Is it time to dust away the cobwebs and get your garden shed under control? A cluttered or disorganised shed can be a hazardous and under-utilised space, overflowing with tools, half-used paint tins and garden supplies! But with the right shed storage ideas, you can create one of the most functional zones in your home (well, technically outside your home 😉 ). Whether you’re working with what you’ve got or considering an upgrade with the help of high-quality shed builders, creating a well-organised shed can completely transform how you use the space.
I recently tackled this job and it’s made such a difference to free up valuable space in my garage by moving tools and gear into the shed — and to be able to step inside the shed without tripping over things! From clever storage solutions to organising tricks, here are 7 ways to organise your garden shed.
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1. Declutter
You had to know this would be on the list! There’s no point in organising things you no longer need or want — it’s only taking up valuable storage space.
It’s easy for clutter to accumulate, making it hard to find what you need. That’s why decluttering your outdoor shed is an important task to do regularly.
The simplest way to do this is to pull everything out of your shed and start sorting into piles. By grouping all ‘like’ items together, such as all gardening products or all tools together, it’s easier to see how much you have and to make quicker decisions on whether to keep, donate or throw away.
Be environmentally conscious when disposing of things from your garden shed. Many materials, such as paint or chemicals, can be taken to recycling points where they can be used for energy recovery and the containers cleaned and recycled. Planet Ark has a fabulous tool here where you can enter your postcode and what you are wanting to dispose of, and it will let you know about all the recycling points in your area.
Of course if your outdoor shed is in disrepair, the first step may be to invest in a new shed. You can find many chic options on the market now to buy or build a new shed altogether. For example, The Shed Company has stylish residential sheds in a range of colours and sizes to suit contemporary homes.
2. Pick up a bench that doubles as a storage rack
We all use our garden sheds slightly differently but it’s hard to go wrong with a good work bench — and better yet, one that doubles as a storage rack!
A bench provides a sturdy work surface so you can work productively. Depending on the type of bench you pick up, it can be a lot more than that though! The one I got (pictured below) is from Pinnacle and has adjustable shelves, a solid timber top, and the option to add on accessories.
Before doing this garden shed makeover, I had some makeshift shelving that I created with blocks and planks of wood but it took up more space than it offered. As a result, I barely used the shed to store things and my garage (and laundry) became a dumping ground for things that should have been stored in the shed.
Tip: look for a bench that’s adjustable so you can change it as your needs change (such as adding or removing shelves).
3. Get a lockable cabinet
Whether you’ve got young children and want to keep chemicals out of reach, or you’re using your garden shed to store valuable tools that you want to keep safe and protected from the elements, a lockable cabinet is another winning storage solution idea.
Cabinets can be a great way to organise your tools. Some come with specific compartments or your can use additional storage solutions, like boxes, to ensure everything has its place. Available in all sorts of sizes and configurations, you’ll be sure to find a cabinet to suit your space and needs.
Tip: triple check your measurements before buying any storage solutions! Look out for brackets or other obstructions inside your shed which may reduce the amount of space you have. I only just squeezed the work bench and cabinet into my shed without a millimetre to spare!
4. Install a pegboard for tools
Pegboards keep all of your most-used tools and items neatly within easy reach. You can buy these as single sheets and in various sizes so you can configure these however you like to suit your space. I attached two boards together for plenty of hanging space.
You can also find various brackets to slot into the pegboard. Short or long, with one or two prongs, there’s sure to be a solution for whatever it is you want to hang!
5. Use a drawer unit for smaller tools/hardware
Do you keep all your screws and brackets in tubs where it’s impossible to find what you need?
I picked up a metal organiser with plenty of compartments to separate screws and other hardware. To know what’s in each drawer, I made some vinyl labels (with my Cricut machine) but there are plenty of online stores that do custom vinyl labels if you want similar.
6. Take advantage of vertical space with hooks
So often when we organise a space, we think about how to maximise floor space and often overlook available vertical space.
We already mentioned pegboards above but another way to take advantage of wall space is with larger brackets to hang bigger tools and gardening gear.
7. Use tubs to keep smaller items organised
Just as I love using baskets inside the home to keep smaller things organised and tidy, in the garage and garden shed I’m also a big fan of using storage tubs.
Look for ones that are stackable so you can maximise the height of shelves and personally I prefer coloured tubs (rather than transparent) as it minimises visual clutter.
Have these ways to organise your garden shed inspired you to give your shed a makeover? Do you have more tips to add to the list? I’d love you to share them in the comments!
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Disclaimer: some items pictured were gifted.
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