First of all, why do you need a garden building? If it is just for storing a variety of items that can't find a place in the home, a shed would be the better option because they can be small and relatively inexpensive. A corner shed can be tucked away in the garden and hold all manner of objects, or there are sheds that are purposely built just for storing tools, and sheds for bicycles. For bigger storage items, such as: a ride-on lawn mower, a motorbike or a quad bike, a large garden shed can house your items.

Do you want a garden building to be used for a hobby? If so, what hobby are you pursuing? For gardening, there are purpose built gardening sheds that contain work surfaces and has skylights, as well as windows: to increase natural illumination to benefit the plants and provide ventilation. A potting shed is ideal for the serious gardener as it has large windows; so the shed can double up as part-greenhouse. This feature is especially popular for gardeners who do not have room for a greenhouse and a shed in their garden. A shed is also ideal to convert into a hobby area if they are sedentary, such as: crafts, writing and collections. But if your hobby is fitness and you want to install a treadmill and other exercise equipment, a log cabin would be the better option because it is sturdier.

Do you want a garden building to act as an attractive feature for your garden and to entertain in? Than a log cabin could be what you need. Log cabins come with a variety of attractive features, such as, verandas, window boxes, and single or double doors. An outdoor cooking area could be located near the log cabin, and the inside furnished with comfy chairs, a bar, curtains and cupboards, etc.

Do you need extra space to house an office or a playroom? A log cabin or a large shed can be easily transformed into an office or a playroom, and there are companies that specialise in this. What you opt for will often depend on your budget; log cabins can start from ?1500 and large sheds can start from ?1000.

What if you need an extra room for guests to stay in or you need a ?granny-annexe?? Log cabins are ideal for creating that extra living space. They can be insulated, fitted with a heating system, electrical and water outlets and made to feel really homely. Family members will be queuing to move in!

Do you want a garden building without maintenance? Both log cabins and wooden sheds require some degree of annual maintenance, such as: applying a wood finish to prevent the wood from decaying and to protect the wood from insects. Thus a good choice would be a shed made from heavy moulded plastics, such as: PVC and polyethylene because they hardly need any maintenance.

After reading this article you should have a clearer idea of whether you need a log cabin or a shed. There are many types and shapes of log cabins and sheds available that will suit your budget. What ever option you decide on, you'll be spending your money wisely when you invest in a good quality log cabin or shed, because the British Institute of Surveyors said, a garden building can add about 5% to the value of a property.