These days garden buildings come in all shapes, sizes and increasingly diverse materials. Although garden sheds are still the first type of garden building that many people think of, there is an extensive range of buildings and a myriad of uses they can be put to. These range from the traditional garden shed, to a large log cabin that can be used as a summerhouse or increasingly these days, as a garden office, home gym or spa.

Garden buildings, and their uses, are becoming increasingly diverse. We are all aware of the conventional garden shed that has traditionally been used for storing garden furniture, garden tools and bicycles. They are often used as a haven for gardeners who use them as a tool store and potting shed. Garden sheds are now also available in metal which is secure and robust, and plastic that is incredibly durable with none of the material degradation that can occur with either wood or metal products.

Greenhouses are another traditional garden building that have been an integral part of British life for years. For the dedicated gardening enthusiast these glazed garden structures are invaluable; they are often used for planting seeds and propagating plants that would never survive a British winter, and what greenhouse would be complete in late summer without home grown tomatoes. Although traditionally made from wood with glass roof and side panels; it is now more common for the frame to be made from lightweight aluminium with the glazed panels made from polycarbonate for lighter weight, increased safety and greater thermal conductivity.

Garden buildings are becoming increasingly specialised in their use. With dedicated garden storage catering for traditional storage needs, and the more unusual demands such as a dedicated motorcycle store. Particularly useful are the small plastic storage boxes which prove ideal for small items in the garden or children's toys. Metal stores are not only safe and secure, they often have a far lower profile than a conventional shed. This makes them far more convenient than a shed as they are less visually intrusive and take up less space than a conventional shed.

Dedicated workshops usually have double-doors and more windows than you would expect to find in a conventional garden shed. Workshops are designed specifically as a space in which to work; setting them apart from many other garden buildings. They are often light and airy, with more space and a higher roofline than a conventional garden shed with more space for workbenches, tools and a larger area in which to work.

With longer and warmer summers, summerhouses are becoming increasingly popular as an outdoor space that all the family can enjoy. These can either be open structures that allow you to enjoy lazy summer days or with glazed doors and windows that let in lots of light, while still offering protection from more inclement weather.

Without a doubt the most diverse and versatile of garden buildings is the log cabin: they range in size from seven feet by five feet up to an extraordinary 16 square feet. The walls are available with timber thicknesses up to 95mm for added sound and thermal insulation and structural integrity. These truly versatile buildings are capable of fulfilling a vast array of outdoor spatial requirements, some of the most common being: a garden home office, a superb working environment that does not impinge upon your indoor space. A log cabin is also the ideal setting for a garden gym, affording you the opportunity to exercise in the relaxed surroundings of your own garden. Or why not indulge yourself and set up your very own all-weather spa in the heart of your garden.

In summary, garden buildings are moving away from the traditional garden shed and there are now far more specialised buildings to fulfil your outdoor storage and accommodation needs. Garden sheds are still the mainstay of many gardens, and greenhouses are as popular and useful as ever. Specialist garden storage solutions are available in a variety of sizes and colours that are ideal for storing garden tools, garden furniture, children's toys and even a motorcycle. Summerhouses help you make the most of your outdoor space and log cabins are currently one of the most versatile garden buildings you can buy. They are increasingly popular as garden offices, home gyms and even a truly indulgent garden spa.

Peter Farmer is a landscape gardener from the Nottinghamshire area of England. He specialises in garden buildings and works closely with his Garden Sheds (http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk) and Barbecues (http://www.flamingbarbecues.co.uk) partner sites to create quality web content.