8 WAYS TO USE A STORAGE BUILDING

BECAUSE STORAGE BUILDINGS ARE VERSATILE, they have many uses and functions. You may buy a shed or garage for one purpose and end up using it for another.

Here are some suggested uses—some traditional, others unique. As you browse the list, you may consider buying a new shed or perhaps repurposing the one you already have.

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Use #1: Backyard Garden Shed (page 3)

Use #2: Backyard Utility Shed (page 4)

Use #3: Woodman’s Shed (page 5)

Use #4: Man Cave Shed (page 6)

Use #5: All-Year Shed (page 7)

Use #6: Outdoorsman’s Shed (page 11)

Use #7: Gearhead’s Garage (page 12)

Use #8: Catch-All Barn (page 13) USE #1 BACKYARD GARDEN SHED

KEEP GARDEN EQUIPMENT ORGANIZED, CONVENIENTLY STORED, AND PRESERVED ALL YEAR LONG

Don’t set yourself up for exhausting trips up and down the cellar steps or back and forth trips to the neighbor’s shed—having your own backyard garden shed would be more practical and far less tiring. Keep all your garden tools and supplies in one convenient place close to your garden.

STORE THESE ITEMS IN YOUR BACKYARD GARDEN SHED: Hand tools Water cans Pruners Bird feeder seeds Seeds Hoses Brooms Buckets Soil Shears Leaf bags Wheelbarrow Fertilizer Hoes Twine Pots Spades Work gloves/hats/boots

OUR BACKYARD GARDEN SHED SUGGESTIONS:

Size: 8×10, 8×12, or 8×14 ft. Style: Deluxe shed with lap, vinyl or painted siding or Ranch Porch shed with lap, metal, vinyl or painted siding Add-on/Upgrade: Additional 24x36 in. windows (1 window comes standard) Add-on/Upgrade: Set of double fiberglass doors Add-on/Upgrade: 8x6 ft. ramp Add-on/Upgrade: 4 in. railing with 32 in black balusters

If you want a shed for starter plants, here’s a great option—it has plenty of windows, convenient built-in shelves, plus a useful porch.

CHECK OUT THESE GARDEN SHED ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS! 3 USE #2 BACKYARD UTILITY SHED

AN IDEAL SPACE FOR STORING BACKYARD AND OUTDOOR ITEMS

Don’t let your things be exposed to the elements that cause rust or out in the open leaving them vulnerable to theft. Store your lawn care equipment, outdoor decor, patio furniture, sports equipment, winter weather needs, and more in a convenient and secure backyard shed.

STORE THESE ITEMS IN YOUR BACKYARD UTILITY SHED:

Bicycles Kites Lawn decor Sleds Patio furniture Seasonal decor Grills Portable fire pits Grass/flower seeds Grill fuel Lawn Chairs Shovels (charcoal, propanetanks) Ladders Rock salt Sports equipment (soccer balls, Lawnmower Salt spreader baseball bats, frisbees, volleyball net, Weed wacker Snow blower etc.) Edger Fireplace wood Hedge trimmers

OUR BACKYARD UTILITY SHED SUGGESTIONS:

Size: 8×10, 8×12, or 8×14 ft. Style: Low Barn shed with painted siding or High Barn shed with lap, vinyl, or painted siding Add-on/Upgrade: VersaCaddy™ Organizer Kit Add-on/Upgrade: LP® SmartSide Panel with Smart Finish

4 USE #3 WOODMAN’S SHED

THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO DEVELOP A WOODWORKING HOBBY

When it comes to pursuing woodworking as a hobby, there’s no substitute for a personal workshop where you can dabble—a place where you can work on projects that are close to your heart without unwelcome interruptions. Check out these tips for setting up a garage woodworking shop.

CONSIDER THESE THINGS WHEN YOU’RE READY TO ORGANIZE:

Workbench - Many inexpensive commercial benches are rickety. They sway under mere hand pressure. If you’re not buying or building a customized built-in workbench, look for one with a thick top, stout legs, and sufficient workspace.

Shelves & Wall Storage - Decide if you want to utilize shelving, wall storage like pegboards, or both. Keep OUR WOODMAN’S SHED protective wear such as goggles, ear protectors, breathing SUGGESTIONS: masks, and work apron, plus basic woodworking tools neatly stored and organized by frequency of use and function. Size: 10×12 or 10×14 ft. Equipment - Popularmechanics.com suggests eleven must- Style: Low Barn shed with vinyl or have items like a portable table saw, miter saw, and shop vac painted siding or a High Barn shed plus top-brand suggestions perfect for a small woodshop. with lap, metal, vinyl, or painted siding Lumber - Keep wood near the shop door if for no other Add-on/Upgrade: Built-in 2-4 ft. reason than for offloading convenience. Store wood where it workbench will be well supported and perfectly flat to avoid deformation. Add-on/Upgrade: Built-in 2-8 ft. loft Also, if your wood shop is damp, use a dehumidifier to (High Barn only) remove moisture from the air.

