Mr. Décor recently customized a standard shed he bought in a box at a home improvement store.
The shed was created for an area of the side yard that was a complete eyesore. The reason he needed to customize the shed is that the area measured just 7 feet wide.
He first cleaned up the area and then laid out a pattern that would allow the doors to be opened and items moved in and out of the shed with ease. He determined that a shed measuring approximately 8’ wide by 3’ deep would work the best in the space.
A problem arose in that the basic sheds available at most home improvement stores have only standard sizes available. Custom sized sheds were way beyond our budget. So, he decided to customize a standard shed and purchased the Arrow Newburgh shed on special for $199.00. In addition, he received a military discount which brought the shed down to $179.00. The final price with tax was $193.32. Out of the box the shed measured 8’ wide by 6’ deep.
Mr. Décor laid out all of the shed’s pieces in the backyard and determined that by removing one metal panel from each side of the shed, as well as one panel from each side of the gabled roof, would result in a shed that would measure 3’ 2” by 8’.
The first step was to construct a platform to rest the shed on and help protect it from the elements. It was built with plywood and two by four’s.
The platform was then painted with exterior paint we had on hand to help protect the wood. It was then put in the side yard on level ground. Room was left to work. Final positioning of the platform and shed occurred later.
The metal pieces were laid out on the base, measured and then it was time to make the cuts.
He used this tool found at Harbor Freight Tools for less than $10.
Here is a close up of one of the pieces after it was cut.
The metal skeleton base was laid out but not secured to the wooden platform until later for easier positioning into place. The walls inserted into the new base fairly easily by just eliminating one panel from each of the two end sides.
Here is the center metal support and four corners in place.
The remaining panels were then inserted.
A close up of the interior.
The center roof support beam which was also shortened.
A panel was removed from each side of the gabled roof in order to shorten the shed to our desired depth.
Voila! The finished shed measures 8’ wide by 3’ 2” deep. After the shed was positioned in its final resting area the metal skeleton was attached securely to the wooden platform using the leftover panel screws.
A final note: the shed was constructed prior to learning that we would be moving. However, it has come in very handy. In preparation for moving we have placed our condo, located near ASU, on the market. The Fashionista had been living in the condo but has now moved back home. While we had a garage sale for a large portion of the contents of the condo our daughter’s remaining items that couldn’t fit in her bedroom are being stored temporarily in this great shed.
Laura
Linking to:
Between Naps On The Porch , A Stroll Thru Life, Not Just A Housewife, A Bowl Full of Lemons, We Are That Family, Someday Crafts,The 36th Avenue, Ivy and Elephants, Katherine’s Corner, Posed Perfection, Craftberry Bush, Stonegable, Jennifer Rizzo, No Minimalist Here, Country Cottage, The Shabby Nest,Imparting Grace, My Romantic Home, Common Ground , The Charm of Home,Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Under The Table and Dreaming
I am always impressed by your project, Laura, and this is good to know. Mr. Decor did a great job. Not sure Mr. Magpie is as handy… shhhhh… don't tell him I said that. 😉
Dropping by from Met Monday…
XO,
Sheila
Truly an engineering feat! 🙂 Great workable solution to a “small” challenge!
Hugs!
~april
I looks fabulous and such a great thing to have. I need two of these badly. Hugs, Marty
Great job by Mr. Décor. In our last 2 homes, it seems the things we added to the home were part of what helped it to sell. This storage bldg. would be useful to anyone. Remembering you in prayer.
What a cute little shed. At first I was concerned about the placement under the edge of the roof line…and then I realized you are in AZ and it's not like snow and ice are going to be a problem there! lol
Hope the sale of your lovely home goes well for you folks. It seems like you just moved in and found a place for everything!
Innovative indeed!!! Great job!
Mr. Decor makes it look so easy – bet he measured twice before cutting once! Speaking of cutting, I love that tool – had never seen it before.
Perhaps it can be deconstructed and taken with you??
Looks good….enjoy the storage while you are here! I totally appreciate storage space.
Wow! Mr. Decor is brilliant!
Great job on this shed and we, of course, can never have too much storage.
How wonderful! You both are so handy and creative!
Great job – isn't it wonderful to have a man capable of doing such amazing projects!
How creative of you two to make your own custom size! I am impressed! Even though you are moving, it should be value added for the next home owner!
How creative of you two to make your own custom size! I am impressed! Even though you are moving, it should be value added for the next home owner!
Laura,
I especially love images of my husband's hands. They're so handsome.
Your post praises your good man for a job well done. I was blessed to see an image of his hands, and his wedding band, and the fruits of the labor of those strong hands. Just another reason why Psalm 90:17 is my favorite verse:
“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.”
I know you need His covering right now. Prayers for you all and hugs all around.
Happy highways, here they come!
Kelley~
This is excellent and so timely. We have been trying to decide what to do with overflow things from my MILs house should they come here before our younger daughter (or older) might need them. We have a space for just such a unit, and I love the way you made it more custom. Excellent.
Great job Eric! I would never have thought of this! There is never enough storage space.
Wishing you and your family all the best in this year ahead, Laura!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
He did a great job Laura!
And he's wearing shorts, oh my, I would love to be wearing shorts right now.
Can't wait to see you!!!
Hugs friend,
Cindy
What a great job Eric did, Laura! I'm glad your little shed is coming in handy for you now. I had to laugh when I saw the tool from Harbor Freight; my husband loves to check the Harbor Freight here periodically to see what kind of goodies he can find. 🙂 I'm so thankful to have a handy husband, aren't you?
I sure hope Eric finds a job on the East coast; maybe we could actually meet someday. Best of luck to you both, Laura!
Warm Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
Does he hire out?
Love my husband but he keeps loosing his hammer.
You are both clever and can do anything! What a great project!
Doesn't having a shed make a huge difference? We built one last year and it has been so helpful! I'm sure this post will come in handy for those about to make one themselves! Thanks for sharing!