14 Free Shed Plans for Every Size and Budget (2024)

Room Design

Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor Rooms

Stacy Fisher

Stacy is an expert writer for The Spruce covering home DIY projects and crafts. She has over 18 years of journalistic experience, appearing as a DIY expert on the Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles and co-authored a book.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 03/13/24

Trending Videos

14 Free Shed Plans for Every Size and Budget (2)

These free shed plans can help you design and build your own DIY shed in your yard. Whether you're looking for a space to store tools, organize gardening and lawn equipment, keep outdoor furniture in the off-season, or even create a dedicated potting area for plants, these outdoor storage sheds can be multi-purpose depending on the way you use your yard.

You can build a small or large shed depending on the space available, and some of the most common sizes include 8x10, 8x12, 10x10, 10x12, 12x16, 12x24, and 16x20. DIYers often use materials like lumber for framing and roofing, windows, and siding. Depending on the plans, size, and materials you use, there's a wide range of average costs. You could spend as little as a few hundred dollars or go all the way up to $30,000.

Eager to build your own storage for your home? Here are 14 free shed plans to help you get started.

01 of 14
Inexpensive DIY Shed

The plan here was designed with a budget in mind but you wouldn't know it with the attractive design that features arched windows and a custom door. This shed is the perfect storybook design, ideal for a potting or gardening space.
The directions and illustrations, along with actual photos of the plan, will make it easy to build your very own shed on a tight budget.
How to Build an Inexpensive DIY Shed from Family Handyman
02 of 14
6x3 ft. Small Cedar Fence Picket Storage Shed

If you're looking for the perfect little shed for your yard, you'll want to check out this one. This darling barn-inspired shed is just 6x3 ft., meaning it'll fit in even the smallest of backyards.
Ana White has designed this free shed plan that uses cedar fence pickets to create a budget-friendly shed that costs around $250 to make. There's a shopping list, tool list, general instructions, color photos, diagrams, and plenty of project photos and tips.
Small Cedar Fence Picket Storage Shed from Ana White
See Also
6x10 Garden Shed Plans - Build Blueprint Free 6x4ft shed plans & build guide - Wood Create Free DIY Shed Plans - Build Blueprint 20 Free DIY Storage Shed Plans You Can Build This Week (With Pictures) | House Grail
03 of 14
Garden Closet Storage Shed Plan

Here's a free shed plan for a very small shed that's only the size of a closet. It's a great solution if you need an affordable option to store basic lawn equipment or gardening tools.
A tools and materials list, step-by-step directions, diagrams, and plenty of pictures will help you build this shed.
Garden Closet Storage Shed Plan from Family Handyman
04 of 14
7x4 ft. Narrow Backyard Shed Plan

This 10-step shed plan will help you build a narrow (7x4 ft.) shed for your backyard. There are no windows, but it has a rustic look and enough room for tools and even small outdoor furniture. A parts list, blueprints, and instructions will help you build this small but mighty shed.
Narrow Backyard Shed Plan from BuildEazy
Continue to 5 of 14 below
05 of 14
10x12 ft. Gambrel Style Free Storage Shed Plan

After you're finished with this shed, you'll have a 10x12 ft. Gambrel storage shed that can be moved in the future if need be. This shed gives you a classic barn door look with plenty of space for lawn equipment and outdoor furniture. A complete material list makes it so easy it can be completed over a weekend.
Gambrel Style Free Storage Shed Plan from Construct101
06 of 14
8x11 ft. Drive-Thru Backyard Shed

If you're someone who prioritize DIY lawn care, this plan gives you an 8x11 ft. backyard shed that you can drive your riding lawn mower right into thanks to its footprint that is longer than it is wide. Add a shed ramp to make driving into the space even easier.
The combination of illustrations and color photos will help you build this timeless gambrel shed with barn doors right in your own backyard.
Drive-Thru Backyard Shed from Extreme How-To
07 of 14
8x10 ft. Gabled Garden Shed Plan

