Storing your lawnmower properly is essential for its longevity and your yard’s neat appearance. A dedicated shed offers protection from the elements, prevents rust and damage, and keeps your outdoor space clutter-free. But the question remains: what size shed do you really need to store a lawnmower? This guide will delve into the crucial factors to consider, helping you make an informed decision and find the perfect shed solution.
Understanding Your Lawnmower’s Dimensions
The most critical piece of information you need is the physical size of your lawnmower. Lawnmowers vary significantly in their dimensions, from compact push mowers to larger riding mowers. Before even thinking about shed sizes, take precise measurements of your mower.
Measuring Your Push Mower
For a standard push mower, you’ll want to measure its length, width, and height. Pay attention to any features that extend outwards, such as the handle when folded or any collection bags. These seemingly small protrusions can impact how easily the mower fits and how much space is left for other items.
Measuring Your Riding Mower
Riding mowers, also known as lawn tractors or zero-turn mowers, are significantly larger and require more forethought. Measure the overall length from the front bumper to the rear of the deck or any trailing components. Measure the width, ensuring you account for the widest point, which is typically the mower deck. Finally, measure the height, including any roll bars or overhead structures.
Consider Future Purchases
While you might only have one lawnmower now, you may eventually upgrade or expand your lawn care equipment. It’s wise to consider if you might add a snow blower, a leaf blower, a tiller, or even another mower in the future. Planning for these possibilities from the outset can save you the hassle and expense of replacing your shed down the line.
Beyond the Lawnmower: Additional Storage Needs
A shed isn’t just for the mower itself. You’ll likely want to store other lawn care essentials, tools, and perhaps even gardening supplies. Thinking about these additional items will help you determine the overall storage capacity you require.
Essential Lawn Care Accessories
Consider where you’ll store your trimmer, edger, hedge clippers, and any handheld power tools. These items, while smaller, need dedicated space to prevent them from being lost or damaged.
Fuel and Maintenance Supplies
You’ll need a safe place to store gasoline for your mower (in approved containers), oil, lubricants, spare parts, and any cleaning supplies. Proper ventilation and containment are crucial for these items.
Gardening Tools and Supplies
If you have a garden, your shed will likely house shovels, rakes, hoes, watering cans, bags of fertilizer, soil, and gardening gloves. The more gardening you do, the more space these items will consume.
Seasonal Items
Think about seasonal items that relate to lawn care or your yard. This could include Christmas lights, patio furniture cushions during the off-season, or even bicycles.
Determining the Ideal Shed Size: From Small to Spacious
With your mower’s dimensions and your additional storage needs in mind, you can start to narrow down the ideal shed size. Shed sizes are typically measured in square feet, and it’s generally better to err on the side of slightly larger than you think you need.
The Compact Solution: Small Sheds (4×6 to 6×8 feet)
For those with a compact push mower and minimal additional storage needs, a smaller shed might suffice. These sheds are perfect for housing just the mower, a few hand tools, and perhaps a bag of fertilizer. They offer a significant improvement over leaving equipment exposed but will feel cramped if you have much more to store.
A 4×6 foot shed, for example, offers 24 square feet of floor space. This is just enough for a typical push mower and a small shelf for essentials. A 6×8 foot shed, providing 48 square feet, offers a bit more wiggle room for a push mower and some additional tools or supplies.
The Mid-Range Option: Medium Sheds (8×10 to 10×12 feet)
This size range is a popular choice for many homeowners. An 8×10 foot shed (80 square feet) can comfortably house a push mower along with a good amount of gardening tools, a trimmer, and storage for fuel and oil.
Stepping up to a 10×12 foot shed (120 square feet) provides even more versatility. This size is often sufficient for a small to medium riding mower, allowing for ample space around it for easy access and the storage of other lawn care equipment. You can often fit shelves, tool racks, and bins for various supplies in this size.
