What Makes a Good Shed Design?
Being a distributor of custom sheds, we know from experience that sheds can, quite literally, come in all shapes and sizes.
Despite this, however, there are a few universal factors that you should be able to find in any shed worth its weight in gold.
And because we just love to talk about sheds, we figured we’d share a few with you.
Sturdiness
This might seem to be a no brainer, but there’s quite an art to building a sturdy shed. If you promise not to tell anyone, we’ll let you in on a secret: it’s all in the frames.
Having a well-structured frame is everything when it comes to ensuring that a shed stays standing through the harsher side of the climate.
Now, this might seem simple, but the truth is, every different size and design of shed requires a unique size and design of frame.
This is why when designing a shed, we always recommend getting an expert in to determine the exact dimensions of framing required. And of course, anyone who creates a shed with us can rest assured we’ll take care of this (and everything else) with the utmost care and expertise.
Cladding
The materials your shed is made up of will ultimately determine how durable it will be against the elements.
And this isn’t just due to the weather. You also have to take into account salt deposits from nearby oceans, and the intense UV rays New Zealand has to deal with due to our proximity to the opening in the ozone layer.
Thankfully, there’s a wide range of different claddings designed to handle these different conditions.
Built for purpose
A shed is defined as “a structure, usually freestanding, used for storage or shelter”. With such a broad definition, you can see why sheds come in so many different shapes and sizes.
But this does not mean that one size fits all.
What works for housing cattle is probably not going to suit the needs of someone looking to store their aircraft (or vice-versa).
A well-designed shed should have a specific purpose in mind and should be well-designed for that specific purpose.
There’s a reason we deal in custom sheds, after all.
Since you’re here, we imagine you’re at least a little bit interested in becoming a shed owner. Perhaps we can interest you with our range of custom sheds? Click here to learn more.
Why Custom is Always King
These days, there are more options than ever when it comes to building and owning a shed. And if you’ve been thinking about becoming a shed owner, you’ve probably taken a gander at some of the different options on offer.
We’re pretty confident that custom made sheds (such as ours) are still the way to go (and we’re not being biased, we promise).
Here’s why:
Customizable to hobbies
Firstly, the great thing about getting a custom shed means it’s made specifically for you. Sure, you might not be the only person who plans on getting a shed, but your specific needs could be totally different from those of the next shed owner.
Are you looking for a new home office space? We can do that. Or maybe you’re hoping to make your shed into a space for that specific hobby of yours. Talk to us, we can probably offer plenty of customisation that’ll help you do what you want to do. Pre-built options, on the other hand, can only offer a one-size-fits-all approach. And sometimes – that’s not enough.
Colour and design
Another advantage of getting a custom shed made for you is that you get some input on the design and colour. KiwiSpan has several design options on offer.
Perhaps you’re looking to match your home or another building on the property. Or maybe you have a particular colour in mind?
We can help you implement any design choices you’d like to see with your shed, all in order to bring to life something that is truly yours.
Durability
We pride our sheds on their ability to withstand the elements too.
Despite its relatively small size, New Zealand weather can vary pretty drastically depending on the region you’re in. And since most places in the country are relatively close to the water, buildings have to be resistant to high levels of salt in our air. Furthermore, due to that big old hole in the ozone layer above us, we’ve also got to make buildings that can stand intense, direct UV rays.
In short – buildings in New Zealand need to be built to withstand the elements. We understand this and ensure our sheds are always up to the task.
We speak from experience when we say owning a shed is awesome – but if you are having to replace or perform unneeded maintenance each passing year, that feeling will diminish in no time.
Get a shed that can hold its own against whatever the environment throws at it – we know ours can.
Convinced? Feel free to browse our range of sheds and check our 3D shed designer to explore some of the possibilities on offer here.
5 Everyday Hobbies You Can Take to the Next Level with a Custom Shed
It’s not only the woodworkers and the sheep shearers that benefit from having a trusty shed around. A shed that’s customised to facilitate your specific hobby is the perfect way to get the most out of your free time activities.
Home Gym / Yoga Studio
We all know the hardest thing to do at the gym is turn up. The second hardest thing is having to wait for your favourite machine to free up. So by having your very own personal space nearby to get your sweat on, you’ve already made keeping in shape that much easier.
Pumping irons not really your way of keeping active? Our sheds can also serve perfectly as home yoga studios for you and your favourite stretching buddies. Not only do you get to choose the music (every time), you can also talk to us about setting up some kitchen facilities too (because every yoga studio needs a juice bar).
DIY and Upcycling
If Pinterest has taught us anything, it’s that one man’s trash is another man’s really trendy (and often profitable) new conversation piece.
A shed makes for an ideal workshop for those looking to take their old furniture/pallets/beer crates (and so on) to the next level. It’s also a great place to use your inventive, upcycled creations if your significant other isn’t into the whole “pallet coffee table” trend.
The Arts
The cliche about the noisy next-door neighbour who always decides it’s time to practice the violin during the worst possible moments exists for a reason.
