Sheds
Best Lawn Mower Storage Sheds (2026 Buying Guide)
Wood, resin, or walk-in — here's how to pick the right storage shed for your mower, generator, and yard gear, plus our top pick for each type in 2026.
Match the shed to what you actually store, not the other way around: resin horizontal sheds (20–35 cu. ft.) suit one push mower, wood sheds suit anyone who wants to customize or match the house, and walk-in sheds (250+ cu. ft.) are the only real option once a riding mower shares space with a generator and trimmer.
Verdict: One push or self-propelled mower plus the usual hand tools? A resin horizontal shed in the 30–35 cu. ft. range is the easiest buy — nothing to paint, no permit headaches in most areas, done in an afternoon.
- Measure your mower before you shop — riding mowers and zero-turns need at least a 32-inch door opening and 80–100+ cu. ft. of interior space.
- Resin/horizontal sheds are the lowest-maintenance option (no rot, no rust, no paint) but won't fit anything with a seat on it.
- Wood sheds cost more up front and need repainting or resealing every few years, but they're the only category you can meaningfully customize.
- Once a generator, trimmer, and blower join the mower in the same shed, size up to a walk-in — running out of space is a far more common complaint than buying too big.
- Never run a generator inside a shed, even with the door open — carbon monoxide builds up fast in an enclosed space.
A mower left against the fence all winter rusts twice as fast as one that’s under cover. But a good shed does more than protect the mower — it’s where the trimmer, the spare gas can, and the half-used bag of grass seed from April all finally get a home instead of cluttering the garage. This guide covers the three shed styles that actually make sense for lawn equipment, what each one is genuinely good at, and how to size it correctly the first time.
What Size Shed Do You Actually Need?
This is the step most people skip, and it’s the one that determines whether you’re happy with the shed in six months. Measure what you’re actually storing before you shop the shed itself.
Just a push or self-propelled mower
You can comfortably fit a mower like this plus a couple of hand tools in 20–35 cubic feet. This is the horizontal/resin category below — you don’t need to walk into it, just open the lid or door and wheel the mower out.
A riding mower or zero-turn
Plan on 80–100+ cubic feet, and check the door width against your mower’s deck size before you buy — a lot of zero-turn mowers are wider than people expect once you account for the wheels.
Mower plus everything else
Once you’re storing a mower alongside a portable generator, a trimmer, and a blower, go up a size tier from whatever the mower alone would need. Running out of shed space is a much more common complaint than buying too big.
Wood Sheds: Best If You Want to Customize
Wood is the traditional route, and still the right call if you want to add windows, paint it to match the house, or build it from a kit yourself.
Pros
- Fully customizable size and add-ons
- Can be painted to match your house
- Feels less "plastic bin" in the yard
Cons
- Needs repainting or resealing over time
- Usually the most expensive category
- Vulnerable to rot if the base isn't level
A straightforward gable-roof kit in the 10×12 range, with a wide double door, is the sweet spot for most yards — enough room for a riding mower plus hand tools, and enough wall space to hang a pegboard if you want it. Budget a weekend for assembly with a second set of hands. Expect to pay upward of $900 for a quality kit, and check the door width against your mower before you order.
Resin & Horizontal Sheds: Best for Small Yards
If your mower has folding or removable handles, a low, horizontal resin shed is the least fuss you can buy. No painting, no rot, no rust — ever.
Pros
- Zero maintenance — hose it off and done
- Usually the fastest to assemble
- Budget-friendly for the capacity
Cons
- Low clearance — won't fit a riding mower
- Less floor space for multiple machines
- Fewer customization options
A resin horizontal shed around 30–35 cu. ft. is sized for one push mower plus a trimmer and a couple of gas cans. Double-walled construction holds up better than it looks, and the low profile keeps it from dominating a small side yard. Expect to pay from around $280, and budget under two hours for assembly.
Large & Walk-In Sheds: Best for a Full Equipment Lineup
Once you’re storing a riding mower, a generator, and everything else, it’s worth sizing up to a walk-in shed rather than cramming a mid-size one.
Pros
- Room for a riding mower plus the rest of the gear
- Skylights/vents keep it usable as a workspace
- Shelving options add real organization
Cons
- Needs the yard space to justify it
- Check local permit rules before buying
- Multi-box delivery on some models
An 8×15 walk-in resin shed (roughly 340 cu. ft., dual-wall and steel-reinforced) is effectively a small outbuilding — skylights, vents, and enough interior height to actually walk around the mower rather than squeeze past it. This is the size tier where a shed starts doubling as a workshop, and pricing typically starts around $2,400. Budget a full weekend and at least two people for assembly.
Quick Comparison
| Type | Best for | Typical capacity | Starting price | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Customizing / matching the house | 100–150 cu. ft. | ~$900+ | Repaint/reseal every few years |
| Resin / horizontal | One mower, small yard | 20–35 cu. ft. | ~$250+ | None |
| Large / walk-in | Riding mower + full lineup | 250–400+ cu. ft. | ~$2,000+ | Minimal |
Prices above are illustrative starting points — check current listings before you buy, since pricing shifts with materials and retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big of a shed do I need for a riding mower?
Plan on at least 80–100 cubic feet of interior space for the mower alone, and closer to 120+ if you also want room for a trimmer, blower, and gas cans. Measure your mower's length and width first — most riding mowers need a door opening at least 32 inches wide to get through comfortably.
Do I need a permit for a backyard storage shed?
It depends on size and your local code — many municipalities don't require a permit for sheds under 120 square feet, but setback rules (how close it can sit to your property line) apply regardless of size. Check with your local building department before you buy, not after.
Wood or resin — which one actually lasts longer?
A well-maintained wood shed can outlast a resin one, but 'well-maintained' is doing a lot of work in that sentence — it means repainting or resealing every few years. Resin won't rot, rust, or need paint, so in practice most owners get more trouble-free years out of resin unless they genuinely enjoy shed upkeep.
Can I store a generator safely in a shed?
Yes for storage, no for running it. A shed is fine for keeping a generator dry between uses, but never run a generator inside one — carbon monoxide builds up fast in an enclosed space. Always run generators outdoors, well away from windows and doors.