The Spacious Retreat: Large Sheds (12×16 feet and up)
If you have a large riding mower, a zero-turn mower, or a substantial collection of outdoor equipment and tools, you’ll want to consider a larger shed. A 12×16 foot shed (192 square feet) offers significant space. This can comfortably accommodate a riding mower, a push mower, a tiller, a wheelbarrow, and plenty of shelving for all your gardening and maintenance needs.
For even more expansive storage, consider sheds that are 12×20 feet, 14×20 feet, or even larger. These offer the flexibility to store multiple large pieces of equipment, such as a tractor and a snowmobile, along with all associated tools and accessories.
Key Features to Consider in Your Shed
Beyond the basic dimensions, several features can enhance the functionality and usability of your shed.
Door Width and Height
This is a critical consideration, especially for riding mowers. Ensure the door opening is wide and tall enough to easily maneuver your mower in and out without scraping or getting stuck. Measure your mower’s width and height and compare it to the door dimensions. Double doors can be particularly helpful for wider equipment.
Roof Style and Clearance
Different roof styles offer varying amounts of headroom. A gable roof typically provides more interior height than a saltbox or barn-style roof. Consider the height of your mower, especially if it has a high seat or roll bar, to ensure sufficient clearance.
Flooring and Foundation
A sturdy foundation is paramount. Whether you opt for a concrete slab, gravel base, or pre-fabricated foundation kit, ensure it can support the weight of your mower and any other stored items. The flooring material itself should be durable and resistant to moisture and oil stains.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent condensation, mold, and mildew. Look for sheds with vents in the soffits and ridge, or consider adding a small window or vent for better air circulation. This is especially important if you store fuel or items that can off-gas.
Shelving and Organization Systems
Internal shelving, pegboards, and tool racks can dramatically improve your shed’s organization and maximize usable space. Think about how you want to store smaller items and whether built-in or add-on organization systems would be beneficial.
Calculating Your Required Shed Size: A Practical Approach
Let’s put this into practice with a step-by-step approach.
First, measure your largest piece of equipment, typically your lawnmower. Record its length, width, and height. Add at least 12-18 inches to the length and width to allow for easy maneuvering and walking space around the mower.
Next, measure your secondary equipment and tools. Estimate the space needed for each item. Consider vertical storage using shelves.
Sum up the required floor space for all your items. Remember to account for pathways within the shed. It’s always better to have a bit of extra space than to be constantly struggling to fit everything in.
As a general rule of thumb, for a push mower and basic lawn care tools, a 6×8 foot shed is a good starting point. For a small riding mower and more extensive tool collection, an 8×10 or 10×12 foot shed is recommended. For larger riding mowers or multiple pieces of equipment, a 12×16 foot or larger shed will provide the necessary space.
Consider creating a simple floor plan on paper. Draw out your shed’s dimensions and then sketch in your mower and other items to visualize how they will fit.
Materials and Construction
The material of your shed will also influence its durability and maintenance requirements. Common shed materials include wood, metal, and plastic.
Wood sheds offer a classic aesthetic and can be customized. However, they require regular maintenance, such as painting or staining, to protect them from the elements.
Metal sheds are durable and low-maintenance but can be susceptible to rust if not properly treated. They also tend to be less aesthetically pleasing than wooden sheds for some people.
Plastic or resin sheds are lightweight, weather-resistant, and virtually maintenance-free. They are an excellent option for durability and ease of assembly.
When choosing a shed, look for quality construction. Check the thickness of the walls, the integrity of the roof, and the quality of the door hinges and latches.
Placement and Accessibility
The location of your shed is also important. Consider how easily you can access it from your house and your lawn. A shed that is too far away might lead to less frequent use. Ensure the ground is level and well-drained.
Think about the path you’ll take to move your mower into and out of the shed. Is it clear and unobstructed? Will you need to navigate tight corners or inclines?
The orientation of the shed can also impact its usability. Consider the direction of the sun for heat buildup and the prevailing wind direction for potential snow or debris accumulation.
