Last time I showed how my storage system works with adjustable shelves made of 2x4s and OSB plywood. It’s very strong and relatively easy to change. That’s one thing about minimaxing – we need to be open to change so our system can evolve and improve.
One of the lessons I learned was not everything belongs inside the house… OK, I’m a slow learner in some areas… I’ll admit it. Many of you probably keep all your yard tools and fertilizers, and stuff like that outside already. You may have done for years! It’s a new concept for me since the garage was always my ‘catch all’ spot to tuck things away.
Moving stuff outside may be a safety issue – not just a matter of reducing garage clutter.
Now that my eyes are open I am using them to scan the interwebs for an appropriate yard storage shed. Yikes… soooo many choices!
picking the best shed
I started by walking around the yard to see where we might be able to fit a shed comfortably and logically. It had to be near the house, but not touching – large enough to fit the mower, blower, washer, and fuel, but not too big – and attractive since we would have to look at it every day and we don’t want it blocking the garden or our view of the yard.
Since I’ve been moving stuff around the garage playing the minimalist game, I’ve got a good feel for the volume it needs to be. Even after the minimalist in me was done, I could only minimize stuff so much – remember the minimax philosophy is to maximize our stuff to improve our creative and productive potential.
Keeping the right tools around to maximize our home and yard takes some space. And of course, more space is always better, but the constraints I just outlined limited my choices… so that’s a good thing.
Use a simple template or model to visualize where the storage shed so you get placement right the first time.
To help identify the best shed size, I started putting stakes and string up in the yard to visualize what it would look like in different locations. It quickly became clear we couldn’t just put it next to the garden along the fence since we would be looking directly at it from our bedroom window.
Imagine the psychology of that! Every morning I look out the window at the shed… that leads to thinking about all the yard work that needs done… that leads to my mind working on solutions for yard problems all day… ugh.
Good thing I put up the string and stakes because that was my top choice for a logical place to locate the new storage shed! Next choice was the side of the house by our tomato garden… not as much space, but out of view most of the time and still very handy for storing yard items.
build it from scratch or buy a kit?
The next question was whether to build it myself or buy a kit. I love the idea of building it myself… it’s another chance to minimax stuff and get creative. As a builder, that was my first choice and I had a perfect design all worked out.
The custom DIY shed I planned would have minimalist floor space so it won’t block garden access… it would maximize vertical space with shelves.. so there would be no wasted space at all… it was beautiful!
Then reality struck… wood prices are at historic records… just the basic lumber to frame up and cover the shed was astronomical – before trying to make it look nice on the outside too! It was going to be at least $3,000 to build and that didn’t count my time and effort… what a bummer!
Scouring the interwebs revealed plastic resin shed kits about 10x cheaper – a huge difference that left some margin to build a solid base for the plastic shed to sit on. As they say, it was a ‘no-brainer’ decision.
A personal visit to the local big box stores dispelled my vision of transporting it myself unless I rented a truck, so delivery was going to be my best option. Fortunately I found an adequate shed from a good brand with great reviews online… I entered my credit card number and placed my order… but you know by now that it wasn’t going to be this easy…
Apparently the pandemic virus effects the supply chain too somehow… so what should have arrived in 2 days was going to take at least two weeks – if I was lucky… it was the start of yet another waiting game!
making lemonade out of lemons
I’m always Mr. Positive when it comes to setbacks. As a libra it’s in my nature, I guess. I was determined not to let this delay stop my momentum!
The time waiting could be used for more planning and staging so when the kit arrived I could hit the ground running. I would be unchained, like the Van Halen song! (my favorite, by the way)
I downloaded the shed manuals and install guide with plans for a wood base. That turned out to be half the cost again of the whole shed – yikes – those lumber barons are making a mint during the pandemic!
In only an afternoon I built a solid platform to mount the shed. These injection molded kits are easy to build and very detailed, but they are not strong. To hold up to the weather you have to secure them to a strong and solid base.
Once that was done I staged all the stuff that would go into the shed immediately. I followed the minimax system and checklists and found a spot on the deck where I could temporarily store this stuff and cover it up with a tarp to keep the rain off.
Now I just need to be patient and hope the shed gets delivered in the next week or two. In the mean time I can continue the minimalist game with stuff in the garage since the packrat pod will arrive before the shed… that’s going to be fun to see how things survived the trip across the country!