6 Popular Storage Shed Sizes (plus ideas for using them!)
One common question people ask is, “What size shed should I buy?” We’ll review six of the most popular storage shed sizes and their various uses.
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Is An 8×12 Storage Shed Right For You?
The 8×12 storage shed is one of the most popular shed sizes, but you may be wondering if it’s the right size for you. Read this blog post to find out!
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6 Popular Storage Shed Sizes (plus ideas for using them!)
Backyard storage sheds come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the right shed for your needs and space can feel challenging.
But thankfully, it doesn’t need to be!
At Colorado Sheds, one common question we get asked is, “What size shed should I buy?” To answer this question, we’ll review six of the most popular shed sizes and their various uses.
Let’s begin!
Sheds are divided into general categories of small, medium, and large. Here’s how we define the categories:
Small Sheds
- Under 90 square feet
- Examples: 6x8, 8x8, 8x10
Medium Sheds
- 90 - 120 square feet
- Examples: 8x12, 10x10, 10x12
Large Sheds
- More than 120 square feet
- Examples: 8x16, 10x16, 12x16
Finding the right shed for you depends on several factors, including how much storage room you need, your available yard size, any fence or gate restrictions you have, and neighborhood codes.
Starting with the small sheds, we’ll look at two common sizes in each category and discuss how you can utilize them.
Small Sheds: 8x8
At 64 square feet, an 8x8 shed provides the perfect amount of additional storage in a small backyard. This shed size works well for storing tools, garden supplies, bikes, and more. While most commonly used as storage or garden sheds, 8x8 sheds can be used for anything from housing small animals to a child’s playhouse. If you own a small business, an 8x8 storage shed could also be the perfect size to store extra inventory.
8x8 sheds function best as single-use sheds since they are so small. For example, if you use an 8x8 shed to store your woodworking tools, you probably won’t have much space to also do your woodworking.
8x8 Shed Use Ideas:
- Garden Shed
- Chicken Coop
- Storage Shed
- Playhouse
- Dog House
Small Sheds: 8x10
While still a small shed, the 8x10 shed offers 16 more square feet of space than the 8x8 shed. This extra space gives you more options for how to use the shed.
An 8x10 shed can store bikes, seasonal decor, camping gear, lawn care equipment, and more. It is too small to comfortably fit a riding mower or large recreational gear, so choose a larger size if that’s what you need to store. An 8x10 shed also works well as a small animal loafing shed. Learn all about loafing sheds in our blog Loafing Sheds | All You Need to Know!
8x10 Shed Use Ideas:
- Garden Shed
- Chicken Coop
- Storage Shed
- Loafing Shed
- Dog House/Welping Shed
Medium Sheds: 8x12
An 8x12 shed gives you 96 square feet of space. With this shed size, you can comfortably store a riding lawn mower, ATV, or golf cart. The door size makes a big difference in what vehicles you can store - make sure you get a door big enough to accommodate what you want in the shed!
An 8x12 shed has a lot of potential uses, especially for a creative individual. Read our blog about 8x12 Storage Sheds for more information.
8x12 Shed Use Ideas:
- Garden Shed
- Home Office
- Hobby Nook
- Small Home Library
- Storage Shed
- Pool House
- Small Animal Shelter
- Loafing Shed
- Wood Storage
- Tack Room
Medium Sheds: 10x12
In Colorado, a 10x12 shed is the largest size you can install without a permit. Some suggest that it is one of the most efficient shed sizes because it's footprint is still relatively small, but it can still store a surprising amount.
You can do a lot with a 10x12 shed, including storing larger recreation items like an average-sized kayak. You could also finish the space for a backyard studio, home office, or hobby nook.
10x12 Shed Use Ideas
- Personal Library
- She Shed or Man Cave
- Garden shed
- Home Office
- Backyard Studio
- Storage Shed
- Pool House
- Small Animal Shelter
- Loafing Shed
Large Sheds: 12x12
The first shed we’ll discuss in the Large Shed category is the 12x12 shed. At 144 square feet, this spacious shed works well for storing larger items like a recreational vehicle, motorcycle, or larger outdoor gear. Just remember to choose doors wide enough for your purpose!
This size is also convenient for a larger home office, pool house, or personal gym.
12x12 Shed Use Ideas:
- Home Gym
- Makers Space
- Personal Libray
- She Shed or Man Cave
- Garden Shed
- Larger Home Office
- Backyard Studio
- Storage Shed
- Pool House
- Small Animal Shelter
- Loafing Shed
Large Sheds: 12x16
A 12x16 shed gives you a lot of room for storage. A four-wheeler, ATV, riding mower, or similar equipment will fit easily with room to spare. Motorcycles and small vehicles also fit, depending on the design and height of the shed.
