When more people lived on farms, the concept of an outbuilding was well understood. There was a barn and possibly other buildings that got added as more space was needed, or a new type of activity required it's own space.
Today most people don't work at home and we don't live on large lots, so fewer people have an outbuilding unless it's a small shed for storage.
Today's Outbuilding
So what exactly is an outbuilding? Various online dictionaries define an outbuilding as a small building that is separated from, but associated with, a main building.
The big distinction here is that an outbuilding isn't attached to the main building. That's why garages are often described as an attached garage versus a detached garage. And then there's some gray area where a detached garage has a covered walkway to the main house?
Different Types of Outbuildings
So how many different types of outbuildings are there? We'll start the list but it's not going to be complete because people are getting more creative about their homes, both the main building and the outbuilding. For more ideas to spur your imagination, read our article Shed Ideas for Crafts, Hobbies & More.
- Barns and other farm buildings.
- Carriage house which you could consider the first garage.
- Garage when it's detached, is an outbuilding.
- Shed which is commonly used to store gardening equipment and more.
- Dog house is an outbuilding, as it has four walls and a roof.
- Outhouse is one we can laugh about but it serves a purpose we can't ignore.
You can buy a kit or have a small outbuilding delivered to your home. Alternatively you can custom build one like the photo below, it's your choice based on your budget – both time and money.
