There’s a joke I have with my running buddies that somehow our conversations always circle back to sheds. We’ll admire the ones we pass on our runs, complain about needing more storage, or plot ways to convince our spouses that a shed should come before the next home update. Clearly we lead very exciting lives.
With the arrival of our new shed, I’m officially the envy of the crew (probably briefly, but still). Best part: I didn’t have to stage any elaborate persuasion tactics.
Why a shed? Two main reasons: to improve our garage and to improve our yard.
First, the garage has been in perpetual disarray. It doubles as an entryway, workshop, and general storage, so sawdust and stray tools are constant. We wanted to move tools, scrap wood, and messy project gear out of there so the space can be used for family items like balls, bikes, sleds, beach chairs, strollers — and for parking the car without stepping over lumber.
The yard benefits were what swung Sherry. Our lot shape leaves one area uncomfortably close to a neighbor, and our attempts at planting a privacy screen haven’t worked out (we even planted two large holly trees that later died). A shed would provide immediate privacy in that spot and help visually push back the perceived edge of the yard, making the lawn feel larger.
We’re also planning to move a big bush that currently encroaches on the yard (we’ll wait until fall to transplant it), so picture the shrub ten feet farther into the woods for the intended look.
We considered many routes — building from scratch, a kit, hiring a handyman, or buying from a big-box store. In the end we chose a local dealer who sells custom sheds built by an Amish company in Pennsylvania. The workmanship and customization options made it an easy decision.
Customization was a major selling point: we picked the size (12′ x 16′), siding and roof colors to match our house, siding type, window quantity and size, door style, trim details, and even added an extra dormer for more natural light. Once ordered, fabrication in PA took around four weeks before delivery.
We cleared a few shrubs and removed two small trees prior to delivery. The installation itself was impressive: one installer, a truck, and a special rig that tipped and slid the shed into place. He came out in advance to confirm maneuverability, which made delivery day smooth.
It looked like a movie scene — the trailer tipped, the shed eased off, and the installer used PVC pipes under the shed to roll it into its final spot, using the trailer’s hydraulics to nudge and level it precisely.
After delivery we focused on electrical and a small step. Our electrician planned the run and I trenched the line about 12″ deep so outlets and lighting could be installed. Inside, outlets were added at counter height along the back wall for a future workbench, and two 4-foot LED strip lights were mounted on the ceiling for bright, practical illumination.
We also added two exterior sconces that match the house fixtures to tie the outbuilding to the main home visually. Matching siding and roof colors help the shed feel like a natural extension of the property.
The shed floor sat slightly higher than comfortable, so we built a simple step from pavers rather than a ramp — we don’t plan to store wheeled equipment. After digging a 12″ hole and filling it with compacted paver gravel and sand, we tried a few layout options. We settled on a thin paver base, brick pavers laid flat, and a thin paver top for the best height and appearance. I worked around an exposed cinder block under the shed by cutting some pavers to keep the visible border neat, then packed sand into the gaps.
I bought landscape adhesive to secure the pavers but haven’t used it yet. We may replace the four smaller pavers on the top step with one larger stone that has a slight overhang for a cleaner look, but for now the step is functional and attractive.
We’re holding off on major landscaping until the fall when it’s cooler, but I made a quick mockup of potential plantings to guide future work.
We haven’t moved everything into the shed yet because we’re still planning the layout and workbench size. Still, I couldn’t be happier. The shed has delivered privacy, organization potential, and a more finished backyard. Sherry keeps remarking on how cozy and private the yard feels now. Lesson learned: if your screening plants won’t survive and the garage is a dusty mess, a well-placed shed can be the perfect solution.
*This post contains affiliate links