A custom shed can make the perfect space to practice your art of choice. From experimental interpretive dance to your own personal painting studio, KiwiSpan can help you build the ideal place to express yourself, without gaining the neighbour’s ire.
Car Restoration
There’s nothing quite as cool as the art of taking a run-down car and injecting new life under the hood. And whilst this popular pastime of the mechanically inclined has typically taken place in the garage, this can cause issues when it’s already occupied by other vehicles (and to be fair, ones that actually run).
A larger shed can serve as an equally suitable holding zone whilst you restore your latest find at the scrapyard to its former glory. It’s also an ideal venue for the big unveiling party, so that’s a bonus.
Furthermore, there are quite a few custom features KiwiSpan can offer you – such as footings for a hoist to take on some of the heavy lifting involved.
Socialising
Having your nearest and dearest around for a cold one (two, three and four) is possibly the most iconic of all the great kiwi pastimes. And having a backyard bar on-site only makes it greater. Not only does it provide you with a space to host an event, but you’ll also get a bar to serve the drinks and a space to store them between get-togethers.
More and more, folks around the nation, and beyond, are getting trendy outdoor entertaining spaces built in preparation for the long summer evenings. And it only takes a quick google for inspiration to see why.
Do you indulge in any of the above hobbies? Perhaps you’ve been inspired to take another pastime to the next level with a shed? Feel free to peruse our wide range of shed plans here, and get in touch to talk through some of the personalised options we can offer you.
How to Make a Small Shed Feel Bigger
When it comes to sheds (something we’d like to think we know a bit about), there’s this idea that short of owning a multi-acre section, sheds are just a place to store tools and collect lichen.
Frankly, this is something of a tragedy, as there’s nothing quite like owning a shed. Whether it’s a man cave to escape too or a sleepout that provides your eldest with a small brush with independence (and more you-time for you) or a place to spend some quality time on a passion project.
The bottom line is, just about anyone, with any sized section (yes, even city folk) can own the kind of shed worth spending time in. However, if size still seems like an issue for you, here are a few tips you can use to make any small shed feel bigger.
Colours
Interior designers have been using colours to manipulate how big or small a room seems for years. Whilst dark colours tend to create a cosy and intimate (or simply put, a smaller) atmosphere, lighter, more neutral colours have been shown to make indoor areas seem instantly more spacious.
Our favourites lighter neutrals include Zincalume, Tatiana, Cloud and Gull Grey. You can make further use of this trick by incorporating the chosen colour of the walls into your furniture (i.e. a similarly painted workbench for a workshop, or by using the same shade in your furniture upholstery for sleepouts), as this will strengthen the feelings of extra spaciousness.
Invite in the Natural Light
Whilst aiding the “largening” effect that neutral colours create, natural light is also a reliable tool unto itself when it comes to making smaller spaces feel bigger – due to the airy and relaxed atmosphere it creates.
KiwiSpan offers a range of window configurations and translucent shed roofing. Consider making use of this natural resource when designing your next shed.
Choose Multi-Functional Furniture
One of the simplest ways to keep a smaller space from feeling claustrophobic is to keep it from becoming overcrowded, either due to excess clutter or by having too much furniture.
The easy fix for this is to simply opt for multi-functional furniture when possible. A common example of this would be to use a workbench that also has a compartment for storing your tools. Other common examples include a sofa bed for sleepouts.
Have any of these tips inspired you? If so, feel free to check out our website and custom shed designers to explore what possibilities may be available to you as a future shed owner.
5 Reasons You Need a Shed
Sheds have a lot more to offer than people might initially think. Improving your quality of life, they have the ability to transform your day-to-day in a number of surprising ways.
Here are just a few of the reasons it might be time to consider building a shed:
1. Value
Having an outdoor storage space will automatically add value to your home. The added bonus of more space is a huge attraction to homebuyers, meaning you can enjoy the short-term benefits knowing the long-term also pays off.
2. Protection
Our hard-wearing, New Zealand Steel manufactured sheds provide complete protection against the elements. That means your vehicles or more expensive items won’t be ruined by moisture exposure and rust.
3. Flexibility
Build the right kind of shed and you’ll have a versatile and adaptable space that can change and grow with your lifestyle and situation. What might be a place for extra storage now may well be an art studio in five years time.
4. Storage
Everyone needs storage. A shed is the perfect solution for packing away Christmas decorations, toys, tools and more. Freeing up room in your living space and giving you a lockable area that can even serve to childproof your home.
5. Inspiration
We all need time to ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of family life. A shed makes room for hobbies, old and new. A workspace without distraction that allows you to work more efficiently or in a more creative way – opening the door to a whole new world of opportunities.
And these are just some of the reasons! With KiwiSpan, there are many styles of sheds to choose from, each easily adapted with our innovative 3D Shed Designer tool. You can create a model of the building you want, take walls out, add lean-tos, or rollers doors and more.
To start planning your shed contact your local KiwiSpan licensee today.
