At Sutton Sheds, we understand how a garden potting shed can be the perfect addition to your retirement. From raising seedlings to repotting houseplants or just for having somewhere quiet to relax, a potting shed is key to enjoying your hobby.
But, how do you decide what size you need? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your gardening style, your available space, and what you plan to store inside your shed.
How will you use your potting shed?
The first thing to consider when deciding what size potting shed to buy is what you actually want to do in it. Will it be somewhere quiet where you can retreat to spend a few hours tending to plants? Or will it be more of a practical workspace for sowing seeds and storing tools?
If you’re planning light use—perhaps a bit of potting/pottering, storing a few hand tools, and keeping your compost dry—a small potting shed could be ideal. Many of our customers find that a compact, well-designed potting shed is easier to manage and keeps everything within arm’s reach. At Sutton Sheds our standard potting sheds start from a functional 7x5.
However, if you plan to raise seeds and grow lots of seedlings, keep larger pots, or even add a stool or small chair, you may want something a bit more spacious.
Consider your garden space
One of the most important deciding factors when choosing the size of your potting shed will be the size of your garden or outdoor space. A potting shed should complement your garden, not overwhelm it.
If you have a smaller garden or a cosy corner you’d like to make the most of, and the standard 7x5 is still too big, we offer a bespoke, custom-build service where we can design a small potting shed that will fit neatly into tighter spaces. These are perfect for keeping things simple and tidy without sacrificing functionality and we can work with you to create the exact configuration you need.
For larger gardens, you’ve got more flexibility. At Sutton Sheds, the largest standard potting shed we manufacture is a generous 10x8 – large enough to become a real feature and somewhere you can spend time, not just store things. It’s worth leaving enough room around the shed too, so you can move comfortably and enjoy the surrounding planting space.
What will you store in the potting shed?
Never underestimate the importance of storage when choosing between different sizes of potting sheds for garden use. The average gardener won’t just store pots and soil; they may also need space for:
• A variety of hand tools such as trowels, secateurs, and forks
• Bulky compost and/or fertiliser
• Seed trays and flower pots
• Watering paraphernalia – watering cans and hoses
• A chair or stool
If you have already amassed a collection of gardening gear, we recommend allowing a bit of extra room. A slightly larger wooden potting shed can save you from feeling cramped later on.
Popular sizes of potting sheds
When browsing our potting sheds for sale, you’ll find our range of standard sizes that suit most needs. Two of the most popular are:
8x6 potting shed – this great middle-ground option, complete with fixed potting bench, offers enough space for shelving and storage without overwhelming most gardens. If you need a comfortable workspace, or need enough room to spread out or work side-by-side with a partner or grandchild, this is the perfect potting shed.
10x6 potting shed – one of our larger standard potting sheds is ideal for the bigger garden and offers ample space for everything the amateur gardening enthusiast needs.
Both these options are versatile, balancing practicality with comfort.
Enjoy your potting shed
Don’t undervalue comfort and enjoyment! Your potting shed isn’t just about function—it’s about enjoyment too. Retirement is the perfect time to slow down and savour your hobbies, so think about how the space will feel.
Will there be enough light? Our potting sheds come with large windows that run the entire width of the shed, creating a bright environment perfect for growing seedlings.
Can you move around easily? Even in a small potting shed, clever design can make a big difference. Shelving, hooks, and fold-down benches can help maximise space without making it feel crowded.
What does the future hold for your potting shed?
Try to avoid choosing a garden potting shed for the here and now! Gardening is a hobby that grows (pun intended) so your potting shed needs to be big enough to cope with more – more plants, more tools, more leisure time in the garden.
If you have the space and budget, it may be worth sizing up slightly; the next size up for your potting shed now could make all the difference in a year or two.
Wooden potting sheds from Sutton Sheds
At Sutton Sheds, we manufacture wooden potting sheds from quality timber, that fit your lifestyle. Whether you choose the compact 7x5 potting shed, the 8x6 potting shed or the generous 10x8 potting shed, our goal is to provide you with a space that is welcoming, practical, and uniquely yours.
Explore our standard potting sheds for sale or, if you have something more personalised in mind, in terms of size or configuration, consider a custom-build potting shed.
Contact us
To find out more, email us or call the team on 01526 342777. Alternatively, we welcome visitors to our showroom in Lincolnshire from 08.00-16.00 Monday-Friday, where you can browse a selection of our potting sheds, garden sheds, and workshops and summerhouses.
