Garden storage sheds are the ideal space for keeping gardening and lawn equipment, storing infrequently used household items, and even as an outdoor workspace. Visit shedplans.org to find any size and design imaginable to fit into any space. However, as useful as storage buildings are, they have a reputation for becoming cluttered and disorganized. Not only is this an eye-sore, but you can’t find anything, deeming it virtually useless. The key is making the most of the space inside. Let’s take a look at 11 space saver tips to turn your garden storage shed into an easy to navigate, usable, and aesthetically pleasing extension of your home!
1. Install Adjustable Shelving
Shelving allows you to utilize more than just the floor space. They provide a means for better organization, more storage options, and makes the area look larger. You can arrange the shelving units to accommodate different sized items. Adjustable shelving also allows you to make use of the space both above and below the shelving. If your storage requirements change in the future, it’s easy to moves the shelves around to fit your needs.
2. Long-Handled Tool Hangers
Leaning long-handled tools such as rakes, axes, brooms, and shovels against the wall not only leads to tools sliding and falling but takes up valuable floor space. Tool hangers are great for hanging gardening tools flush against the wall. This handy apparatus both secures the tool in place until ready for use and takes up minimal usable space.
3. Use Pegboards for Small Tools
Pegboards are versatile and ideal for hanging and organizing small tools on the wall such as gardening shovels, cultivators, and weeders. You can further organize a pegboard by placing keyring hangers, screwdriver holders, etc. for precise placement of items that are too small to hang. The use of pegboards frees up floor space, is visually appealing, and helps you easily arrange and find the tools you need.
4. Take Advantage of Overhead Storage
Many storage shed plans offer overhead storage options. While overhead storage may not be ideal for items you use regularly, you should definitely take advantage of this unused space. There are several ways you can use overhead storage. For instance, you can build a loft to store seasonal items. You can also use nails, pipe, and even high shelving to hang and keep seldom-used items in storage and free up floor space.
5. Safely Store Chemicals
Household and outdoor chemicals laying all over the place is visually unappealing as well as dangerous for pets and children. There are a few great options for safely storing chemicals in your garden shed. The first is to secure them in a plastic storage tote with a secure lid. The second is to store chemicals neatly on shelves that are out of reach of both children and pets. The third is to install a locking cabinet against the wall to store chemicals in, with the key out of reach of children.
6. Magnetic Bars for Small Tools
Magnetic bars are useful for easily storing smaller tools such as screwdrivers, drill bits, pliers, etc. The best part is that magnetic strips are easy to install and can be placed almost anywhere, including above workbenches or even on pegboards. When choosing the right magnetic strips for your tools, be sure it can handle the weight of the heaviest item you plan to store on it.
7. Dedicated Work Bench
Depending on the size of your garden shed and how you intend on using it, you may want to install a workbench. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a huge clunky structure that takes up half of the shed. You can easily mount a floating bench against the wall with storage underneath. Another option is a free-standing, workbench with a storage cabinet underneath.
8. Easily Store Screws and Nails
Screws and nails can be hard to organize because they are so small and yet you need them within easy reach. There are a couple of different ways to go about it. You can either use clearly labeled mason jars on shelves or a tray organizer that is attached to the wall. Mason jars allow you to grab the jar of nails or screws you need directly off the shelf and take them with you to your project. The trays in a tray organizer are typically removable, so you can easily pull out the size you need and then reinsert it into the organizer once the job is complete.
9. Free Standing Metal Shelves
Freestanding metal shelves are great for storing large, bulky items neatly against the wall. The grated shelves ensure that dirt and grime do not get caught on the shelving and can fall through to the floor for easy cleaning. In many cases, metal shelving is adjustable to fit various size items.
10. Neatly Store Hoses
Finding the best way to store hoses and extension cords seems to be a never-ending task. Crumpled hoses on the floor are not only unsightly, but they are a hazard. Hangers on the wall or ceiling rafters are an option for neatly storing and keeping hoses and cords out of the way. You can also attach a metal bucket to the wall and wrap the hose around it. This not only keeps your hoses out of the way but is visually appealing.
11. Use Totes, Bins, and Baskets to Organize Shelves
Rather than throw an assortment of items on shelves, you can organize them into totes, bins, and baskets. Each is available in an assortment of colors and sizes and can enhance the visual appeal. This organizational tip helps you make the most out of your shelving space and find what you need more quickly.
Bonus Tip!
The addition of labels to shelving, drawers, and pegboards will take the organization of your garden storage shed to the next level!