Garden Tool Shed Plans

If you like to work in your garden, you probably need 2’x4′ small shed plans to store all your tools. The most important step of this woodworking project is to choose the right garden tool shed plans for your needs and tastes. In this article, we show you how to build a basic lean to shed, large enough to store lots of tools, but still compact and affordable for almost any pocket. Build the frame of the shed from 2×4 lumber and attach 5/8” tongue and groove plywood to make the exterior walls. The shed features double front doors for an easy access inside.

If you want to get a professional result, we strongly recommend you to use quality materials. Choose weather-resistant lumber and check if all the slats are straight and in a good visual condition. Always pre-drill holes before inserting the galvanized screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. Use a spirit level to plumb the walls, before locking them into place with wood screws.

RELATED PLANS:

Lean to Shed Plans

How to build a garden tool shed

Garden tool shed

Materials

• 1 – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 48”, 3 pieces of 2×4 – 21″ JOISTS
• 2 – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 2’x4′ PLYWOOD
• 3 – 2 pieces of 2×4 – 58 1/2″, 2 pieces – 70 1/4″, 4 pieces – 21 3/4″ FRONT AND BACK FRAMES
• 3 – 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 17″, 3 pieces – 21 3/4″ SIDE FRAMES
• 4 – 2 piece of 5/8″ T-11 siding – 24″x74″, 1 piece – 48″x74 1/4″ SIDING
• 5 – 2 pieces of 1×3 – 57 3/4”, 2 pieces – 21 3/4″, 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 55 1/2″, 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 49 1/2″ TRIMS
• 6 – 2 piece of 5/8” T1-11 siding – 21 3/4 x 52″, 4 pieces of 1×3 – 47″, 4 pieces – 21 3/4” DOORS
• 7 – 10 pieces of 1×6 tongue and groove lumber – 34″ long ROOF

• 11 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x4′
• 3 pieces of 5/8″ T1-11 siding – 4’x8′
• 6 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 3 pieces of 1×6 cedar – 12 ft
• 100 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 100 pieces of 1 5/8″ screws
• 24 pieces of 1 1/4″ screws
• shed hinges
• shed latch
• wood glue, stain/paint

Tools

• Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
• Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
• Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask

Time

• One day

Garden Tool Shed Plans

Building the frame of garden tool shed

The first step of the project is to build the frame of the floor. As you can see in the plans, you should use 2×4 lumber to build the joists. Drill pilot holes trough the perimeter joists, before locking the components together with 2 1/2” galvanized screws. Check if the corners are right-angled, using a carpentry square.

PRO TIP: Attach a piece of 3/4” plywood to the joists and secure it into place tightly, using 1 5/8” wood screws. Make sure the edges are flush with the joists.

Wall frame

Assembling the front and back faces

Build the front and back frames of the shed on a level surface. Drill pilot holes trough the plates and insert 2 1/2” wood screws into the studs. Fit the 2×4 blocking between the studs, at the top of the studs, as in the plans. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the blockings and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the studs. Cut one end of the studs at 30º, using a circular saw.

Place the frames on the floor, making sure they are flush with the joists. Drill pilot holes and drive in 3 1/2” galvanized screws, after plumbing the frames with a spirit level. Plumb the wall frames vertically with a spirit level and check if the corners are square.

Building the frame of the tool shed

Rafters for tool shed

Fit wooden blockings between the front and back wall frames, in order to enhance the rigidity of the structure. The best technique you could use is to drill pocket holes at  both ends of the blockings and to drive in 2 1/2″ screws screws.

Exterior wall panels

Build the exterior walls of the tool shed from 5/8” plywood siding. Mark the cut lines on the plywood sheets and adjust the size of the panels, using a circular saw (long straight lines)or a jig saw (curved lines). Attach the plywood panels to the frame and lock them into place with 1 5/8” screws / nails.

Attaching the trims

Attach 1×3 trims to the sides and bottom of the shed. In addition, fit a 1×2 trim on the middle of the front face of the shed and a piece of 2×4 lumber at the top. Align the components with great attention, before driving in the 1 5/8″ finishing nails into the frame.

Building the doors

Building the doors of the tool shed is a straight forward task, as you need to use a piece of 5/8” siding and 1×3 trims. As you can easily notice in the plans, you should assemble the frame using pocket holes screws and 1 1/4″ screws. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical components. Make sure the corners are square.

Attach the panels to the door frame, align the edges flush, drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws, every 8″ along the framing.

Fitting the doors

PRO TIP: Check if the corners of the frame are square, before securing the doors into place. Use shed hinges to secure the doors inside the frame. In addition, fit a door latch, if you store valuable items inside the shed.

Installing the roof

One of the last steps of the project is to build the roof of the shed. As you can easily notice in the image, you need to use cedar siding, as the components lock together easily and protect the shed from water. Alternatively, you could also use 1×6 lumber, provided you lock them together with wood glue.

Shelves

Use 3/4″ plywood for the shelves. Cut the panels as shown in the diagram and then fit them to the supports. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws to lock the shelves into place.

Garden tool shed plans

Last but not least, you should take care of the final touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let the compound to dry out for several hours, before sanding the surface with 120-grit sandpaper, along the wood grain.

Tool shed plans

Garden tool shed plans – back view

PRO TIP: Protect the wooden components from decay and enhance the look of the garden tool shed by applying several coats of paint.

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