Where do you store your lawn mower when it's not in use? Putting it into the garage takes up a lot of space, but you can't leave it outdoors. The use of a lawn mower shed may be exactly what you need. It doesn't need to take up a lot of room like a larger shed, but it can provide you with ample storage throughout the year.
What Is a Lawn Mower Shed?
A lawn mower shed is just what it sounds like. It's a shed designed to house your riding lawn mower or push mower. Most offer a bit more room than that to allow storage of things like your trimmer, edger, and fuel.
Lawn mower sheds come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. A traditional lawn mower storage shed is a made entirely of steel and is designed as a permanent structure that blends in with the aesthetic of your home. Additionally, a lawn mowed shed can be a temporary, portable structure with a steel frame and a fabric cover. These can also be made to blend in with your aesthetic.
Are Lawn Mower Sheds an Eyesore?
These sheds can be an asset to a home. If you purchase a quality product, install it properly, and maintain it, it can be an excellent addition to your home. It is important to make sure that you don't place it on your property line and follow all city ordinances and codes. If you live in a homeowner's association community, be sure to check with the HOA to learn the rules about sheds like this.
Where Should I Put a Lawn Mower Shed?
Placement is important. Imagine approaching the shed with your lawn mower. You need the surface to be flat to allow you to get into it. There needs to be enough room on either side to allow for the doors to open properly. You also don’t want it close to a slope. You can place it just about anywhere else.
It's wise to do a bit of planning for your backyard before you get started. Do you plan to use the yard for anything else, such as the kid's play area or a location for a pool? Plan to place the shed away from usable areas, such as tucked into the back of the yard, so there's ample room for everything else.
What Size Lawn Mower Shed Do You Need?
The size of the shed you select depends on a few things. First, you need to make sure to consider the amount of room you have available to you. Purchasing a big shed can seem like a good idea, but if it takes up too much of your yard, it may not be worth it.
Consider what you want to put into it, too. Do you want to store just your lawn mower in the shed? If that is the case, take a few minutes to measure the length and width of it. Generally, you’ll need at least five feet in length to just get it into the space. However, if you have attachments or your lawn mower has a large seat that overhangs, you need to account for that as well. On top of that, you have to have some room to get off your lawn mower and maneuver around it.
Then, think about other needs. Do you want to be able to store a few cans of fuel, trash cans, or other lawn and yard equipment? If so, it’s important to factor that in as well. Most of the time, you’ll want to spend some time laying out your plans for this space.
You also need to think about the size of the actual entryway. The width of some of today's lawn mowers, especially those that incorporate a larger cutting path, will need more space to maneuver into the shed.
So, what size shed do you need for your lawn mower? Perhaps the smallest option for most needs is a 6 by 5 shed, but that’s not too much room for anything else beyond just a smaller riding lawn mower or a push mower. If you want a bit more room, upgrade to an 8 by 6 shed, which gives you a lot more storage space.
Check out a bit more about what fits in a backyard shed to get a better estimate of what’s right for your specific needs.
What’s the Difference Between a Metal Lawn Mower Shed and a Fabric Lawn Mower Shed?
The materials that make up your lawn mower shed are quite important. Most often, this is a valuable piece of equipment and not something that you want to get damaged by a storm or broken into by a would-be thief. At the same time, you may want to keep your shed within your price range. Choosing the material for your shed also should factor in the aesthetics that appeal to you.
Consider the options between a fabric outdoor storage shed and a metal lawn mower shed.
One of the options you have is a fabric outdoor storage shed. These feature a waterproof and UV-treated polyethylene cover that is placed over a premium quality powder-coated steel frame. These are pretty versatile in that you can add shelving to them and configure them in a way that fits most needs. The core benefit of these sheds is that they are very versatile and portable – you can easily take them down and move them if and when you need to. If you’re thinking about moving soon, you’ll want to ensure this is an option for you. Fabric sheds like this are also easy to maintain and affordable overall.
Another option is a metal shed. As you can expect, these cost a bit more, but with that comes a much higher level of durability and security. They can be sized in numerous ways to account for just about any need. Metal sheds can be attractive, too, with a contemporary design with textured finishes if you like. Choose from numerous colors, too. Metal sheds can provide a lot of height for more customized solutions as well.
How Do I Anchor a Lawn Mower Shed?
Once you decide on the type of shed that’s right for your needs, it’s time to start thinking about how you will place it. You know where, but how will you hold it to the ground so that it doesn’t move and becomes a stable shed for your needs?
If you are purchasing a metal shed, you can purchase a base for it. These are available as shed base kits, which allow you to place them on a prepared surface that’s flat and then up the shed from them. That can add to the cost, though.
You can anchor the fabric to the ground for those purchasing a fabric shed. Choosing the right shed anchoring options is important based on the shed you purchase (size and type can matter here).
Anchoring is a necessary step to protect the items within your shed and keep you safe. It helps to secure your shed to the foundation (keep in mind that if you do not anchor it properly, you may invalidate your warranty on your shed).
So, what do you do? You’ll need to create a proper foundation for the shed. This includes leveling the area and ensuring that you are using the right type of anchors based on the soil conditions. You have several options to choose from, including a system that uses steel anchors and a drive rode (called our Ratchet Tite Anchors) or use our Easy Hook options, which are made of solid steel and include four cable clamps.
Does a Lawn Mower Shed Require Maintenance?
Like any structure exposed to the outdoors, there are a few important maintenance tasks that can help to prolong the life of your shed. Here are a few things to consider:
If you purchase a metal shed, be sure to take steps to prevent rust, such as using insulation, installing a proper elevated foundation, and adding a dehumidifier if it becomes a problem.
Keep the exterior clean and free of debris no matter what type of shed you purchase.
Inspect the shed on a routine basis to ensure it is in a good, strong position. Adjust the anchoring as needed to keep it firmly secure. Be sure to do this after the winter months and after any significant storm.
Check the ratches, rib connections, bungees, and other components every few months to ensure they are properly in place on tarp or fabric sheds.
Look for any signs of pests in your space and remove them. Leaving the shed open just once can cause this to happen.
Follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations for shed maintenance.
How Do I Organize a Lawn Mower Shed?
It’s easy enough to organize a lawn mower shed if you only plan to store your mower in it. However, some sheds provide more versatility and space to allow you to add in some storage options. For example, installing a few shelves can help to provide you with space to store fuel and oil for your mower. If you plan to use it for other needs, consider the addition of bins to add more flexibility.
A lawn mower shed is an excellent investment. If you have to cut your grass, you’ll benefit from having a reliable shed to store your mower all year long.