A small garden doesn’t mean you have to live with the lawnmower in the hallway. The right compact shed tucks into a corner, swallows the tools, the bikes and the bag of compost you keep tripping over, and still leaves room to actually enjoy the garden.
We’ve picked the small sheds we’d happily put in our own gardens, from slim tool stores to proper 6×4 sheds. Prices move around daily, so use the buttons to see the current deal.
What counts as a small shed?
In shed-speak, anything from about 4x3ft up to 6x4ft is “small”. That’s roughly 1.2 x 0.9m to 1.8 x 1.2m. A 6×4 is the sweet spot for most people: big enough for a mower, a strimmer, hand tools and a couple of folding chairs. If you only need to hide tools and a hose, a slimline tool store will do the job in a fraction of the space.
Tip: Measure the spot, then take off 60cm on each side you need to walk round. That’s the biggest footprint you should buy. Our shed size guide goes into more detail.
Our pick of the best small sheds
Best all-rounder
Forest Garden 6×4 Pent Wooden Shed
A proper 6×4 wooden shed from one of the UK’s biggest shed makers. The pent roof slopes one way, so it sits happily against a fence or wall, and the window lets in enough light to find things.
- Pent roof suits fence lines
- Pressure treated, with a long anti-rot guarantee
- Solid floor, not cheap chipboard
Best traditional look
Mercia 6 x 4 ft Overlap Apex Wooden Garden Shed
If you want the classic apex roof and a bit of headroom in the middle, this 6×4 from Mercia is a solid, no-nonsense choice at a sensible price.
- Apex roof gives more headroom
- Double-frame doors
- Easy to treat and paint
Best no-maintenance option
Keter Darwin Outdoor Apex Single Door Garden Storage Shed 6 x 4ft
Keter’s Darwin range looks like timber but it’s a resin composite, so there’s no painting, no rot and no splinters. A good shout for anyone who wants to put it up and forget about it.
- Never needs treating
- Wood-effect finish
- Light enough to move later
Best for bikes on a budget
Aoxun 6×4 FT Metal Garden Shed Heavy Duty Outdoor Tool Storage Bike
Metal sheds give you a lot of space for your money. This 6×4 fits a couple of bikes plus tools, and steel shrugs off rot and woodworm.
- Great value per square foot
- Galvanised steel
- Needs a level base
Best for really tight spaces
Forest Garden 1.1m x 0.5m Apex Tool Store
Barely half a metre deep, this apex tool store slots against a wall and keeps rakes, spades and the hose out of sight. Ideal for patios and courtyards.
- Tiny footprint
- Shiplap cladding
- Perfect for tools only
How to choose a small shed
Pent or apex?
A pent roof slopes one way and usually sits lower, which is handy under windows or against a boundary. An apex roof gives you more headroom down the middle. There’s a full breakdown in our pent vs apex guide.
Wood, metal or plastic?
Wood looks the part and is easy to customise with shelves and hooks. Metal is cheapest per square foot and very secure. Plastic (resin) is the least work. Our material comparison explains which suits you.
Don’t forget the base
Small sheds still need a flat, solid base, or the doors will start sticking within a season. A plastic grid kit is the quickest fix for a 6×4. See our shed base guide, or browse shed bases.
Making a small shed feel bigger
- Go vertical: shelving and wall hooks double your usable space.
- Hang long tools on the back of the door.
- Choose double doors if you’re storing a mower or bikes.
- Pick a shed with a window so you’re not rummaging in the dark.
Quick answers
Do I need planning permission for a small shed?
Almost never. A small shed is well within permitted development rules in most cases. If you’re near a boundary, keep the total height under 2.5m. Our planning permission guide has the full rules.
What’s the cheapest small shed worth buying?
A small metal shed usually gives you the most for the least. For more ideas, see our best cheap sheds round-up, or browse all wooden sheds and metal sheds.
