Deciding on the right farm shed size is a crucial decision for your agricultural operation. Not only does it meet your daily needs, but it also adds value to your rural property and gives your agricultural infrastructure a solid foundation. Go too small and you’ll soon find yourself struggling with nowhere to put your gear. Go too big and you’re just throwing money at a problem. We’ve spent over 30 years designing custom farm sheds across New South Wales and the Hunter Valley, and we’ve helped hundreds of farmers find the perfect fit. Our team knows farming inside out and has loads of experience providing rural sheds tailored to the unique needs of NSW properties.
Get a Handle On Your Current and Future Needs
Before you start looking at shed sizes, do a thorough assessment of what you need right now and what you might need in the future.
A good assessment will give you a customised solution, including the option for a bespoke farm shed with a design that can be tailored to meet your farm’s specific needs.
Take Stock of Your Assets
Make a list of everything that needs storing or housing:
- Machinery and vehicles: That old tractor, the ute, the cultivator, etc.
- Livestock: How many animals do you have, and what do they need in terms of housing?
- Feed and supplies: Hay bales, grain, vet supplies, fencing materials – the lot.
- Workshop space: Tools, workbenches, maintenance areas – all the stuff you need to keep your gear in good nick.
- Seasonal equipment: That stuff you don’t use every day, but still need to store.
- Produce: Harvested crops, grains, and other produce – you need to know how much space you’re going to need for all that.
Knowing how much storage you’ll need for produce and other assets is the first step in getting the shed size right.
When you’re making your list, note the dimensions of each piece of machinery – including the height, length and width – and add on a bit of extra clearance (about 1.5 metres on each side) so everything can get in and out safely.
Think About the Future
Most successful farms grow and change over time. Where do you see your operation in 5 years? Do you need to add more equipment, more livestock, or new technology? Add on 30 to 40% extra capacity to give yourself some room to grow, and consider adding on some extra bays or flexible bay sizes so your shed can grow with you.
Planning for the future is what keeps standard shed sizes from cutting it.
Standard Farm Shed Size Categories
Small Farm Sheds (6m x 9m to 9m x 15m)
Small farm sheds are perfect for:
- Hobby farms or rural residential properties
- Storing a small tractor or ute
- Basic workshop and tool storage
- Feed storage for a small operation
- Single horse shelters
- General rural storage on a rural property
You can also use a small shed as a rural shed, providing some extra storage and protection for your gear, feed or livestock.
Typical capacity:
- 1 or 2 vehicles
- A basic workshop area
- Feed for 5-10 head of livestock
Medium Farm Sheds (9m x 18m to 12m x 24m)
Medium farm sheds are ideal for:
- Mixed farming operations
- Livestock housing for 10-30 head
- A combined machinery storage and workshop
- Hay storage (500-1000 bales)
- Multi-purpose use on a farm
- Machinery shed for your gear and vehicles
- Hay shed for your fodder
Typical capacity:
- 2 or 4 big tractors
- A dedicated workshop (at least 3m x 6m)
- A fair bit of feed storage
These sheds are the most popular among NSW farmers, and give you loads of flexibility and value. They’re great for farmers who need to store bulk amounts of feed, produce, or equipment, and are suitable for larger farming operations.
Large Farm Sheds (15m x 30m and beyond)
Large farm sheds are perfect for:
- Commercial farming operations
- A fleet of machinery (multiple tractors, harvesters)
- Large livestock operations (30+ head)
- Multi-use facilities
- Commercial hay and grain storage
- Rural operation requiring a lot of storage
- Housing oversized machinery
Typical capacity:
- 5 or more big tractors
- Full workshop facilities
- Extensive livestock housing
- 2000+ hay bales
Large farm sheds are a significant investment, but they’re specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of agricultural operations. They give you the secure and durable storage you need for all that oversized machinery, valuable equipment, and produce.
Key Dimensions to Think About
Width
- 6-9 meters: Room for one row of equipment
- 9-12 meters: Room for two rows, with a central aisle
- 12-15 meters: Room for two rows, plus a workshop or livestock area
- 15+ meters: Complex layouts with multiple zones
Length
- 9-15 meters: You can fit 2 or 3 pieces of equipment in here
- 15-24 meters: You can fit 4 or 6 pieces of equipment in here
- 24-30+ meters: You can fit a whole fleet or a complex of facilities
Height
- 3-4 meters: Standard farm equipment and utes\
- 4-5 meters: Your big tractors, trucks, and hay stacking (2-3 bales high)
Think about the drive-through access requirements for your operation – you want to be able to get in and out easily, without any hassle.
- 5-6m: Large harvesters, high hay stacking is the norm, stacking 4+ bales high in there.
- 6+ metres: Well, get out the specialised equipment, it’s that size
Roller door heights need to be at least 30cm taller than your tallest gear in there to fit.
Space Requirements by Application – Let’s Get Started
Machinery Storage – The Essentials
- Big machinery bay: 4m wide by 6m deep: that’s the minimum
- Ute storage: 2.5m by 6m a good size
- Workshop space: 3m by 6 m is the minimum, but 4m by 8m is a better size to work with
If you need more machinery storage later on, you can always add another bay.
Livestock Housing – More Than Just Space
- Cattle need 8-12 square meters per head
- Horses need 12-16 square meters in each stable
- Sheep need 1-1.5 square meters per head
Don’t forget to add 20-30% extra for feeding, walkways and equipment
Hay Storage – Get it Right
Hay sheds are all about protecting stored hay from the weather, pests and the elements.
