Garden Shed Storage Ideas: Smart Solutions for Outbuildings of All Sizes
No one likes to see the clutter piled high, but try as we might to avoid it, garden sheds are often more akin to a dumping ground than an outdoor retreat – even if the latter was the original intention. So, if you’re haunted by a shed that’s shaping up to look like a dragon’s hoard rather than a neat spot for potting up, don’t worry. These 12 garden shed storage ideas will help you shape things up in no time, whether you’re an avid gardener, DIY aficionado or a tradie with lots of tools to your name.
Whatever the case, with these practical tips, you’ll quickly see how smart organisation turns jaded spaces into functional ones. More room for storage? And a space you can actually traverse without it feeling like Mission Impossible? Count us in!
Before You Start: Shed Storage Considerations
As much as we’d like to dive straight in, there are a few prior considerations we need to do away with first. These factors will colour your experience repurposing or doing up your shed. After all, the garden shed storage ideas we’re going to share need a few important foundations… the trio being the purpose, condition and size of your shed.
Know What You’re Storing
Having an idea of what your shed is going to be beforehand is more than useful. With the level of storage you need top of mind, you can more easily plan around your needs. For instance, if it’s just your essential gardening tools, DIY kit and hardware, suffice it to say, you can get away with storing them in dedicated containers or outdoor-safe furniture. Similarly, garden furniture, paint cans, seasonal items like the Christmas lights and your trusty BBQ won’t need a huge deal of organisation outside of shelving, a workbench and some empty wall to prop the big items against. If you do it right, you might even have room to hide away from unwanted guests when you need a moment of quiet (…come on, we all do it!).
A word of caution on the storage front, though: for more expensive items like bikes and electronics – we’re thinking lawn mowers and computers, in the case of an office conversion – you need to make absolute sure that they’ll be safe and secure inside. If a flimsy door with a bolt on the outside is the only defence, petty thieves might try their luck. Another thing to flag is that perishable food and paper files aren’t the best idea – unless you’ve taken precautions to properly waterproof the roof and insulate the walls.
Check Your Shed’s Condition
Leading on from the point about waterproofing, as the bare minimum, you should aim to get your shed structurally sound, clean and dry before embarking on your decluttering journey. This way, not only will your shed last much longer, but it will be a much more suitable place to store valuables. After all, no one wants their tools rusting over the soggier months.
If you’ve done the preliminary checks and you’ve ticked on to that sinking feeling – yep, there’s work to be done – don’t stress it too much. Over on the Estate Sawmills blog, we’ve plenty of actionable advice. Here are just a few places to start:
And if you’ve perused all of the above, and you still think a DIY job won't cut it, perhaps it’s time to consider a replacement? This buyer’s guide will help you mull over the options.
Measure and Plan Accordingly
This part is admittedly not very exciting, but alas, it has to be done. Before you go about installing any storage features and the like, consider your desired layout and access. For example, if your garden is north facing and your outbuilding is a pottage shed variety, you might want to position it wherever gets the most sunlight – provided it doesn’t block walkways or other access points. To help you out here, why not create a simple sketch of the internal and external layout? With this quick reference, you can ensure that bulkier items are easy to remove, the door isn’t hindered by anything in the way and, all in all, it looks spick and span.
12 Clever Garden Shed Storage Ideas that Will Change Your Life
Now that we’ve shed some light on the planning and preparation, let’s get into the part we’ve all been waiting for – the creative stuff! With these genius hacks, your garden shed storage ideas are going to be cranked up to the next level.
1. Install Wall-Mounted Pegboards
One of the easiest ways to get your mojo back when you’re doing handiwork or a spot of light landscaping, like tackling a raised bed, is to get as much as possible up off the floor. This will lessen the stress you feel navigating the shed's interior and create designated homes for tools, cords, bike keys, gardening accessories, hardware and more. The best part is that with so many options available, they are completely customisable, meaning that you can place them wherever you want, have multiple, and even colour coordinate them if you’re feeling fancy.
2. Use Magnetic Tool Strips
Think of this as a similar solution to the pegboards, but taken up a notch. With magnetic strips attached to these walls, you need not worry about misplacing any of your metal tools as they’ll be immediately visible. Not only does this relieve surfaces of extra clutter, but it’s much safer to keep these implements out of the reach of little ones or pets to whom they could pose a risk. And there’s something very aesthetic about the strips’ chrome appearance too, no?
3. Fit Adjustable Shelving Units
One way to capitalise on space, especially if the shed has an apex roof, is to introduce some adjustable shelving units. Whether part of a traditional, durable piece or floated up on the walls, these handy surfaces can be moved and adapted according to your needs or the space’s characteristics.