A 12x16 shed also provides plenty of space for animals large and small, including a kennel for dogs or a loafing shed for a horse or cow.
12x16 Shed Use Ideas:
- Home Gym
- She Shed or Man Cave
- Garden Shed
- Home Office
- Backyard Studio
- Personal Library
- Storage Shed
- Pool House
- Animal Shelter
- Loafing Shed
Of course, it doesn't stop here. You could go even bigger and do a 14x36 shed, or other dimensions. With a large shed such as a 14x36 you could make a she-shed, man-cave, or even guest quarters!
Choosing a Shed
There are several questions you should ask yourself if you’re considering investing in a shed.
1. How will I use this shed?
Do you want a backyard studio or a woodshed? Do you want an animal shelter or a storage space for garden tools and bikes?
How you answer will affect both the size and style of your shed. You should also consider if you’ll want to use the shed differently in the future. For example, you may only need a shed for storage at the moment, but in the future may want to purchase a pony for your child.
2. What do I want to store here?
Make sure to choose a size and style of shed that fits the items you wish to store. It's also a good idea to think ahead. You may only need to store garden tools at the moment, but if you want to purchase a motorcycle in the near future, you will need a place to store that too.
3. What size will fit in my yard?
We don’t recommend a shed that overwhelms your yard. Here’s a helpful guide to choosing a shed size from the homecare site Angi:
4. What's my budget?
Budget is an important guiding factor. If you need a shed on a budget, a smaller one will be a better choice. You could also consider purchasing a second-hand shed or (if you have the skills) building it yourself.
5. What style will fit with my home aesthetic?
You don’t want your shed to clash with your home or stick out like a sore thumb in your garden. For example, if your home has a modern design, a Western-style shed won’t complement the aesthetic, while the modern, urban, or Royal Gorge designs will look much better! But if you live on a ranch, the Western or barn-style designs are an excellent choice.
6. Are there any community regulations?
Some communities have building codes or homeowner’s associations restricting the size and/or number of detached buildings on a property. Be sure to check local codes before purchasing or building a shed.
7. Do I want room to grow?
Think ahead. Is there anything you’ll want to store or dreams you want to pursue that could affect the shed’s size? Perhaps you want to purchase a fishing boat or start woodworking or painting. Adjusting for these goals will save you money in the long run.
How Colorado Shed Company Can Help
We hope you found this article helpful and feel more confident and inspired to choose the right shed.
If you’re from Colorado, check out our inventory and custom-build options!
Are you interested in learning more about sheds and their uses? Here are a few blogs you’ll enjoy:
- Finished Sheds: Ideas, Styles, and More
- Home Gym Sheds: Answering Your Questions
- Modern Storage Sheds - Everything You Should Know
If you have any additional questions or would like to get a free quote, give us a call today!
Is An 8×12 Storage Shed Right For You?
If you need to pick out a shed for your property, getting the right size is a top priority, and you may find yourself asking the following questions:
- What size shed is adequate?
- How much will I be able to fit into my shed?
- Is it better to plan larger than the space I actually need?
At Colorado Sheds, one of the popular shed sizes available is the classic 8x12 shed. Today, we’ll take a look at basic storage shed sizing and discuss whether an 8x12 shed is the right fit for you in answering these questions.
Let’s get started!
Shed Sizing Categories
Before we dive into the specifics of 8x12 sheds, let’s talk about some broader shed categories.
Generally speaking, shed sizing is divided into three general categories: Small, Medium, and Large. Let’s define these categories to make sure we are on the same page.
★ Small sheds are under 90 square feet in area.
- Small sheds are great for storing garden tools, lawn supplies, a small grill, and other small tools.
- Examples: 8x10, 6x8
★ Medium sheds are 90 to 120 square feet in area.
- Medium sheds can accommodate larger items such as lawnmowers, snowblowers, an ATV, or golf carts, as well as smaller tools.
- Examples: 8x12, 10x10, 10x12
★ Large sheds are larger than 120 square feet in area.
- Large sheds can be used for items such as kayaks, canoes, and utility vehicles.
- Examples: 8x16, 10x16, 12x16, or even 14x36
As you can see, the 8x12 shed falls into the smaller end of the medium shed category. That means it is well suited for smaller garden tools up to medium-sized pieces of equipment such as snowblowers or a small ATV.
