A garden shed or garden cabin comes together in four steps: choose its purpose and material, find the right location, prepare a level, well-drained foundation, then check with the commune whether a permit or prior notification is required. That last step comes first, before any purchase, because the rules vary by canton and commune. This guide gives you the reference points to decide with confidence.
What will your garden shed be used for?
The first criterion is neither the material nor the size, but what you plan to store in it. List everything that needs to go inside, then add a margin: a shed is almost always too small after two years.
The most common uses:
- Tools and equipment: spades, rakes, secateurs, watering cans, bags of potting compost. Shelves and wall hooks beat storing things on the floor.
- Lawnmower and robotic mower: allow a door wide enough to get the machine through without lifting it, and a level floor without a high threshold.
- Bicycles: a double door or a large opening makes access easier; otherwise the bikes end up left outside.
- Firewood: a stock of wood needs air and space. For firewood, a shed open on one side or a lean-to is often better suited than a closed cabin.
- Relaxation corner or workshop: if you want to spend time in it, insulation, light and access to electricity become questions in their own right, with different requirements from simple storage.
A storage shed and a fitted-out cabin are not always subject to the same rules: the intended use may weigh in the commune’s assessment. Mention it from the first contact.
Wood, metal or resin: which material to choose?
Each material has its strengths. The right choice depends on how much upkeep you are willing to take on, the climate where you live and the look you want.
| Material | Appearance | Upkeep | Durability | Insulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Warm, blends well into a garden | Stain or oil to be renewed regularly | Good if the wood is protected and the base ventilated | Fair; wood regulates humidity well |
| Metal | Plain, more industrial | Low; watch for rust at scratches | Good, but prone to corrosion if the coating is damaged | Poor: hot in summer, cold in winter, condensation possible |
| Resin (PVC) | Neutral, limited choice of colours | Very low, a wash is enough | Good, neither rots nor rusts; may fade in the sun | Average, no humidity regulation |
In short: wood suits those who accept a little upkeep in exchange for a nice appearance; metal and resin appeal through their simplicity. In every case, look at the thickness of the walls, the quality of the joints and the strength of the roof rather than the sticker price alone.
Where should the shed go in the garden?
A well-thought-out location avoids regrets and disputes with neighbours.
- Access: the shed must remain reachable in every season, including with a wheelbarrow or a mower. A stabilised path or paving slabs prevent mud.
- Shade and sun: a façade facing due south heats a metal shed considerably; a permanently shaded and damp spot encourages moss and rot in a wooden shed. The ideal is a compromise, with a door that opens on the clear side.
- Property boundaries: the distances to respect from the neighbour and from the road depend on cantonal and communal regulations. Don’t guess them: ask the commune.
- The ground: avoid hollows where water collects. A slightly raised spot, or ground that can be drained, is preferable.
- Trees: a falling branch damages a roof, and roots can distort a foundation. Keep a reasonable distance.
If you are rethinking the whole garden, the shed fits better into an overall plan. Landscape design or garden creation lets you place the shed, paths and planting coherently.
Foundation, ventilation and roof
This is where the lifespan of the shed is decided. An excellent model placed on unstable ground ages badly.
The foundation
Three main solutions:
- Concrete slab: the most stable and durable. It suits heavy sheds and workshops, but is difficult to undo.
- Pads (concrete or adjustable): lighter to install, they raise the shed and let air circulate underneath. Practical on gently sloping ground.
- Frame or chassis (beams, compacted gravel): a simple solution for small sheds, provided the gravel drains well and the support is perfectly level.
In all three cases, flatness is decisive: a shed that is not level ends up with doors that rub and joints that open.
Ventilation
A closed shed accumulates humidity, especially if it contains metal tools or wet equipment. Provide high and low vents, or at the very least a grille or a small gap under the roof. Avoid placing humidity-sensitive items directly on the floor.
The roof and snow at altitude
The roof must shed water, with a sufficient slope and an overhang that protects the walls. On low ground, a light roof is often enough. At altitude, snow changes the picture: a heavy load can bend or crush a light roof. In a snowy region, choose a shed designed to bear snow, with a reinforced frame, or ask the commune about the snow load to take into account. Also think about where the snow will slide: not in front of the door, nor over a walkway.
By region: lakeside, lowland, mountain
French-speaking Switzerland has very different climates, and the same shed will not behave the same way in each.
- Shores of Lake Geneva and the other lakes: the air is milder, but humidity and wind can be marked. Careful ventilation and wood protection are to be prioritised. If you are around La Côte, a gardener in Nyon knows these conditions.
- Plateau and lowland: the climate is more contrasted, with winters that are sometimes cold and damp. Good drainage of the foundation matters a great deal.
- Valais: hot, dry summers put metal sheds to the test, as they heat up, and also the wood finishes, which the sun dries out. In the mountains, snow comes on top. In the Martigny area, a gardener in Martigny can advise you according to altitude.
- Jura heights and Prealps: cold, wind and heavy snow call for a solid structure, a reinforced roof and a frost-proof foundation. For the Jura, see for example a gardener in Delémont.
Wherever you are, a shed used to shelter vehicles follows a different logic: see our page on the carport and car shelter.
Doing it yourself or hiring a professional
A skilled home owner can put up a small kit shed alone: follow the instructions, prepare pads or a gravel base, adjust the level, fit the roof. It takes time, two people for the panels and roofing, and rigour in preparing the ground.
A professional is called for in other cases: concrete slab, sloping ground, large shed, need for electricity, heavy-snow area, or when the shed is part of a wider project (terrace, paths, planting). They can also help you prepare the file to submit to the commune.
SOS Jardin is a matching service: you describe your project, and your request is passed to a gardener-landscaper in your region, who gets back to you. The quote is free and without obligation. To get started, you can request a quote.
To go further on neighbouring projects, see also our guides on the bioclimatic pergola and the dog-proof fence, or all of our garden advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to install a garden shed?
It depends on the canton and the commune. Even a small garden structure may require a permit or prior notification. The safest approach is to contact your commune’s building department before buying, stating the intended dimensions and use.
What is the best material for a garden shed?
There is no single answer. Wood offers a nice appearance and regulates humidity, but needs regular upkeep. Metal and resin need little upkeep, but metal insulates less well and resin offers less choice of appearance. Your region and your use decide.
Can I put a shed directly on the lawn?
This is not recommended. On soft ground, the shed moves, damp rises and the doors end up jamming. A level, drained base, whether a slab, pads or compacted gravel, noticeably extends its lifespan.
How can I avoid condensation in a shed?
Ensure good high and low ventilation, raise the shed so that air circulates underneath, and avoid storing wet items in it. Metal sheds are more exposed, as the walls cool quickly.
Will my shed withstand snow in the mountains?
Only if it was designed for it. In snowy regions, choose a model with a reinforced frame and ask the commune what snow load to allow for. A light shed designed for the lowlands risks buckling under a heavy layer of snow.