The idea of a DIY shed can get any homeowner excited. Working on your shed space will get your ideas flowing. You can do literally anything you want with it -- from a gardening shed, tool shed, storage, game room, play room, and work room to a small space for peace and quiet. If there’s one space in your home that can easily get that brand-new look, it’s your old garden shed or storage shed.
It’s a space that you can renovate without disrupting your regular day-to-day activities. You can do it in your spare time, on the weekends, or whenever creative ideas strike you.
Take time to plan your shed renovation. The question is, where do you even start? It's important that you first identify what you intend to use the shed space for and whether you want to do the revamp yourself or ask someone else to build it for you.
Identify what you’ll use your DIY shed space for
There’s nothing more disappointing than to spend time and money on a renovation that quickly becomes a wasteful endeavour because it doesn’t turn out exactly the way you want it to. If you don’t identify what you want to use your garden shed for, then you won’t be able to effectively plan both the renovation and the budget required for it. Before you undertake the project, think hard about the purpose of this space for you, so that you will not be tempted to change your mind halfway through the process. This will save you a lot of time, hassle and money.
Why you should consider renovating your shed
Here are some reasons why you might want to renovate your shed:
To make better use of your space
A garden shed can be used in different ways, but a shed that is not well designed and well maintained will not serve you well. Simply put, you cannot make the most out of your shed space if it isn’t built for a purpose. You can have a space big enough for any work load or storage, but if it isn’t utilised well, it’s just a waste. So, make sure that the shed in your garden is not only beautiful to the eyes, but also functional and practical.
To prolong the life of your garden shed
Garden sheds can last a long time, but with weathering and age, the quality of its materials, especially those made of timber, will eventually deteriorate. A timber shed can last up to 12 years if maintained with the right paint and care. Steel sheds last much longer, but they, too, need to be cared for. By taking up the challenge of a DIY shed project, you can clean, revamp, and even repaint your shed to make it look as good as new. This will help to extend its lifespan.
To enhance the aesthetics of your garden
For most homeowners, the home garden has become a place to relax and unwind after a long week at work. There’s nothing more distracting than an eye sore in your own backyard. If you want to make the most out of the fresh air and aesthetic of your garden, renovate and redecorate your shed. Make it look more visually appealing and turn it into something that complements your garden, making it an ideal place to relax.
Eight Steps to give your old storage shed a new look with a DIY shed project
Once you are confident with your decision on what to use your garden shed for, it’s time to start renovating the old, and bring to life the new. Follow these steps as a guide to change the way your shed looks and make it more suitable for it’s intended use.
De-clutter and clean
The first step is to clean the shed. It’s important to remove all items stored inside the shed, de-clutter it, and clean all surfaces and corners until you are left with nothing but the structure. This is to guarantee that you have a clear view of the entire space. By doing this, you can move on to the next steps.
Measure the space
You need to be aware of the actual measurements of the space, so that you will know what will fit in it and how you can change it to make it more functional. For example, if you are planning to use it for workspace, it should be big enough to contain electronic devices, a computer, and maybe a file cabinet. By getting all the measurements, you can fully understand how everything will fit into the space. It is also important for you to be aware of how the end-results will look and feel.
Look for problem areas and fix them
Look for holes, broken timber, rusty parts, unhinged windows, or maybe a faulty lock. These are all problem areas that you need to uncover and improve on. You need to ensure that your shed will be secure and keep the contents within safe. Once you are done, you can move on to the designing aspect of the shed project, which is the fun part.
Plan the design and the budget
The colour and style, as well as changes in the shed’s interior, are all aspects you need to consider when planning your design. Research different ways you can make the most out of small spaces and incorporate any ideas you find into your plan. You can maximise the use of wall spaces with smart shelving and storage plans. Choose the right colours for the interior and exterior of the shed. Make sure you have the right paint for your structure’s surface, to ensure it is protected and does not damage it.
