Software
Houzz Logo Print
x300owner

creative outdoor storage

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago

The subdivision I live in requires any outbuilding must match the house. I would like to have someplace to store some of my "toys" like aerator, 40" tractor shovel and wheelbarrow and probably more smaller stuff. I plan to build a deck on the back but it will only be 20" high - not enough for much of anything as the framing will use 12" of it. I have a front porch that is 6' by 17' by 3" high, but brick walls and do not know how much the porch floor uses up on the height. Also the house is on a crawl space - no basement. I need about 2 Ft to put anything in storage. So the question is are there any other creative storage spaces other than a storage building? With pictures?

Comments (17)

  • 11 years ago


    something like this from ewbay if yer NA can stand it ? A cuppla stabilizer jacks will get rid of the tipsy's...

  • 11 years ago

    When you build your deck, would it be possible to put matching drawers on wheels under it? Then you could lay the long stuff down and stack the short stuff. I'd make some kind of cover so critters don't take up residence there, but that solution would not violate your CC & R's

  • 11 years ago

    Trailer is out - subdivision rules again. As I said under the deck is only going to be about 8 inches high after support beams and all. Was hoping for the deck but all things to be stored exceed 17 inches high.

    Keep the ideas coming.

  • 11 years ago

    Could you buy one of those cheap sheds at the big box stores, then put faux brick to match your house on it?

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    This probably would be expensive. Could you create a small area under your house by digging down 3 or 4 feet with a retaining wall. The entrance could be an entrance like you see on many older house, with a slope from ground level to the "basement" floor.

    You have seen the entrances I am talking about in the movies, where the victim escapes from the basement by going up the steps and pushing up the doors to escape to the outside while the killer guards the cellar door on the inside of the house.


    If you are on any slope this becomes a much easier project. as the outside steps to not have to go down as far.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Flat yard Krnuttle - I measured the crawl space - 27 " high at the wrong end and only 20" at the good end. I had a previous house that I had the crawl space dug out to 5ft high and door to outside - was on a hill and really worked great. Present house doesn't look like a good prospect. Really looking at the space under front porch as first choice. - it is 3 foot high not 3" as in my first post.

    PS I may try a bought shed and brick it, but still looking for other ideas.

  • 11 years ago

    possibly use inexpensive brick simulated siding on shed to match yer home to hold down costs...

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Simulated brick siding and large plants that grow quickly to hid the shed. Such as some pines and cedars, Azeleas, Lilac, etc.


    If the porch is currently 3 feet off the ground, you would only need to remove 2 feet of dirt under the porch, and an outside ramp of about 4 feet long by 2 feet at the deep end. with a 50% slope you could easily get your equipment under the porch. You would need some water control system.

  • 11 years ago

    Krnuttle - said - large plants that grow quickly to hid the shed. Such as some pines and cedars, Azeleas, Lilac, etc.

    More like Pompous grass, Crape Myrtle and Kudzu here in TN:)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Kudzu will definitely hid anything you have on your lot; the shed, the fence, the house, all cars, trailers, lawn furniture, and all other vegetation on the lot.

    There is an old building on the way into town. In the summer you do not realize it is there. In the winter you can just see there is a building under the Kudzu. Each time you drive by the building becomes a little shorter under the weight of the Kudzu.

    Not to sound pompous but I believe what you are referring to pampas grass

  • 11 years ago

    If I used Kudzu the homeowners association would kick me out, probably the state of Tennessee also.

  • 10 years ago

    No real neat solution, but finally have a fix.

    I sold one of my cars so I now have half of a 2 car garage for all my "toys" We are 70+ years old and retired so one car will do us fine.

  • 10 years ago

    Ah but you failed to achieve your goal of out door storage. ;-)


    I believe you will find that a perfectly workable solution that the neighborhood association can live with. What about your other toys like tablesaw, drill press workbenches, etc.

  • 10 years ago

    Like my bass boat and utility trailer? I also sold them when I moved here:(

    Getting up in years has required some cut backs in toys:) but I still have a good selection to keep me happy


  • 10 years ago

    Form the pictures, I believe I remember you said you were retired ;-)


    Some day I will get my garage looking like that. Right now my garage has a 21' sailboat, a van, a car, a table saw, a workbench, shelving, etc. To make things work the boat is in the front of the garage, and the van is pulled in a an angle so it is close as possible to the boat

  • 10 years ago

    As long as you still have room to wax your Deere. Carnauba right!

  • 10 years ago

    I was gonna say, buy an old pickup with a cap and you could park it outside with all your implements in it...you would also have a truck to use around the property.

Sponsored
NME Builders LLC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars2 Reviews
Remodeling Company in New Albany, Ohio