4. Hang Racks From The Ceiling
Let’s take vertical storage to its most extreme – the ceiling! Great for scarcely used or seasonal items, hooks and strong racks are the ideal solution for keeping them out of sight and out of mind, until you need them. Just make sure the fittings holding them up there are as secure as possible.
5. Incorporate Rolling Storage Carts
Portable and easy to tuck away, rolling storage carts are not just for book lovers on TikTok, they’re also ideal for organising your DIY kit. Simply roll it into a corner at the end of the day and pull it out when you need it. This solution is a go-to for small garden shed interiors, thanks to the cart’s slimline profile.
6. Hooks and Hangers… Everywhere!
We’ve previously talked about dog-proofing the garden on our blog, but what about your shed? Well, like dog is man’s best friend, so are hooks and hangers. You can place them pretty much anywhere: on the backs of doors, rafters and sides of your outbuilding. If you look in the right place, you can even get yourself folding hooks that become practically hidden when not in use.
7. Float Your Bike With A Wall Mount
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie with plenty of mountain trails to your name or you simply commute on two wheels, your shed needs to be properly organised to ensure your bike is kept safe and sound. On top of the security concerns like padlocks and keeping them concealed from the outside, space is a massive concern. This is where a wall mount comes in – this piece of vertical storage keeps the shed accessible and allows you to store a variety of items, however big.
8. Make Your Storage Stackable
Boxes and cabinets are great, but did you know that there are ways to maximise their storage potential? Yep, opting for stackable boxes, storage bins and drawer organisers gives you plenty more room to play with, without compromising on their capacity for easy sorting.
9. Give Old Furniture New Life (Workbench, Bookshelves & More)
If you’re not in the mood to purchase a bunch of new furniture, cast your mind to all of the upcycling projects you put off for later. Whether it’s an old bookshelf, cabinet, or even a stack of old pallets, there are so many tutorials out there that will help you turn tired junk into a pivotal aspect of your storage shed plans and future ideas. It’s truly the cheapest way to get your hands on extra shelving or drawer space!
10. Garden Potting Bench with Storage
For the green-fingered, a potting bench is a dream. Its dual-purpose construction allows for the potting up of flowers on the surface, while extra features like shelves, hooks and cabinet compartments allow you to stash away your gardener’s gloves and other kit.
11. Install Floor Cabinets with Lockable Doors
If you’re nervous about keeping more expensive, hazardous or otherwise precious items in your shed, a good solution could be to integrate some floor cabinets with lockable doors. This extra layer of security provides peace of mind, while your paints, power tools and other goodies remain extra snug and dry inside.
12. Try Over-the-Door Organisers
Over-the-door organisers are often found in bathrooms or the back of wardrobes, but why not bring this idea into your storage shed’s interior? From tool pockets to seed pouches, they can hold practically any small item without eating into the floorspace.
Quick Decluttering & Storage Tips
Finally, if you need an extra nudge to see you on your way to achieving your beautiful shed vision, we got you. These final decluttering tips are worth their weight in gold.
Wait For Sunnier Days
This might sound like an obvious pointer, but it’s easier than you might expect to hype yourself up and make a start before the space is fully cleared out. As such, we suggest doing your shed interior makeover when the weather is fine. This way, you can move the bulkier items outside while you’re renovating the walls or implementing any of our other garden storage shed ideas. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.
Label Everything
When you’re working with an array of storage boxes, drawers, cabinets and other odds and ends, labelling can be a lifesaver. Whether you go down the simple route of sticky labels or the smarter route of name plaques, these handy additions will minimise wasted time as you scour the earth for things you misplaced.
Use Clear Boxes
If you’re partial to storage boxes, why not consider translucent ones? When you can see where everything is at a glance, it’s much easier to return tools to the right spot. After all, visual access translates into less mess – just what we’re aiming for.
Review Seasonally
Don’t let this be your one and only spring clean. When things start to deteriorate in the tidiness department, re-evaluate what stuff you actually need, and the junk that’s… well, just junk. Seasonal clear-outs keep things efficient, allowing you to enjoy the full potential of the space. Your future self will thank you for it.
Final Thoughts
It’s true, good storage makes a more usable shed, and a more functional shed is more likely to stay tidy than a disorganised one. Consider it the feedback loop of your gardening dreams. Now whether you want to jump on the DIY train or you’re after a complete shed swich-up, make sure to explore our range. We stock both pre-built sheds and the materials to build one from scratch, plus all the small bits and bobs you need to give it a bit of TLC.
Now, what’re you waiting for? Go and reclaim your shed space – there’s never a better time than the present! Which garden shed storage ideas are you going to try first?
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