This gabled garden shed is a beauty that includes 80 square feet of work and storage space. A window and workbench make the ultimate potting area inside. This 8x10 ft. shed can be built with a wrap-around deck as well for even more space.
You'll need to register (for free) to download it but then you'll be able to instantly download the material list and plan as PDF files.
Gabled 8x10 Garden Shed Plan from APA
08 of 14
8x10 ft. Free Storage Shed Plan

This plan at BuildEazy gives you everything you need to build an 8x10 ft. storage shed for your yard. This floor plan is incredibly simple, which translates into a budget-friendly option for efficient storage. It's not fancy, but it'll be perfect for all your tools and lawn equipment.
See Also
19 Shed Plans Perfect for Big or Small Backyards
8x10 Free Storage Shed Plan from BuildEazy
Continue to 9 of 14 below
09 of 14
8x7 ft. Tudor-Style Garden Shed Plan

Build an 8x7 ft. Tudor-style garden shed with this comprehensive plan from BuildEazy. The final shed resembles a storybook cottage, which is ideal if it's clearly visible from your home. If you're looking for a larger version of this shed, there are plans available for you to build this same style of shed in a 10x10 size.
8x7 Tudor-Style Garden Shed Plan from BuildEazy
10 of 14
8x6 ft. Free Plan for a Simple Garden Shed

These free shed plans are for a simple 8x6 ft. garden shed that can be built with basic carpentry skills. This is an affordable solution if you have yard equipment, sports equipment, or garden tools that need a home out of the elements.
Detailed directions, a materials list, and blueprints are included.
Free Plan for a Simple Garden Shed from Mother Earth News
11 of 14
7x8 ft. Board-And-Batten Shed Plans

This free shed plan will build you a 7 x 8 ft. board-and-batten shed. Included in the plan are a parts list, step-by-step instructions, and diagrams.
There are nine total steps and an easy-to-follow table of contents that take you through everything from making the floor and roof frame to putting up trim.
7x8 Board-And-Batten Shed Plans from BuildEazy
12 of 14
4x2 ft. Small Outdoor Shed/Smokehouse

This plan from Ana White can be used as an affordable small shed, perfect for rakes and other vertical garden tools, but you can easily modify it into a smokehouse if you like. The 4x2 ft. shed plans include tips, color photos, a shopping list, a tool list, a cut list, diagrams, and step-by-step building instructions.
Small Outdoor Shed/Smokehouse from Ana White
Continue to 13 of 14 below
13 of 14
8x8 ft. Gable Style Free Shed Plan

This one is for a portable Gable storage shed that's 8x8 ft. finished and built on a skid foundation so it can be moved in the future if needed.
You'll find this one easy to follow, with illustrated pictures given for each step. A complete material and cutting list are available on the first page of the plans.
Gable Style Free Shed Plan from My Backyard Plans
14 of 14
10x12 ft. Lean-to Shed Plan

This free shed plan includes a PDF download that has all the information you need to make a 10x12 ft. shed, which gives you plenty of room for equipment, off-season furniture, and more. You'll start with the materials list before getting into all the detailed measurements you need to follow, complete with illustrations along the way.
Large 10x12 Lean-to Shed Plan from Construct101

FAQ

Is it cheaper to build your own shed?

Since you're only paying for materials when you build your own shed, you'll save significantly on labor costs. This means it's nearly always cheaper to build your own shed.
How much does it cost to build a 12x12 ft. shed?

On average, it costs $40 to $75 per square foot to build a shed. That means a 12x12 ft. shed could run between $5,760 and $10,800.
What is the cheapest style of shed to build?

A wood shed with few details is going to be the cheapest style of shed. Aim for simple walls, no windows, and little adornment.
Are prefab sheds worth it?

While it may be more expensive to buy a prefab shed than to build one yourself, it may be worth it if your DIY skills are minimal or you don't have the time to dedicate to DIYing it.

7 Things You Shouldn't Store in the Shed, According to Pros

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Learn how much it costs to Build a Shed or Playhouse. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2024, from https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/additions-and-remodels/build-shed-or-playhouse/
Learn how much it costs to Purchase a Shed. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2024, from https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/outbuildings/shed-prices/