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Small Cedar Shed

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small shed
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Build your own cedar shed to store lawn mowers, tools, trash cans, or just extra things.  We love that it's like an outdoor closet.

This cedar shed plan uses fence pickets - so it's much less expensive.  The simple design can be built by most anyone.  Step by step plans with diagrams and shopping and cut list from Ana-White.com

cedar shed inside view
cedar shed front view
hardware for shed

When I first started building projects, I didn't care if I worked in the gravel driveway on a cold day. I didn't care if I had a little spot behind the boat, on the floor in the garage to work. I was so crazy about building, I found a way around anything to work on a project.

But over the years, slowly, tool by tool, I've been working up to a dedicated work space. And boy is it nice.

It's kind of like having a sewing table. Or a potting bench for gardening. Or even a dedicated spot to make coffee in your kitchen. When you do something on a regular basis, it sure makes life easier to have a dedicated work station for it! 

So when my friend Gina from Lady Goats wrote me saying, Help, Ana, I'm building in the rocks and dirt! I had to work with her to come up with a solution.

I hope this solution we came up with works for many of you too!

small storage sheds

 

How much does this cedar shed cost to build?

Gina sent me a link to a cedar shed with a retail price of $1600.  Okay, that's more than the tools inside! 

She wanted to use cedar, and I thought, what cheaper solution than cedar fence pickets for siding?  At a couple of bucks each, Gina was able to make this shed for $255!  And it's cedar!

 inside small storage sheds

Gina is going to add a few fun things to the inside - like a miter saw cabinet and some door shelves, so stay tuned as we turn this shed into a workshop!

And here's a few notes from Gina:

  • I found it saved about $15-$20 to use this set of hinges & latch, instead of buying them individually. You'll end up with two extra latches, but I'm sure they'll come in handy elsewhere!
  • Every minute I spent on this was timed, and the entire build took almost 8 1/2 hours (including roofing, excluding finishing). So this could definitely be a weekend project! - All of the components, unassembled, take up about 12" of space! Maybe this info will come in handy for some of you! I would have definitely pre-built everything and assembled it after I got my HOA's approval if I'd have known!
  • This was my first roofing project, and this product made it SO EASY. They have videos on their website that explain everything. - The paneled doors were kind of tough to get tight. Use a pipe clamp! If you don't have one, nail one corner of an end board and squeeze the boards together while someone else nails all of 'em.
  • The roof allows you to put the shed about 8" away from a structure (meaning there's an 8" gap between the shed and other structure). If you want to lessen that gap, you'll have to resize the roof.

For lots more photos and tips, please check out Gina's blog post here.

 

Cedar Storage Shed Plans

This shed plan can be built in panels first and then assembled on site -

cedar shed panels

The free step-by-step plans follow.  Thanks for using our plans.  

 

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Small Cedar Shed

Dimensions
small shed dimensions
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 18 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 44 – 5 1/2" wide cedar fence pickets
  • 1 – 2x4 @ 8 feet or stud length
  • 4 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
  • 8 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 – 4x8 sheet of plywood for attaching roofing shingles (check what your shingles manufacturer recommends)
  • 30 square feet of roofing shingles
  • Roofing nails or glue
  • Heavy duty gate hinges, Handles, Lock or Catch
Cut List

BACK WALL

  • 2 – 2x2 @ 66 1/2"
  • 5 – 2x2 @ 77”
  • 16 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence pickets @ 66 1/2" long

SIDE WALLS

  • 2 – 2x2 @ 35 1/2"
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 77 1/2" (longest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 72 5/8" (longest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 67 1/2" (shortest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 36 7/8” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, parallel to each other)
  • 32 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence pickets @ 35 1/2" long
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 80 1/2"
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 70 1/4" (short point measurement, top edge beveled at 15 degrees off square)

FRONT HEADER

  • 1 – 2x4 @ 66 1/2"

ROOF

  • 2 – 1x4 @ 83”
  • 2 – 1x4 @ 46 1/2"
  • 5 – 2x2 @ 46 1/2"
  • 1 – roofing plywood @ 83” x 48”

DOORS*

  • 4 – 1x4 @ 60”
  • 4 – 1x4 @ 33”
  • 2 – 1x4 @ 26”
  • 12 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2” thick fence pickets @ 67”

*You may wish to build doors slightly shorter to enable easier opening and closing - recommended to build doors to fit finished opening.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Frame you your back walls. You can use the Kreg Jig or 2 1/2" screws here.

Step 2

Starting at the bottom and working upward, attach the cedar fence pickets, overlapping 1/2" as you go up. Screw or nail and glue on.