Consider incorporating improved security by using a high-end door lock system. Consider additional electrical outlets, weather efficient windows, and insulation. You may even want a new rooftop. The design stage is where you can really make this space your own, so do not rush this part of the process. Take your time and consider everything you want placed inside your shed to ensure that they will all work cohesively and give you the workspace of your dreams.
The cost is, of course, part of the plan, too. You can work around a budget, do your best to stick to it and not overspend. By carefully coming up with a plan, the renovation process will be more organised.
Start with the addition or removal of shelves and storage items
Once you have a plan set for your DIY shed project, you can begin to change the interior. This involves adding or removing shelves, tabletops, or storage areas and rebuilding the space to suit what you want and need for your shed. Do this carefully to avoid harming yourself. As much as possible, you should invest in the proper protective gear to avoid injuries.
Secure the electrical outputs and water lines
Make sure you have the right electrical outlets for your workspace. You can rely on professionals to help with this process to guarantee that any electrical outlets and water pipes are safe and secured. It is always recommended that you seek the help of a professional. Better safe than sorry!
Paint
This is the stage of the process where you will really see the change in the look of your garden shed. Make sure that you choose the right paint for the material your shed is made of. It has to be waterproof in order to last long through different weather conditions. Take your time with the painting process. Make sure that you add a new layer of paint only once the previous layer is dry to avoid any air bubbles or mistakes.
When painting the interior of your shed, try to make sure all surfaces are clean and dust-free, so that you do not end up with a rough-looking paint job. Also, make sure that you check the weather forecast first before you start this process. It is not recommended that you paint the structure whilst it is raining.
Decorate the interior of your shed to your liking
This is the final and probably the most satisfying part of the process. Once your paint dries up well, you can add the finishing touches. For all the appliances that you will install, lift them into the shed carefully. Make sure that you have extra manpower, especially when something requires heavy lifting. Start decorating with lighting, accessories, plants, furniture, and proceed with other things you’ll need to make it the perfect workspace for you. It’s important to consider exactly what you need to avoid cluttering the newly renovated space with items that you would not need there later.
How to know if you can’t pursue a DIY project on your old garden shed
It is possible that you may not be able to save a damaged shed and pursue your DIY shed project. If a shed is far too damaged, then it is definitely not advisable for you to try to fix it, as it may just be a waste of time and money. An example of this is if the timber of a timber shed is already rotten. Even if you fix up any holes and add a few new timber panels, the rotten timber will eventually break apart, and this will not hold up the structure well enough.
Another problem may be termite infestation. If there are too many termites around the different parts of your timber shed, then there’s no saving it. These pests may have already damaged too much of the timber, and the structure may not be safe enough for renovation. These are only two of the different factors that you need to look into to make sure that you will not waste any time or effort renovating a space that is not safe or sturdy enough.
What to do if you can’t save your old garden shed?
If you discover that you can no longer renovate your garden shed or if the structure is too damaged, then it’s time to buy a new shed, which can definitely be the new space you can use to pursue your DIY shed plans. Easy Shed offers really beautiful and simple steel sheds that you can buy to replace your old garden shed.
Take your time to look at the different designs they offer. Their steel sheds come in all shapes and sizes, with different functioning door designs and different colours. The best part about buying a new steel shed from EasyShed is that they have a lifetime warranty. The steel sheds are made of top-of-the-line, high tensile steel and is built to last a lifetime. With this material, you no longer have to worry about termites or about the material rotting. It’s even easy to build the structure yourself, with the simple instructions that come with the product. It’s a DIY shed project that can’t go wrong.
With their incredible prices and sheds that have lifetime guarantees, it will definitely be a better investment than trying to renovate your old shed. You’ll have everything you need when you purchase from EasyShed. Have fun building your shed and designing it according to your preference. With their many designs and colour combinations, you will surely find the right shape, size, and design that will suit your needs. Get started on your DIY shed project today!
