Storage problems can get seriously out of hand if not efficiently dealt with. Being overrun by rarely-used (scratch that - usually completely unused) household items that finally seem to take on a life of their own, invading the garage and almost every corner of the house, is a problem that most people can readily identify with. The solution? A handy little storage shed at the bottom of the garden. Or, on second thoughts, maybe not so little - depending on the mound of junk you need to stow away. But certainly, in most cases, a cute little garden shed at the bottom of the garden!

Yes, outdoor sheds are definitely the perfect solution for storing not only accumulated stuff in your house, but also handy for storing garden tools and other bulky garden equipment such as mowers with their pesky, damp, grass encrusted wheels that leave dirt trails all over the garage floor.

Of course, outdoor sheds don't only have to be seen as storage sheds. They also make great playrooms for kids, artists' studios, potting sheds, workshops, hobby rooms, sewing rooms, reading rooms - or a relaxing bolt-hole to hide in and escape the kids!

Now that we agree that no household should be without one, how do we go about getting our very own adorable garden storage shed? Well, there are 3 options:

1. Buy a fully erected shed that is ready-made and delivered on the back of a large truck. You choose your design from a set of ready-drawn plans to suit your needs (and your budget).
2. Buy a pre-cut shed kit. It is delivered to your door and you assemble it yourself.
3. Build your own shed and save loads of money. Also, have the added satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your own labors sitting pertly in the shade among the shrubs. Another plus: design and build it in exactly the way you want it.

The first two options are pretty straightforward and require no further explanation. However, the third option - building the shed yourself - begs further discussion. Where do you start with building your own outdoor shed? Like most formal buildings, it all starts with outdoor storage shed plans. Does one really need plans for such a simple construction? The answer is yes, definitely yes!

Here are just some benefits of having proper outdoor storage shed plans:

- Plans give you the blueprint to help you through every step of the building process, leaving nothing to chance.
- A professional set of outdoor storage plans should also include a materials list which makes ordering, and costing, the material needed easy and simple.
- Plans will also show you exactly how the shed will look when finished, which means there will be no nasty surprised at the end.