Buying guide

What size shed do I need? A practical shed size guide

Shed sizes are given as length x width in feet. Here’s what fits in each size, how to measure your space, and what each size costs installed.

Start with what you're storing

Tools only (spades, rakes, strimmer): a 6×4 or 6×6 shed.
Lawnmower, tools and garden furniture: an 8×6 shed.
Bikes plus a small workbench: a 10×8 shed.
A proper workshop or busy family storage: a 10×10, 12×8 or larger.

Write a quick list of everything going in, including the bulky things like the mower, bikes and cushions. It’s the fastest way to see which size makes sense.

Popular shed sizes and prices

Size	Good for	Price installed
6×4 shed	Tool store	€875
8×6 shed	Mower, tools, furniture	€1,150
10×8 shed	Bikes and a workbench	€1,575
12×8 shed	Workshop or family storage	€1,850
10×10 shed	Workshop with room to move	€2,050
16×12 shed	Large workshop or storage	€3,500

Prices are for our standard wooden shed and include delivery and installation anywhere in Ireland. We build 27 sizes from 6×4 up to 16×12, and you’ll find every price on the product page.

Shed sizes in feet and metres

We list our sizes in feet, length x width. Here’s what the most common sizes work out at in metres, so you can compare them with the space you’ve measured.

Shed size	In metres	Floor area
6×4	1.83m x 1.22m	about 2.2 m²
8×6	2.44m x 1.83m	about 4.5 m²
10×8	3.05m x 2.44m	about 7.4 m²
12×8	3.66m x 2.44m	about 8.9 m²
10×10	3.05m x 3.05m	about 9.3 m²
12×10	3.66m x 3.05m	about 11.1 m²
12×12	3.66m x 3.66m	about 13.4 m²
16×12	4.88m x 3.66m	about 17.8 m²

Picking the right size for the job

Bikes: an adult bike is roughly 1.8m long, so a shed at least 6ft long lets bikes stand lengthways. For two to four bikes and nothing else, a dedicated bike shed takes up far less of the garden.
Wheelie bins: if you just want to tidy the bins away, a bin store is a better fit than a shed.
A workshop: a standard workbench is about 2m to 2.4m long. Add room to stand and move, and a 10×8 is the practical minimum. A 12×8 or 10×10 gives you space for tools and storage too.
Potting and hobbies: you’ll want natural light. Our cottage style shed has windows along the side.
Long items: ladders, kayaks and paddleboards decide the length of the shed on their own, so measure them first.
A home office or gym: look at an insulated garden room rather than a shed. You’ll want insulation and electrics.

Thinking about a garden room instead? See every size and finish in our garden room price guide.

How to measure your space

Measure the length and width of the area you have, then take off some space on each side so you can walk round the shed and treat the timber.
Check where the door will go and make sure it can open fully.
Look up. Overhanging trees, windows and gutters can limit the height. A pent shed is lower at the back, so it suits spots along a wall or under a window.
Mark the shape out on the ground with string or a hose to get a feel for the size.

Which shed style suits your space?

Standard apex shed: the classic pitched roof gives you the most headroom in the middle. It suits an open spot in the garden.
Pent shed: a single sloping roof that’s lower at the back. It sits neatly against a wall or fence and under windows.
Cottage style shed: windows bring in light, so it suits potting, hobbies or a small workshop.
Garden chalet: a covered veranda at the front gives you somewhere to sit out as well as store.

Should you go one size bigger?

Most people find their shed fills up faster than they expected. If you’re torn between two sizes and have the space, the bigger one is usually the better buy. For example, the step from an 8×6 (€1,150) to a 10×8 (€1,575) gives you roughly two thirds more floor space.

If you want a shed with more light for potting or hobbies, have a look at our cottage style shed with windows.

Common sizing mistakes

No room to get round it. You need access on every side to treat the timber, so don’t fill the space wall to wall.
Forgetting the door. Check the door can open fully and that you can get the mower in and out easily.
Ignoring height. Low branches, gutters and windows can all get in the way of a pitched roof.
Buying for today only. Kids’ bikes get bigger and garden furniture multiplies. A little spare space now saves buying a second shed later.
A base that doesn’t match. The base needs to match the footprint of the size you order. Our shed base guide explains why.

Size and planning permission

Garden buildings behind the house don’t need planning permission in Ireland as long as they’re 30 square metres or less in total, along with a few other conditions. Our largest shed, the 16×12, is about 17.8 square metres. Read the full rules in our planning permission guide, and see how to get the ground ready in our shed base guide.

Shed size FAQs

What size shed do I need for a lawnmower?

An 8×6 shed is a good size for a lawnmower, garden tools and some folding furniture. If you also have bikes or a strimmer and a leaf blower, step up to a 10×8.

What size shed do I need for two bikes?

Two adult bikes fit in a 6×4 shed standing lengthways, but there won’t be room for much else. An 8×6 gives you space for tools as well. If it’s only for bikes, a dedicated bike shed is the neater option.

What's the best shed size for a workshop?

A 10×8 is the practical minimum for a workbench with room to stand. A 12×8 or 10×10 is better if you want storage for tools and materials too.

What size shed can I put up without planning permission?

In Ireland, garden buildings behind the house are exempt up to 30 square metres in total, along with height and position rules. Our largest shed, the 16×12, is about 17.8 square metres, so every size we sell is under the limit.

What sizes do your sheds come in?

Our standard wooden shed comes in 27 sizes from 6×4 up to 16×12, and every size is priced on the product page including delivery and installation. Call John on 086 733 7925 if you’re not sure which one to pick.

Still have a question?

Call or text John on 086 733 7925, or send us a message and he will help you find the right fit for your garden.