FindWoodPlansWoodworking Plans

Small Cedar Shed

Build your own cedar shed to store lawn mowers, tools, trash cans, or just extra things. We love that it's like an outdoor closet. This cedar shed plan uses fence pickets - so it's much less expensive. The simple design can be built by most anyone. Step by step plans with diagrams and shopping and cut list from Small Cedar Shed – Premium Plan Build your own compact backyard shed with our easy-to-follow premium plan. Includes diagrams, materials list, and step-by-step instructions. Download the Premium Plan

Small Cedar Shed

Specifications

Project typeBuildings
RoomOutdoor
StyleTradditional Style Furniture Plans
DifficultyIntermediate

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

Small Cedar Shed dimension diagram 1

Shopping List

  • 18 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 44 – 5 1/2" wide cedar fence pickets
  • 1 – 2x4 @ 8 feet or stud length
  • 4 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
  • 8 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 – 4x8 sheet of plywood for attaching roofing shingles (check what your shingles manufacturer recommends)
  • 30 square feet of roofing shingles
  • Roofing nails or glue
  • Heavy duty gate hinges, Handles, Lock or Catch

Cut List

BACK WALL

  • 2 – 2x2 @ 66 1/2"
  • 5 – 2x2 @ 77”
  • 16 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence pickets @ 66 1/2" long

SIDE WALLS

  • 2 – 2x2 @ 35 1/2"
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 77 1/2" (longest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 72 5/8" (longest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 67 1/2" (shortest point, top end cut at 15 degrees off square)
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 36 7/8” (long point to short point, both ends cut at 15 degrees off square, parallel to each other)
  • 32 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2" thick fence pickets @ 35 1/2" long
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 80 1/2"
  • 2 – 1x3 @ 70 1/4" (short point measurement, top edge beveled at 15 degrees off square)

FRONT HEADER

  • 1 – 2x4 @ 66 1/2"

ROOF

  • 2 – 1x4 @ 83”
  • 2 – 1x4 @ 46 1/2"
  • 5 – 2x2 @ 46 1/2"
  • 1 – roofing plywood @ 83” x 48”

DOORS*

  • 4 – 1x4 @ 60”
  • 4 – 1x4 @ 33”
  • 2 – 1x4 @ 26”
  • 12 – 5 1/2" wide x 1/2” thick fence pickets @ 67”

*You may wish to build doors slightly shorter to enable easier opening and closing - recommended to build doors to fit finished opening.

Tools

  • measuring tape
  • square
  • pencil
  • hammer
  • safety glasses
  • hearing protection
  • kreg-jig
  • drill
  • circular saw
  • nailer
  • sander
  • level
  • countersink drill bit

Step-by-step Instructions

1

Step 1

Frame you your back walls. You can use the Kreg Jig or 2 1/2" screws here.

Small Cedar Shed — step 1
2

Step 2

Starting at the bottom and working upward, attach the cedar fence pickets, overlapping 1/2" as you go up. Screw or nail and glue on.

Small Cedar Shed — step 2
3

Step 3

Frame side walls as shown in diagram as you did the back wall. You will need two side walls.

Small Cedar Shed — step 3
4

Step 4

And add the cedar siding to back wall as shown in diagram. Do not forget that the sides need to be done in mirror!

Small Cedar Shed — step 4
5

Step 5

Build the side walls and attach cedar fence pickets to the side wall.

Small Cedar Shed — step 5
6

Step 6

Once your side walls are complete, you can attach back walls. Use 2 1/2" screws or brackets for easy disassembly.

Small Cedar Shed — step 6
7

Step 7

Add header to front of shed. Take a minute here to make sure your project is square. The door area especially needs to be square.

Small Cedar Shed — step 7
8

Step 8

Frame up roof as shown above.

Small Cedar Shed — step 8
9

Step 9

And attach roof to top of storage shed.

Small Cedar Shed — step 9
10

Step 10

Add plywood and roofing to top of shed.

Small Cedar Shed — step 10
11

Step 11

Frame doors up with pocket holes. Build doors to fit your openings. I like to leave 1/8" gaps.

Small Cedar Shed — step 11
12

Step 12

Attach cedar fence pickets to back of doors.

Small Cedar Shed — step 12
13

Step 13

And then install doors to shed.

Small Cedar Shed — step 13
14

Step 14

I love how Gina added the stop block to keep doors closed. Isn't this shed beautiful!

Small Cedar Shed — step 14
15

Step 15

Don't forget the pretty hardware!

Small Cedar Shed — step 15
16

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/small-cedar-shed