The view from inside a potting shed out through the windows

A potting shed is a special shed with a purpose of its very own. It is designed for us gardeners who love to grow your own, nurture seedlings into plants and spend hours pottering in the shed. Perhaps they should be called pottering sheds instead?

Here we look at different potting shed designs and ideas that allow us pottering gardeners the best environment and storage for growing.

Editor’s Note [29.07.24]:

Our guide, “The best potting shed ideas and designs” was first published on May 30, 2017. Today has seen an upgrade throughout the entire article including new such as “What is a potting shed?”, “Garden potting shed ideas and uses” and “Greenhouse combi-sheds (potting shed with storage space)”.

What is a Potting Shed?

Our description for a potting shed would be:

A versatile garden building used primarily for the potting and re-potting of plants, as well as for storing gardening essentials such as tools, seeds and potting mixes. It is an ideal environment for growing plants in pots before they are moved outside to the garden.

Inside a potting shed
Inside a potting shed

Garden Potting Shed Ideas and Uses

Listed below are some potential garden potting shed ideas and uses:

  • Crafts - bonsai trimming, floral arrangement and garden pot decoration, etc.
  • Garden library and reading room
  • Herb drying room
  • Plant cultivation - germination of seeds, nurturing seedlings & cuttings, houseplant care and plant propagation (including exotic species such as orchids)
  • Potting and repotting
  • Storage - of bikes, bulbs, compost, garden equipment, materials for recycling, outdoor games, tools, etc.

Potting Shed Designs

Potting sheds are the perfect solution for growing seedlings and plants in a garden where there isn’t space for a dedicated greenhouse. Plus, they provide ample room for all your storage needs. Combining the best of both worlds, your potting shed will give you plenty of space for all your storage needs and masses of growing area to raise your tender seedlings.

Selecting the right roof material is crucial for protection from the elements. You can also opt for a single door for better weatherproofing and security. Design options will vary between manufacturers, so below we go on to explore various potting shed designs from a variety of the leading manufacturers in the UK.

A traditional, wooden, pent potting shed with a single door and glass side
A traditional, wooden, pent potting shed with a single door and glass side

Traditional Potting Sheds

N.B. These are sheds from the manufacturer “Traditional” as opposed to vintage or classic sheds:

  • Potting shed design features an integral full length bench, fixed windows along the entire side, stable-style doormand a pent-style roof
  • Supplied with a free basecoat of dip treatment, which can be upgraded to pressure treated wood
  • Constructed from high-quality, shiplap tongue and groove cladding
  • Secured with a key-operated lock
  • Available as a 6x6, 8x6, 8x8, 10x6 and 10x8

Click on the image for further details

Shire Sun Pent Potting Sheds

  • Potting shed design features 7 windows or 8 windows on the 10’ models, internal potting bench included and comes provided with a pent roof manufactured from felt roofing material
  • Boasts a 10 year anti-rot guarantee
  • Constructed from 12mm shiplap tongue and groove cladding
  • Supplied unpainted (unlike the image above)
  • Available as an 8x6, 8x8, 10x6 and 10x10

Click on the image for further details

A pent wooden potting shed painted white and light blue
A pent wooden potting shed painted white and light blue
8' x 8' Shire Iceni Pent Potting Shed
8' x 8' Shire Iceni Pent Potting Shed

Shire Sun Iceni Potting Sheds

  • Potting shed design features 7 or 8 windows, internal potting bench included, and felt pent roof provided
  • Boasts a 10 year anti-rot guarantee
  • Constructed from 12mm shiplap tongue and groove cladding
  • Available as an 8x6 or 8x8

Click on the image for further details

Forest Garden Potting Shed

  • Potting shed design features shatterproof acrylic windows, two which open, reverse apex roof and ten which are fixed
  • Boasts a market-leading 25 year anti-rot guarantee!
  • Supplied with pressure treated timber and is built to last
  • Constructed from 12mm shiplap tongue and groove cladding
  • 2x two-tier greenhouse staging included
  • Available in an 8x6 model

Click on the image for further details

8' x 6' Forest Shiplap Pressure Treated Potting Shed
8' x 6' Forest Shiplap Pressure Treated Potting Shed

Greenhouse combi-sheds (potting shed with storage space)

If you need extra storage space, we recommend our greenhouse combi-sheds. These as the name suggests are a versatile and stylish addition to any garden, offering both greenhouse space and functionality as well as a separate storage shed.

Maintaining a suitable internal temperature for nurturing plants is crucial and managed well in these greenhouse combi-sheds. They use insulation to protect the internal temperature from extreme heat, cold or dampness. Sturdy in construction but with an appealing design, a combi-shed is a “halfway house” between a shed and a greenhouse.

