded cushions and furniture coverings, attract small rodents. If you can’t secure those in plastic bins, plan to store them elsewhere. Check labels for chemical herbicides and pesticides. Most manufacturers recommend a temperature range for storage and may require a warmer or cooler location. Finally, we strongly recommend that you do not overwinter your living plants in an outdoor shed. Store them in a heated garage, basement, enclosed porch, or greenhouse.
