About this shed
This contemporary garden shed stands in a garden in Bellingham, Washington. It’s 10′ x 12′ (120 sq/ft), with sage green LP SmartSide siding, white trim, a standing-seam metal roof and a long row of clerestory windows. Two steel doors open the front: a pair of 60-inch double doors and a 36-inch single door, with a wood ramp up to the doors. The shed was built in a shop and delivered on a trailer.
Quick facts about this Bellingham garden shed
- Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
- Size: 10′ x 12′ (120 sq/ft)
- Design: Contemporary, single-slope roof
- Overhangs: Front and rear 12″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Roofing: Standing-seam metal
Built in a shop, delivered on a trailer
The shed was framed and sided indoors, then lifted onto a trailer and driven to the property. Building it in a shop kept the work out of the rain and let it arrive almost finished.
Doors, ramp and clerestory windows
Double doors give wide access for big items, and the ramp makes it easy to wheel a mower or cart in. The clerestory windows let daylight in high on the wall, so the inside stays bright without losing shelf space.
Inside the shed
The inside is left open-stud, with plywood on the walls and a long row of clerestory windows above.
Why a contemporary style suits a garden shed
A single-slope roof gives a shed clean lines and a practical shape. Rain runs off one side, the clerestory windows sit under the high edge, and the wide overhang protects the doors and walls. In a garden with rocks and plants, the simple sage green box stays in the background.
What a shed this size stores
At 120 sq/ft, a 10×12 shed is big enough for a lawn mower, a wheelbarrow, bikes, tools, pots and bins, and it still leaves room for shelves. The wide double doors and the ramp make it easy to roll larger items in and out.
Shop-built panels, quick assembly
Sheds like this one are built in a shop, where the lumber stays dry and the cuts stay accurate. When the shed is built whole, as this one was, it can be set on the site in one move, so there’s almost no work to do in the garden.
Preparing the site
A shed needs a firm, level spot with a clear path to it. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Check that the driveway and gates are wide enough and clear of low branches and wires.
- Level the spot and set a base of compacted gravel so the floor stays flat and water drains away.
- Check the local rules for setbacks, height and permits before ordering.
- Leave room at the doors for a ramp or step.
Keeping the siding in good shape
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding that is painted after it is installed. Like any painted wood product, it lasts longest when the paint is kept in good condition. Look over the shed once a year, repaint any worn spots, and keep soil, leaves and plants from touching the lower edge of the siding. A standing-seam metal roof needs little upkeep beyond clearing leaves and moss.
| Location | Bellingham, WA, USA |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 12′ (120 sq/ft) |
| Design | Contemporary, single-slope roof |
| Porch or deck | None (wood ramp at the doors) |
| Overhangs | Front and rear 12″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Open stud |
| Doors | 36″ steel door; 60″ steel French (double) doors |
| Windows | 30″ x 36″; clerestory windows |
| Roofing | Standing-seam metal |
| Electrical | Yes |
| Heat | None |
| Extras | Custom door layout |
More photos
The photos below show more of the finished shed in the garden.
What to plan before ordering a garden shed
A shed that arrives on a trailer needs a clear path and a ready spot.
- Local rules: this shed is in Washington State, so BC rules do not apply to it. Check the City of Bellingham or your own city or county for permits, setbacks and height limits.
- Delivery path: check the width and slope of the driveway and the final spot, since the shed arrives in one piece.
- Doors: double doors suit larger items. A ramp saves lifting them over a threshold.
- Foundation: a flat gravel pad is simple and drains well.
- Power: this shed has electrical wiring. Any wiring should be done by a licensed electrician to local code.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this garden shed?
It’s 10 feet by 12 feet, which is 120 sq/ft (about 11.1 m²).
What is the roof made of?
It has a standing-seam metal roof, which sheds rain and snow well and needs little upkeep.
Do you need a permit for a shed like this?
That depends on where it is. This shed is in Bellingham, Washington, so BC rules do not apply. If you are building in BC, see the shed rules by city pages, and check with your local building department.
How is a prefab shed delivered?
This shed was built in a shop, loaded on a trailer and driven to the property, where it was unloaded onto its spot in the garden.
Why are there double doors and a ramp?
Double doors open wide for larger items, and a ramp saves lifting them over the door threshold.
What can you store in a 10×12 shed?
A 10×12 shed has 120 sq/ft of floor space, enough for a lawn mower, a wheelbarrow, bikes, tools and bins, with room left for shelves.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, the shed and garage albums, read the Shed Rules by City, or see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.