Most of us have been there in one way or another. Summer is approaching, so you decide to celebrate its arrival by digging out the garden chairs. With a spring in your step, off you trot to venture into a place rarely visited over winter – the garden shed.
Suddenly realising the potential horrors lurking within, you hesitate to open the seldom-used door. Over the years, this has become less of a shed and more of a dumping ground for various things.
With a deep breath, you boldly step inside – before immediately walking headfirst into a spider’s web with the density of a child’s duvet. After stubbing your toe on a unicycle and tripping over a trouser press, a strange hooting noise appears from a dark corner, and you seriously wonder if a deranged owl has taken up residence.
Time for a Little Shed Organisation
If this sounds familiar, you are certainly not alone – especially if it’s been a long time since you invested in a good-quality garden shed deserving of a pretty garden. Nice sheds tend to be more organised, while creaky old sheds are often forgotten about. That’s just the way it is.
Shed organisation isn’t rocket science, though – and you are more than capable of managing it without our pointers – but after half a century in the business, we have picked up a few hacks along the way. So, if you care to indulge us, here are some practical ideas to get your shed storage game back on track.
Planning Your Shed’s Transformation: A Strategic Approach
Before steaming full charge into the task of shed organisation, take a moment to plan your approach. Again, it might not seem like a complicated task, but a carefully thought-out strategy will save you time.
Let’s take a look at how we might devise a plan for better shed storage:
Inventory First, Purchases Later
Start by removing everything (yes, absolutely everything) from your shed. This might seem like overkill, but it’s the only way to truly assess what you’ve got and what you need. Lay it all out on a tarp or the lawn where you can see it properly.
As you extract each item, sort them into three piles: keep, donate (or sell), and bin. Be utterly ruthless here – if you haven’t used something in two years, chances are you won’t suddenly develop a burning need for it next Tuesday.
Once you have sorted through the archaeological dig that was your shed contents, make a list of what shed storage solutions you think you will need before buying anything.
Creating Logical Areas
Think of shed storage as a tiny home with different rooms. Try and create zones based on function: gardening equipment in one area, DIY tools in another, seasonal items somewhere else. Simple.
For example, you might divide your shed storage system into:
- Garden zone: For tools, seeds, pots, and soil
- DIY zone: For power tools, hardware, and workbench area
- Sports/leisure zone: For bikes, camping gear, and outdoor games
- Seasonal zone: For Christmas decorations, summer furniture, and that inflatable pool you swear you’ll use next year
Safety Comes First
Before installing shed storage systems, take a good hard look at the structure of your shed. Are there any loose boards? Is the roof leaking? Does the door hang at a weird angle? Address these issues first – there’s little point in creating a shed storage masterpiece inside a collapsing structure.
In a similar vein, a commonly overlooked aspect of shed storage is weight distribution. Heavy items should always be stored at waist height or lower. That 20kg bag of compost might seem perfectly at home on a hastily erected shelf until gravity reminds you otherwise, usually at 7 am on a hungover Sunday morning.
Let There Be Light (And Fresh Air)
A dark, damp shed is such a waste of a potentially inviting environment. If your shed feels like a setting from a gothic novel, consider adding battery-operated LED lights or (if you’re feeling ambitious) proper electrical lighting.
Ventilation is equally important, as it prevents mould growth and stops your shed from turning into an involuntary sauna during the summer months. Small vents or simply opening the door regularly can make a world of difference.
Maximising Space with Smart Storage Solutions
Now comes the fun part: transforming your shed from a chaotic jumble into a model of organisation.
Vertical Storage
Your shed walls are begging to be used properly. We have always been fans of toolboards and pegboards – they offer fantastic flexibility, and you can rearrange hooks and holders as your needs change.
For the budget-conscious, repurposed pallets make excellent wall storage. Simply secure a pallet to your wall, and et voilà, you have instant storage for smaller tools between the slats.
We should say that tool boards and pegboards are a great idea for a traditional storage or workshop shed – but if you have invested in one of our beautiful summerhouses or log cabins, you might not wish to sully its charm with something so utilitarian.
