The Tool Shed

What's the difference between a tool shed and garden variety storage shed? In many cases, not all that much. There are some simple differences that can turn a box stock shed into a bona fide tool shed that would make any guy proud. After all ... in most cases, the tool shed is a man's world, baby.

First off, a tool shed has to be big and sturdy enough for a guy to work in. Don't expect to get by with one of those little plastic toys. A real deal tool shed has to be made of wood or metal. Recycled soda bottles don't cut it.

Size matters. While 8 x 10 feet is the bare minimum for a small tool shed, the bigger the better. And don't just look at the square footage. Check out the headroom, too. Short tool sheds are nobody's friend. The taller your tool shed, the more room you'll have for overhead storage ... whether that storage space is for lumber or that extra set of exhaust pipes for your hot rod is up to you. Tall gambrel and saltbox tool shed designs will provide the most overhead storage.

Tool sheds are for storing stuff, yeah ... but the stuff you're storing is tools (d'oh!). Those walls had better be covered in pegboard and shelves. Why throw those beautiful tools into a greasy cardboard box when you can admire them in all their glory, hanging on the wall?

Workspace is all important. You'll need serious workbench space to get the job done. A nice wide counter top running the width of the tool shed should give you plenty of room to spread out those projects. It doesn't have to be pretty.

You have power tools, you need power. Are you going to get by with an extension cord or will you step up and run conduit to your tool shed? It's not just the tools that need juice, it's the other stuff ... like that little fridge and tellyvision for those days when you want to get that project done and watch the game ...