Step 3

Frame side walls as shown in diagram as you did the back wall. You will need two side walls.

Step 4

And add the cedar siding to back wall as shown in diagram. Do not forget that the sides need to be done in mirror!

Step 5

Build the side walls and attach cedar fence pickets to the side wall.

Step 6

Once your side walls are complete, you can attach back walls. Use 2 1/2" screws or brackets for easy disassembly.

Step 7

Add header to front of shed. Take a minute here to make sure your project is square. The door area especially needs to be square.

Step 8

Frame up roof as shown above.

Step 9

And attach roof to top of storage shed.

Step 10

Add plywood and roofing to top of shed.

Step 11

Frame doors up with pocket holes. Build doors to fit your openings. I like to leave 1/8" gaps.

Step 12

Attach cedar fence pickets to back of doors.

Step 13

And then install doors to shed.

Step 14

I love how Gina added the stop block to keep doors closed. Isn't this shed beautiful!

Step 15

Don't forget the pretty hardware!

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Outdoor Projects
Buildings
Room
Storage Solutions
Outdoor
Style
Rustic Furniture Plans
Tradditional Style Furniture Plans

Comments

jakeaharper

Fri, 03/18/2016 - 06:26

I see how the siding is layered 1" over top of each board. Is there a purpose to this other than just physically appearance? I am considering doing this project I just didn't know if there was a difference or purpose in overlapping the boards rather than nailing them one on top of the other. 

snow146

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 08:35

Thank you for the plan of making a shed! Very great plan and I really enjoy making my own shed instead of purchasing super expensive plastic shed from the store.

Couple things I would like to suggest for the roofing part: Roofing Felt should be added on the top of the roofing plywood; a Drip Edge should be applied to protect the edge of the roof plywood.

I didn't see those things mentioned from the plan but from brag posts I saw few handy people applied Drip edge on the roof. I am from Canada, and having more protection on the roof is very important as the winter here is more tougher.

K4WK

Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:35

Very clever idea to use cedar fence pickets for siding shingles.  I built this project half-size for use as a BBQ Tool Shed on my deck next to grill.  I put in a floor using left-over cedar picket trimmings and put a 2x2 across the door opening to stiffen up the structure and make a stringer for the flooring.  

Shed was plumb and true when built on my flat garage floor but when set on my maybe not-so-flat deck, it slumped a little and the door would bind.  To fix that I put in a screen door tensioner and that trued it up.  

Just under $200 in materials, using a small about of repurposed lumber.

nudibranchsarerad

Sat, 05/16/2020 - 11:11

This is a great set of plans! I am very excited to start gathering materials - we're building a paver foundation for the shed this week, provided the rains hold off.

We have to alter the plans a bit to meet our HOA requirements - the shed will have to be 5 feet tall, not 7. With the lowered height, a hinged roof would be really handy, to increase ease of access. Any suggestions for resources or things to keep in mind as we alter the plans to meet these needs?

Thanks for such a thoughtful and thorough website - I've learned more between you and the Lady Goat page than I have in my weeks of Googling!

HOWsMom

Mon, 05/18/2020 - 10:31

Is this shed long / deep enough for adult sized bikes ?
Or should I try adding an extra section along the width ?

I need to fit 3 adult bikes, 6 camp chairs, and some lawn tools (rakes, etc)

cindyloo2

Sat, 08/08/2020 - 09:06

Hi Ana
I'm in the middle of building this as we speak. It's going remarkably well so far. Thanks for the straight forward instructions.
I have on question about the roof. We're building the outside frame with 1 x 4's and using 2 x 2's as cross braces. When adding the cross braces do I center them or line them up with the top or bottom of the frame? I'm assuming the top, but just wanted to check to be sure.

leb

Mon, 04/12/2021 - 12:18

I would like a version that is 8’wide at the bottom and around 6’tall at the back, with a door height of around 5’ 8” I also plan to build the shed on a Rectangular platform supported by 4x4 posts and 2x4 joists.

I assume I can just adjust measurements and have a gentler slope on the roof. Do you see any problems with making such adjustments?

pattiemelt

Thu, 07/15/2021 - 14:47

I have one of the large Rubbermaid sheds on my covered patio for storing gardening tools, pots, etc. and have wanted to get rid of it for a while. This is the perfect solution. I'm thinking about turning the roof around, though - slant to the back so the rain will run off the back of the patio. Shouldn't be too hard to reverse the plans since it's built in panels. Great plans.

t0mpr1c3

Sat, 01/22/2022 - 22:30

After a second look, I decided that I don't like the shed design because the doors drag on the ground. But thanks for the idea of using cedar pickets as siding, they are very pretty!