These Must-Have Items Will Tame Your Garden Shed—And Look Good Doing It
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Got a mess in your shed? Join the club. Even the neatest among us toss garden tools, potting mix, and unfinished projects in our sheds and close the door sometimes, leaving the mess blissfully behind. It’s only a shed, right? Wrong! Your storage or garden shed doesn’t have to a big alfresco junk drawer. If you’re tired of tripping over shovels, whacking your knee on piles of stuff, or struggling to find your fertilizer when you need it, it’s time to take charge with a few smart shed organization ideas.
Shed organization is a lot like closet organization: Your best bet is to take everything out first and figure out what should stay or go. Start with the obvious. Dried-up cans of paint you’re never going to use again? Buh-bye! Broken shovel? So long! Leaky hose? Outta here. The same goes for any projects you never got around to. This is a no-judgment zone, but let’s be honest—it's been three years and you're never going to restain that bench. There’s no shame in giving yourself permission to let go of something when somebody else might be able to use it.
Next, stack like items together so you can see what you have left: all the tools, all the stuff you need to repot plants, all the lawn equipment. Finally, use shelves, wall hooks, and overhead storage racks (you’ll be surprised how much extra room you’ll gain just by getting things off the floor) to maximize your available storage space. The next time you want to prune your roses, plant some herbs, or repair your garden fence, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get started. Ready to kick off gardening season and up your organization game? Read on for the best garden shed organization ideas to help you clean up your mess.
For more ways to level up your gardening game:
Additional copy by Arricca Elin SanSone
Install Screw Hooks
It’s easy to mount screw hooks directly into a wood wall or install a strip of wood for mounting the screws. They allow lightweight gardening tools such as hand trowels to hang neat and tidy, ready for your next gardening session.
Related: 10 Best Decorative Wall Hooks For Your Home
Store Your Seeds
If you have a prized seed collection, chances are you’re in the market for a way to protect your packets during the off-season. Investing in an organized seed holder will do wonders in keeping you organized, sure—but it’ll also ensure your collection doesn’t get wiped out by unexpected moisture or an uninvited critter.
Related: Where to Buy Seeds and Plants Online
Hang a Wall Rack
Buy a wall rack to hang all the things you’re tired of tripping over, from the broom to the edger to the loppers. Not only will it keep your tools (and shins) safe, but it’ll free up valuable floor space.
Related: 25 Wall Storage Ideas That Will Clear Up Some Floor Space
Pick a Portable Solution
In a spot as function focused as a garden shed, a permanent storage solution isn’t always the right choice—especially if you find yourself constantly switching up how you utilize the space. Instead, opt for something portable, like this hanging canvas organizer from Niwaki, which has various pockets to house all your tools and can easily be hung on (and removed from) the wall via grommets.
Related: 20 Nifty New Uses for Your Hanging Shoe Organizer
Use the Back of the Door
Just like in your bedroom or bathroom, the back of the door in your shed can provide additional storage space. Here, lightweight tools hang from large decorative hooks on the inside of the shed door.
Related: 25 DIY Storage Solutions Your Home Needs Now
Mind Your Dirt
Messes—even necessary ones—can severely impact the functionality of your space, which is why it’s so important to keep your garden shed as clean as possible. One common culprit? Dirt, of course! The next time you plan a planting session, whip out a potting station to cover the countertop and make cleanup a cinch. Instead of brushing the dirt onto the floor (only to sweep it up later), carry the canvas outside for a shake and you’re done.
Related: How To Repot A Plant
Get a Hose Rack
A hose rack works just as well mounted inside your shed as it does mounted on the exterior. Instead of tossing an unused hose onto the floor of the shed, hang a sturdy hose hanger to corral it until the next time you need it.
Related: The 25 Best Garden Hoses for Watering Your Lawn
Invest in a Quality Tote
During high season (aka spring and summer), your garden shed—and your tools—probably see a lot of action, and your storage solutions will need to be more mobile than they are in the off-season. For your most-used tools and supplies, consider investing in a roomy garden tote you can take to your beds or stash on the shelf with equal ease. This handsome version has pockets for all your gear and is made of near-indestructible canvas.
Related: 45 Gifts for Plant Lovers and Gardeners Everywhere
Mount Outdoor Brackets
Awkward-to-store items—think kayak paddles, bicycle wheels, or even camping gear—can be tough to find space for inside your shed, so why not hang them on the outside? Pick up a few inexpensive brackets, then measure to make sure they’re deep enough and spaced properly to accommodate whatever you’re trying to hang.
Related: 28 Home Gym Ideas So Good You'll Want to Use It
Fake the Real Deal
No room for a shed? No problem! You can still keep your garden gear organized (and stop it from overflowing into your garage) with help from a comprehensive workstation. This unit from Terrain is built of durable, all-weather teak and features a drawer, a roomy bottom shelf, sturdy peg hooks, and more.
Related: These Outdoor Storage Pieces Double as Decor
Use Buckets to Corral Items
Chances are you probably already have a handful of buckets taking up real estate in your shed, so why not put them to use? Small items like garden stakes, plant supports, and flower hoops can stand upright in a five-gallon bucket for a cheap and easy way to maximize your shed storage.
Related: Smart Garage Organization Ideas
Hide the Hose
Sometimes organizing a highly trafficked area is more about cutting down on visual clutter rather than actual clutter. If a hefty garden hose snaking its way around your shed is ruining your vibe, snag a hose pot, which will disguise a coiled hose while keeping it accessible for the next time your plants need a drink.
Related: 15 Cute Watering Cans Every Plant Parent Deserves
Use a Shelving Unit
If you’re not into the idea of mounting shelves to the walls of your shed, opt for a small shelving unit instead. Slim and portable, it’s a great place to store anything you need quick access to, from extra pots to watering cans.
Related: 15 Best Shelving Units For Your Home
Hang a Magnetic Strip
When it comes to chaos-causing items, bitsy metal tools are high on the list. Instead of stashing them in a bin where they can scratch each other (and you), attach things like snips, utility knives, and screwdrivers to a magnetic strip. It will keep them organized and make it easy to identify the tool you need at a glance.
Related: 10 Best Tools You Need For Your Home
Mount a Pegboard
Pegboards are an organizational MVP, but they’re not only for office spaces. In a garden shed, a pegboard can go on a wall and be dotted with hooks as a means of storing tools, spools of twine, and more. The best part? You can rearrange pegboard hooks to fit new tools as you acquire them, so you're never stuck with one setup.
Related: 10 Unique Ways to Use Pegboards In Your Home
Add a Potting Bench
Organize pots, soil, and fertilizer by adding a potting bench inside or outside your shed. A new elevated workstation will be more convenient and easier on your knees and back. Translation: No more having to kneel on the ground to repot plants!
Related: The 8 Best Potting Benches For Gardeners
Use Every Bit of Space
Just like creative storage solutions indoors, making the most of a shed means maximizing every square inch, no matter how tiny. Here, a wall-mounted shelf acts as a ledge above a window, offering the perfect spot for lesser-used tools. Pro tip: When in doubt, select a metal ledge to ensure it won’t be disturbed by critters.
Related: 15 Easy And Affordable Small Room Storage Ideas
Corral Your Boots
If you’re the type to switch up your shoes for a gardening session, you’ll want to make sure your shed is outfitted with a logical spot to store muddy shoes or boots (that doesn’t involve bringing them back into your house!). Try an old-school wellie rack, affectionately named for its prominence in nearly every British home (and those Brits know their muddy, rainy conditions!).
Related: 35 Best Shoe Storage Ideas for Every Size Closet
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