- 3-high stacking: that’s 100 bales per 20 square meters
- 4-high stacking (5m+ high): that’s 130 bales per 20 square meters
- Round bales: 2-2.5 square meters each
Thinking About Your Property – Things to Consider
Property Factors – It’s All About Location
- Flat and you’ve got more room to work with, but it may need some drainage work.
- Sloped sites might need some earthworks to level the land
- NSW councils usually want 10-20m setbacks from the boundary
Access and Traffic Flow – Get It Right
- Big machinery needs a 12-15m turning radius to fit
- Consider drive-through or single entry: which is best for you?
- Plan your all-weather access routes too
Environmental Challenges – You’re Not Alone
Hunter Valley properties have got to think about flood risks, wind, sun exposure and water run-off – that’s just the way it is
NSW Council Regulations – Clear as Day
Development Approval – What You Need to Know
- Under 20 square meters: usually exempt
- Complying development: if you meet the right size and location
- Full DA: if you’ve got a large shed, or it doesn’t meet the criteria
Most Hunter Valley areas fall into wind region N2-N3 – so you will need to get your shed engineered to meet the AS/NZS 1170 standards
Budgeting for Your Shed – The Real Cost
Construction Costs (per square meter) – Get it Right
Quality steel construction in NSW:
- Small sheds (54-135 sqm): thats $250-$400/sqm
- Medium sheds (162-288 sqm): thats $200-$300/sqm
- Large sheds (450+ sqm): thats $150-$250/sqm
The Usual Add-ons – Don’t Forget
- Roller doors: $2,000-$5,000+ each
- Concrete flooring: $80-$150/sqm
- Insulation: $20-$50/sqm
- Power and lighting: $3,000-$10,000+
Bigger sheds can save you money in the long run, and there’s plenty of optional extras to make your shed work for you
Investing in Your Shed – Long-term Benefits
- Equipment lasts longer by 5-10+ years
- Organised storage saves you 1-2+ hours a week
- May even reduce insurance premiums by 10-20%
- Can pack a nice price tag to your property
Common Sizing Mistakes – Don’t Make These Blunders
Under-sizing: the most expensive mistake of all. If your equipment just fits on paper, add 20-30% more space
Poor workflow planning: don’t forget to include clearance and maneuvering space beyond just the equipment footprint
Insufficient height: limits hay stacking, equipment access, and ventilation
No workshop space: it’s hard to add one later on
Future Proofing Your Investment – Think Ahead
Design for Expansion – Easy as That
- End walls are removable for length extensions
- Lean to additions for 30-50% extra space
- Modular bays for width expansions
Multi-Purpose Flexibility – Think Outside the Box
- Open floor plans with movable partitions
- Multiple access points
- Extra height allowances
Steel River Buildings – A Local Family Business with a Long History
Over 30 years serving NSW farmers, we build sheds to meet every client’s unique needs:
- Expert advice and planning
- Quality materials and workmanship
- Full project management from start to finish
- Customised solutions for every farm is our motto
This approach ensures the perfect shed solution for every agricultural operation
A Full Site Assessment – We Look at Everything
We evaluate available sites, topography, drainage, access routes and council requirements. Customised Solutions – Tailor Made for You
- Premium BlueScope Steel and Colorbond materials for 30+ year durability
- Engineered designs meeting NSW requirements
- Flexible configurations for unique needs
- Custom design process to tailor every shed to your specific requirements
Expert Local Knowledge – We Know Hunter Valley Like the Back of Our Hand
Decades of Hunter Valley experience mean we understand regional council processes, local weather patterns and specific agricultural sector needs
Before Your Consultation – Get Ready
Equipment Inventory:
- List all the equipment you need to store – with dimensions* Things to think about for 3-5 year purchase plans
- Special clearance is needed to keep an eye on
Functional Requirements
- What kind of housing do you need for your livestock – now and in the future?
- Workshop space for maintenance & fixes
- How much room do you need for feed and supplies
About the Land
- What can you use for a building site
- Where do the footpaths and roads go – how’s traffic moving around
- How’s the rainfall, and what sort of soil do you have?
- How far away are your property boundaries
Budgets & Money
- How much are you happy to invest
- What features are must-haves
- How long will it take to build
Things to think about for the Next 5 Years
- What’s your plan for the next five years on the farm
- Do you have ideas to diversify and grow
- What sort of tech will you need to integrate
Picking the Right Shed for You
Finding the right size for your shed is all about finding a balance between what you need now and what you might need later – all within your budget, of course.
Choosing the right shed for your farm is a pretty big deal – it can make a world of difference for your long-term success.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Size up -it’s a good idea to oversize, add a third to a half to your minimum needs.
- Think vertically as much as horizontally – height is just as important as floor space.
- Get a shed that multitasks. A versatile design will adapt to your changing needs.
- Use good quality materials – BlueScope Steel or Colorbond will last longer
At Steel River Buildings, we know that every farm is different – we are all about working with you to get a shed that meets your needs, whether you need a tiny storage shed or something much bigger
Get on the phone and let’s talk about the right size shed for your place. Contact Steel River Buildings today, and we’ll come to you to take a look at your property and come up with a custom design that fits the way you work – and will keep on working for years to come
About Steel River Buildings
We’ve been designing and making top-quality farm sheds for the Maitland region for over 30 years – we are an expert in custom ag, rural and industrial solutions made with BlueScope Steel and Colorbond to withstand anything Australia throws at it. Our local knowledge and quality craftsmanship make us the choice for NSW farmers when they need a shed that will last.