But what can you realistically expect to fit into an 8x12 storage shed? And what are some uses that 8x12 sheds are well-suited for?
We’ll look more closely at these questions and more about shed sizing in the next section, so stick around!
What Is The Actual Capacity Of An 8x12 Shed?
There are lots of uses for 8x12 sheds other than just storage. But for now, let’s talk about the capacity of an 8x12 shed when it comes to storing things such as tools, and household items.
96 sq feet or 85 sq feet?
First, a note to keep in mind: When you figure up how much space your shed will have, you need to take the framing into account. Sheds are typically framed with 2x4s. Those 2x4s cut into some of your space, making the total usable area about 85 square feet, not 96 square feet.
That’s not to say that 11 square feet are wasted. You can still hang rakes, shovels, or other tools in the spaces between the studs. But when figuring for vehicles or larger pieces of equipment, you need to remember how the space the frame requires
How can you maximize the space in an 8x12 shed?
The total capacity of your 8x12 shed actually depends on several factors.
- The wall height of your shed.
- The roof slope of your shed.
- How tightly you want to pack it.
Increasing the wall height of your shed dramatically increases its storage capacity because you can hang more things on the walls, install more shelving, and lean taller items such as rakes in the corners.
Similarly, the roof slope affects storage capacity because the steeper and higher the roof, the more space you have to hang things from the ceiling or install a loft. So the type of 8x12 shed with the most storage space has high walls and a rounded, barn-like roof (like a gambrel style roof).
Ideally, you should leave some wiggle room in your shed so you can walk around and find things. If you pack things in tightly, you can fit a surprising amount of stuff into your 8x12 shed. But if you actually want to access the things you store, that’s not the best plan.
How do you know if your things will fit?
The best way to determine if your larger items will fit in an 8x12 shed is to measure them! Your ATV or golf cart should easily fit in an 8x12 shed, provided the door accommodates it. But it’s best to check it out and be sure before you purchase your shed.
Take a look at the spread of items you want to store and eye it up. You could even draw an 8x12 rectangle on the ground to get an idea of how much floor space it is, or find a room in your home of similar dimensions and visualize the items inside. Chances are you can get a fairly good idea of how much space your items will take.
Of course, you can always maximize the space in your shed with good organizing!
Some things that will NOT fit in an 8x12 shed are…
You can fit a lot in an 8x12 shed. However, some things simply will NOT fit, such as:
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Long ladders
- Multiple ATVs, riding lawn mowers, or golf carts
- Tractors or other large pieces of machinery
- Anything that won’t fit through the door!
Uses For 8x12 Sheds
If you are looking for more than just basic storage, don’t rule out the 8x12 shed, because it is large enough for multiple other applications!
A few examples:
- 8x12 ft is absolutely big enough to make a home office. It’s not huge, but it’s quite enough space to set up a few monitors, a desk chair, and a filing cabinet.
- An 8x12 ft shed could make a wonderful hobby nook. With efficient storage solutions and some organizing, it could make a great leatherworking shop, garden shed, painting studio, or sewing room. It could even work for some types of photography.
- 8x12 is a great size for a small animal shelter for goats, dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, or other small animals. With an open front, an 8x12 ft shelter could even accommodate a horse or cow, although it would get a little crowded with multiple horses or cows.
- An 8x12 ft shed would make a perfect pool house, where you could store all your pool toys, floaties, and pool cleaning supplies.
- There are lots of businesses you could run out of an 8x12 shed! Marketing, writing, crafts, a piano studio to give lessons or even a pet grooming parlor. It’s not expansive, but there’s potential there!
- Depending on its height, you can store a lot of wood in an 8x12 ft shed. One cord of wood takes up about 128 cubic feet. If your 8x12 shed is 7 ft tall, it has about 670 cubic feet of capacity. That means it could hold roughly 5 cords of wood, although realistically, it would be a bit less. Depending on your climate and the size of your house, that could be enough for the entire winter.
You get the idea–an 8x12 ft shed is large enough for multiple purposes, and there’s great potential for what you could do with one!
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you think about whether or not an 8x12 shed is the best size for you!
If you are interested in looking at shed options today, check out our selection at the Colorado Shed Company!
We have plenty of options for storage sheds, tack rooms, studios, animal shelters, hobby barns, garages, and much more!
Check out some of our most popular designs:
View our shed inventory or contact us today to see options and learn more! We look forward to hearing from you.
Home Gym Sheds: Answering Your Questions
Modern Storage Sheds – Everything You Should Know
Finished Sheds | Ideas, Styles, and More
Home Office Sheds | A 2022 Buying Guide
