If you bought your home just recently and then realized that the current location of the storage shed is not as convenient as you would’ve wanted it to be, you might have already started figuring out relocating it to somewhere better, like the driveway.
There are tons of other reasons why you might want to move your storage shed to the driveway –
- maybe you’ll have better visibility of it from your family room,
- or maybe there’s just a large wasted space at the end of the driveway that you would want to put to use.
But, Can You Seriously Put A Storage Shed In The Driveway?
Well, it depends, so there’s no straight answer for that. If there is enough space at the end of your driveway, then sure – why not? If the security of your items will be uncertain then there’s no point in building a shed far away in the driveway where you won’t be able to tell whether a burglar is making away with your bikes or not.
Here’s Why You SHOULD Build a Storage Shed in The Driveway (3 Reasons)
1. When Your Items Are Not Much of Big a Big Value
The driveway can be a bit far off from your house. When asleep, for example, you won’t be able to detect any suspicious movements near your shed.
So, building a shed right there on the driveway is something that you’ll need to think about more deeply.
However, if you don’t intend to store anything of great value in the shed then you can proceed to build a shed of any kind in your driveway.
In that case, the distance between the home and the shed won’t be much of a bother as there will be nothing on the shed to protect.
If the security of your property is at stake but you still want to proceed with building the shed in the driveway anyway, you must be choosy with the type of shed.
Not just any kind of shed will do. A plastic shed would be a big “no” for instance as it can be easily broken into.
As such, you might want to go for a security wood shed instead, something at least 4’ x 6’, big enough to swallow most of your garden tools, bikes, and similar items.
2. When There’s Just Too Much Space in The Driveway That You Just Can’t Let Go to Waste
If your backyard is not spacious enough to accommodate a shed, you might want to look elsewhere. In case the plot on which your home stands can’t accommodate the structure, but then you realize that your driveway has some space that could fit the shed of your dreams, you will have no choice but to take full advantage of it.
However, driveways usually don’t offer spaces large enough compared to backyards, so you might be compelled to go for a much smaller shed.
Considering that your side yard may be too narrow for the project and perhaps the presumed visibility of that area from the street may be wanting, and the probable fact that you may be having windows and other good architectural features you do not wish to block, there’s little chance that your side yard provides a better location for a storage facility/shed.
The back of your home would potentially provide more, but with the exclusion of the architectural properties if any.
If you have zero possibilities against the backyard, your best bet can be the driveway.
Just build a beautiful shed, and probably a bigger one.
3. If You Are Thinking Prefabricated Storage Shed
It would be costly and a bit thoughtless to erect a permanent wooden storage shed in the driveway unless there’s a special reason for it. The most recommended option is the prefabricated shed.
The best thing about prefabricated storage sheds is that they don’t require you to make extensive preparations on the ground compared to the permanent options.
Also, they can be easily removed and relocated to another place if you change your mind in the future.
So, say a need arises in the future to make a few changes on the driveway, or let’s say you want to sell the home but the buyer wants a clear driveway in front of it, you would find it easier to remove it or make changes rather quickly.
The average prefabricated storage shed measures approximately 12 ft. by 12 ft. and costs between $1,500 and $4,000. The price can vary with the type of material of construction.
Here’s Why You SHOULD NEVER Build a Storage Shed in The Driveway (2 Reasons)
1. When The Driveway Is the Path of a Flood Water Channel
If your home is built on a flat area or any other area where flood water often overflows over the driveways, then it would probably not be a good idea to build a storage shed on the driveway.
Unless you’re planning to build a raised foundation just on your driveway on top of which your shed would stand, there’s no point in going that route.
2. When local planning laws forbid it
The first thing you will need to do is to check whether local planning laws permit the addition of a storage shed in the driveway.
If they do allow, then they are more likely to be particular with the height and the width beyond which you shouldn’t go.
Some areas require you to have a permit for virtually every project in your home, so it would be prudent to check with your local authorities.
If they don’t allow the addition of a storage shed on the driveway, then that would be a good reason not to go ahead with your project.
Four Factors to Consider When Deciding the Placement of Your Shed
Consider these factors when making up your mind whether to place your shed in the driveway or not.
1. Accessibility
What do you intend the storage shed for?
If it is primarily leisure equipment or garden shed?
If that’s the case, then you should probably build it in the backyard unless it is very necessary that you place it in the driveway (but be cautious not to place it in a position in which it will be blocked from over 3 hours of sunlight.)
If your storage shed houses the snow blower or similar equipment, you will be forced to tromp across the home to the driveway and then back to your backyard through the snow just trying to fetch the snow removal equipment.
2. Aesthetics
Does the shed look great in your driveway?
Would you rather keep it in the backyard?
You don’t want to add an eyesore in your driveway as it would ruin the appearance of your home.
If you are going to choose prefabricated sheds, then you need to choose an option that syncs well with your front yard and everything.
Related: Is It Better to Stain or Paint a Shed?
3. Security
As aforementioned, you don’t want a thief to make steal your stuff.
Therefore, the distance between the driveway and your home as well as the visibility of the driveway from your house should be considered.
4. Utilities
Will your shed require a power supply?
Do you have a power line close to the driveway?
If there is a power line close enough, you will have an easy time tapping from it and lighting your shed.
But that can only be a big issue if your home is considerably far from the driveway.
Most homes are seldom more than 7 – 12 meters from the driveway, so tapping from the home’s power box would be easy.
Also, make sure that the shed is not erected on utility lines. Some companies distribute their utilities along driveways before branching them into individual homes, so you will need to check if your driveway has any.
Conclusion
Whether you can or can’t put a storage shed in the driveway depends on an array of factors.
If you don’t intend to store anything of great value in the shed, then you can proceed to build a shed of any kind in your driveway.
In that case, the distance between the home and the shed won’t be much of a bother as there will be nothing on the shed to protect.
Also, if your backyard is not spacious enough to accommodate a shed, you might want to erect the storage shed in the driveway instead.
It would be costly and a bit thoughtless to erect a permanent wooden storage shed in the driveway unless there’s a special reason for it. The most recommendable option, therefore, would be a prefabricated shed.
However, if your home is built on a flat area or any other area where flood water often overflows over the driveways, then it would probably not be a good idea to build a storage shed on the driveway.
Also, the local building codes and regulations may not be all for erection of a storage shed in the driveway. Remember to check with local authorities first before committing to the project.
If they don’t allow the addition of a storage shed on the driveway, then that would be a good reason not to go ahead with your project.