8'3 x 8'2 Mercia Wooden Combi Shed Greenhouse
8'3 x 8'2 Mercia Wooden Combi Shed Greenhouse
8'x6' Mercia Shiplap Wooden Apex Greenhouse Combi Shed
8'x6' Mercia Shiplap Wooden Apex Greenhouse Combi Shed

Mercia Greenhouse Combi Sheds

  • Boasts a 10 year anti-rot guarantee
  • Constructed from 12mm shiplap tongue and groove cladding
  • Between 16 and 26 styrene windows
  • Internal potting bench included
  • Separate shed section with a padlock for secure equipment and tool storage
  • Supplied with an apex roof with an opening vent
  • Available as an 8x6, 8x8, 10x6 and 12x6

Click on the image for further details

Don’t Fancy a Potting Shed? What About a Greenhouse Instead?

Oh, the beauty of a wooden greenhouse. A truly inspiring structure capable of both looking great and growing sensational plants. But is it the natural splendour of wood or the knowledge that you have a 15-year guarantee against rot that makes it the must have addition to any garden? Or perhaps it’s the smell? Freshly installed, empty of plants – close your eyes and savour the aroma. Nothing will ever beat that moment.

8' x 6' Forest Vale Modular Wooden Greenhouse
8' x 6' Forest Vale Modular Wooden Greenhouse

Forest Vale Greenhouses

  • Features a 15 year anti-rot guarantee
  • Built using 4mm toughened safety glass
  • Constructed with pressure treated, kiln-dried timber
  • Includes 45x45mm durable framing
  • Supplied with an apex roof and an automatic opening roof vent
  • Available as a 6x5, 8x6, and 10x8

Click on the image for further details

Halls Green Popular Greenhouses

  • Features integral gutters for drainage
  • Boasts a smooth action sliding door
  • Attractive green paint finish
  • Designed to be ultra-low maintenance
  • Choose from mainly apex roof designs with a few pent-roof options
  • Available in a wide range of sizes and designs

Click on the image for further details

A green greenhouse housing a multitude of colourful potted plants
A green greenhouse housing a multitude of colourful potted plants

Not got much space. Maybe a mini greenhouse would suit?

Great to look at and highly practical, a mini greenhouse is perfect for raising seedlings and a tomato plant or two. Ideally placed against a warm wall, shelving can be adjusted as plants grow and the superb ventilation allows healthy growth of all our plants. They are ideal when placed up against a wall (where the heat of the wall reduces the risk of frost damage) or even a fence panel. It is an invaluable addition to your growing family.

A lean to silver greenhouse housing potted plants
A lean to silver greenhouse housing potted plants

Palram Lean-To Mini Greenhouse

  • Constructed from rust-resistant aluminium
  • Includes a sturdy, galvanised steel base
  • Made using unbreakable, crystal-clear panels
  • Protected against UV damage

Click on the image for further details

Forest Wooden Mini Greenhouse

  • Constructed with pressure treated timber
  • Guaranteed for 15 years against rot and fungal decay
  • Built using tongue and groove cladding
  • Features two internal slatted shelves

Click on the image for further details

A wooden mini greenhouse in situ containing potted plants and gardening sundries
A wooden mini greenhouse in situ containing potted plants and gardening sundries
A clear mini greenhouse with black sides housing red, pink, and yellow flowers
A clear mini greenhouse with black sides housing red, pink, and yellow flowers

Palram 'Plant Inn' Mini Greenhouse

  • Includes 10 plant hangers
  • Features internal water drainage
  • Boasts 2 deep planting trays
  • Constructed from unbreakable polycarbonate glazing

Click on the image for further details

Potting Sheds for Sale at Shedstore

If you're on the hunt for a new garden shed or greenhouse then be sure to check out Shedstore's fantastic range. Plus, why not take a look at our detailed videos below for some more useful info?

If you found this article helpful, please don't forget to share it on social media with your family and friends! All of us, here at Shedstore, would really appreciate it. Remember, if you like the look of any of the items featured on this page, clicking on the images will provide you with their details. Get in touch if you have any questions!

Conclusion – Which is The Best Potting Shed to Buy?

So, summarising everything we have said. As a useful starting point, we provided a useful definition for "What is a potting shed?" Expanding on this garden potting shed ideas and uses included crafts & hobbies, as a reading room, for herb drying, for plant cultivation, potting and repotting and a variety of storage needs.

We went on to discuss potting shed designs, with potting shed solutions being summarised from Traditional sheds, Shire and Forest Garden. A hybrid solution mentioned was our Mercia greenhouse combi-sheds (potting shed with storage), which are versatile and effective garden buildings. As an alternative, greenhouses are also available and we mentioned our Forest Garden and Halls greenhouse ranges, as well as mini greenhouses from Palram.

inside a potting shed
inside a potting shed
Inside the Vale greenhouse
Inside the Vale greenhouse

Contact Information

If you need further advice about garden potting shed ideas why not contact us. Shedstore experts will also be able to recommend the best potting shed to meet your needs.

Contact us about any of our potting sheds for sale in the following ways:

  • Phone - 0333 003 0518
  • E-mails – our contact form contains a form to send emails
  • Text chat - use our app for real-time text messaging and discussion