5 USE #4 MAN CAVE SHED

THE EVERYMAN ENTERTAINMENT SPOT

If you’re a man looking for a place to get away—a space to relax, fix things, or tinker— consider transforming a shed into a Man Cave. Think about it. A backyard sports den or a surround sound theater would be extraordinary, plus the high volume and loud noises wouldn’t bother anyone . . . and it can be decorated with all the stuff that been ban from the house.

BENEFITS OF A MAN CAVE:

It’s a place to relax after a hard day.

VIEW MAN CAVE It gives men a place to display memorabilia and nicknacks. INFOGRAPHIC Men can watch sports—loudly—with friends. It provides space to work on projects, and it’s ok if it gets messy.

OUR MAN CAVE SUGGESTIONS:

Size: 10×10 or 10×12 ft. Style: Low Barn shed with painted siding or Ranch shed with lap, metal, vinyl, or painted siding Add-on/Upgrade: Wall and floor insulation Add-on/Upgrade: LP ProStruct® flooring with SmartFinish®

6 USE #5 ALL-YEAR SHED | ART STUDIO

THE BACKYARD IS FOR MORE THAN STORAGE

Transforming a backyard shed into an art studio is simple and fun. Splatter as much paint as you want, keep supplies in one place, and—the best part— experience the freedom to disappear to the backyard whenever creativity strikes. Explore these steps for turning your backyard shed into a unique art space.

ITEM CHECKLIST FOR YOUR ART STUDIO:

An easel or desk and chair Artist tool bag Tools of your trade (pencils, markers, paint, Apron to protect clothing brushes, Charcoal and pastels, paper, canvas clay, Inspirational wall decor tabletop pottery wheel, etc.) Table top light Shelving or art cart for supplies

OUR ART STUDIO SUGGESTIONS:

Size: 8×10, 8×12, or 8×14 ft. Style: Deluxe shed with lap, vinyl or painted siding or Ranch shed with lap, metal, vinyl or painted siding Add-on/Upgrade: Floor and wall insulation Add-On/Upgrade: Built-in 2-4 ft. workbench

7 USE #5 ALL-YEAR SHED | BACKYARD

THE BACKYARD IS FOR MORE THAN STORAGE

Who doesn’t want to be healthy? A dedicated backyard fitness space doesn’t have to cost much money, plus it has the added value of being convenient and accessible. Here are some ideas and suggestions for starting a reasonable home gym.

ITEM CHECKLIST FOR YOUR HOME GYM:

3 sets of dumbbells (ex. 5, 10 and 15 pounds or an Aerobic steppers adjustable set) Stereo system Stability ball Pull Up Bar Resistance bands for strength training Medicine Ball Yoga mat Interlocking foam mat squares for flooring Jumping rope

OUR BACKYARD GYM SUGGESTIONS:

Size: 8x14 or 10x16 ft. Style: Deluxe shed with lap, vinyl or painted siding or Ranch shed with lap, metal, vinyl or painted siding Add-On/Upgrade: Insulation

8 USE #5 ALL-YEAR SHED | HOME OFFICE

THE BACKYARD IS FOR MORE THAN STORAGE

If you need a home office or more personal workspace, consider relocating. Sure, that sounds expensive, but it doesn’t need to be! There’s no reason to buy a larger house or even add a pricey addition to your home; just convert a shed into an office! It’s affordable and practical. If you own your home and you have usable land, this solution is ideal.

STEPS TO CONSIDER WHEN CONVERTING A SHED INTO AN OFFICE:

Get power and create infrastructure - Once the structure is in place, run power lines to the building for electricity and connectivity. You will need electrical outlets, WIFI, and OUR HOME OFFICE potentially, phone and cable lines for an efficient office. When SUGGESTIONS: that’s done, it’s time to insulate the walls, hang drywall, and paint. Size: 10×12 or 10×14 ft. Set up your workspace - Bring in your desk, chair, computer, Style: Deluxe shed with lap, vinyl or dry erase board, phone, filing cabinets, and everything else painted siding or Ranch shed with that makes your work life better and more efficient. If you need lap, metal, vinyl or painted siding something or need to replace an item, now is the time. Add-on/Upgrade: Floor and wall Make it comfortable - If you plan to work in your office all insulation year long, consider a portable air conditioner or a fan for the Add-on/Upgrade: Single door with summer and a space heater for the winter. If you would prefer 9-lite window to have central heating and air conditioning in your building, Add-on/Upgrade: Contrasted Trim this should be installed by a professional before drywall or Package wallboard goes up. Add-on/Upgrade: Dormer (Deluxe only) Make it personal - Add blinds or curtains to the windows, hang Our dormers not only add beauty pictures or photographs, choose a colorful rug, and create the to an office shed but also additional ambiance you desire. light. 9 USE #5 ALL-YEAR SHED | GAME ROOM

THE BACKYARD IS FOR MORE THAN STORAGE

A game room can provide hours of fun for an entire family. Also, having one in your backyard is a great way to ensure your children are safe and under some supervision.

ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ROOM—BUY BRAND NEW OR USED:

Television Area - Bring in a couch, TV, wireless router, and an entertainment stand. Set up your video game system of choice (Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s Playstation 2, Nintendo’s Game Cube, etc.) and a movie or sports viewing platform (cable box, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.). Or, simply set up a DVD player. OUR GAME ROOM Board Games & Storage - Create your own gaming table with a repurposed dining room table; even a folding table would SUGGESTIONS: suffice. Don’t forget to dedicate shelving for your stash. You’ll need to keep your growing game collection organized and Size: 10x16 or 12x20 ft. orderly. Style: High Barn with vinyl or metal siding Game Tables - If you have extra space, add a Ping Pong, Add-on/Upgrade: Insulation Foosball or Pool table to your game room. These game offer hours of entertainment for players of all ages and abilities. But, before purchasing one, learn the dimensions of these game tables so that you know in advance what will fit into your room.

10 USE #6 ALL-YEAR SHED | OUTDOORSMAN’S SHED

STORE EQUIPMENT AND GEAR FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Those who love the great outdoors may find it practical to use a shed for storing hunting or fishing items, keeping them out of the reach of children or pets. It’s ideal to store hunting items like camping gear, binoculars, and weapons, plus fishing equipment like surf rods, wire-line rods, fly rods, bait-casting rods, in an organized fashion in a dedicated space. Depending on the shed size, you ay have room for an ATV, non-motor boat, or dinghy.

ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ROOM—BUY BRAND NEW OR USED:

Items a hunter can store Items a fisherman can store in a shed: in a shed:

Spotting scope Fishing poles Bow, string, arrows, quiver Tackle box (bobbers, extra Firearm, ammo, site fishing line, fish stringer, hooks, Knives jigs, leaders, lures, power bait, Treestand sinkers, and weights) OUR OUTDOORSMAN Tent, sleeping bag First aid kit SHED SUGGESTION: Stove, fuel, fire source Insect repellant Cooking pot and utensils Needle nose pliers Water purification system Knives Size: 8x14 or 10x20 ft. First aid kit Rope tape measurer Style: Ranch shed with painted, Insect repellant See more items vinyl, or metal siding Review this comprehensive Add-on/Upgrade: VersaCaddy™ checklist Organizer Kit Add-On/Upgrade: Built-in 2-4 ft. shelves

11 USE #7 ALL-YEAR SHED | GEARHEAD’S GARAGE

VEHICLE STORAGE AND A CONVENIENT WORKSHOP

Vehicles, ATVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, snowmobile, and motor boats will last longer if they’re kept in a garage when not in use. Extreme conditions can cause annoying, inconvenient, and costly problems that can be easily prevented if vehicles are sheltered. What’s better than keeping your daily transportation—and weekend toys—in tip-top shape and having space to work on them?

OUR VEHICLE STORAGE OUR ATV, DIRT BIKES, OUR MOTOR BOAT GARAGE SUGGESTIONS: MOTORCYCLES & SUGGESTIONS: SNOWMOBILE STORAGE Size: 16x32 or 16x40 ft. SUGGESTIONS: Size: 16x40 ft. Style: Dual stall Ranch garage Style: Single staff High Barn with lap, metal , vinyl or painted Size: 16x32 or 16x40 ft. garage with lap, metal, vinyl or siding Style: Dual stall Ranch garage painted siding Add-on/Upgrade: 8x6 ft. ramp with lap, metal , vinyl or painted Add-on/Upgrade: 2 overhead Add-on/Upgrade: Built-in 2-4 siding garage doors—one on either ft. workbench Add-on/Upgrade: 8x6 ft. ramp end—for drive-through Add-on/Upgrade: Built-in 2-4 convenience ft. workbench Add-on/Upgrade: Ramps at each entrance for easy access

12 USE #8 ALL-YEAR SHED | CATCH-ALL BARN

USEFUL SPACE FOR FARM EQUIPMENT, TRACTORS, AND EXTRA ITEMS

Every farm and farmette needs a reliable shed for the basics. Store small farm equipment and accessories in a shed or garage, so they’re protected from the elements, less likely to deteriorate, and reliable for performance. Keep items subject to corrosion and deterioration dry and clean.

ITEM TO STORE:

Trucks Drills Trailers Air compressors Tractors Nuts, bolts Seeds Hydraulic fittings Chemicals Piping Fertilizers

OUR CATCH-ALL BARN SUGGESTION:

Size: 12x20, 14x32, 16x40 ft. Style: High Barn garage with metal siding

13 IT’S YOUR TURN!

If you’re interested in buying a storage building, we can help. Design your own, or if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, search our packages. If you have questions, feel free to contact us!

Dakota Storage Buildings is the home of factory direct pricing fo all your storage needs

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