Making the Most of Horizontal Space
Shelving options are almost endless. Fixed shelves mounted to wall studs provide stable storage for heavier items, while adjustable systems allow you to modify shelf heights as your storage needs evolve. Either way, there are a ton of shelving products out there.
Material choices matter, though:
- Wooden shelves offer a traditional look but may warp in damp conditions
- Metal shelves offer great durability and can handle heavier loads
- Plastic shelves resist moisture but may sag under weight
- Wire shelving allows air circulation, which is perfect for damp climates
The Box Clever Approach
Clear plastic storage boxes are ideal for shed organisation. They protect contents from dust and moisture while letting you see what’s inside.
Label everything – even if you think you will remember what’s in that box of “Miscellaneous Garden Stuff,” trust us when we say that future you will have absolutely no clue whatsoever what past you was thinking.
Also, don’t overlook the potential of everyday items as storage solutions. Arguably the most classic shed storage system is the good old jam jar, which is perfect for storing things like nails and screws. You know what to do; just attach the lids to the underside of a shelf and screw the jars into them.
Workbenches
A good workbench changes a shed from simple storage to a functional workspace. If space permits, try a fold-down workbench that can be tucked away when not in use.
The space under your workbench is worth its weight in gold – in other words, don’t waste it. Pull-out drawers or rolling carts that fit underneath provide remarkably useful storage for frequently used items.
Using Overhead Space
Most sheds have untapped storage potential right above your head. Adding a simple loft area using sturdy timber beams and plywood gives you the perfect spot for storing seasonal or rarely-used items.
Organising Specific Items: Tailored Strategies
Different items need different approaches—here’s how to handle some common shed inhabitants:
Garden Tools
Long-handled tools like spades, rakes, and hoes can be stored vertically in several ways:
- A simple DIY solution: PVC pipes cut lengthwise and mounted to the wall to create perfect individual slots
- A tool rack with dedicated spaces prevents tools from tangling together
- Tension rods between roof rafters can hold tool handles securely
Bikes and Bulky Equipment
Bikes are terrible for eating up floor space. Wall or ceiling hooks allow you to hang bikes, freeing up the floor for other items. Lawnmowers should have a dedicated floor space near the door for easy access – consider placing a small tarp underneath to catch grass clippings and make cleanup easier.
DIY and Workshop Organisation
Power tools deserve special attention. A charging station keeps batteries ready to go, while custom-fitted foam inserts in drawers create perfect homes for each tool.
For hardware like nails, screws, and bolts, small parts organisers with clear drawers make it easy to find exactly what you need without emptying the entire contents onto the floor (we’ve all been there).
Paint supplies should be stored in a cool area away from extreme temperatures. An old wooden ladder mounted horizontally creates wonderful storage for paint tins on each rung.
Taming the Cable Jungle
Few things in life are more annoying than untangling a nest of extension cords and cables. Try these approaches:
- Wind cords around large hooks mounted to the wall
- Store each cord in its own labelled container (empty coffee tins work well)
- Use toilet paper tubes to keep smaller cables organised
- Velcro cable ties keep everything neat and tidy
Maintaining Your Organised Shed: Long-Term Strategies
Shed storage and organisation is one thing, but keeping it that way is another challenge entirely. Here’s how to maintain your hard-won order:
- The Seasonal Reset: Schedule a quick 30-minute tidy-up each season to return wandering items to their homes and reassess what’s working.
- Label, Label, Label: Even the brightest among us would forget where things go without proper labelling.
- One In, One Out: Fight clutter creep with this simple rule. When that shiny new trowel comes home, consider which old tool might fancy life elsewhere.
Good Luck! Now Roll Your Sleeves Up and get started…
That jungle-like shed won’t organise itself, but the effort is well worth it, so good luck and enjoy the transformation.
And remember, if your current shed is beyond salvation, remember the latest garden sheds are beautifully crafted spaces with purpose-built storage systems that practically beg to be kept tidy.
Take a look at our full range of sheds at 1st Choice Leisure Buildings. Our modern sheds with integrated storage features make organization simpler than ever!
