Garden sheds (also sometimes referred to as storage sheds) are the unsung heroes of our outdoor spaces. Whether your garden shed is a large shed housing lawn tractors or one of those small sheds that fit snugly into a corner of your backyard, it’s time to recognize and make the most of the potential that these outdoor storage sheds have. This guide will show you how to create the perfect place for garden storage, transforming your garden sheds into a beacon of organization and efficiency. In recent years, and especially since the pandemic, many people have begun to do more work outside their homes and realized their need for a quality outdoor shed. Our customers have used many of our structures and turned them into the garden sheds of their dreams.
Evaluate Your Garden Shed Space:
To begin, it’s crucial to evaluate your garden shed’s interior and exterior spaces. You might be surprised by the amount of room you actually have in your garden shed. Consider features such as double doors, an entry door, windows for natural light, and ventilation outlets. Assess the building materials – be it wood, metal, or other. The goal is to identify opportunities to maximize space and access in the garden shed. With strategic planning and foresight, you can create the perfect garden storage solution to meet your needs.
Organize According to Usage:
To make the most of your garden shed, categorize your gardening tools, supplies, and other items by how often you use them. Frequently used items should have easy access, while seasonal or seldom-used items can be stored in harder-to-reach areas. Outdoor storage solutions like wall-mounted hooks and magnetic bars can create additional space in your shed. Garden sheds are also a great place to store chemicals such as gasoline, fertilizer, and other items that you might not want to store in your garage.
Introduce Efficient Storage Solutions:
Storage sheds can quickly become a chaotic mess if not adequately organized. Introduce a mix of storage solutions like shelving units, pegboards, and bins. Even bicycles and yard tractors can have their designated places in your outdoor storage shed. The key is to keep your tools off the ground and in their designated places. Americans don’t have any problem accumulating “stuff.” However, storing those items can be tricky and a well-organized shed can be the answer to your problems.
Use Your Garden Shed Doors:
The doors of your garden shed, especially if they’re double doors, aren’t just for access – they can be a part of your storage strategy. Over-the-door storage solutions, such as pockets and hooks, provide extra space without impeding entry and exit. However, always be mindful of things you might be using your shed doors for so that when you open the doors, items won’t fall and cause any damage.
Optimize Vertical Space:
Storage doesn’t just happen on the floor. Vertical storage is a game-changer for both large and small sheds, turning walls into storage space. Install shelves, hooks, or even a loft in your garden shed to keep things organized. For example, our utility sheds can be built with 8′ side walls while our lofted barns have sidewalls of 6′ 3″. With the taller sidewalls, there is more space in the shed to store all sorts of garden tools and supplies. Our single-slope sheds are another great choice to store your garden or lawn equipment as well.
Use Your Shed Exterior:
The exterior of your garden shed can be just as valuable as the interior. Some of our customers have added their own lean-to on one side to store larger items like their lawn tractors. Some garden sheds can even be built with a small porch for a place to clean your tools or take a break.
Refresh and Maintain Your Shed:
Last but not least, maintain your shed. Paint your garden shed with a fresh coat annually to protect it from the rain, check the roof for leaks, and clean out any debris. Keeping your shed in good shape will make it an even more attractive feature of your landscape.
Conclusion:
No matter the size of your garden shed, there are always ways to maximize space and make it a functional part of your outdoor space. With these strategies, your outdoor storage shed can become more than just a building for storage. It can become an attractive, efficient part of your backyard that complements your house, garden, and patio. With a little creativity and effort, your garden shed could even double as an art studio or workshop. So, get started today and make the most out of your garden shed!
