Create custom made outdoor storage

Measure the depth, height and width of the bin or bins you plan to store in your custom outdoor storage.

Measure the height and length of your bike, or consider how much space you’d require if you plan to store multiple bikes.

Make sure to give yourself some extra space on all of your measurements. This helps you make sure the storage area isn’t too tight and makes it easier to accommodate your items.

If including your boot stand, make sure to measure its depth, height and width as well.

We built the entire store in our workshop, but it’s designed to be moved to your desired location before the final construction takes place. This allows you to easily transport it in pieces, rather than as a whole unit.

Take plenty of time to create a design that suits the space you’re working in.

This build guide will give you the principles of building the store, but the project itself is completely bespoke.

Our design includes a sloping roof- if you wish to have a sloping roof, you’ll need to calculate the pitch of your roof based on your measurements.

This angle is key when constructing your frame, as it provides a reference for all of your angled cuts.

Once you have your measurements and your design, cut your timber and cladding to size.

Make sure you support the ends of longer lengths when cutting them.

There are a couple of methods you could use to mark the angle on your lengths. We opted for a digital adjustable square .

With your digital adjustable square, loosen the saw bed and change the angle to match before locking it into the new positio n.

Now you can make your angled cuts according to your measurements.

Smooth out any rough edges by going over any feathered cuts with sandpaper.

Dry lay your frames one at a time, placing them in position.

Drill pilot holes for your butt joints, then affix them with screws .

Butt join the frames together to form the roof.

We recommend doing this on a firm surface, such as an even floor.

Check that everything is straight and square before you start nailing the cladding into the frame.

Starting from the bottom, nail in the cladding across the fram e.

We used tongue and groove, but it’s up to you when it comes to the cladding you use.

Once you get to the end, you’ll need to use your judgement to work out the best places for your final nails .

Lift the frame onto your workbench and trim away any overhang.

Flip the frame over and go over it with sandpaper, before repeating these steps for all remaining sides.

Assuming your workbench is square, clamp your frame to the workbench in one corner and use it to make sure the corners are sitting at 90°.

Lay the diagonal piece across your frame and mark the angles.

Angle your chop saw accordingly and cut it to size.

Then clamp and screw it into plac e.

Clamp your fence posts into position on the cladded side panel.

Screw them together from the inside .

Build up the store panel-by-panel using the fence posts, then dry lay each roof panel on top of the structure.

Check that your roof panels are straight and aligned.

Clamp them into position.

Screw them in from underneath.

Start on the lower end and lay your roofing tiles so that they’re overlapping one another.

We used corrugated roof tiles as they’re stronger, which is essential to support the weight of the roof garden.

We calculated this so that the frames create cross-beams, which can be screwed into.

Leave an overhang at the lower end so that water can easily run off.

Affix the roof with Onduline fixings.

By overlapping the roof tiles and aligning them with the cross-beams, it allows you to fix through both materials directly into the beam below.

Screw the hinges into the frame.

Fit your handles in the desired spots.

Check that everything is screwed into the solid frame structure.

It helps to have a second person for this step, but it can be done alone.

Drive two small screws into the front of the fascia to hold it in place .

Then screw it from the inside for a neater finis h.

If you used temporary screws, filling the holes gives it a more seamless look.

Screw in the end panel.

Put down a layer of 10mm gravel.

Then put down a layer of your chosen compost.

Plant your chosen plants.

Hang your doors and fit any latches, bolts or locks to ensure your custom outdoor storage is secure.

There you have it, your very own custom-built outdoor storage .