If you ask anyone what a shed is, they’ll tell you it’s an outdoor storage unit. And that’s true. But what’s also true is that, in most cases, that outdoor shed is an eyesore most people would get rid of if it wasn’t so convenient to have.
But a shed doesn’t necessarily have to be something that’s difficult to look at, it can actually contribute to the aesthetics of your backyard. You can even make it a focal point and surround it with plants, pathways, etc.
If this sounds like something you’d want in your backyard (and it probably does), then keep reading because we’ll show you how to make your shed go from meh to wow in a few simple steps.
Choosing the Right Kind of Shed
Well, one way of going about this would be to go online, search something like, “sheds for sale near me” and browse through what’s offered. And that’s actually a great way to get a new shed if you know what you’re looking for. Or if you don’t, it’ll also serve as a source for some inspirational ideas. Perhaps you’ll even find one you love (that’s for sale right now), and it wouldn’t have crossed your mind otherwise.
The right kind of shed has to fit the architectural style of your home and garden. If you’re after something modern, then you want clean lines and simplicity. If your garden is more on the rustic side, a shed with a natural wood finish will fit right in. The color plays a part, too – if you get a shed that’s neutral, it will blend into the environment.
On the other hand, something with a bold color will be almost a statement piece. Basically, you start off with finding something that works with what you already have, and then you style it.
How to Make the Shed Work with the Landscape
Now that you have your shed, it’s time to make it look like you’ve put thought into designing your backyard.
The goal is to create a sense of cohesion between the shed and its surroundings, not just have it look like it’s been randomly plopped down.
1. Plants and Greenery
A great way to blend the shed into its environment is to have trees or shrubs around it. Greenery will kind of soften the shed’s edges, plus it’ll almost seem like it’s a natural part of the backyard.
You can also use trellises, climbing plants, even living walls to add greenery directly onto the shed or around it. You can never really have too much greenery in the backyard, and if you have a shed that’s seen better days, you can cover it up with plants.
As far as which plants to choose, it’s best to go with native plants.
They’ll last long and they’re easy to maintain, so everything stays vibrant and green without too much hassle.
2. Pathways and Hardscaping
Pathways are excellent because they connect the shed to other areas in the garden, but they look like they’re an intentional part of the layout.
Gravel, stepping stones, and paved paths are fantastic because they’re easy to align with the garden’s design. Another thing you can do is add a desk or a patio, so you’ll have an area that can be a seating nook, workspace, etc.
The reason you would want to do this is to make the shed feel like it’s where it is on purpose, plus the entire backyard gets more functional.
3. Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is both functional and aesthetic. Pathway lights, motion-sensor lights, or solar-powered fixtures are the most common choices and they’ll make your shed look inviting and visible at night.
Lightning is especially important if you plan on spending time in your backyard at night. If you really want to go all out, you can uplight or string fairy lights around to make it more cozy and decorative.
4. Customizing the Outside of the Shed
The outside of your shed doesn’t need to be boring or plain-looking. You can customize it by putting paint on or adding some art/outdoor decorations. There really are a number of options which you can utilize to make the shed stand out – if that’s what you’re looking for. Perhaps you just want it to look plain and normal on the outside while it has an amazing interior at the same time.
Window boxes with seasonal blooms/flowers and framed shutter decorations can enhance the exterior a great deal, while a few simple pieces of furniture can help elevate the look without making it cluttered.
Each piece you add will bring a sense of character, but keep in mind that you need to make it work with the rest of the backyard. Unless you’re going for something really eclectic, then you don’t need to worry about it too much.
Conclusion
See? A shed doesn’t have to be an eyesore where you need to tuck it away for nobody to see. It can actually be as aesthetic as it is functional. And that’s what this whole article was about.
You can think of this as a project to expand your living area into nature. All it takes is some planning and a little bit of creativity.
And if you’re not creative, hey – we’ve just shared a decent number of ideas with you, so you have no excuse not to have an instagrammable (yes, that’s a word) shed anymore. We need to keep up with the time, right?
