Buy enough space for what you own today — and what you’re likely to own tomorrow.
Buying a storage shed sounds simple.
Until you have to decide what size you actually need.
An 8×10 might look plenty big enough when it’s empty. Then you add the lawn mower, bicycles, garden tools, Christmas decorations, patio furniture and a few boxes you promised yourself you would sort through someday.
Suddenly, there’s barely enough room to open the door.
Choosing the right size storage shed for your Missouri property isn’t simply about measuring what you own today. It’s about thinking about how you’ll use the building for years to come.
Here’s where to start.
Make a List Before You Look at Sheds
Before choosing a shed, write down everything you plan to store inside it.
Not just the obvious things.
Think about:
- Lawn mowers
- Garden equipment
- Bicycles
- Tools
- Outdoor furniture
- Holiday decorations
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Sports equipment
- Workbenches
- Storage totes
Then ask yourself what is likely to be added over the next few years.
Storage has a funny habit of expanding to fill the space available.
If the shed you choose is already nearly full on the day it arrives, chances are you bought too small.
Small Sheds: Great When Your Needs Are Simple
An 8×8, 8×10 or similar-sized shed can work well if you mainly need to clear smaller items out of your garage.
Garden tools, push mowers, bicycles and seasonal decorations can often fit comfortably.
The advantage is obvious: a smaller building takes up less yard space and usually costs less.
But make sure you’re realistic.
If you’re already wondering whether everything will fit, consider moving up a size.
Medium-Sized Sheds Give You More Flexibility
For many Missouri homeowners, something in the 10×12 to 12×16 range can offer a useful balance between storage capacity and backyard space.
Now you have room for larger lawn equipment, shelving, tools and potentially a workbench.
You can also organize the building properly instead of simply stacking everything from floor to ceiling.
And that matters.
A 12×16 shed you can walk through and organize may be far more useful than a smaller shed where you have to remove five things to reach the one thing you actually want.
Think Bigger for Equipment, Workshops and Serious Storage
If you’re storing riding mowers, ATVs, motorcycles, large tools or business equipment, you may want to look at larger sheds, lofted barns or portable garages.
You should also consider door size.
A building may have plenty of square footage, but that doesn’t help much if your mower or equipment won’t comfortably fit through the entrance.
Think about how items will move in and out before deciding on the final design.
Don’t Forget Vertical Space
Floor space gets most of the attention.
But height matters too.
Lofted buildings can provide valuable overhead storage for boxes, seasonal items and things you don’t need every week.
That frees up the main floor for equipment you use regularly.
For many homeowners, using the height of a building effectively can provide considerably more usable storage without dramatically increasing its footprint.
Measure Your Missouri Property
Before falling in love with a particular building, measure the area where you intend to put it.
Consider access for delivery, property boundaries, gates, trees, fences and overhead obstacles.
You should also check any local zoning, setback, permit or HOA requirements that may apply to your property.
A beautiful 12×20 building isn’t much use if the site can only comfortably accommodate a 10×16.
When in Doubt, Give Yourself Extra Room
One of the most common mistakes people make is buying based entirely on today’s needs.
Your family changes.
Your hobbies change.
You buy another mower. Another bicycle. More tools.
And suddenly the shed that looked enormous two years ago feels remarkably small.
If your property and budget allow, giving yourself some additional space can be a smart investment.
Find Your Storage Shed at Cardinal Buildings
At Cardinal Buildings, we can help you compare storage shed sizes, styles and features so you can choose a building that makes sense for your property.
With Missouri locations in Washington and Jackson, you can explore portable sheds, utility buildings, barns, garages and other options designed to give you the extra space you’ve been looking for.
Don’t simply ask, “What’s the smallest shed I can get away with?”
Ask a better question:
What size building will I still be happy I bought five years from now?
That answer usually leads to a much better shed.