How to Pick the Perfect Garden Shed for Your NZ Backyard
Garden Shed Dimensions, Functions, and Material Options Explained
Picking the perfect garden shed for your New Zealand backyard can be trickier than you might think. Given the many choices in dimensions, materials, style, and purpose, you could end up scratching your head. Whether you're a DIY pro looking to set up a workshop or a homeowner who just needs a tidy spot to keep tools and yard equipment, your shed should fit your needs—not just take up space.
At Plankville, we focus on building top-notch, custom timber sheds that look great and work well. This guide helps you understand what to think about when picking your ideal shed, so you can buy with knowledge and assurance.
Picking the perfect garden shed for your New Zealand backyard can be trickier than you might think. Given the many choices in dimensions, materials, style, and purpose, you could end up scratching your head. Whether you're a DIY pro looking to set up a workshop or a homeowner who just needs a tidy spot to keep tools and yard equipment, your shed should fit your needs—not just take up space.
At Plankville, we focus on building top-notch, custom timber sheds that look great and work well. This guide helps you understand what to think about when picking your ideal shed, so you can buy with knowledge and assurance.
Why Your Shed Pick Counts
A garden shed isn't just a building—it's a way to boost your outdoor life. It can add value to your home, keep your yard neat, and even help with your hobbies. But if it fits your needs. Buying the wrong shed—one that's too small made, or uses the wrong materials—can cause problems and need fixes later on.
Shed Sizes:What Fits Your Backyard?
In New Zealand, the size of backyards differs a lot so you need to pick a shed that fits your space and what you want to use it for. Here's what you should think about:
Small Sheds (1.2m x 1.5m to 2.4m x 2.4m)
These work well for small backyards or city homes. You can use them to store garden tools, bikes, toys for kids, or bins. They fit in a corner and don't need much ground prep.
Medium Sheds (3m x 2.4m to 4.8m x 3m)
These work well for general storage potting benches, and hobby areas. If you want the best garden shed for a small backyard, this size often hits the mark—giving you space without taking over your yard.
Large Sheds (6m x 3m and above)
Perfect for lifestyle block owners or DIYers who need lots of room. You can customize these sheds to use as workshops, studios, or even home offices.
Tip: Always leave extra space around the shed to let air flow and to access it for upkeep. When in doubt, it's better to go a bit bigger than to run out of space within a year.
Garden Shed Uses Beyond Storage
Your shed can be more than just a place to store tools. Here are some common uses in New Zealand homes:
Tool & lawn equipment storage
DIY workspace or man cave
Bike or sports gear storage
Potting shed or greenhouse hybrid
She shed or creative art studio
Outdoor laundry or utility room
Based on what you want, Plankville can help you customize your shed. They can add shelving, windows, ventilation, or double doors to improve access.
Material Choices: Timber vs. Steel vs. Plastic
All sheds are not the same. The material you choose affects your shed's durability and appearance. It also determines how well the shed fits into your landscape.
Timber Sheds (Best for Style & Durability)
At Plankville, we prefer -sourced timber because it looks natural, lasts long, and helps the environment. Timber fits well with NZ's green scenery and you can stain or paint it to match any style. We build our sheds strong to handle NZ's coastal, rural, and mountain weather.
Advantages:
Looks classic and natural
Easy to customize
Insulates better
You can fix it and it lasts a long time
Check out our handmade timber sheds
Steel Sheds (Best for Budget Buyers)
Steel sheds are light and cheap, and you can often buy them as kits. They need little upkeep, but they can have problems with moisture buildup and might not look good in every yard.
Disadvantages:
Bad insulation
Limited looks
Tough to change or fix
Plastic/Resin Sheds (Easy to Keep Up, But Don't Last Long)
More people are buying plastic sheds because they're cheap and easy to set up. But they tend to lose color over time in the strong NZ sun, and they're not great for storing lots of stuff or as work areas.
Disadvantages:
Not very strong
Can get damaged by sunlight
Don't keep heat in well
Tailoring Your Shed: Say No to Generic Options
When you're shopping for a garden shed, think about how well it can be adapted to suit your needs. Here at Plankville, we don't think one size fits all. We team up with you to create a shed that fits your space, meets your goals, and even follows local rules if needed.
You might want more windows to let in sunlight, stronger floors to hold heavy tools, or a specific roof angle to match your house. We can make that happen for you.
Do You Need Permission to Build a Shed in NZ?
According to current NZ building rules, you can build a shed up to 30 square metres without needing council approval—as long as it stands alone, has one story, and isn't used as sleeping quarters. But it's always a good idea to check with your local council if you're building near a property line or close to utilities.
How to Get the Shed You Want from Plankville
Want to create your perfect garden shed? Here's how simple it is with us:
Look through our shed designs on the Plankville website.
Reach out to us for special sizes or layouts if you need something specific.
We ship all over New Zealand, and we promise top-notch workmanship.
Our sheds come from right here in Aotearoa. We pay attention to the details and make sure they last.
Get the Right Shed to Serve You for Years
The top garden shed for your NZ backyard isn't just about looks or price—it's about how well it fits, works, and lasts. Whether you want a small storage space or a big DIY workshop, the right shed will help you through many seasons and years.
At Plankville, we're ready to help you find—or create—a shed that matches your space and your needs. Don't pick cheap imports or weak prefab kits. Choose local. Choose long-lasting. Choose custom-made.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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A 3m x 2.4m shed fits well in most backyards and provides enough room for general storage.
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You can build a shed without consent if it's smaller than 30m² and meets other requirements. To be on the safe side, check with your local council.
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Timber sheds look nicer, keep heat in better, and are easier to fix—making them a good choice for New Zealand's weather.
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Keep at least 500mm of free space on all sides to allow for upkeep and air flow.
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You bet! Plankville ships to all corners of New Zealand.