By carefully considering your lawnmower’s dimensions, your additional storage needs, and the various shed features available, you can confidently select a shed that will not only protect your equipment but also enhance the organization and functionality of your outdoor space for years to come.
What are the key factors to consider when determining shed size for a lawnmower?
The most critical factors are the dimensions of your lawnmower itself, including its length, width, and height. You also need to account for the space required for maneuvering the mower in and out of the shed. Don’t forget to consider any attachments or accessories your mower might have, such as baggers or mulching kits, which will also need storage space.
Beyond the mower, think about how you’ll use the shed. Will it be solely for the lawnmower, or will you store other gardening tools, such as a tiller, trimmer, or wheelbarrow? Additional storage needs will significantly impact the required shed dimensions, necessitating a larger footprint and potentially greater height.
How much extra space is recommended around a lawnmower in a shed?
A general rule of thumb is to allow at least one to two feet of clearance on all sides of your lawnmower once it’s parked inside the shed. This extra space is crucial for easy access, allowing you to walk around the mower for maintenance, cleaning, or simply to retrieve it without struggling.
This clearance also accounts for potential future lawnmower purchases; if you plan to upgrade to a larger or more feature-rich mower, having a bit of extra room will prevent the need for an immediate shed replacement. It also allows for the safe storage of any accessories that might be kept near the mower.
Should I consider the type of lawnmower when choosing shed size?
Absolutely. The size and shape of your shed will vary significantly depending on whether you have a standard push mower, a riding mower, a zero-turn mower, or a robotic mower. Riding and zero-turn mowers are considerably larger and require much more spacious sheds, often with wider doors and higher ceilings.
Even for smaller push mowers, consider any specific features. For example, a mower with a power lift for the cutting deck might require additional vertical clearance. Always measure your current mower carefully and research the dimensions of any future mower you might consider to ensure a proper fit.
What are the minimum dimensions for a shed to house a typical push lawnmower?
For a standard push lawnmower, a shed with interior dimensions of at least 4 feet wide by 6 feet deep is generally sufficient. This provides enough room to park the mower comfortably and still allow for some movement and access to other stored items.
It’s also advisable to ensure the shed has a door opening of at least 3 feet wide to easily maneuver the mower in and out. While these are minimums, opting for a slightly larger shed, perhaps 5×7 or 6×8 feet, will offer more flexibility for storage and future needs.
How do riding mowers and zero-turn mowers affect shed size requirements?
Riding lawnmowers and zero-turn mowers are significantly larger than push mowers and demand substantially more shed space. You’ll need to factor in the mower’s overall length, width (including the cutting deck), and height. Sheds for these types of mowers often need to be at least 8 feet wide and 10-12 feet deep, if not larger.
In addition to the mower’s dimensions, consider the turning radius of zero-turn mowers. This means you’ll need ample space to drive the mower in and turn it around within the shed without hitting the walls. A wider door and a taller shed ceiling are also essential for easy entry and exit.
Are there any storage considerations beyond the lawnmower itself?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to plan for additional storage within your shed. Many homeowners use their shed to store a variety of gardening equipment, such as hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, shovels, rakes, fertilizers, and bags of soil. These items will occupy space and require organizational solutions like shelves or hooks.
Think about how you will organize these items to maximize the shed’s utility. Having designated areas for different tools will prevent clutter and make it easier to find what you need. Consider the overall workflow and accessibility for your gardening tasks when planning for these additional storage needs.
What are the benefits of choosing a slightly larger shed than initially needed?
Opting for a shed that is slightly larger than your immediate needs offers significant long-term advantages. It provides flexibility for future lawnmower upgrades to potentially larger or more feature-rich models, avoiding the need to purchase a new shed soon after the initial purchase.
Furthermore, a bit of extra space can significantly improve the organization and usability of your shed. It allows for better separation of tools, creates more room for shelving and storage solutions, and makes it easier to move around and access your equipment. This enhanced functionality can make your gardening tasks more efficient and enjoyable.