Adding a structure to your backyard is one of the most practical upgrades an Ontario homeowner can make. The challenge is that the category covers a wide range of products -- from basic storage sheds to fully finished year-round studios - and the differences between them matter a lot when it comes to cost, permits, and what you can actually use them for.
This guide covers the main types of backyard structures available to Ontario homeowners, what each one is suited for, and how to figure out which fits your property.
In Ontario, any detached structure in your backyard is classified as an accessory building under your municipality's zoning bylaw. That classification determines where it can sit on your lot, how tall it can be, and whether it needs a building permit.
The most common types are garden sheds, backyard studios, pool sheds, cabanas, and pergolas. Each serves a different purpose and comes with different cost, size, and permit considerations.
A garden shed is a detached storage structure, typically uninsulated, used for tools, equipment, bikes, seasonal items, and outdoor furniture. It is the most straightforward backyard structure and the fastest to install.
A well-built garden shed does more than clear out your garage. It keeps your backyard organised, protects your equipment from Ontario winters, and can be designed to complement your home rather than sit in the corner looking like an afterthought.
BES builds garden sheds in several sizes and styles, from the compact Essential to the modern Cube. Most installs are completed in a single day and are designed to stay within Ontario's 160 square foot no-permit threshold.
Good for: storage, bike storage, lawn equipment, seasonal items, pool equipment.
A backyard studio is a fully finished detached structure designed for year-round use. Unlike a basic shed, a studio is insulated, wired for electricity, and built to a finish standard closer to interior living space than outdoor storage.
Studios are used as home offices, gyms, yoga rooms, art studios, music rooms, and creative retreats. They are built on a proper foundation, heated and cooled, and designed to function as a comfortable room separate from the main house.
The key advantage of a backyard studio over a home addition is that it does not require the same level of permitting, does not disrupt your living space during construction, and in most cases can be installed in one to two days.
Good for: home offices, gyms, yoga rooms, art studios, podcast rooms, creative retreats.
A pool shed stores pool equipment - pumps, heaters, chemicals, and accessories - in a dedicated structure that keeps your pool area tidy and your equipment protected. A well-designed pool shed also improves safety by keeping chemicals out of reach and provides proper ventilation for equipment that generates heat and fumes.
A cabana takes the pool shed concept further, adding a covered outdoor living space that can include a bar, seating area, changing room, or entertaining space. BES builds both pool sheds and cabanas and can combine the two into a single structure where the property allows.
Good for: pool equipment storage, changing rooms, poolside entertaining, outdoor bars.
A pergola is an open-roof outdoor structure supported by posts and cross beams. It defines an outdoor living area, provides partial shade, and adds architectural presence to a backyard without enclosing it.
Pergolas work well as a covered dining or seating area and pair naturally with a patio or deck. Unlike sheds and studios, a pergola is not a weatherproof structure - it provides shade and structure but not protection from rain or Ontario winters.
Good for: outdoor dining, seating areas, garden definition, patio cover.
Start with what problem you are trying to solve.
If you need to reclaim space in your garage or house, a garden shed is the answer. If you need a dedicated workspace or personal retreat that functions year-round, a studio is the right fit. If you have a pool and nowhere to put your equipment or entertain poolside, a pool shed or cabana solves that. If you want to make better use of an existing patio or outdoor area, a pergola adds the structure you need.
Budget is the next consideration. A basic shed is your most affordable entry point. A fully finished studio is a larger investment but adds more functional value to the property. Cabanas sit in between depending on how they are specified.
Access matters too. All of these structures need to be delivered and installed - which means your builder needs a path into your backyard. The earlier you add a structure in your backyard project, before pools, patios, and mature landscaping, the easier and less expensive the installation.
In Ontario, accessory structures under 160 square feet typically do not require a building permit, though setback rules from your property lines still apply. Structures over that threshold, or any structure with plumbing, require a permit from your local municipality.
Rules vary by city. London, Kitchener, Guelph, and Cambridge each have their own setback distances and lot coverage limits. BES handles the permit process for larger builds and designs most standard products to stay within the no-permit threshold.
If you are in southwestern Ontario and want to figure out which structure fits your property, get a free estimate from Backyard Escape Studios. We build across London, Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford, and surrounding communities.
Today is the day to start building the structure of your dreams. Share your design ideas with us so we can get started on bringing your shed to life.
