July 27, 2026, 3:42 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
They come in all sizes and for all purposes, mostly made of wood, sometimes plastic, and some garden enthusiasts even build them themselves–small garden houses. But where exactly is the line between a garden shed and a garden house? For this, myHOMEBOOK consulted an expert.
How garden houses and sheds differ
The key difference is the size. Garden sheds are usually quite small. The space is just enough to store smaller garden tools. Typically, such a shed has only a door and nothing else, not even windows. There’s not enough room for larger equipment like lawnmowers or aerators. The appearance of a shed ranges from a simple wooden structure to prefabricated sheds made of wood or plastic.
Those with larger gardens need larger equipment. For that, a proper garden house is necessary. Here, larger garden tools can also be stored. Additionally, shelves can hold other items, such as plant pots of all sizes or plant and lawn fertilizers. There might even be room for a small seating area with a table and chairs.
Involve the local building authority
“Before building or installing a small house in the garden, the local building authority should definitely be involved,” advises Torsten Brämer, garden expert and operator of the largest German-speaking online garden community “Wir sind Garten.” “It’s better to ask the authorities one time too many than to be unpleasantly surprised later because certain guidelines were not followed.”
For sizes up to 30 square meters, such garden houses are usually exempt from permits. However, there are specific rules in each federal state. Therefore, it is worthwhile to clarify all legal hurdles in advance.
Once there are no more obstacles to building or setting up a garden house, you can get started. A few things should be considered during planning. It starts with the question of the right location. For example, if there are trees nearby, it can become problematic during storms. Or if the sun beats down on the garden house all day, “then the usual simple garden houses from the hardware store heat up enormously in the summer,” mentions garden expert Brämer.
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Buy or build a garden house?
“In advance, I should also answer the question: do I need electricity and water? Because then certain preliminary work for the connections is necessary,” emphasizes the expert.
“Then the considerations continue with what material the house should be made of. A brick house has the best climate effect. The second-best solution is wood. However, the material requires a lot of maintenance. Otherwise, the building substance suffers from weather influences. A third option would be garden houses made of recycled plastic. Some manufacturers now also offer houses with a wood look,” Brämer lists some material options.
The roof of a garden house can also be used in various ways depending on the building’s stability. “One option would be to install a PV system on the garden house. This way, you have storage space and can produce electricity for the building yourself,” the expert mentions.
“An alternative would be to green the roof of the garden house. It not only looks nice but also significantly improves the microclimate in your garden. Additionally, insects appreciate the green oasis on the roof of the garden house,” Brämer emphasizes.
Related: The benefits of green roofs for buildings, residents, and the environment
Utilize rainwater
For a garden house with a pitched roof, the topic of rainwater collection should be considered. “Depending on the size, the rainwater from the roof of the garden house can be diverted into an underground cistern. This is climate-friendly and saves water,” recommends Torsten Brämer from the garden community “Wir sind Garten.”
Of course, a simple rain barrel can also be used to collect rainwater. “However, cover the barrel at the top so that small animals do not accidentally fall in and drown,” adds Brämer. Open rain barrels also serve as ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Also interesting: 5 simple tips against mosquitoes from the rain barrel
Garden expert Torsten Brämer has one last tip regarding greening: “There are now some providers of so-called vertical greening systems. This allows the exterior facade of the garden house to be greened if desired.” This method also positively affects the microclimate in your garden.