It's Home & Garden Month at Guaranteed Irish, proudly sponsored by Sheds Direct Ireland. Throughout August, we're celebrating the Irish businesses helping to create homes and outdoor spaces that are built to last while supporting jobs, communities and local enterprise across Ireland.
To mark the month, read this feature with Louise Dawson, Managing Director of Sheds Direct Ireland, as she reflects on the company's recent Family Business of the Year win, the changing trends shaping outdoor living, and why investing in Irish jobs, trusted suppliers and local communities remains central to the business.
1. Sheds Direct Ireland was named Family Business of the Year at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2026. What did that recognition mean to you, your family and the wider team?
Winning the Guaranteed Irish Family Business of the Year Award was one of the proudest moments in our company's history.
As a family business, we've always believed success isn't measured solely by growth or sales. It's measured by the trust you've earned, the relationships you've built and the positive impact you have on the people around you.
While my family founded Sheds Direct Ireland, this award belongs to every member of our team. Our sales advisors, installers, warehouse staff, office team and customer service colleagues all contribute to the experience our customers receive every day.
To be recognised by Guaranteed Irish was particularly meaningful because it acknowledged not only what we've achieved as a business, but the values we've built it upon—integrity, hard work, supporting Irish employment and putting our customers first.
The award has given us even greater motivation to continue improving, innovating and investing in the people who have helped make Sheds Direct Ireland what it is today.
2. Garden sheds have evolved far beyond simple storage. What are customers looking for today, and how have customer expectations changed in recent years?
The biggest shift we've seen is that the garden has become another living space.
People no longer see their garden as simply somewhere to maintain; they see it as somewhere to enjoy. It's become an extension of the home, whether that's for relaxing, entertaining, working, gardening or spending time with family.
That change has transformed customer expectations. They want products that are practical, stylish, low maintenance and built to last. They also expect solutions that complement their homes rather than simply provide storage.
We're also seeing technology shape the future of outdoor living. From robotic lawnmowers to renewable energy installations, homeowners are embracing smarter ways to manage their properties, and that creates opportunities for innovative outdoor products to support those lifestyles.
As those expectations continue to evolve, our responsibility is to stay ahead of the market by introducing products that genuinely improve how people use and enjoy their outdoor spaces.
3. For homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor space, what are your top tips for creating a practical, stylish and enjoyable garden?
The best gardens don't happen by accident—they're planned around how people actually live.
I always encourage homeowners to think beyond individual products and instead think about creating an outdoor space that works for their family and their lifestyle.
Organisation is the starting point. Once everything has its place, the garden immediately feels more spacious, more inviting and easier to enjoy.
From there, it's about choosing products that complement your home while making everyday life simpler. Whether that's premium garden storage, contemporary outdoor buildings or innovative products such as robotic lawnmower garages, every addition should enhance both the appearance and functionality of the space.
At Sheds Direct Ireland, we're not simply selling sheds—we're helping people make better use of their outdoor space.
That's the philosophy behind every product we stock and every conversation we have with our customers.
4. Sheds Direct Ireland continues to grow while supporting employment across Ireland. How important is investing in local jobs and developing your team as the business expands?
Growth has never simply been about becoming a bigger business. For us, it's about creating opportunities—for our employees, our suppliers and the communities we serve.
As we continue to expand, investing in our people remains one of our highest priorities. Our team has been central to our success, and creating an environment where people can develop, progress and build long-term careers is incredibly important to us.
Supporting Ireland also extends beyond our own workforce. Wherever possible, we choose to work with Irish companies and fellow Guaranteed Irish members.
A recent example was the development of our Naas Road showroom. We made a conscious decision to work with Guaranteed Irish suppliers and local Irish businesses throughout the project because we believe successful Irish businesses have a responsibility to support one another.
Every time an Irish business chooses another Irish business, it creates a ripple effect. It strengthens local employment, supports families, develops skills and helps build a stronger economy for future generations.
That, to me, is one of the greatest strengths of the Guaranteed Irish community.
5. Community is one of the core pillars of Guaranteed Irish. How does Sheds Direct Ireland support the communities where you operate, and why is that important to the business?
Community has always been part of our identity.
As a family business, we've never viewed success purely in commercial terms. We believe every business has a responsibility to make a positive contribution to the communities that support it.
For us, that means creating employment, supporting Irish suppliers, providing exceptional customer service and building lasting relationships based on trust.
Businesses don't thrive in isolation—they thrive because of the communities around them. If we can contribute to stronger local businesses, stronger employment and stronger communities, then we're creating something far more valuable than commercial success alone.
6. How important is sourcing high-quality materials and working with trusted suppliers to ensure customers receive products built to last?
Quality has never been something we're prepared to compromise on.
When customers invest in one of our products, they're placing their trust in our recommendation. We take that responsibility very seriously.
That's why we work with manufacturers and suppliers who share our commitment to quality, innovation and long-term reliability. Every product we offer has been carefully selected because we believe it delivers genuine value to our customers.
Our reputation has been built over many years, and maintaining that reputation means consistently delivering products and service that people can rely on.
7. What exciting developments, new products or trends can customers look forward to from Sheds Direct Ireland over the coming months?
Outdoor living continues to evolve, and we're excited to evolve with it.
Customers can expect to see further innovation across our entire range, from premium steel and timber garden buildings to contemporary storage solutions designed for modern lifestyles.
We're seeing increasing demand for products that support emerging technologies, including robotic lawnmowers and renewable energy systems, and we're continuing to develop solutions that meet those changing needs.
Alongside new products, we're investing in our showrooms, digital platforms and customer experience so that every customer can access expert advice and find the right solution for their home.
Our ambition isn't simply to respond to the market—we want to help shape where the outdoor living industry goes next.
8. Finally, what does being a Guaranteed Irish member mean to Sheds Direct Ireland, and why would you encourage other Irish businesses to become accredited?
For us, Guaranteed Irish represents far more than a symbol of origin—it represents a shared set of values.
It reflects a commitment to supporting Irish employment, strengthening local communities, promoting responsible business and believing that success should benefit more than just one company.
Those values have guided Sheds Direct Ireland from the very beginning, which is why becoming part of Guaranteed Irish felt like such a natural fit.
Winning Guaranteed Irish Family Business of the Year made that connection even more meaningful. It recognised not only our growth as a business, but the way we've chosen to achieve that growth—by investing in our people, supporting fellow Irish businesses, working with trusted suppliers and always putting our customers first.
I would encourage every eligible Irish business to become part of Guaranteed Irish because together we are stronger. When Irish businesses support one another, we create employment, encourage innovation, strengthen local enterprise and ensure more investment remains within the Irish economy.
Now more than ever, choosing Irish matters. Every decision to support an Irish business helps sustain jobs, families and communities across the country, and that's something we should all be proud to be part of.
Closing Quote
“At Sheds Direct Ireland, we believe we're in the business of helping people transform and enjoy their outdoor spaces. If we can continue doing that while creating Irish jobs, supporting Irish suppliers and contributing to stronger communities, then we'll consider that our greatest success.”
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