# Creative Garden Shed Ideas
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A Building in Miniature
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It's easy to make a garden shed into a red barn in miniature. Because garden sheds are relatively small, they're great buildings to experiment on for exterior decor. While a full-size log cabin might not be in the budget, it's much easier to convert a garden shed. Side it with logs and add a slate roof, window boxes, and the appearance of a stone foundation for a miniature log cabin in the backyard.
Other ideas for converting the outside appearance of a garden shed include creating a classic country barn some red and white paint and wood trim, or a coastal cottage suited to Martha's Vineyard or Cape Cod with some scalloped trim, bright colors and flower boxes.
For a whimsical touch, use some brown paint and white trim for a gingerbread house-like base. Like its smaller cousin, the sky's the limit for decorating such a shed: Christmas lights, artificial Christmas trees, giant candy canes and lollipops can all create a little bit of Christmas all year around.
Replace the Roof
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Take inspiration from a greenhouse. Instead of a solid, shingled roof, install a roof made with the same panels that make up the walls and roof of a greenhouse. This will open up the interior of the shed and make it brighter and more airy by using natural light rather than artificial. It will also make the shed an excellent place to start growing seedlings in late winter and early spring for flower and vegetable gardens. Build a work bench along one wall to use for flats of starting seeds.
Front porch
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A small porch can be a personal retreat. Adding a front porch onto the garden shed isn't just a decorative touch, it's a practical one. Built-in benches can be constructed with hinged lids that will double as storage for items that are used frequently. Wide railings can hold potted plants, and with the addition of a simple rocking chair or lounge chair, the porch can also be a welcome outdoor retreat.
If the main house already has a porch or patio, build the shed's porch facing in a different direction. This way, the porches will be in the sun and the shade at different times.
Landscaping
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Add a flower garden and brick landscaping to accent the shed. Don't neglect the shed when it comes to flower gardens and landscaping. Install flagstones or decorative bricks or add a birdbath, sculpture or statuary for a central focal piece. Flower gardens can bring some needed color to the landscape, and a low brick or iron fence can give the garden a classic touch.
For shed with plain, unadorned walls, install a trellis with climbing plants, such as climbing rose bushes or trumpet vines.
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